Topics in Critical Condition
Updated - May 9, 2008


Consumer Tips for Dealing with Debt
Tips on how to climb out of credit card debt.

Can't Afford Auto Lease
How to get out of a too-expensive auto lease.

Quick Fix or Daily Habit?
Getting personal finances in order one day at a time.

Realistic Credit Repair
Ways to improve your score over time.

Correcting Your Credit Report
70% of all credit reports contain errors.

My Story: Unemployment Advice
Here's what to do if you find yourself unemployed.


Retired, with little income, big tax bill
Living just off her Social Security income, a 72-year-old woman asks columnist Alan Klayman how to go about paying her property taxes on such a small fixed income.

When credit cards are compromised by thieves
When credit card account information is stolen, the thief uses your card information to request a change in the billing address and an additional card. The thief can then use your account for as long as it takes you to realize that your card has been compromised....

Laid off, debt climbing, what now?
If you have savings, there are ways to decrease reliance on credit cards by setting up a short-term income strategy.

Deep in debt? Try to get a better settlement deal
A recent drop in prices that debt buyers pay for bad credit card debts may give consumers negotiating settlements more room to negotiate.



Our Friends Encouraged Us to Become Debt Free!
"My friend Alan and his wife were starting the road to become debt free, and they wanted us there with them," Garry said. Check out his story.

Our Two Big Stupid Taxes
"Well, we've paid quite a few Stupid Taxes, but our best stories are..." Check out Tali's 2 stories.

Can't Make Those Payments!
Santo's sister got scammed on a car finance deal. Can Dave help her before she gets sunk?

I'm No Longer Depressed About Money!
"Due to a divorce, supporting 2 kids, and my bad decisions with money, I had racked up over $13,000 in credit card debt. I was also stuck in a car fleece I couldn't afford."

The Pesky Sears Credit Card
Think you're going to use that credit card for just one major purchase and cut it up the next day? Yeah right. Just ask Sandra.



Bankrate: Fighting Foreclosures

With the home equity bubble popping, consumers could find their homes in peril, especially those with adjustable-rate mortgages.

Fight Foreclosure
A number of factors started the housing mess but it ends with homeowners fighting to keep a roof over their heads.

8 Do's and Don'ts for Fighting Foreclosure
What to do and what to avoid in order to avert a financial disaster.

Mortgages: Mortgage Foreclosure Timeline for Day 1 through Day 415
Homeowners have several chances to stop the foreclosure process once it's started. Here are the details to help you keep your house.

Avoiding Foreclosure-Rescue Scams
The convergence of economic and political forces may soon bring about a home-equity version of the stock market crash of 1929.

Double Whammy: Foreclosure and Taxes
Losing your home in a foreclosure is bad enough. Wait until you get the tax bill.

Facing foreclosure? Try a Workout.
If you're in trouble with your mortgage, here are steps to take to work out a solution with your lender.

Foreclosure Counseling for Homeowners
Community organizations offer a less intimidating alternative to banks for homeowners trying to work through foreclosure.

Know-Your-Mortgage Worksheet
Can't keep the terms and conditions on your adjustable-rate mortgage straight? Use this work sheet to pull the key information together on one simple form.

Mortgage Reset Calculator
Do you know what your new mortgage payment will be when your rate adjusts? Use this calculator to find out what your payment would be if your rate was to adjust today.


Bankrate's guide to understanding your debt and getting it under control.

Understanding Your Debt
Are your bills keeping you up at night? Make a change by facing your debt head on.

Using Home Equity
Home equity loans can be a good way to organize your debts, and the interest is generally tax deductible.

Reorganizing Finances
Explore all your assets to come up with a game plan for ending the uncomfortable debt spiral.

Seeking Debt Help
Are you drowning in debt? Perhaps it's time to call in the debt experts for some guidance.

Considering Bankruptcy
Before you toss your debts in the bankruptcy ring, understand the ramifications.



Reader's Tips
The smartest reader's on the web share their frugal living ideas!




12-step program for ID theft victims
Follow these steps to reclaim your identity and restore your good name.

You may still owe after repossession
Lenders retain the right to collect money owed following a repossession, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson.

Dumping car on lender will trash credit
"Voluntary repossession" is a surefire way to trash your credit, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson.

Risks of online public records
Think you've got your personal information under control? Some of it may appear in online public records -- which is yet another avenue for ID theft when enough personal information is exposed.

Subpar credit may mean lousy loan deal
A good FICO score is crucial to getting the best terms on a car loan, says Bankrate car columnist Terry Jackson.

The Bankruptcy Adviser

Converting from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
Type of bankruptcy hinges on your income, but you may be able to convert after the original filing.

Predatory lending victim facing bankruptcy
Senior citizen's mortgage balloons to exceed her Social Security income, but before she files bankruptcy, she should seek legal recourse.

Keeping a car in bankruptcy
There are some alternatives to giving up your wheels when filing Chapter 7.


The Debt Adviser

Swimming up a debt waterfall? Try this
Small steps can give you the energy to tackle a big debt.

Ask collector for proof of debt payoff
Protect yourself by requesting written proof of a debt payoff./p>

Fine print hides convenience-check cost
Americans pay when they skip over the fine print of their credit agreements.


Bankrate: Bad Credit

Beat the bad credit blues: Bankrate has selected seven areas where your credit history can have a big impact, explaining how bad credit can affect you and what you can do to make things better.

How Bad Credit Can Impact Your Life
Bad credit can impact many parts of your life. Here's how, and what to do.

Your Credit Cards
Credit cards got you into a mess. But they can also help you get out.

Your Job
A bad credit report could cost you a job or keep you from being promoted.

Your Car Loan
Bad credit can bump that car loan rate way up.

Your Insurance
Believe it or not, a bad credit report can drive up the cost of your insurance.

Your Rent
A bad credit history can make it tough for you to find a place to live.

Your Mortgage
The worse your credit, the more you're likely to pay for a mortgage loan.

Your Student Loan
Even with bad credit, you can still get an education.


Understanding and Protecting Credit

A 14-lesson guide to understanding and protecting your credit.

This week's lesson:
Lesson 14: Fighting Back Against Credit Card Company Practices
Don't fall prey to credit card company tactics that are designed to take advantage of consumers.

Previous lessons:
Lesson 1: Be Credit Smart
Being credit smart can help you save a lot of money, and make life a lot less complicated and stressful.

Lesson 2: Your Credit Report
Your credit report is an important key to your financial future, because it can cost you or save you a lot of money.

Lesson 3: Your Credit Score
Your credit score is one of your most valuable financial assets!

Lesson 4: Is Your Credit Score Accurate?
It is very important to check your credit reports on a regular basis to make sure everything is accurate!

Lesson 5: How to Improve Your Credit Score
Make sure you get the credit you deserve.

Lesson 6: Credit Monitoring
Monitoring your credit can be a wise investment to help protect your credit, and your good name.

Lesson 7: Identity Theft
Get the facts on the fastest growing crime.

Lesson 8: Identity Theft Part II
Know these 7 common warning signs.

Lesson 9: Identity Theft Part III
Steps you can take and habits you can practice to reduce your chances of becoming an identity theft victim.

Lesson 10: Identity Theft Victims
Immediate steps to take if you think you have become victim to identity theft.

Lesson 11: Keys to Credit
It's important to start off on the right foot when establishing and using credit.

Lesson 12: Separating Fact from Myth
Separating credit facts from myths can help you better understand and manage your credit.

Lesson 13: Top Ten List of Worst Credit Card Company Practices
Be careful not to become trapped by these credit card company tricks.

Credit Action Center:
Check Your Credit
Monitor Credit Daily
Get 3-in-1 Credit Report

Other Credit Learning Center Resources:
Loan Savings Center
Comparison Shopping
Personal Finance
Financial Planning
The Insurance Center
Car Buying Strategies