Staff Writer

Bill Fay

Bill “No Pay” Fay has lived a meager financial existence his entire life. He started writing/bragging about it in 2012, helping birth Debt.org into existence as the site’s original “Frugal Man.” Prior to that, he spent more than 30 years covering the high finance world of college and professional sports for major publications, including the Associated Press, New York Times and Sports Illustrated. His interest in sports has waned some, but he is as passionate as ever about not reaching for his wallet.

Credit card and flying coins on blue background.

What Is a Balance Transfer Fee?

By Bill Fay | September 6, 2024

Credit card debt has skyrocketed to more than $1.1 trillion. So has looking for ways to avoid paying interest on that mountain of money. For millions of Americans, the search…

Woman paying of her charged off credit card debt

Should I Pay a Charge-Off in Full or Settle?

By Bill Fay | March 27, 2024

Borrowers who’ve gotten themselves tangled in a charge-off situation face difficult choices. Pay the debt in full? Try to settle for a lesser amount? Run away and hide? “The world…

A toy car next to a judge's gavel

When Do You Have to Surrender a Vehicle in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

By Bill Fay | December 14, 2023

For those seeking a fresh financial start, Chapter 7 bankruptcy has plenty of upsides. It’s the cleanest, most straightforward, least time-consuming, and least expensive of the various bankruptcy options. The…

Couple discussing bankruptcy together

How Bankruptcy Will Affect Your Spouse

By Bill Fay | December 6, 2023

When people get married, they often vow to take each other through thick and thin. Bankruptcy can get pretty thick for a husband and wife. Bankruptcy is when a person…

Senior citizen reading loan offer

Loans for Seniors With Bad Credit

By Bill Fay | September 7, 2023

Growing older never was for the fainthearted, but it takes exceptional courage to navigate those Golden Years with dents on your credit report and a need for cash. Chins up,…

Attorney discussing converting Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 with his client

Converting Chapter 13 to Chapter 7

By Bill Fay | August 23, 2023

Choosing to declare personal bankruptcy can be among the most difficult decisions ever to confront an individual. Tougher still: Having to pick, under unmatched duress, which type of bankruptcy best…

Woman paying her car payment with a credit card using her phone

Paying a Car Payment with a Credit Card

By Bill Fay | August 3, 2023

There are plenty of reasons to consider making car loan payments with a credit card — everything from piling up rewards points or cash back, to scoring a bit of…

Two individuals negotiating at a table

How To Negotiate With Debt Collectors

By Bill Fay | July 14, 2023

With President Biden declaring an end to pandemic emergency provisions effective May 11, and states and companies already having rescinded most of their debt collections suspensions, debt collectors are totally…

Judge discharging debt in bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Discharge

By Bill Fay | June 7, 2023

A bankruptcy discharge is the legal holy grail for anyone who files for bankruptcy. A discharge means there’s a court order in the bankrupt’s case that erases all qualifying debts.…

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

Debt Relief Options in South Carolina

By Bill Fay | March 10, 2023

Debt Relief Programs in South Carolina Those who are struggling to pay off debt in South Carolina can find programs to help through banks, credit unions, online lenders, and for-profit…

Bridge in Missouri

Debt Relief Options in Missouri

By Bill Fay | March 8, 2023

Debt Relief Programs in Missouri Missouri residents struggling to pay off debt can find assistance programs at banks, credit unions, online lenders, and for-profit and nonprofit debt relief companies. These…

Man discussing with lawyer about debt limits for chapter 7 bankruptcy

How Much Debt Do You Have To Be In to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

By Bill Fay | February 24, 2023

If you have so much debt that you’re considering filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have enough debt to qualify. The U.S. bankruptcy code doesn’t specify a minimum dollar amount…

Bridge over a lake in Minnesota

Debt Relief Options in Minnesota

By Bill Fay | February 8, 2023

Debt Relief Programs in Minnesota There are banks, credit unions, online lenders, and debt-relief companies (for-profit and nonprofit) in Minnesota that specializes in helping consumers pay off credit card debt. These companies…

Couple discussing whether or not they should use a personal loan to pay off credit cards

Should You Use Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Cards?

By Bill Fay | December 14, 2022

A rare silver lining to the Covid pandemic was Americans managed to pay down billions of dollars in credit card debt. Those days have screeched to a halt. Credit card…

Covered bridge in rural Indiana

Debt Relief Options in Indiana

By Bill Fay | December 14, 2022

Debt Relief Programs in Indiana There are banks, credit unions, online lenders and debt-relief companies (for profit and nonprofit) in Indiana that specialize in helping consumers pay off credit card debt.…

Wisconsin state capitol building

Debt Relief Options in Wisconsin

By Bill Fay | December 12, 2022

Debt Relief Programs in Wisconsin Wisconsin residents struggling to pay off debt can find assistance programs at banks, credit unions, online lenders, and for profit and nonprofit debt relief companies.…

Washington mountain view

Debt Relief Options in Washington

By Bill Fay | November 3, 2022

Debt Relief Programs in Washington There are a number of resources available for residents of the Evergreen State who find  themselves in financial peril. Banks, credit unions, online lenders, for…

Smoky mountains in Tennessee

Debt Relief Options in Tennessee

By Bill Fay | October 26, 2022

Debt Relief Programs in Tennessee Tennessee has a number of companies that specialize in helping consumers pay off credit card debt including banks, credit unions, online lenders, and both for…

A lake in Colorado with mountains in the background

Debt Relief Options in Colorado

By Bill Fay | September 22, 2022

Debt Relief Programs in Colorado Colorado has a number of companies that specialize in helping consumers pay off credit card debt including banks, credit unions, online lenders, and both for…

Senior couple filing the paperwork for banruptcy

Senior Citizens & Bankruptcy

By Bill Fay | June 29, 2022

Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding that could provide relief when a person can’t repay debts. Consider bankruptcy a legal life preserver for those drowning in debt. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is…

60 Minutes tackles credit report errors

Credit Reporting Agencies Come Under Fire on ‘60 Minutes’

By Bill Fay | February 11, 2013

Have you checked your credit report this year? Even if you have, you may be one of the 40 million Americans with a mistake on your Equifax, TransUnion or Experian…

piggy bank

Former Bank Vice President Teaches Kids Basics of Finance

By Bill Fay | February 7, 2013

In 1999, Susan Beacham quit her job as senior vice president at Bank of America in Chicago so she could spend more time with her daughters. She volunteered to teach…

post office

Do We Need the Post Office Anymore?

By Bill Fay | February 7, 2013

America’s never-ending ping-pong match with the United States Postal Service – I love it! I hate it! Close it down! No, keep it open! – is back on. The announcement…

Americans don't save enough for emergencies

Nearly Half of Americans Don’t Have Enough Savings to Last 3 Months

By Bill Fay | February 5, 2013

Nearly half of Americans do not have the financial resources to survive for three months if they lose a job or can’t work because of injury. That’s the conclusion of…

Rich and poor cheat on taxes

Something in Common: Wage Earners, Millionaires Cheat on Taxes

By Bill Fay | February 4, 2013

While Tax Day — April 15 — is still some months away, now is the time when people begin thinking about how and when they are going to file and…

FDA finances nursing home mortgages

FHA Steps in to Help Nursing Homes by Backing Mortgages

By Bill Fay | February 1, 2013

Attempts by nursing home operators to stay relevant and profitable in the constantly changing world of health care, received a boost from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) last year. The…

SEO Chair Mary Jo White

Is the New Head of the SEC Dr. Jekyll or Ms. Hyde?

By Bill Fay | January 31, 2013

President Obama’s nominee to head the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the government agency charged with regulating the nation’s stock exchanges and securities markets, is Mary Jo White. How White handles…

Social Security disability claims fall

Improving Economy Means Fewer People Seeking Disability Benefits

By Bill Fay | January 30, 2013

Applications and approvals for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) were both down in 2012, which could be another small sign that the labor market continues to improve. There were 2.82…

Welcome Home Resumes helps veterans

Resume Website Helps Unemployed Veterans Get a Foot in the Door

By Bill Fay | January 29, 2013

Joe Corsino, like a lot of Americans, would see out-of-work veterans gathered in groups in city parks or panhandling with signs on downtown streets or even camping out at interstate…

psychology of debt

Researchers: Psychology of Debt Tells Us about Ourselves

By Bill Fay | January 28, 2013

Every year, American universities confer more than 3,000 Ph.D.s in psychology. Ever wonder what all those pointy headed academics do with their time? Well, most of their efforts go into…

Stock market rises

S&P Win Streak Longest Since 2004 as Stocks Keep Rising

By Bill Fay | January 25, 2013

The Standard and Poor’s Index rose 8.14 points Friday, continuing its longest winning streak since 2004 and capping a week of generally good news for the U.S. economy. The S&P…

Debt ceiling extended

Debt Ceiling Extended for Three Months; More Trouble Ahead

By Bill Fay | January 24, 2013

The House of Representatives put out one fiscal fire Wednesday, approving a measure to extend the Treasury Department’s borrowing authority to May 18, but there are more hot issues simmering…

What you should know about the debt ceiling

Five Things You Should Know About the Debt Ceiling

By Bill Fay | January 23, 2013

The debt ceiling is the latest self-inflicted crisis created by the federal government so that Democrats and Republicans can point fingers at each other. Here are five things to catch…

Big banks

Federal Reserve Banker: Time to Cut Megabanks Down to Size

By Bill Fay | January 23, 2013

Suppose you are a teenager. Suppose you are a rich teenager and one who is also spoiled and ill-behaved. Suppose you bend the rules continually, stretch the truth and put…

GOP debt ceiling strategy

With Polls Favoring Dems, GOP Launches New Debt Ceiling Strategy

By Bill Fay | January 22, 2013

Republican leaders will deliver a new strategy this week in the budding battle with Democrats over who gets the blame if the U.S. government has to default on its $16.4…

Walmart offers to hire veterans

Is Walmart Hiring Veterans a Patriotic Play or Corporate Ploy?

By Bill Fay | January 22, 2013

With $444 billion in annual revenue, Walmart could be a country. And if it were, it would rank among the largest economies in the world. But Walmart, admittedly the planet’s…

Debt ceiling is another fiscal cliff

Inaction on Debt Ceiling a Drag on Business and Unemployment

By Bill Fay | January 18, 2013

The legislation that kept the United States from going over the fiscal cliff was fool’s gold for anyone who thought it would help American businesses and the 12 million people…

Americans drain 401(k) accounts

American Workers Draining Their 401(k)s Should Rethink Retirement Accounts

By Bill Fay | January 17, 2013

More than 30 years ago, Congress created 401(k) plans as a way for employers to encourage their workforce to save for retirement. Since then, 401(k) and other employer-funded, defined contribution…

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase

Despite Botched Investments, Bank Profits Soar

By Bill Fay | January 16, 2013

Earnings reports from the two of the nation’s largest banking institutions indicate they made plenty of money last year, though JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s paycheck won’t reflect that. Chase…

Payroll tax hike affects everyone

Payroll Tax Hike Could Throw Economy into Reverse

By Bill Fay | January 14, 2013

The government is taking a bigger bite of American workers’ paychecks this year, which could mean another slowdown of the U.S. economy. American workers are paying 2 percentage points more…