For many Americans, debt isn’t just a balance on a screen—it’s a daily weight. In a 2025 survey by financial services company ...

An example of good debt is a student loan used to pay for education that increases your earning potential or a mortgage for a home that builds equity over time. A car loan can be considered bad debt ...

Confused about how to get out of debt? Here's how to decide if debt relief or credit counseling would work best.

If you're struggling with high amounts of debt and are unable to get the issue under control, the promises made by debt management companies — items like "reduce your payments," "consolidate your debt ...

There are several ways to deal with overwhelming debt, and the right one for you depends on the severity of the problem and the resources you have. If you’re exploring debt management vs. debt ...

IT’S HELPING FAMILIES, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN UP. AS WE CAME CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE END OF PAYING IT OFF, WE JUST FELT BETTER AND BETTER. IAN MOORE SAYS CREDIT CARD BALANCE ...

Matt Richardson is the senior managing editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com. He writes and edits content about personal finance ranging from savings to investing to insurance.

Before you hand over money to a debt collector, take these steps to protect both your finances and your rights.