Not "what is it" — "what should I do?"
Our guides explain how money works. This section helps you choose. Short decision guides, honest side-by-side comparisons, and day-by-day timelines of what happens if you wait.
Should I…? guides
Answer 3–4 quick questions and get a straight verdict for your situation.
Should I pay the collection or my credit card first?
Only enough money for one. Which payment protects your credit — and your wallet — the most?
Should I take a tax refund advance?
"Get your refund today" sounds free. Sometimes it is — and sometimes it quietly costs $100–$400.
Should I close an old credit card I don't use?
Closing feels tidy. It can also knock your score down right before you need it.
Cash advance app — or just ask for more time?
A $9 'tip' beats a $35 late fee. Except when it doesn't. Here's how to tell.
Should I consolidate my debt?
One payment instead of five sounds simpler. It's only cheaper under three conditions.
Should I co-sign a loan for someone?
It feels like a favor. Legally, it's your loan with their name on the car.
Buy Now, Pay Later — or save up?
Four payments of $60 feels smaller than $240. Your bank balance disagrees six weeks later.
Debt settlement company — or do it myself?
The ads promise to cut your debt in half. The fees, the credit damage, and the lawsuits are in smaller print.
Should I borrow from my 401(k)?
No credit check, low rate, you pay yourself back. So why do advisors wince? It depends on three things.
Should I consolidate or rehabilitate my defaulted student loan?
Both get you out of default. One cleans your credit, the other is fast. Four questions decide it.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 — which kind of bankruptcy fits me?
One erases debt in months. The other saves your house over years. Three questions point you to the right chapter.
FHA, VA, or USDA — which home loan fits me?
Three government-backed loans for buyers with less saved. Your service history, your ZIP code and your credit score pick the one.
Roth or traditional IRA — which one should I open?
Same account, opposite tax timing. Three questions tell you which one fits your income today and your plans later.
Can I afford to take unpaid leave after the baby?
Twelve weeks at home is the dream. Three questions show whether your numbers can carry it — and what closes the gap if they can't.
Should I file with FEMA, my insurance, or both first?
The order matters — FEMA won't pay for anything insurance covers, and both have deadlines. Three questions set your sequence.
Claim Social Security at 62, 67 or 70?
The gap between claiming early and waiting is nearly $1,000 a month for life. Three questions point to your age.
Cooperativa or bank for my first loan in Puerto Rico?
Both are insured. The right one depends on your credit file, how fast you need the money, and whether you'll stay a member.
FEMA, an SBA loan, or CDBG-DR to fix my home after a hurricane?
Three pots of money, three sets of rules. The order you apply in matters.
Hacienda or the IRS — where do I file if I live in Puerto Rico?
Most residents file with Hacienda. Some also owe the IRS a form — and families with kids should want to.
Head-to-head comparisons
The options side by side — cost, speed, risk, and who each one actually fits.
Secured card vs credit-builder loan vs authorized user
Three ways to start (or restart) a credit file. Side by side: cost, speed, risk, and who each one fits.
Payday loan vs cash advance app vs pawn loan vs asking for more time
You need $300 for two weeks. Here's what each option really costs — and what happens if you can't repay on time.
"What happens if…" timelines
Day by day: what it costs, what it does to your credit, and the move that stops it at each stage.
What happens if I miss a car payment?
From a late fee to a repo truck: the real timeline, and the one move that stops it at each stage.
What happens if I stop paying a payday loan?
Overdrafts, rollovers, collectors, and the one thing they can't do: have you arrested.
What happens if I ignore a debt collector?
Silence feels safe. Here's what it actually costs you at 30 days, 90 days, and in court — and the free move that beats it.
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