Money, medical bills, and the data · 14 guides
Allison B. covers household money under pressure: which bills to pay first, hardship programs, medical bills, buy now, pay later, and the public data on what Americans owe.
Allison B. is a pen name used by the Felix editorial team for this beat. Every guide lists the primary sources it relies on (the CFPB, the FTC, the IRS, the statute text) at the end, and none of it is legal, tax, or financial advice.
Research & Data
Americans owed $18.77 trillion in mid-2026. The typical family with debt owed $88,100 and the mean was $179,100. Every average by age, generation, state and type.
Allison B. · October 8, 2026 · 30 min read
Money & Hardship
Late fees right away, a late mark at 30 days, a penalty APR after 60, charge-off at 180, then collectors, maybe a lawsuit, and years on your credit report.
Allison B. · October 1, 2026 · 30 min read
Research & Data
How many Americans owe medical debt, how much sits in collections and on credit reports, which states ban reporting it, and how often hospitals sue patients.
Allison B. · September 8, 2026 · 31 min read
Money & Hardship
Miss a BNPL payment and the lender retries, may add a capped late fee, freezes the account, and can send it to collections. What Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay report.
Allison B. · August 27, 2026 · 17 min read
Research & Data
Debt collections by the numbers: how many people have collection accounts, how big the industry is, and why most debt lawsuits end in a default judgment.
Allison B. · August 11, 2026 · 26 min read
Research & Data
Balances, APRs, minimum payments and delinquency, taken from the New York Fed, the G.19, the CFPB and the Survey of Consumer Finances — with the date on every figure.
Allison B. · August 4, 2026 · 28 min read
Money & Hardship
Snowball and avalanche both assume you're current. Once you're behind, order your debts by consequence and negotiability instead, and here's how that works.
Allison B. · July 14, 2026 · 8 min read
Money & Hardship
A hardship program temporarily cuts your interest, waives fees, or lowers your payment. What issuers actually offer, what it costs your credit, and how to ask for one.
Allison B. · July 9, 2026 · 11 min read
Letters & Templates
A free hardship letter template, plus what a reviewer actually looks for: dates, temporary or permanent, one number you can pay, and the documents to enclose.
Allison B. · July 7, 2026 · 9 min read
Money & Hardship
Rank bills by what you lose and how fast, not by balance or who calls. Housing, utilities, the car, support, and taxes come before any credit card.
Allison B. · July 1, 2026 · 19 min read
Medical Debt
Yes. An unpaid medical bill can be placed with a collection agency, but it can't reach your credit report for a year, and never if it's under $500.
Allison B. · June 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Medical Debt
Nonprofit hospitals must have a financial assistance policy and screen you before certain collection actions. How to find yours, qualify, and apply late.
Allison B. · June 9, 2026 · 17 min read
Medical Debt
Ask for the itemized bill first, then work the levers in order: coding errors, the hospital's own posted cash price, financial assistance, and a written payment plan.
Allison B. · June 4, 2026 · 16 min read
Medical Debt
The federal rule that would have banned medical bills from credit reports was vacated in July 2025. Here is what actually governs medical collections now.
Allison B. · June 2, 2026 · 15 min read
