fees

I negotiated a “hardship pause” with the collection agency when I lost my job, but they added late fees and interest. Now what?

You negotiated a hardship pause to give you breathing space after losing your job. But now you find new late fees and interest charges on the paused account. We look at the legality of this and what you can do.
October 22, 2025 Sammy Tran

I thought debt consolidation would solve all my problems, but the new loan came with hidden fees and higher interest rates I didn’t expect. Now what?

You took a debt consolidation loan offer believing it would simplify your finances, but hidden fees and higher interest rates have left you worse off than before. We look at possible ways to move forward.
September 30, 2025 Quinn Mercer

We agreed to sell our house and split the proceeds after our divorce, but my husband wants to sell the home himself without a realtor. Now what?

You thought you and your ex had a clear plan to sell the home with a realtor, split the proceeds, and move on with your lives. Now that your ex-husband wants to handle the sale himself, you may need guidance so as not to derail your financial outcome.
September 18, 2025 J.D. Blackwell

I missed the prepayment penalty clause in my student loan agreement. Now I’m being charged extra for paying off my loan early. What can I do now?

You might not get much relief from paying your stdent loan off early if the lender has included a hefty prepayment penalty. Knowing what your options are is the first step toward dealing with it.
September 9, 2025 Sammy Tran
Cheaperbills Internal

Common Hidden Fees

Discover 12 common hidden fees in everyday transactions that most people are unaware of, and how to avoid them.
February 16, 2024 Sammy Tran