Managing Your Credit and
Debt in Difficult Times

• Handling Demands from Debt Collectors
• Bad Checks and Overdrafts - A Primer
• Medical Bills - When You Think You Can't Pay Them
• Foreclosure and Holding Onto Your House
• About Bankruptcy
• Your Credit Report - Know What It Says
• Legal Myths about Credit
• Credit Cards
• Before You Sign a Contract



• Paycheck and Car Title Loans - They put the High in High Interest
• Credit Counseling - Scams versus Life Changing Services
• Arbitration

• Filing for Unemployment in Missouri
• Car Repossession

Consumer Facts from the Federal Trade Commission (More)

Out of Work:? FTC Suggestions on Dealing with Debt(More)

How to Prioritize Your Debt (More)

Economic Survival Tips (More): 

Protect Yourself from Overdraft Fees (More)

Should you pass on the bank's offer to provide overdraft protection? (More) (Download)

Five Sneaky Overdraft Fees (More)

What happens when you write a bad check?  When can you be prosecuted? How long do you have to make the check good and to avoid some nasty consequences? These and other questions are discussed in a Law in Your Life interview with Audrain County Prosecutor Jason Lamb. Click here for the interview.

Medical expenses are some of the most costly to pay - especially for the uninsured. What you may not know is that hospitals typically overcharge for services, or bill you for services that were not performed. What else should you know when dealing with mounting medical debt? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson sits down with attorney Larry Ferguson to learn more Law in Your Life #56: Medical Bills

Understanding Your Medical Bill by the American Academy of Family Physicians  (More)

Five Ways to Lower Your Medical Bill (More)

Hospitals Put Patients’ Debt Up for Auction (More)

Avoiding Default and Foreclosure (More)

Mortgage Foreclosure Resources (More)

Steps You Can Take to Avoid Foreclosure (More)

Bankruptcy Pros and Cons from the American Bar Association (More)

Bankruptcy Explained (More)

Bankruptcy FAQ by Nolo (More)

Your Rights from the Federal Trade Commission (More)

Credit Reports and Scoring (More) 

How to Dispute Credit Report Scores (More)

Building a Better Credit Report (More)

Your Credit Score by FairIsaac and Consumer Federation of America (More)

Your Credit Score and How to Fix Errors by the Federal Reserve (More)

I
Some people wrongly believe that if you pay just a little on a bill - even if it isn't the minimum payment, you can't get sued. Others mistakenly believe that  you can ignore a court order and the case will just go away. The world is filled with myths about the judicial system. What is truth and what is an old wives' tale? Host Angela Wilson gets the facts from Columbia attorney Michael McCrary. (Audio Interview)

Credit myths from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (More)

Mythbuster --- Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws (More)

Everything You Need to Know About Your Credit Card (More)

New Credit Card Law - You Need to Know What it Does for You (More)

The No Interest Financing Trap (More)

Credit Card Gotchas, plus tips from Consumer Reports (More)

Law in Your Life #13: Sales Contracts

Sales contracts are a part of everyday life, but what are your rights when you sign on the dotted line? Can you back out of certain agreements? Today host Angela Wilson talks to St. Louis attorney Mike Ferry about this important issue. (Audio Interview)

Sales contracts are part of everyday life. You need one to get a cell phone, buy a house or car, or to make to receive a loan. What happens if you need to revise that contract? Is it difficult? What is the potential impact? Today host Angela Wilson talks to Columbia attorney Todd Werts about what happens when you need to revise an agreement. (Audio Interview) (Internet Explorer users click twice.)

All About Payday Loans and their Alternatives (More)

High Risk for Title Loans (More)

Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a  Credit Counselor (More)

Credit Repair Companies Draw Complaints (More)

Watch Out for Credit Counseling Abuses (More)

Factsheet from the Center for Responsible Lending (More)

Law In Your Life #57: Arbitration (Audio Interview))

Today, it seems, nearly everything is handled through arbitration. Late bills and employment issues are some of the most popular items solved through arbitration. But the system isn't always good for the consumer. In fact, studies show that it can work against the average American. What should you know before signing a contract that forces you to use arbitration to settle disputes? Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney John Campbell. (Download audio)

If you have lost your job, you could be eligible to receive unemployment compensation from Missouri.  And if you are turned down,  you have a right to appeal that decision. To learn more about your unemployment benefits, listen to this Law in Your Life interview.

To file an Unemployment Claim in Missouri (More)