All Guides

United States money guides for every stage

Practical, step-by-step guides on debt, budgeting, credit, housing, insurance and retirement, written in plain English.

Debt Help

Credit Counseling and Debt Management Plans Explained

How nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans work, what they cost, the red flags to avoid and the questions to ask before you sign anything.

8 min read

Debt Collection

Time-Barred Debt: What an Old Debt Means for You

How the statute of limitations on debt works in the US, why a payment can restart the clock, and what to do if a collector contacts you about an old debt.

7 min read

Your Rights When a Debt Collector Contacts You

What debt collectors can and can't do under US federal law: calling hours, validation notices, the 30-day dispute window and how to make them stop.

7 min read

Budgeting & Saving

How to Build an Emergency Fund, Even on a Tight Budget

A practical guide to starting an emergency fund: how much to aim for, where to keep it, how to automate saving and what counts as a real emergency.

7 min read

Credit

What Makes Up Your Credit Score and How to Improve It

The five factors in a FICO credit score and their weights: payment history, amounts owed, history length, new credit and mix. Plus practical ways to improve.

8 min read

How to Get Your Free Credit Reports and Fix Errors

Get your free weekly credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, check them for mistakes and dispute errors step by step, with the CFPB's guidance.

8 min read

Retirement & Investing

401(k) Basics: How It Works and 2026 Limits

How a 401(k) works: pre-tax and Roth contributions, employer matching, the 2026 contribution limits and how a 401(k) compares with an IRA.

8 min read

This page provides general information only. It is not personalized financial, legal or tax advice, and rules and figures can change and can differ from state to state. Your situation is unique, so please check official sources such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and speak to a qualified professional before making important decisions about your money.

Confidential Help

You do not have to face money worries alone

Nonprofit credit counselors can help you look at your whole situation, with no upfront fees and no obligation through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Speaking to a counselor is a good first step towards getting back on track.

Find a nonprofit counselor NFCC: 800-388-2227