The American economy is dragging, with unemployment rates rising and consumer debt hitting .5 trillion. Many people are in deep and need help. Here, a Certified Financial Planner explains the mathematics of debt; strategies to deal with credit card, mortgage, student, and other loans; why debt consolidation and taking loans from a 401(k) can lead to problems; truths about bankruptcy; and how to use debt while eliminating it.

·Includes essential resources and websites, sample letters and forms, loan forgiveness programs, bankruptcy resources
·Author a Certified Financial Planner
·Covers every kind of debt, mortgages to credit cards to student loans
·National credit card debt is growing exponentially