A full list of what we have written so far, organized by subject.
Cheaper Alternatives (4)
Credit union, bank and community options.
- Credit Union Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): A Cheaper Short-Term Loan
- Earned Wage Access and Cash Advance Apps: What They Cost
- Help to Look for Before You Borrow: Bills, Food, Rent and Medical Costs
- Small Loans From Your Bank, Overdrafts and Cash Advances Compared
Debt Relief (5)
Credit counseling, settlement and bankruptcy basics.
- A Timeline for Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
- Does Debt Settlement Hurt Your Credit? What Really Happens
- Getting Started With Debt Settlement
- If You're Sued Over a Payday Loan: What to Do First
- What People Get Wrong About Debt Settlement
Emergency Savings (5)
Building a small cushion on a tight income.
- Before You Cash Out Retirement Savings for an Emergency
- If You Drain Your Emergency Fund, Do This Next
- Tapping Your Emergency Savings? What to Check First
- The Real Cost of a $500 Emergency Without Savings
- What Is a Matched Savings Program and How Does It Work?
Help With Bills (5)
Utility, rent and medical bill assistance.
- A Timeline for a Hospital Bill You Can't Pay
- Before You Accept a Hospital Payment Plan: A Checklist
- Before You Fall Behind on Utility Bills: A Checklist
- Can I Get Help Paying My Phone or Internet Bill?
- Getting Started With LIHEAP Energy Assistance
Payday Loan Basics (4)
Costs, state laws and title loans explained.
- Car Title Loans: How They Work and Why One in Five Ends in Repossession
- Do Payday Loans Affect Your Credit? How Reporting and Defaults Work
- How Payday Loans Work, and What They Really Cost
- Payday Loan Laws by State: Bans, Rate Caps and Limits
Rebuilding Credit (4)
Getting back on track after a short-term loan.
- After You Pay Off a Payday Loan: A Checklist
- How to Get Rent and Utility Payments on Your Credit Report
- What a Defaulted Payday Loan Really Costs You
- What Is a Goodwill Letter and When Does It Work?
Your Rights (4)
Military protections, payments, collectors and scams.