Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly is a financial counselor accredited by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®, and a mortgage expert for The Motley Fool.
Kimberly Rotter is a consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Kimberly is a bankruptcy survivor who now owns property, a business, and investments, and volunteers as a financial coach. She’s also on the board of the Financial Writers Society, the only international community of writers with high-level expertise in financial niche topics.
How to Avoid Debt Relief ScamsJul 25, 2026
Learn the red flags of debt relief scams, the federal rule on upfront fees, and how to verify a company before you pay. Get steps to report a scam.
How to Consolidate Credit Card Debt: 3 Ways to Simplify Your PaymentsJul 24, 2026
Learn how to consolidate credit card debt with a loan, a balance transfer, or a debt management plan, and find out which option fits your budget.
Personal Loan Agreement: What to Include and How to Write OneJul 24, 2026
Learn what a personal loan agreement should include, how it protects both sides, and how to write one for a loan between family or friends.
Personal Line of Credit vs Personal LoanJul 24, 2026
Compare a personal line of credit and a personal loan side by side, then find out which one fits your financial goals.
Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit 2026Jul 20, 2026
How to get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit: which lenders work with low scores, how to spot a scam, and what to do if a loan isn't right.
Best Debt Consolidation Companies: How to Choose the Right OneJul 20, 2026
The best debt consolidation company depends on your situation. Compare loan-based and nonprofit DMP options, and learn how to vet any provider.
OneMain Financial July 2026 ReviewJul 18, 2026
Compare OneMain Financial personal loans: $1,500 to $30,000, APRs up to 35.99%, origination fees up to 10%. See rates, fees, funding speed, and ratings.
Chase Personal Loan Alternatives July 2026Jul 13, 2026
Chase doesn't offer traditional personal loans. See how My Chase Loan works and how alternatives like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and SoFi compare.
Personal Loans With No Collateral: What to Know Before You ApplyJul 13, 2026
No collateral? Learn how unsecured personal loans work, what lenders look for, and how to find the right loan for your situation.
What Can You Use a Personal Loan For?Jul 6, 2026
Personal loans cover debt consolidation, home repairs, medical bills, and more. Learn what you can (and can't) use one for, and when it makes sense.
TD Bank Personal Loan July 2026 ReviewJul 1, 2026
TD Bank’s TD Fit Loan offers fixed rates up to 23.99% APR with no origination or prepayment fees. See our June 2026 review, rating, and alternatives.
Best HELOC Rates: How to Find and Compare RatesJun 29, 2026
Learn what a good HELOC rate looks like, how your rate is set, and how to compare offers to get the best HELOC rate available to you.
Best Banks for Personal LoansJun 29, 2026
Not all banks offer personal loans, and the ones that do vary widely on rates, fees, and who they’ll lend to. Here’s how to find the right one for your situation.
Are Personal Loans Bad? When They Help and When They HurtJun 27, 2026
Personal loans aren't good or bad on their own. See when one helps, when it hurts, and how to tell the difference before you borrow.
How Debt Settlement Affects Renting, Loans, and Financial AccessJun 27, 2026
Wondering if debt settlement hurts your chances of renting or borrowing? Here’s what landlords and lenders actually check, and what stays off their radar.
How to Refinance a Personal LoanJun 27, 2026
Refinancing a personal loan replaces your old loan with a new one. Learn when it could save you money, how the steps work, and what to watch for.
Best Personal Loans of 2026: Compare Top LendersJun 26, 2026
Compare the best personal loans of 2026. Find top lenders for debt consolidation, large loans, fair credit, and no-fee options. pre-qualify in minutes.
Personal Loans With a Cosigner: How They Work and When to Use OneJun 22, 2026
A cosigner could help you get approved for a personal loan or land a lower rate. Learn how cosigning works, what your cosigner takes on, and how to apply.
The Collections Process in Debt Settlement ExplainedJun 18, 2026
Collections doesn't stop when you enroll in debt settlement. Here's how falling behind, charge-off, and collector contact actually work, and what the law limits.
Why Does My Debt Have to Go to Collections Before Settlement?Jun 18, 2026
Creditors aren't usually willing to settle a debt if you're still making payments. Learn why your accounts need to be past-due before debt settlement is an option.
Will Debt Settlement Prevent Me From Renting an Apartment?Jun 18, 2026
Debt settlement doesn't block you from renting. Here's what landlords actually see on your credit report, and why missed payments matter more than the program.
Do Personal Loans Hurt Your Credit?Jun 18, 2026
Personal loans can temporarily lower your credit score—but managed well, they could help it. Here's exactly what happens and how to protect your score.
Using a Personal Loan to Buy a CarJun 18, 2026
A personal loan can finance a car—but it works differently than an auto loan. Learn when it makes sense and what to compare before you apply.
Why Won't Debt Settlement Companies Let Me Cancel?Jun 1, 2026
Tried to cancel your debt settlement program and got pushback? Here's what federal rules say about your right to leave, and what canceling actually costs you.
How to Cancel a Debt Settlement Program and What to ExpectJun 1, 2026
Cancel your debt settlement program in three steps and know what happens to your money, your debts, and creditor contact after you leave.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?May 29, 2026
Filing bankruptcy on student loans is possible—but it takes an extra step. Learn how the adversary proceeding works, who qualifies, and what to do if you don’t.
How Much Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost?May 29, 2026
Chapter 13 starts with a $313 filing fee, plus attorney fees, a trustee fee, and other costs. Learn what you’ll pay—and how most fees could fit into your plan.
Getting a Mortgage After BankruptcyMay 29, 2026
Bankruptcy doesn't end your path to homeownership. Learn how soon you could apply for a mortgage, what lenders consider, and how to prepare your application.
Do Debt Settlement Companies Just Make Calls I Could Make Myself?May 29, 2026
DIY debt negotiation is real. But debt settlement companies aren't charging for phone calls. Here's what the fee actually covers.
Why Debt Settlement Fees Feel Higher Than ExpectedMay 29, 2026
Debt settlement fees have three parts, and a debt settlement company isn't allowed to collect them upfront. Find out how they work here.
What Happens to Debt in DivorceMay 29, 2026
Debt doesn't disappear in a divorce. Learn how marital debt is divided, which spouse is responsible, and how to protect your credit and finances.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline: What to ExpectMay 29, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge. Here's what happens at each stage—and what could extend your timeline.
What Debt Settlement Companies Actually Do vs DIY NegotiationMay 28, 2026
A debt settlement company does more than make phone calls. Here is how the work compares with handling negotiation on your own.
When Can a Credit Card Company Sue You?May 28, 2026
Credit card companies could sue after 180 days of missed payments—but lawsuits aren’t inevitable. Learn what triggers legal action and what to do about it.
Sample Answer to Summons for Credit Card DebtMay 28, 2026
Received a summons for credit card debt? Learn what to include in your answer, see sample language, and understand your options, including settlement.
Help With Credit Card Debt Over $10,000May 28, 2026
Carrying over $10,000 in credit card debt? Learn which relief options fit your situation, from debt management plans to settlement to bankruptcy.
Their Fees Are Wild—Why Debt Settlement Costs Add UpMay 27, 2026
Debt settlement fees are calculated based on your enrolled debts. Find out more about debt settlement company fees here.
Do I Still Owe Creditors After Paying the Settlement Company?May 27, 2026
If you’ve been paying into a debt settlement program, your creditors haven’t been paid yet. Here’s how the money actually flows and what settled really means.
How Does Paying a Debt Settlement Company Actually Work?May 27, 2026
Your monthly payments don’t go to your creditors. Here’s where the money actually goes, what happens while it sits there, and how a debt gets resolved.
How to Get Out of Debt with Bad CreditMay 27, 2026
Bad credit limits your options, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Here are the realistic paths out of debt that don't require a high credit score.
HELOC Rates Explained: How They Work and What Affects YoursMay 27, 2026
Comparing HELOC rates? Here’s what the prime rate means for your offer, what moves your margin, and how to find a competitive deal before you apply.
How to File Chapter 13 BankruptcyMay 27, 2026
Learn how to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy step by step—from credit counseling and gathering documents to the repayment plan and discharge.
What Actually Happens to My Money During Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
Worried about where your money goes in debt settlement? Federal law requires it to be held in an account you own. Here’s what the law says.
Rebuilding Credit After Chapter 7May 26, 2026
Your discharge is behind you. Here’s what to expect for your credit reports and a plan to rebuild your credit going forward.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions: What You Can KeepMay 26, 2026
Chapter 7 bankruptcy exemptions protect your home, car, and essentials. Learn how federal and state exemptions work and what property you could keep.
How to Handle $25,000 in Credit Card DebtMay 26, 2026
Carrying $25,000 in credit card debt? You have options whether you’re still current or already behind. Learn which path forward fits your situation.
5 Financial Hardships That Qualify for Partial Debt ForgivenessMay 26, 2026
Facing job loss, illness, divorce, or another crisis? Learn which 5 financial hardships could help you qualify for partial debt forgiveness.
What Is the Dedicated Savings Account in Debt Settlement?May 26, 2026
The dedicated savings account in debt settlement is held in your name at an FDIC-insured bank, not by the debt settlement company. Learn how it works and what you control.
Rebuilding Credit After BankruptcyMay 26, 2026
Bankruptcy damages your credit but doesn't ruin it for life. Learn how to check your reports, choose the right tools, and rebuild step by step.
Chapter 13 vs. Debt Management Plan: How to ChooseMay 26, 2026
Comparing Chapter 13 bankruptcy and a debt management plan? Learn how each works, what they cost, and how to decide which fits your situation.