--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You fall a bit behind on a credit card…" description: "\"You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling more and more behind every mon..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/jean-chatzky-15313_bankruptcy_you-fall-a-bit-behind-on-a-credit-card-b_2620546.png" --- # You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest… ![“You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling more and more behind every month. You don't see an end. But you don't want to file bankruptcy either. What you can do - and should do - is negotiate.” quote by Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/jean-chatzky-15313_bankruptcy_you-fall-a-bit-behind-on-a-credit-card-b_2620546.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/jean-chatzky-15313_bankruptcy_you-fall-a-bit-behind-on-a-credit-card-b_2620546.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eac/jean-chatzky-15313_bankruptcy_you-fall-a-bit-behind-on-a-credit-card-b_2620546.png) > “You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling more and more behind every month. You don't see an end. But you don't want to file bankruptcy either. What you can do - and should do - is negotiate.” [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When credit card debt spirals, negotiation is a practical solution to avoid bankruptcy and regain control. **In simple terms:** Negotiate credit card debt to avoid bankruptcy. Key Takeaway Negotiate to manage debt. Themes finance debt negotiation bankruptcy Mood practical cautious Type advisory educational When to use this quote - credit card debt - payment plans - financial counseling Key Concepts consumer rights financial health Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take before negotiating? - How to choose a reputable negotiator? A Different Perspective Negotiation may not reduce interest enough. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bankruptcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bankruptcy/) [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Payment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/payment/) ## Related quotes > [The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 made it harder for individuals to file bankruptcy, which is always the last resort. Unfortunately, simultaneously consumers racked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/the-bankruptcy-reform-act-of-2005-made-it-harder-for-individuals-to/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [“Bankruptcy-Seeking assistance on declaring and filing for bankruptcy then bankruptcy centre is the right place.Get professional advice and guidance before you file for bankruptcy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankruptcy-centre/bankruptcy-seeking-assistance-on-declaring-and-filing-for-bankruptcy/) Bankruptcy Centre > [This filing spike is a result of bad information being pushed on people, and then they file for bankruptcy out of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bartlett/this-filing-spike-is-a-result-of-bad-information-being-pushed-on/) Steve Bartlett > [Most women file for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious medical problem, a job loss, or a family break up. It is hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/most-women-file-for-bankruptcy-in-the-aftermath-of-a-serious-medical/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [Power ... was the coin of the Washington realm and, without it, you might as well file for bankruptcy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-ray/power-was-the-coin-of-the-washington-realm-and-without-it-you-might/) Elizabeth Ray > [Even if you were to fall into extreme financial hardship and file for bankruptcy, you need to understand that your student loan debt will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/even-if-you-were-to-fall-into-extreme-financial-hardship-and-file-for/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [It's more likely in America that your parents will file for bankruptcy than divorce. We think of divorce as so prevalent, but we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-edwards/it-s-more-likely-in-america-that-your-parents-will-file-for/) [Elizabeth Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-edwards/) > [The women who file for bankruptcy played by all the rules, but they are still in economic freefall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/the-women-who-file-for-bankruptcy-played-by-all-the-rules-but-they/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [Today, certain people file for bankruptcy, businesses and individuals, and it no longer has the stigma it once had. Now it's almost considered wise,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dinkins/today-certain-people-file-for-bankruptcy-businesses-and-individuals/) [David Dinkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dinkins/) > [I almost went broke. I didn't file bankruptcy, but I had some miserable times there for two or three years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-beruff/i-almost-went-broke-i-didn-t-file-bankruptcy-but-i-had-some-miserable/) [Carlos Beruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-beruff/) > [“They barely have time to fend off calls from angry creditors, let alone write letters to Congress. And most are profoundly, desperately ashamed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/they-barely-have-time-to-fend-off-calls-from-angry-creditors-let/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I'm only thin-skinned when somebody says bad things that are false. For instance, if you hit me about something that's true, all right, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-only-thin-skinned-when-somebody-says-bad-things-that-are-false/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Those carrying a credit card balance should scale back to making the minimum payment each month so they have more money to put into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/those-carrying-a-credit-card-balance-should-scale-back-to-making-the/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [If rather than setting the minimum balance as the lowest possible amount, so we keep people in debt for as long as possible, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-thaler/if-rather-than-setting-the-minimum-balance-as-the-lowest-possible/) [Richard Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-thaler/) > [The bankers might not have said it in so many words, but gradually their strategy emerged: Target families who were already in a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/the-bankers-might-not-have-said-it-in-so-many-words-but-gradually/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) ## More by Jean Chatzky > [It's not about having it all. It's about having what you value most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/it-s-not-about-having-it-all-it-s-about-having-what-you-value-most/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [Get your friends involved. Let your shopping buddies know that you're on a tight budget, and they can help you out when your willpower…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/get-your-friends-involved-let-your-shopping-buddies-know-that-you-re/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [You must be sure - and I mean absolutely positive - that you have the willpower to pay off those credit cards and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/you-must-be-sure-and-i-mean-absolutely-positive-that-you-have-the/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [A little personality goes a long way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/a-little-personality-goes-a-long-way/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 made it harder for individuals to file bankruptcy, which is always the last resort. Unfortunately, simultaneously consumers racked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/the-bankruptcy-reform-act-of-2005-made-it-harder-for-individuals-to/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [Save for your goals. Take note of what's coming your way - vacations, the holidays, what ever is going to cost you money -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/save-for-your-goals-take-note-of-what-s-coming-your-way-vacations-the/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [Turn down offers for new cards or credit line increases on your current cards. Credit's tight, and chances are, you're not getting many offers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/turn-down-offers-for-new-cards-or-credit-line-increases-on-your/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [When you default on a secured debt, the creditor takes the asset that backs up that debt. When you convert credit card debt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/when-you-default-on-a-secured-debt-the-creditor-takes-the-asset-that/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [A consolidation makes sense only if you can lower your overall interest rate. Many people consolidate by taking out a home equity line loan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/a-consolidation-makes-sense-only-if-you-can-lower-your-overall/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [Sometimes a creditor is willingto do this as a bargaining point - you give the creditor cash in hand, it gives you a positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/sometimes-a-creditor-is-willingto-do-this-as-a-bargaining-point-you/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [Debt settlement companies work as a middleman between you and your creditor. If all goes well (and that's a big if), you should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/debt-settlement-companies-work-as-a-middleman-between-you-and-your/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [You also need to understand that when you consolidate credit card debt into mortgage debt - like a home equity loan or a HELOC…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/you-also-need-to-understand-that-when-you-consolidate-credit-card/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [If you'd asked me a few years ago about debt settlement companies, I probably would have told you to avoid them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/if-you-d-asked-me-a-few-years-ago-about-debt-settlement-companies-i/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [If you are, consolidating at a lower interest rate can help you pay off your debt faster. But if there's even a small chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/if-you-are-consolidating-at-a-lower-interest-rate-can-help-you-pay/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) > [You won't be caught off guard and you won't feel guilty, because you'll be spending money that you've allocated for the occasion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chatzky/you-won-t-be-caught-off-guard-and-you-won-t-feel-guilty-because-you/) [Jean Chatzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) [Explore all 43 Jean Chatzky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chatzky/) ## More Bankruptcy quotes > [One's ability to enter into thousands of lawsuits as a tool for success, or to use bankruptcy to avoid paying your former employees and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hickenlooper/one-s-ability-to-enter-into-thousands-of-lawsuits-as-a-tool-for/) [John Hickenlooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hickenlooper/) > [And now, what has Anarchism to say to all this, this bankruptcy of republicanism, this modern empire that has grown up on the ruins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltairine-de-cleyre/and-now-what-has-anarchism-to-say-to-all-this-this-bankruptcy-of/) [Voltairine de Cleyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltairine-de-cleyre/) > [The moral and constitutional obligations of our representatives in Washington are to protect our liberty, not coddle the world, precipitating no-win wars, while bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/the-moral-and-constitutional-obligations-of-our-representatives-in/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [“Bankruptcy-Seeking assistance on declaring and filing for bankruptcy then bankruptcy centre is the right place.Get professional advice and guidance before you file for bankruptcy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bankruptcy-centre/bankruptcy-seeking-assistance-on-declaring-and-filing-for-bankruptcy/) Bankruptcy Centre > [A woman's whole life is a history of the affections. The heart is her world: it is there her ambition strives for empire; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/a-woman-s-whole-life-is-a-history-of-the-affections-the-heart-is-her/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [Trump Entertainment Resorts declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Or as Donald Trump describes Chapter 11, "Back-to-back number ones!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/trump-entertainment-resorts-declared-chapter-11-bankruptcy-or-as/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [If we don't change, millions of American families are just one medical emergency, or one layoff, away from financial disaster and bankruptcy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/if-we-don-t-change-millions-of-american-families-are-just-one-medical/) [Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/) > [The unions and the auto companies have been unable to put a deal together that fundamentally restructures the industry. It needs to get done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-unions-and-the-auto-companies-have-been-unable-to-put-a-deal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The current health care takeover proposals feature a crucial payoff to Big Labor - a golden exemption from any tax on union members' generous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-malkin/the-current-health-care-takeover-proposals-feature-a-crucial-payoff/) [Michelle Malkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-malkin/) > [Legalized gambling is the leading cause of bankruptcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warren-kindt/legalized-gambling-is-the-leading-cause-of-bankruptcy/) [John Warren Kindt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warren-kindt/) > [We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-do-not-project-power-from-bankruptcy-court-we-re-borrowing-a/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ In my very first term there was an issue that brought us \[George Mitchell, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd\] together in a very deep, emotional,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/in-my-very-first-term-there-was-an-issue-that-brought-us-george/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [Even if the government spends itself into bankruptcy and the economy still does not recover, Keynesians can always say that it would have worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/even-if-the-government-spends-itself-into-bankruptcy-and-the-economy/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [In our equities business, 49 of the 50 most important Lehman clients are back doing business with us. The flows are 75 to 80…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-diamond/in-our-equities-business-49-of-the-50-most-important-lehman-clients/) [Bob Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-diamond/) > [In 1997, the National Bankruptcy Review Commission recommended that chapter 12 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the chapter that contains bankruptcy protection for family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/in-1997-the-national-bankruptcy-review-commission-recommended-that/) [Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/) [Browse all 307 Bankruptcy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bankruptcy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You fall a bit behind on a credit card bill, your interest rate soars, your minimum payment rises, and you start falling more and more behind every month. You don't see an end. But you don't want to file bankruptcy either. 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