How to avoid foreclosure. If you're behind on your mortgage and worried about losing your home, don't assume there's nothing you can do. You have options.

Is bankruptcy right for you? If your debt has become unbearable, and unpayable, you may be thinking about bankruptcy. These 6 simple questions will help you decide whether your financial problems are so severe that they can't be fixed any other way.

Get cash right now. If you're out of money and need a couple hundred dollars to keep food on the table and gas in the car, you don't have to turn to a payday loan store. There are other, less costly ways to get the money you need.

Get debt collectors off your back. We have a 10-step plan that explains how debt collectors work and how you should deal with them.

Enlist the help of a good credit counselor. If you have a mountain of bills you need reputable help that can negotiate a realistic repayment plan with your creditors and get the collection agencies off your back.

Avoid your credit card's most costly penalty. It's called universal default and many consumers don't even know it exists. Yet it allows most cards to raise your interest rate to painful heights if you miss a payment -- any payment, not just your credit card payment -- or commit any number of other financial sins.

Get out of universal default. If you've missed a few payments, your credit card may have pushed the interest on your balance up to 28% or more. To escape that onerous penalty you'll have to call, complain and negotiate. We can help you get ready, ask the right questions and anticipate how the customer service representative will respond.

Get free copies of your credit reports. The first step toward fixing your credit is to find out what the major credit reporting agencies are telling everyone from banks to employers about you -- and make sure it's right.

Get a good secured credit card. If you can't qualify for a conventional card, this is the plastic for you. Just don't waste hundreds of dollars a year on outrageous fees by applying for the wrong one.

Protect yourself from a financial emergency. You can do that even if you're living paycheck-to-paycheck. Just try one or two of our suggestions and stop worrying that an unexpected car repair or illness will leave you penniless.

Manage your money. It's tough to pay off all your bills. But building financial security for yourself and your family is easier if you have a plan and some simple rules to help make smart decisions each and every day.

A budget can help you spend more wisely. Let us show you where your hard-earned dollars are going and how you can change your spending habits to reach your goals.

Microloans are a new way to borrow $1,000 to $25,000 at a reasonable cost.

Have a question about your finances?Ask us at editors@interest.com
interest.com - 2007-11-05