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.

Bankruptcy reaffirmation agreement paper with glasses on top.

What Is a Reaffirmation Agreement?

By Bill Fay | October 29, 2024

Anyone new to bankruptcy can’t be blamed for thinking the whole process equals doom, gloom, and forfeiture. After all, filing bankruptcy is not going to look good on your resumé…

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…

Hospital Sign

New Medicare Mandate Aims to Cut Costs But Could Affect Treatment

By Bill Fay | October 3, 2012

Admission procedures may run a little differently at your local hospital beginning this week. October 1 marked the launch of a key provision of the ObamaCare law that could create…

Presidential campaign

Americans Await Financial Updates from Obama, Romney

By Bill Fay | October 2, 2012

When Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama square off in Colorado on Wednesday during the first presidential debate, Americans will be waiting for an answer to a…

Middle Class Family Saving

Report: Middle Class Loses Ground but Likes Its Financial Savvy

By Bill Fay | October 1, 2012

A member of the middle class in America can make as little as $30,000 or as much as $100,000, depending on whom you believe, but one defining characteristic isn’t so…

Boehner-Bush-Pelosi-debt

Why Democrats and Republicans Are Both to Blame for National Debt

By Bill Fay | October 1, 2012

Since the Great Depression, Democrats and Republicans have defined themselves as the new version of Santa Claus. Saint Nick brings wonderful things to children for free. There’s no cost. When…

retiree-doing-taxes-image

Retirement Now More Scary than Death

By Bill Fay | September 27, 2012

More and more older Americans are reaching retirement age without enough money to survive in the way they would prefer, according to multiple surveys and studies. Is there anything Congress can do? Or, rather, is there any Congress will do?

Home Sale Statistics Improve

Home Sales Rise to Two-Year High

By Bill Fay | September 27, 2012

Just when economists were prepared to report on the dismal state of the American real estate market for another quarter, new statistics revealed a much brighter account. Existing home sales…

tom-coburn-image

40 Republican Senators Shoot Down Veterans Jobs Bill

By Bill Fay | September 26, 2012

More than three dozen Republican U.S. Senators voted against the $1 billion Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012 – a fully paid-for, bipartisan piece of legislation that would have put thousands of veterans back to work tending to the country’s federal lands and bolstering local police and fire departments.

Customers using bank ATMs

10 Ways Banks Take Advantage of You

By Bill Fay | September 26, 2012

Banking used to be simple. Bankers lived by the 3-6-3 rule — borrow at 3 percent, loan at 6 percent, and hit the golf course by 3 in the afternoon.…

Credit Cards in Wallet

Consumer Protection Group Earns Victory Amid Legal Challenges

By Bill Fay | September 25, 2012

A new federal agency aimed at enforcing consumer finance laws tangled with its second high-profile target since opening its doors less than two years ago.   The Consumer Financial Protection…

college-graduates-image

New College Grads Being Challenged by Economy

By Bill Fay | September 24, 2012

Freshly graduated college students are finding little success in the job market. Low starting salaries and the need to repay student loans is pushing many of them to go back to school.

Lost Wealth

Wealth Gap Continues to Grow

By Bill Fay | September 24, 2012

As Americans diligently work to recuperate from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, recent reports show the road to recovery may prove to be very long. The Great…

small-business-owner-image

Law to Protect Consumers Actually Limits Their Access to Credit

By Bill Fay | September 22, 2012

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 was supposed to help borrowers who do not work outside the home, but one interpretation is cutting the access those potential borrowers have to credit. One lawmaker describes this as a return to the “dark days” of lending when women were disenfranchised.

House changing hands

Major Mortgage Lender Begins Selling Loans in Default

By Bill Fay | September 21, 2012

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently developed a program to help homeowners facing possible foreclosure and to prevent an excess of defaulted mortgages and home loans. The new program, known…

bank-of-america-image

Fannie Mae and Bank of America: Breaking Up Not So Hard to Do

By Bill Fay | September 20, 2012

Taxpayer-owned mortgage lender Fannie Mae wasn’t happy with how Bank of America serviced its mortgage loans and decided to find another partner. But instead of taking the loans back — as it could have under the agreement — Fannie Mae instead paid BOA millions for the right.

Cost of care image

Seniors Receiving Medicare Forced to Deplete Savings

By Bill Fay | September 19, 2012

American seniors are fighting an ongoing battle as they try to cope with medical expenses on top of an already high cost of living. A recently published study has revealed…

Car sale

Auto Loans Easier to Borrow as Defaults Hit All-Time Low

By Bill Fay | September 18, 2012

As millions of Americans struggle to keep up with monthly expenses in a tough economy, consumers in search of automobile loans are in for some good news: not only have…

bad-check-image

Matching District Attorneys, Bad-Check Collectors Is Bad Policy

By Bill Fay | September 17, 2012

A relationship between debt collectors and district attorneys that allows for the use of D.A. letterhead in the collections process shouldn’t be considered sound policy. It’s just too cozy.

worried senior image

Millions of Elderly Americans Face Foreclosure

By Bill Fay | September 17, 2012

America’s seniors were once considered among the most financially secure, with retirement at the top of the agenda. By the time people reached their 50s and 60s, Social Security and…

Piggy Bank with Student Loans

Student Loans Reach Record Highs With No Debt Relief in Sight

By Bill Fay | September 14, 2012

As a record number of borrowers default on their student loans, a new poll shows that those who haven’t paid off their loans want their lenders to forgive the debt.…

obama romney economy election

Will the Economy Affect the 2012 Presidential Election?

By Bill Fay | September 14, 2012

“It’s the economy, stupid,” was the mantra of Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign. At a time when the country was recovering from two-and-a-half quarters of recession and with unemployment…