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…

Rutgers coach, AD get million-dollar settlements in abuse scandal.

New Jersey Residents Don’t Deserve to Pay for Rutgers’ Rice, Pernetti Ousters

By Bill Fay | December 2, 2012

Imagine being forced to leave your job . . . and being forced to accept $1.2 million on your way out the door. That was the case at Rutgers University,…

Buyers for Hostess brands

Potential Buyers Line Up for Hostess Brands

By Bill Fay | November 30, 2012

Just as Americans were saying their emotional goodbyes to a cultural icon, the Twinkie, Hostess Brands Inc. made an encouraging announcement: More than 100 potential buyers are interested in purchasing…

Unemployment down

Unemployment Drops as Job Market Shows Slow Growth

By Bill Fay | November 29, 2012

Unemployment rates fell this week, and analysts are predicting a further decline as more businesses reopen in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Weekly unemployment benefit applications fell by 23,000 to…

Buffett promotes new book

Billionaire Warren Buffett Rallies Support for Tax Hikes on the Rich

By Bill Fay | November 28, 2012

The new book about Warren Buffett is called “Tap Dancing To Work,” but what the billionaire investor is saying during promotional appearances this week feels much more like clogging than…

Tax brackets

Solving the Deficit Problem by Adding Tax Brackets, Flattening Tax Curve

By Bill Fay | November 28, 2012

In the first round of budget negotiations between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, the congressman blinked first. The day after Obama was re-elected, Boehner said that “revenue was…

Tax breaks for the rich are unpopular

The Benefits of Saying No to Grover Norquist

By Bill Fay | November 27, 2012

Pity poor Grover Norquist. The creator and enforcer of “the Pledge” – an agreement signed by 258 Republican members of the U.S. House and Senate never to vote for a…

Obama works to avoid fiscal cliff

Obama Returns to Campaign Trail to Push ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Solutions

By Bill Fay | November 27, 2012

The election might be over, but the urge to campaign still burns inside President Obama. Obama, who received a tepid response from congressional leaders about his ideas on solving the…

Elisse Walter to lead SEC

New SEC Chairman Will Bring Little Change, Analysts Say

By Bill Fay | November 27, 2012

With Mary Schapiro, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman, stepping down next month, industry leaders said the choice of Commissioner Elisse Walter (pictured at right) to take her…

Rolling Jubilee wants to pay off debt

The Rolling Jubilee’s Ingenious Plan to Cancel Personal Debt

By Bill Fay | November 26, 2012

According to the Bible (Leviticus 25:10), every 50th year – known as the Jubilee year – is sacred: “It is a time of freedom and of celebration when everyone will…

Credit card balances grow

Credit Card Balances, Delinquency Rates Inch Up in Third Quarter

By Bill Fay | November 21, 2012

‘Tis the season to begin holiday shopping. With the promise of amazing deals on Black Friday just two days away and the opportunity for online shopping on Cyber Monday, this…

Stock market inches up

Stock Market Creeps Back Up as Investors Eye Black Friday

By Bill Fay | November 20, 2012

After a monumental post-election slide, the Dow Jones industrial average started to creep back up this week. Seizing onto hope that Washington will reach a deal on the so-called “fiscal…

Wii U

Nintendo Expects to Lose Money on New Wii U GamePad

By Bill Fay | November 19, 2012

As the holiday season quickly approaches, so does the fervor to track down the latest and greatest in gifts. Countless fans waited in a line three blocks long at the…

Hurricane

Unemployment Claims Soar After Hurricane Sandy

By Bill Fay | November 15, 2012

Superstorm Sandy left more than wreckage and debris. It left thousands out of work. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits last week shot up to an 18-month high as…

Layoffs

U.S. Economic Growth Questioned Amid Layoffs

By Bill Fay | November 13, 2012

While some economic indicators suggest America is inching toward steady fiscal growth, a growing number of layoffs from companies that range from mom-and-pops to large corporations suggests more problems may…

illustration of dollar sign at cliff

America’s ‘Fiscal Cliff’ May Be a Cartoon, but It’s No Game

By Bill Fay | November 12, 2012

Here’s an image you no doubt remember from your TV watching childhood: Wile E. Coyote chases the Road Runner across the animated desert terrain. Legs churning frantically, the hungry carnivore…

Oil Rig

U.S. Predicted to Become Energy Independent

By Bill Fay | November 12, 2012

An enormous shift toward energy independence is on the horizon for the United States, according to the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report. The forecast, officially released November 12 in…

Banks provide low interest credit

Banks Offer Financial Assistance After Superstorm Sandy

By Bill Fay | November 7, 2012

As the destructive flood waters slowly recede and power is gradually restored along the East Coast following Superstorm Sandy last week, thousands of victims are currently being offered a financial…

marijuana image

Colorado, Washington Go Pro-Marijuana, Set Up Pot Fight with Feds

By Bill Fay | November 7, 2012

The war on drugs suffered a frontline defeat on Tuesday as two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first ones to legalize marijuana use. In as a stunning rejection of…

Man and his fiscal cliff

Analysts: Wall Street Picks Romney to Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Others Say Election Won’t Matter Much

By Bill Fay | November 6, 2012

With Americans casting ballots on the final day of the 2012 presidential campaign, some financial analysts are leaning toward Republican candidate Mitt Romney as the candidate who will boost the…

Greece and Euro

Greece’s Economic Turmoil Could Foreshadow Problems in U.S.

By Bill Fay | November 5, 2012

As millions of Americans head to the polls tomorrow to exercise their democratic right to vote, a host of issues will be on the forefront. Riddled with facts and figures…