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Resources & Knowledge for a Secure Financial Future

Take Charge America is dedicated to improving financial literacy among people from all backgrounds facing a variety of financial challenges. Bookmark this page to reference whenever you have a financial question, concern or opportunity.

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The Latest Financial Guidance

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How Do I File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common type of consumer bankruptcy. This legal process provides a financial “fresh start” by discharging most or all of a person’s unsecured debts, such as credit card debt and medical debt. However, it does not eliminate other types of debt such as student loans, back taxes or court-ordered spousal […]

Common Questions About Bankruptcy

For people with an overwhelming amount of debt or those who are having trouble paying their bills every month, declaring bankruptcy can be the beginning of rebuilding their financial lives. But it’s also a complex, often misunderstood legal process that can have long-term effects on a person’s finances. Let’s review some common questions about bankruptcy. […]

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Get to Know 5 Types of Debt Relief Programs

Carrying credit card debt from month-to-month can keep you from pursuing other financial goals, such as saving for emergencies, traveling or purchasing a home. And if you think making minimum payments on your credit cards each month means you’re successfully managing your debt, you’ll want to think again. Making only minimum payments and carrying balances means […]

How Do Debt Consolidation Loans Work?

If you’re tired of juggling multiple high-interest credit card payments every month, you may be thinking about a debt consolidation loan. These are typically fixed-rate loans designed to allow you to consolidate multiple payments into a single monthly payment and — ideally — save you money in interest, too. You may also be able to pay […]

How Many Times Can You File Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy filings dropped during the height of the pandemic, but they are rising once again. A cost-of-living crisis and the looming threat of a recession have Americans heading back to bankruptcy court, with filings approaching pre-pandemic levels. For many people, it’s their first time declaring bankruptcy. But others have been down that road before. That […]

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Financial Responsibilities for High School Graduates

High school graduation is an important milestone that marks a transition into young adult life. Recent graduates face newfound freedom and many important choices, including whether to continue living at home or strike out on their own for the first time. For those who choose to stay at home, parents are left with the question: […]

stylish older couple figuring out how to pay down debt in retirement

Is It Possible to Pay Down Debt In Retirement?

Many people envision entering retirement with a hefty nest egg, no debt and nothing but free time. While it works out that way for some, it’s not the reality for others. Lingering debt often follows people into retirement and reduced income leads to folks reaching for credit cards to make ends meet, which adds additional […]

an organized pantry helps minimize food waste

6 Ways to Minimize Food Waste and Save Money

If you feel like you end up throwing away more food than you eat, you’re not alone. Worldwide, more than one-third of all food produced ends up spoiled or thrown away. As Americans, we throw away as much as 40% of the food we buy. This ultimately ends up in landfills, producing methane emissions, which […]

Young Asian man researching alternatives to bankruptcy on a laptop

What Are the Alternatives to Bankruptcy?

Personal bankruptcy filings are up year-over-year. Continuing inflation, persistent talk of a recession and layoffs in certain sectors are leaving some Americans feeling like bankruptcy is the only path to a financial reset. But it’s not that simple. While bankruptcy may be the right solution for some people, it’s not the best choice for everyone […]

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Is Your Romantic Partner Financially Unstable?

Money can be a source of friction in relationships, even when both partners seem to have similar financial beliefs and habits. So, when one person in the relationship is financially unstable, it can create far-reaching challenges. Whether you’re just getting to know someone, or your long-time love is suddenly acting differently when it comes to […]

Assessing Next Steps in Debt Relief

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Arm yourself with the knowledge to create lifelong financial independence. Get tips and tools for managing debt, developing effective financial habits, budgeting to meet living expenses and saving for the future.

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