Managing debt | Credit and debt strategies | Fidelity

How to help your teen build good credit

5 tips that can help teens start out on the right financial foot.

What to do if you can't pay your student loans

Learn your options if you can't make payments.

Should you pay down debt or invest?

A simple guideline to help you decide which to prioritize.

What is a credit score?

These 3 digits could have a big impact.

How is your credit score calculated?

Learn about those 3 digits—and why they matter.

What affects your credit score

A credit score is like a report card helping banks and credit card companies make decisions about lending you money.

8 ways to help improve your credit score

Improving your credit score can make it easier—and cheaper—to borrow.

Exploring credit

Getting introduced to the basics of credit can be helpful when building your financial future.

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How to help your teen build good credit

5 tips that can help teens start out on the right financial foot.

What is an emergency fund?

Here's what you need to know about emergency funds.

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How much to save for an emergency

Learn how big your emergency fund should be and where to consider keeping it.

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Where to find cash, fast

Facing a sudden cash emergency? Consider tapping these sources first.

Credit cards in 30 seconds

Credit cards may seem magical—learn how to use them so your money doesn't disappear.

7 credit card tips

Make credit cards work for you by maximizing rewards while avoiding debt.

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10 credit card security tips

Take steps to protect your data—whether you're shopping in a store or online.

Good vs bad debt: How to tell the difference

Debt can be your ally or your enemy.

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How to balance debt, saving, and investing

Balancing paying off debt, saving, and investing for your future can be tricky. Following this step-by-step guide can help you decide which of your accounts and priorities should come first.

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Debt snowball vs. avalanche methods

Both approaches can help you pay off your debt. Which is right for you?

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Should you pay down debt or invest?

A simple guideline to help you decide which to prioritize.

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5 steps to take control of your finances

If you're unsure about the future, it can make sense to save more and spend less.

What’s up with student loan forgiveness?

Recent policy changes, plus tips to pay off debt

How does the SAVE plan work?

Student loan payments could decrease for some.

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What happens if you don't pay student loans?

You could lose more than good credit.

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How to feel better about your student loans

Understanding your student loans is the first step—then decide how to attack them.

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Strategies for student loan debt

How you take on--and pay off--student loans should be part of your financial plan.

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7 ways to pay off student loans

Crushed by unprecedented debt, millennials are getting inventive to owe no more.

How I paid off $130,000 in student loan debt

What I wish I had known before taking it on.

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What to do if you can’t pay your student loans

Learn your options if you can’t make payments.

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Can you deduct student loan interest?

You could save on your tax bill—if you qualify.

Tackle debt

Get a free credit counseling session.

Got student loans?

To see how debt affects you now and later, try our Student Debt Dashboard.