These organizations provide free, trustworthy information and consumer protection.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): A U.S. government agency dedicated to making sure you are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial companies. Their website has a massive library of resources on debt, credit, mortgages, and more.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC is the nation's primary consumer protection agency. Their site provides essential information on avoiding scams, understanding your credit rights, and dealing with debt collectors.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): A non-profit organization that provides access to accredited, non-profit financial counselors. They can help with creating a budget, managing debt, and developing a formal Debt Management Plan (DMP).

USA.gov - "Handling a Deceased Person's Financial Problems": A direct portal to government information on managing financial issues after a death, including Social Security benefits, taxes, and debts.

Credit & Debt Management Tools

AnnualCreditReport.com: The only official, government-mandated website for free credit reports. You can get your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion here.

Rob Berger's Mint Alternatives: A comprehensive and regularly updated review of the best budgeting apps available, perfect for finding a tool that fits your personal style.

Vertex42: An outstanding resource for a wide variety of professionally designed financial spreadsheets and calculators for Excel, OpenOffice, and Google Sheets, including many free budget and debt-reduction worksheets.

Calculators & Worksheets

NerdWallet Debt Payoff Calculator: A simple but powerful tool that helps you compare the Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche methods using your actual debt numbers.

Bankrate Loan Calculators: A suite of calculators to help you understand mortgage payments, auto loans, and personal loan costs.

Key Research & Reports

For those who wish to dive deeper, these papers provide valuable context on the financial challenges discussed in the hub.

"The Financial Consequences of Widowhood" (Social Security Administration): A research paper exploring the significant income drop and financial challenges faced by women after the death of a spouse.

"Medical Debt Burden in the United States" (KFF): A detailed report on the prevalence and impact of medical debt on American households.

"Issue Brief: The No Surprises Act" (American Academy of Actuaries): An explanation of the key consumer protections provided by the No Surprises Act regarding medical billing.

Financial News & Education

These websites provide high-quality, accessible articles on all aspects of personal finance.

NerdWallet: Known for its easy-to-understand articles, product reviews, and financial calculators.

Kiplinger: A long-standing and respected source for personal finance news, retirement planning, and investing advice.

The Balance: A comprehensive site that breaks down complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice.

Investopedia: An excellent resource for defining financial terms and understanding investing concepts.

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