Start here · 10 lessons
I need to start over.
Rebuilding after a setback or a hard year. Take these in order. One a day is plenty. Ticking “Done” is saved only on this device.
- Your first budget in 20 minutes
Write down your monthly take-home pay, list your bills and spending, and subtract.
- Reading your credit report
Get your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, then go through each one for accounts you don't recognize, wrong balances and late payments that aren't yours.
- Disputing errors on your report
Dispute the mistake with the credit bureau that shows it, online, by mail or by phone.
- Debt collectors: your rights
A debt collector has to tell you who you owe, how much, and how to dispute it.
- Payday loans and other expensive traps
A payday loan is a small, short-term loan due on your next payday, and it's very expensive.
- How much to save, starting small
Start with a small first goal, sized to the kind of surprise bill you've actually had before.
- Freezing your credit
A credit freeze stops lenders from seeing your credit report, so nobody can open new credit in your name.
- Getting free legal help
Civil legal aid is free for people with low incomes.
- Bouncing back after a setback
Resilience is a skill you can learn, not a trait you're born with.
- What to do if you got scammed
Move fast.