Shannon McNay Insler

How to Know if You Should Use Personal Loans or Credit Cards to Consolidate Your Debt

A guide to choosing the right debt consolidation strategy — comparing personal loans and credit cards to find the best fit for your financial situation.

Natural Disasters Can Wreak Havoc on Your Credit. Here's How to Respond

Even if you don't lose your home, a natural disaster can create financial stress. A step-by-step checklist for shoring up your credit while you rebuild.

This 1 Simple Mistake Could Destroy Your Credit. Here's How to Protect Yourself

How errors in the personal information section of your credit report can have serious consequences — and what you can do to catch and fix them.

How to Protect Yourself Against Shady Debt Collectors

Your rights under the FDCPA and practical steps to take when debt collectors cross the line.

A Mistake on Your 'Debit Report' Can Have Frustrating Consequences. Here's What to Do If You Find One

What ChexSystems reports are, why they matter, and how to dispute errors that could affect your ability to open a bank account.

5 Common Mistakes That Can Cause Your Check to Bounce

The avoidable errors that lead to bounced checks and overdraft fees — and how to steer clear of them.

Here's When to Use a Personal Loan Rather Than a Credit Card

Breaking down the scenarios where a personal loan makes more financial sense than reaching for plastic.

Paid Off Your Credit Card Balance? Here's Why You May Not Want to Cancel the Card

Why closing a credit card after paying it off might actually hurt your credit score — and what to do instead.

Here's Everything You Need to Know About Your Credit History and How It Affects Your Credit Score

A deep dive into credit history — what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes the credit score that lenders use to evaluate you.

12 Facts About Credit Cards That Not Everyone Knows (But Should)

The essential credit card knowledge that can save you money and protect your financial health.

Everything You Need to Know About Installment Accounts and How They Affect Your Credit

A plain-English explainer on installment accounts — what they are, how they work, and why they matter for your credit profile.

Does Your Personal Credit Affect Your Business? Here's What You Need to Know

The often-overlooked connection between personal and business credit, and why entrepreneurs need to pay attention to both.

Before You Dispute an Issue on Your Credit Report, Here's What You Need to Know

The smart way to approach credit report disputes — what to prepare, what to expect, and how to get mistakes resolved.

How to Protect Your Credit Card Information (and What to Do If It Gets Stolen)

Practical steps to keep your credit card data safe — and a clear action plan if your information is compromised.

Wondering What a Revolving Credit Account Is? Here's an Explanation in Plain English

Demystifying revolving credit — how it works, how it differs from installment credit, and how to use it wisely.

Why the Sandwich Generation Doesn't Have It Easy

How to Adult

Achieve Your Short-Term Goals No Matter What They Are

How Friendships Can Impact Your Financial Behavior

Finance and Emotions: Financial Planning

Debt Management: Peace and Complacency

How to Pay Off Debt: Control Your Debt Number

How to Plan a Financial Future

Why Saving for Retirement Is So Hard

The Worst Advice for Paying Off Credit Card Debt

Why Spending Money to "Treat Yo Self" Hurts

The Dangers of a Graduated Repayment Plan

How Student Loans Improved My Life

Student Loan Identity Theft

How to Increase Your Credit Limit

The Best Place to Live in an Expensive City

What Can I Afford? The Psychology of Money

How to Conquer Financial Anxiety

Saving for College: How to Avoid Debt in Retirement

The Debt Avalanche Method: How to Pay Off Student Debt

How to Avoid Charity Scams

Financial Expectations When You Have Big Debt

How to Establish Credit

How to Reduce College Expenses

For-Profit Colleges to Avoid

Your Money Pattern and Ways to Fix It

What Is an Adverse Action Notice?

How Rate Shopping for Loans Affects Your Credit Score

How to Manage Money When Budgeting Fails

How to Increase Your Credit Score

Tips to Cut Down Credit Card Costs

What Affects Your Credit Score

Credit Utilization Ratio: What It Is and Why It Matters

How Do Credit Scores Work?

20 Credit Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Travel Hacking: How to Avoid Credit Card Debt

Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean

Credit Reports 101

Housing Prices Reach a New High

Denied Credit? How to Get Approval Next Time

How to Improve Your Credit Score in 30 Days

How to Build Your Credit

How to Build Credit for the First Time

What Is the Average Credit Score?

How to Read a Credit Report

Living at Home: One-Third of Millennials Are Doing It

How Long Does It Take to Refinance Student Loans?

Understanding Credit Report Reason Codes

How Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score

Can You Refinance Student Loans with Fluctuating Income?

How to Write a Debt Validation Letter

Financial Stress and Work Productivity

How to Refinance a Student Loan in Default

How to Pay for College While in School

New Grads: How to Handle Student Loan Payments While Looking for a Job

Student Loans and Going Back to School

How to Pay Off Student Loans Early

Credit Card Rates: Understanding the Different Types

Is a Debt Relief Program Legit?

The Psychological Effects of Debt: Survey Results

The Complete Guide to Financial Aid for Grad School

What's the Best Way to Consolidate Debt?

How Long After Paying Off Debt Does Your Credit Score Improve?

Debt Settlement Negotiations: How to Win

Student Loan Default: What Happens

6 Ways to Lower Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Credit Card Minimum Payment: How It Affects Debt Payoff

The Ultimate Guide to Grants for College

Debt Consolidation Programs: What You Need to Know

Pell Grant Requirements: How to Apply

What Happens When a Debt Collector Comes After Your Student Loans

How Optimism Bias Prevents Faster Student Loan Payoff

What Is a Perfect Credit Score?

How to Pay Medical Bills You Can't Afford

Key Laws You Need to Know That Affect Your Finances

Student Loan Interest Rates: A Complete Guide

How Do I Change My Student Loan Repayment Plan?

What Is a 401(k)?

Do Millennials Have It Better or Worse Than Generations Past?

Living Cheap in a Big City When Rent Is Devouring Your Life

Five Things a Bank Teller Could Teach You About Your Finances

Breaking the Mental Chains of Debt

Are the Holidays Annihilating Your Budget?

What Will You Do When You Reach Zero?

Moving for Cheap

How to Ensure Positive Changes Turn into Lifelong Habits

What to Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills

Big City vs. Small City: What Costs More?

How to Find a Job When You're in Debt

Life After Tax Season

What to Do When Your Credit Limit Is Lowered

How to Find a Reputable Debt Consolidation Company

How to Lower Interest Rates on Credit Cards

Living on a Budget in the City

Should I Do a Payment Protection Plan?

Federal Student Loans and Debt Collectors

What Should You Do Before Buying a House?

Dealing with Debt as a Couple

What to Do If You're Scared of Your Partner's Debt

How Much Is Your Time Worth?

Evaluating Finances After a Breakup

How Biweekly Payments Work

Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt

Thinking Debt Is Not a Problem

Not Making Debt Payoff a Top Priority

Doubting Your Chances of a Good Financial Future

What to Do If You Hate Budgeting

Why You Aren't Saving Money

When You Don't Feel Like You're Making Progress in Debt Payoff

How to Break the Cycle of Debt

How to Beat Instant Gratification Syndrome

Feeling a Need to Maintain Appearances

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

How to Conquer Mental Barriers

Lifelong Goals Are the Key to Motivation

How to Evaluate Your Financial Priorities

How to Strategize Your Finances

The Emotions of Becoming Debt Free

How to Build a Savings

How to Build a Retirement Fund

How to Start Investing

Obamacare, Government Shutdowns, and Why You Should Care

Why It's Harder Than Ever to Obtain a Preapproval on a Mortgage

Government Shutdown: How Furloughed Workers Can Keep Their Finances in Order

How to Pay Off a Debt Consolidation Loan

Tax Forms: Another Victim of the Shutdown

How Big Banks Are Working to Serve the Unbanked

Banks and Lenders Offering a Helping Hand to Furloughed Workers

National Save for Retirement Week Encourages a More Secure Financial Future

Higher Education Finally Catching On to the Student Loan Debt Problem

The Great Debate: Paying Off Debt or Saving for Retirement

Know Your Rights When Dealing with Banks and Lenders

Don't Be Duped by Scammers Posing as IRS Agents

Don't Let Store Cards Drive You into Debt This Holiday Season

Graduates in Default Have a New Lifeline

Good News: The CARD Act Is Actually Helping People

Home Loan Interest Rates on the Rise: How You Can Prepare

Private Student Loans: More Costly Than You Might Think

Standing Up for Yourself When You're a Victim of Financial Bullying

Mortgage and Debt Relief Companies Under Fire: How to Spot a Scam

Payday Lenders Sue on Defaulted Loans: How You Can Avoid Court

Charitable Giving: How to Make Sure Your Money Is Going to the Right Place

Cruising into Debt: The High Cost of Low Monthly Auto Payments

Protecting Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft with the Help of the FTC

Paying a Professional to Prepare Your Taxes: Watch Out for Errors and Fraud

Is a Low Credit Score a Never-Ending Cycle?

There's a New Credit Score on the Block: Predictive Credit Scores

How to Reduce the Compounding Stress of Car Ownership

Battle of the Budget: When Emotions Win Over Logic

How to Avoid Scams by Phone, Email, and Mail

Are We All Secretly Suffering from Financial Anxiety?

Invitation for Debt: How Financial Aid Letters Are Tricking Prospective Students

Co-Signers in Trouble Could Lead to Default on Your Loans

Real-World Money Advice for New Grads

How to Prepare Your High School Senior for College Finances

The Shocking Impact of Medical Debt on Your Credit Score

Overcoming Debt Put One Man on a Journey to Start His Own Business

Lost Generation No More: It's Time to Take Back Our Deferred Dreams

It's Time to Get Realistic About Marriage and Money

Fast Track to Student Loan Repayment May Have Adverse Impact on Retirement

Raise Your Credit by Reporting Rent, Plus Other Uncommon Strategies

Obligations, Impulse Spending, and Other Budget Leaks

Can Expectations Deter Your Financial Success?

Why You Should Never Say You're "Bad at Math" and Other Financial Wisdom

What Is a Credit Utilization Rate?

The Key to Protecting Your Financial Information from a Scam

What Is a Line of Credit?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt?

The Conservative Generation: How the Recession Created a New Type of Millennial

Communication and Your Finances: Why You Need to Master It

The FAFSA Does Not Equal Free Money

Telling It Straight: Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement

Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Management

Meet Lisa: A Working Mom Who Flips Houses to Pay Off Debt

Should I Consolidate My Credit Cards?

What Is a Reason Code?

ReadyForZero Video Shoot

How to Schedule Payments with ReadyForZero Plus

How Does ReadyForZero Work?

What Is the ReadyForZero Community?

Announcing ReadyForZero's Very First eBooks

Announcing the Complete ReadyForZero eBook Collection

Destination Debt Free

Mapping out the journey to becoming debt free — the milestones, mindset shifts, and strategies that get you there.

Debt Consolidation vs. Balance Transfer Cards

Weighing the pros and cons of two popular debt reduction strategies to help readers choose the right path.

Debt Consolidation vs. Credit Counseling

Breaking down the differences between debt consolidation and credit counseling to help readers find the right support.

What Is the Best Way to Consolidate Credit Cards?

A practical guide to the most effective methods for consolidating credit card debt.

Learning to Think of the Future You

How shifting your mindset to consider your future self can transform the way you make financial decisions today.

The High Cost of Sleep Deprivation

The surprising financial and personal toll of not getting enough sleep — and what it has to do with your money.

What Is Debt Settlement and How Does It Work?

A clear explanation of the debt settlement process — how it works, the risks involved, and whether it's the right choice.

Wage Garnishment Puts the Brake on Financial Recovery for Americans

How wage garnishment traps people in a cycle of debt and what options are available for relief.

$18B in Student Loan Debt Threatening the Livelihood of Senior Citizens

The growing crisis of student loan debt among older Americans and its impact on retirement security.

CFPB Warns Against the True Cost of Credit Card Promotions

What the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants you to know about the hidden costs lurking in credit card promotional offers.

Here's What No One Will Tell You About Paying for College (But Should)

The uncomfortable truths about college costs that families need to hear before taking on student debt.

Generation Mortgage: Why Gen X Is in More Debt

Exploring why Generation X carries a heavier debt burden than other generations — and what's driving it.

Are You One of the 800,000 Americans Who Could Benefit from the Home Affordable Refinance Program?

A guide to the Home Affordable Refinance Program — who qualifies, how it works, and how to take advantage of it.

From Broadway to Business and Back: One Man's Journey to Debt Freedom and Career Fulfillment

An inspiring story of pursuing passion, facing debt head-on, and finding a path to both financial and creative freedom.

Will a Day Come When Our Entire Lives Are Scored?

A thought-provoking look at credit scores, data collection, and whether we're heading toward a future where everything gets a rating.

Focus on Your Financial Pain Points to Better Organize Your Priorities

How identifying your biggest financial pain points can help you prioritize and take more effective action.

What to Do If You Fall Behind on Car Loan Payments

Practical steps to take when you're struggling with car loan payments — before the situation gets worse.

Far from Alone: 1 in 3 Consumers Dealing with Debt Collectors

The staggering number of Americans facing debt collection — and what it means for the broader financial landscape.

How to Send a Request for Validation of Debt Letter

A step-by-step guide to exercising your right to request debt validation — and why it matters.

New Predatory Lending Directed at Military Families: What to Look Out For

Exposing predatory lending practices targeting military families and how service members can protect themselves.