Staff Writer

Max Fay

Max Fay has been writing about personal finance for Debt.org for the past five years. His expertise is in student loans, credit cards and mortgages. Max inherited a genetic predisposition to being tight with his money and free with financial advice. He was published in every major newspaper in Florida while working his way through Florida State University. He can be reached at [email protected].

Letter with a notice of a foreclosure

How to Stop Foreclosure

By Max Fay | October 7, 2021

Losing your home to foreclosure is a scary and depressing prospect. Aside from the short-term need for housing, there is the longer-term damage it does to your financial future. But…

Bankruptcy attorney getting hiring by a client

How to Find an Affordable Bankruptcy Attorney

By Max Fay | October 4, 2021

The very fact that an individual is considering bankruptcy speaks to the difficulty in paying an attorney to help you file. If you’re in debt, does it make more sense…

Man in suit choosing between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13

By Max Fay | September 30, 2021

Declaring bankruptcy is a big deal. The long-term damage it can do to your credit is such that bankruptcy only should be considered as a last resort, after credit counseling,…

Handing keys to someone who just bought a house

Can You Buy a House After Bankruptcy?

By Max Fay | September 22, 2021

Bankruptcy does not preclude anyone from buying a home, but it will take some serious work to get it done. Buying a home after bankruptcy depends on taking the right…

Dealer handing new car keys to the buyer who recently filed bankruptcy

Buying a Car After Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | August 11, 2021

After the unpleasantness of bankruptcy proceedings is finally over, a sobering question may arise: What if I need to buy a car? There’s good news: It’s possible, especially if the…

Man filing bankruptcy without his spouse

Can I File for Bankruptcy Without My Spouse?

By Max Fay | August 5, 2021

Though there is room to debate the wisdom of filing for bankruptcy without your spouse, there is no law preventing a husband or wife from doing so. There are several…

Caution sign for Chapter 13 bankruptcy

What Makes Chapter 13 Bankruptcy a Bad Idea?

By Max Fay | July 20, 2021

Bankruptcy laws exist for those whose debt has become unmanageable. Whether it’s bad fortune (think medical bills or a lost job) or financial irresponsibility (think reckless spending with credit cards,…

Bankruptcy with a discount tag

Low Cost Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | July 16, 2021

Bankruptcy is a scary word that gets even scarier when you realize it’s going to cost you money you don’t have, to get rid of the debts you do have.…

Man with no money trying to file bankruptcy

Filing Chapter 7 With No Money

By Max Fay | July 12, 2021

The oxymoron of bankruptcy is that a person in significant debt has to find money to pay for the way to get out of debt. Government thinking, no? Yes, Chapter…

Paperwork to refinance debt for consolidation

Refinancing Mortgage for Debt Consolidation

By Max Fay | June 3, 2021

Debt consolidation through a refinanced mortgage is an attractive and beneficial way to pay off loans and eliminate high-interest debt. The prime factor for qualifying for debt consolidation refinancing is…

Woman stressed about payday loans looks into consolidation

Payday Loan Consolidation

By Max Fay | May 28, 2021

A payday loan can seem like a helping hand for those in quick need of cash to make ends meet. And given the number of payday loans taken out annually,…

Man trying to determine the debt consolidation myths from the truth

The 6 Biggest Debt Consolidation Myths: Know the Truth

By Max Fay | May 28, 2021

If you’re looking for a way out of debt, chances are good you’ve come across the term “debt consolidation” and chances are just as good that everyone you talk to…

Teenager driving a car with his dad

Adding a Teenager to Your Car Insurance Policy

By Max Fay | May 27, 2021

Teens see a driver’s license as a ticket to adulthood and adventure while their parents likely view it as a torpedo aimed at their household budget. The cost of adding…

TV Remote Pointing At Television

I Can’t Pay My Cable Bill: What To Do

By Max Fay | May 25, 2021

Another month, another budget-crippling cable bill. When will it ever stop? The average cable bill is now $103.15 a month and is increasing year after year, despite more competition. What…

Millennial Money logo

Millennial’s Car Rental Issues & Alternatives

By Max Fay | May 24, 2021

We can drive a car at 16, vote at 18, drink at 21, but until recently, we couldn’t rent a car until 25. Fortunately for the 25-and-under crowd, those rules…

Roommates Helps You Save

Save Money With A Roommate & How to Find One

By Max Fay | May 24, 2021

We’ve heard all about your roommate nightmares. There’s the guy who walks around in his boxers eating all your leftovers, or the girl blasting Beyoncé at two in the morning…

How Can You Get Out of Credit Card Debt Without Paying?

By Max Fay | May 23, 2021

Paying credit card bills can feel like fighting a fire. You put out one flame and another pops up. Eventually, you just want to get away from the flames. A…

Intro To Credit Cards

Credit Cards for Millennials: Terms, How to Apply & Rewards Programs

By Max Fay | May 20, 2021

Credit cards are a hot topic for Millennials. Half of the world tells us that credit cards are pure evil and the other half constantly brags about the “rewards” they…

Man filling out application after losing health insurance

I Lost My Health Insurance, Now What?

By Max Fay | May 17, 2021

A pink slip can be a traumatic experience but losing your employer-provided health insurance is nothing short of devastating. Since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in early 2020, tens of millions…

Young male student who is looking at a car to buy with a student loan

Dangers of Using Student Loans to Buy a Car

By Max Fay | May 13, 2021

When the federal government handed out the first student loans in 1958, the message was simple: This money is to be used for education purposes, meaning tuition, books, fees, supplies…

Millennial Money logo

College Guide to Buying Computers

By Max Fay | May 12, 2021

Complete reliance on a laptop is one of the most common shared experiences among college students. You stay up late in the library, pounding on your keyboard and thinking to…

Elizabeth Warren proposed a new type of bankruptcy, Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | March 15, 2021

The federal bankruptcy system could see a drastic overhaul if a bill proposed by two Congressional Democrats becomes law. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Ma.) say their…

Street sign with debt consolidation or balance transfers

Should You Use Debt Consolidation Loans or Balance Transfer Cards?

By Max Fay | March 8, 2021

If the size and complexity of your debt is bothering you, trust your instincts. Yes, you ought to consider consolidating that debt to make it more manageable. There is good…

Client wanting to know how often they can file bankruptcy

How Many Times Can You File for Bankruptcy?

By Max Fay | November 23, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has drained millions of bank accounts and destroyed thousands of businesses. But it’s expected to be good for one business: bankruptcy. When stimulus payments and forbearance measures…

Couple buying first home in Texas

Texas

By Max Fay | August 12, 2020

If you’re a Texas first-time homebuyer, the process can seem overwhelming and intimidating. The challenges include a tight supply of homes and rising prices. But there’s help available that can…

Bankruptcy form for someone with medical debt

Can You File Bankruptcy on Medical Bills?

By Max Fay | July 10, 2020

Medical treatment gets people well. Medical bills make a lot of people sick. Healthcare costs in the U.S. are skyrocketing toward $4 trillion a year. Paying them is so difficult…

Closed sign on small business that declared bankruptcy

Small Business Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | May 18, 2020

While much of the way forward remains murky, many small businesses were casualties of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and more may fade away as the pandemic rolls into its third year.…

Law books on the types of bankruptcies

Types of Bankruptcies

By Max Fay | May 5, 2020

Deciding to declare bankruptcy may be the most important choice of your financial life. But it’s only the first choice. Picking the chapter of bankruptcy that best suits your situation…

Roadside sign that says Payday Loans

Can Credit Counseling Help with Payday Loans?

By Max Fay | February 27, 2020

When in need of quick cash to pay a bill or an emergency expense, a payday loan is often the easiest place to turn. It is also often the most…

African american daughter hugging her mother in military uniform with balloons

Veteran & Active Duty Military Credit Counseling

By Max Fay | February 24, 2020

Financial problems, it turns out, are bigger stressors among military families than deployment, moving, and separation from family. Service members and their spouses ranked financial stress as their biggest concern…

Portrait of young couple sitting on floor dreaming of future house furnishings

Can You Buy a Home While on Credit Counseling?

By Max Fay | February 20, 2020

People normally enter credit counseling when they are struggling with burdensome debt and need help working through it. In most cases, buying a home and taking on a mortgage isn’t…

Vector of people filling tax form documents using internet services

Cheapest Software to File Taxes Online

By Max Fay | February 14, 2020

Advertiser Disclosure Debt.org wants to help those in debt understand their finances and equip themselves with the tools to manage debt. Our information is available for free, however the services…

Happy First Time Homebuyer Couple

First-Time Homebuyer Programs

By Max Fay | January 30, 2020

Traditionally, few achievements are more cherished in America than homeownership. We regard the home as castle, shrine, gathering place, and refuge, the bricks, mortar, and timber symbol of our liberty…

30 mortgage paperwork

30 Year Fixed Mortgage

By Max Fay | January 16, 2020

For generations, the 30-year fixed mortgage has reigned, like hot dogs and apple pie, as America’s gold standard. We love it for it’s predictability and affordability. A 30-year fixed mortgage…

Ripping up a timeshare contract

How to Get Out of a Timeshare

By Max Fay | January 7, 2020

Congratulations, you’ve bought a timeshare! If you are like a lot of people, your next move will be trying to get rid of it. Buyer’s remorse grips a lot of…

Law book titled "Bankruptcy vs Debt Settlement"

Debt Settlement vs. Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | December 30, 2019

When you’ve reached the end of your rope, goes the maxim, tie a knot and hang on. Good advice if you have rope left. If not, and if what little…

Serious professional female advisor consulting client at meeting talking having business conversation

Best Credit Counseling Agencies

By Max Fay | November 5, 2019

  Credit counseling agencies are a dime a dozen, but choosing the right agency can feel like a game of Russian Roulette. How do you know who to trust? What…

Credit Counseling vs. Bankruptcy

By Max Fay | November 5, 2019

Medical emergencies, job losses and even divorces can turn a solid financial base into mush, forcing you to make gut-wrenching decisions that come with lasting consequences. Get to know your…

Scam warning stamp

Recognizing a Credit Repair or Credit Counseling Scam

By Max Fay | November 4, 2019

Just making a phone call or clicking a link online to a credit counseling or credit repair company should make you feel like you’re one step closer to putting your…

We have listed the pros and cons of consolidating your student loans to help you understand

Should You Consolidate Federal Student Loans?

By Max Fay | August 19, 2019

A college education doesn’t come cheap, as 44 million Americans can attest. Collectively, they have borrowed $1.5 trillion to score a diploma and paying it back hasn’t been easy. About…

Male senior with grey hair and glasses holding social security disability claim form in hand on table

How to Appeal a Social Security Disability Denial

By Max Fay | July 15, 2019

About Social Security Disability Denial If you’ve suffered a catastrophic accident, or endured a harrowing diagnosis, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Tread carefully. The path to…

Credit Card Debt Consolidation

7 Ways to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

By Max Fay | May 24, 2019

If you’re having difficulty managing credit card debt, you may want to consider consolidation. The main benefits of credit card consolidation are reduced interest rates and fewer accounts to manage.…

Debt consolidation vs credit card refinance

Credit Card Debt Consolidation vs Refinancing

By Max Fay | May 10, 2019

Credit cards are amazingly handy tools. They allow you to pay for practically anything in an instant, no checks or cash required, at least not at that moment. Bills do…

Financial help for teachers

Loan Forgiveness, Grants & Financial Help For Teachers

By Max Fay | May 9, 2019

Teaching is both a profession and a calling. What it is not is lucrative. Few occupations produce so much reward for so little gain. Happily, options are available for managing…

Doctor handing medical loan financing agreement to patient

Medical Loans & Patient Financing

By Max Fay | May 2, 2019

Health is priceless and illness can be very expensive. For a significant number of Americans, the cost of a medical emergency can put family finances in intensive care even after…

Folder with medical bills

Financial Assistance for Medical Bills

By Max Fay | May 2, 2019

Even those with health insurance aren’t immune to medical debt problems. Though the federal Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) expanded the number of people with insurance coverage, little has been done…

Debt Consolidation Loan Alternatives

By Max Fay | April 24, 2019

Taking out a debt consolidation loan is a good strategy for consumers trying to eliminate high interest credit card debt, but there is a hitch to this plan if you start with…

Woman carrying child with special needs

Financial Aid for Special Needs Children and Adults

By Max Fay | April 3, 2019

The cost for caring a child with special needs can be frightening. In 2022, the Brookings Institute estimated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 at $310,000.…

Hands clasped together in support of cancer patient

Financial Help for Cancer Patients

By Max Fay | April 2, 2019

Cancer’s devastation is nearly boundless. It threatens lives, terrifies families and drains savings, undermining even the best laid financial plans. But there’s help beyond medicine for those who receive this…

Hand holding green ribbon as symbol of mental health awareness

Financial Assistance for Mental Health Treatment

By Max Fay | April 1, 2019

*If you’re currently experiencing a mental health crisis or if you’re considering harming yourself or others, please get help immediately. You can call the free and confidential National Suicide Prevention…

House and calculator with only a little money

What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Rent

By Max Fay | March 18, 2019

Considering that more than one-third of people in the U.S. are living paycheck to paycheck with no real emergency fund or savings, it’s not surprising that many of us find…

Man filling out paperwork - Home Equity Loan

Home Equity Loans

By Max Fay | January 24, 2019

Need some extra cash? Home equity loans are a convenient, low-cost way to borrow large sums at favorable rates. Home equity loans for debt consolidation will have a much lower…

student loan debt infographic

What is the Student Loan Consolidation Program?

By Max Fay | January 22, 2019

Why Consolidate Student Loans? It simplifies repayment and could save you money. It is quite common for people with student loans to deal with 10-12 lending institutions, which means 10-12…

Payoff Student Loan Debt

Lower Your Student Loan Interest

By Max Fay | January 14, 2019

If this headline piqued your interest, then maybe the interest rate on your student loan has peaked too. There’s a few things you can do send your student loan interest…

30 mortgage paperwork

Online Homebuyer Education Courses: Your Options

By Max Fay | January 8, 2019

Four of the more popular online courses are HomeTrek, eHomeAmerica, Framework and Alliance Credit Counseling. Here’s a look at the costs and strengths of each program. Updated: April 16, 2021…

During a IRS tax audit - Text on top of people going through paperwork

What to Expect During an IRS Tax Audit & How to Prepare

By Max Fay | December 12, 2018

Slightly more than one million taxpayers faced an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit of their individual tax return in 2017, but that accounted for less than 1% of all returns.…

Credit Counseling Session

Credit Counseling

By Max Fay | December 4, 2018

Credit counseling is designed to help consumers avoid bankruptcy and escape living paycheck-to-paycheck. Credit counselors offer advice on budgeting, managing money and other basics of finance. They assist people unsure…

Student loan debt relief paperwork on desk

Student Debt Relief

By Max Fay | November 14, 2018

Consumers are $500 million deeper in debt with student loans than credit cards. So, where are all the breathless commercials and billboards for relief from academic loans like you see…

Two people sitting and discussing their medical student loan debt

How to Pay Off Medical School Loans Faster

By Max Fay | October 17, 2018

Medical school is expensive. To put it in perspective, 2017 graduates with medical school debt owed an average of $192,000, which happens to be the same cost as buying a…

Credit Report Score

Credit and Your Consumer Rights

By Max Fay | September 21, 2018

The lives of American consumers are increasingly like open books: vulnerable to sophisticated cyber-snoopers capable of discovering a great deal about how people save and spend. Yet even as the…

Busy Hospital

Medical Debt Relief

By Max Fay | September 21, 2018

Choose Your Debt Amount AVERAGE DAILY HOSPITAL COSTS $0 AVERAGE ANNUAL NURSING HOME RATE $0 MONEY SPENT ON HEALTH CARE IN 2016 $0 Trillion Medical Bill Debt & Costs The…

Handsome lawyer in the law library at the university

Law School Loans: How to Refinance and Consolidate

By Max Fay | August 8, 2018

Jason Thomas went to law school for the money. The student loans never bothered him because he was going to graduate, start practicing law and make a whole lot of…

Credit Reports: Scores, History & Other Credit Report Information

Understanding Credit Reports

By Max Fay | July 16, 2018

If you plan to participate meaningfully in the U.S. economy, it is vital to examine your credit report every year, and understand everything in it. A credit report is a…

Consumer Money protected under umbrella - Financial Protection Bureau

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

By Max Fay | July 11, 2018

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is an independent agency under the Federal Reserve System. It was created in 2010 to protect and educate consumers about their dealings with financial…

Secure Credit Card With Lock

Secured Credit Cards

By Max Fay | June 11, 2018

If you don’t qualify for a traditional credit card because you have no credit history, secured credit cards are a great way to get your toes wet and learn how…

Top 13 Ways to deal with creditors - Infographic

13 Ways to Deal with Debt Collectors & Agencies

By Max Fay | May 20, 2018

The debt collection industry generates $11 billion a year from the 70 million Americans who haven’t or can’t pay their bills. Debt collectors get most of their revenue from people…

Paperwork for Charge offs on table with calculator

What Are Charge-Offs?

By Max Fay | May 7, 2018

If you are struggling to make payments on credit accounts, receiving a message like this – “Your account has been charged off!” – might sound like the answer to your dreams. It…

The garnishment process can be complicated, we will help you navigate some of the terrain

Garnishment Process

By Max Fay | March 15, 2018

Wage garnishment is a subject people want to avoid talking about, but if your wages are being garnished that is exactly what you should be talking about. Wage garnishment is…

History of Student Loan Interest Rates

Interest Rates on Student Loans

By Max Fay | March 9, 2018

Student loans are meant to help individuals reach their higher education goals. Because of this, they typically carry lower interest rates than other types of loans and debts. Still, your…

Employers are now offering student loan repayment as a benefit

Student Loan Repayment Benefit: How it Works, Company List & Payments

By Max Fay | February 14, 2018

Move over 401(k) and health insurance plans, there’s a new company benefit tailored to the millennial workforce. The “Student Loan Repayment Benefit” is the name, and it is being offered…

We can help you create a budget for college. Here are some tips and resources for you to utilize.

College Budgeting: How to Save Money in College

By Max Fay | November 20, 2017

The college years typically are a student’s first steps into adulthood and if you don’t want to stumble directly into debt as you work toward a diploma, learn how to…

Student at a college library with books in front of her

College Textbooks Cost Too Much 

By Max Fay | September 27, 2017

Everyone knows the price tag for college rises every year, but even soaring tuition costs can’t keep up with the skyrocketing price of college textbooks. According to data from the…

People around the words Discrimination

Debt and Discrimination

By Max Fay | August 25, 2017

While banks and other lenders have the right and responsibility to gauge the financial fitness of any person that applies for a loan, several federal laws prohibit them from engaging…

Financial Aid Process Debt Board Game Infographic

Financial Aid Process

By Max Fay | August 22, 2017

The college financial aid process is long and it’s boring, but it can be a long  and boring road to riches. The federal government handed out $125.7 billion in financial…

Merit-Based Scholarships & Grants

By Max Fay | August 8, 2017

Merit-based scholarships could be the most misunderstood aspect of college financial aid, based on the common misconceptions that: Only straight-A students qualify Only a few of the straight-A students actually get…

Unsecured debt and what it means

Unsecured Debt

By Max Fay | August 7, 2017

Unsecured debt is any debt that is not tied to an asset, like a home or automobile. This most commonly means credit card debt, but can also refer to items…

One persons hand giving money to other persons hand

Need-Based Scholarships & Grants

By Max Fay | June 27, 2017

Need-based scholarships and grants are exactly what their title indicates: money for students with a financial need. More than 85% of college students receive some form of financial aid so there is…

There are many different types of educational scholarships that you can use to aid in your journey

Scholarships & Grants for College Students

By Max Fay | June 15, 2017

When an 18 year old is concerned about budgeting, you know the cost of college tuition is getting out of hand. A new survey conducted by the Princeton Review says…

Flow chart showing different branches of student loan repayment options

Income-Based Repayment of Student Loans

By Max Fay | May 18, 2017

Finding a decent solution to paying off student loan debt is becoming almost as difficult for college graduates as finding a decent job. The federal government defaults every student loan…

Man Gambling and in Debt

Gambling and Debt

By Max Fay | February 6, 2017

Gambling is essentially anything that starts with the phrase “I bet…” And you can bet America loves to gamble. About 75% of adults in the U.S. – that’s 194 million…

Before you graduate you need to make a plan on how you will pay back your student loans

How to Pay Back Student Loans

By Max Fay | November 18, 2015

If you haven’t prepared to re-start paying your student loans, get your checkbook out because payments are due starting in October. Borrowers who aren’t certain about the details of resuming…

Coronavirus scam fraud alert on cell phone

How to Avoid COVID-19 Scams

By Max Fay | November 9, 2020

You don’t have to catch the virus to get harmed by COVID-19. As soon as the pandemic hit, scams arose to take advantage of people’s fears. In 2020, Americans have…

Trump and Biden looking at each other

How Biden & Trump Tax Policies Compare

By Max Fay | October 2, 2020

The gap between the presidential candidates on tax programs is Grand Canyon-esque. And that may understate it. President Donald Trump wants to continue the 2017 tax cut, which his campaign…

Paperwork to defer payroll tax

Payroll Tax Deferral: Is It Worth It?

By Max Fay | September 11, 2020

Many American businesses are disregarding President Trump’s order allowing them to temporarily stop withholding Social Security taxes from their employees’ paychecks. The plan, they say, is confusing and won’t produce…

Man deciding whether to consolidate his debt

It’s a Great Time to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

By Max Fay | August 27, 2020

If you’re considering a consolidation loan to sweep away credit card debt and lower your monthly interest payments, do it! There couldn’t be a better time. All you need is…

Document titled Unemployment Benefits

New Federal Unemployment Benefits Proposed in the HEALS Act

By Max Fay | July 27, 2020

If you’ve lost your job due to the coronavirus crisis, your unemployment benefits are likely to decrease very soon. It’s just a question of how much. That will be decided…

Hazard sign with dollar sign on it

Hazard Pay for Essential Workers

By Max Fay | June 1, 2020

“You deserve hazard pay for that job!” All of us probably have either said that or someone said it to us, and it’s almost always a tongue-in-cheek expression of sympathy…

Elizabeth Warren giving a speech

Democratic Presidential Candidates Plan to End Student Debt Crisis

By Max Fay | July 1, 2019

It’s impossible not to notice that student loan debt has emerged as a big issue in the campaigns for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential nominations. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren brought…

Teacher in Classroom with Students

The Future of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

By Max Fay | March 8, 2018

President Trump’s latest budget proposal to Congress calls, once again, for the elimination of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This is the second time Trump has recommended eliminating…

Millennial Money logo

Millennials Using Side Jobs to Pay Off Debt

By Max Fay | August 2, 2017

In the words of rapper/philosopher Jay Z: “You can’t knock the hustle.” Millennials are having to hustle to pay their student loan debt. Over 44 million American have student loan…

Millennial Home Buyer Wanted

Why Millennials Aren’t Buying Homes

By Max Fay | December 14, 2016

Data shows that homeownership among millennials is down, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in buying a home. In the last two decades, homeownership in the U.S. has declined…

FAFSA Benefits Students

Changes to FAFSA Benefits Students

By Max Fay | October 25, 2016

You’re a college student, and life feels grand. You have your classes picked out for next semester, and you’ve signed a lease through next year. Everything is falling into place.…