You've been scrolling late at night…
...Haven't you?
Seeing those ads.
"Cut your debt in half!"
"Avoid bankruptcy!"
"Get debt-free faster!"
And you're thinking…
...Which one actually works for me?
Debt settlement or bankruptcy?
Here's what almost no one tells the woman who's been researching both options at 2am…
...They both work.
For different situations.
The question isn't which one is "better."
The question is which one fits your life.
Let me show you the real difference.
Not the version designed to sell you.
The version that helps you choose.
First… let's talk about credit scores.
Because that's what everyone asks.
"Which one hurts my credit less?"
Here's the thing…
It depends on where you're starting.
Let's say you're Sarah.
You owe $30,000 in credit cards.
Everything's already 6 months behind.
Your score is in the 500s.
If Sarah chooses debt settlement…
...Since her debt's already past due…
...The program itself probably won't hurt her score much more.
It's already down.
If Sarah files Chapter 7 bankruptcy…
...It'll be on her credit report for 10 years.
But does that actually tank her score?
Not necessarily.
Her accounts are already negatively impacting her score.
When she files Chapter 7?
Those accounts finally come off.
Sometimes her score stays the same.
Sometimes it even improves.
Now here's the important part…
If you're current on everything?
If your score is in the 700s?
Both options will impact your credit.
Debt settlement requires you to fall behind.
Bankruptcy shows up on your report.
Neither is "worse" than the other.
They're just different paths to the same destination.
Freedom.
So how does debt settlement actually work?
Here's the truth about it…
You work with a company (ideally a good one — and there are good ones).
You stop paying your creditors.
Instead, you put money into a special savings account each month.
Over time, that account grows.
Once there's enough saved…
...The settlement company negotiates with your creditors.
"She owes you $10,000. She can't pay the full amount. Would you accept $5,000 to close this out?"
Sometimes they say yes.
Sometimes they negotiate.
When they agree?
You pay the settlement from your savings account.
Account closed.
Debt resolved.
Here's what happens over 3-5 years:
You typically pay back about 50% of what you owed to creditors…
...Plus 15-25% in fees to the settlement company.
So on $50,000 in debt…
You might pay $25,000 to creditors…
Plus $7,500-$12,500 in company fees.
Total: $32,500-$37,500 over 3-5 years.
When does debt settlement make sense?
You're already behind or you're about to fall behind no matter what.
You don't qualify for Chapter 7 (income too high).
Your Chapter 13 payment would be higher than debt settlement.
You want to avoid bankruptcy for personal or professional reasons.
You're working with a reputable company that's transparent about fees and timelines.
A good debt settlement company will:
It's not perfect.
But for some people?
It's the right path.
Now let's talk about bankruptcy.
There are two types.
Chapter 7… the fresh start.
Chapter 13… the payment plan.
Chapter 7 works like this:
You file.
You wait about 3-4 months.
Your unsecured debts — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans — get wiped out.
Gone.
No payment plan.
No waiting 5 years.
Just… done.
The cost?
Usually $1,500-$2,500 in attorney fees.
Whether you owe $20,000 or $150,000…
Same price.
You could be debt-free by spring, mama.
But here's what you need to know…
You have to qualify.
There's a means test based on your income.
If you make too much for your state and household size?
You don't qualify for Chapter 7.
And Chapter 7 can touch your assets.
If you have significant equity in your house or car…
The trustee might take some of it.
Most people don't lose anything because of exemptions…
...But it's worth understanding.
When does Chapter 7 make sense?
You qualify (pass the means test).
Most of your debt is unsecured.
You don't have significant assets to protect.
You want this over fast — 4 months vs. 3-5 years.
You're comfortable with bankruptcy on your record.
Chapter 13 is different.
It's a 3-5 year payment plan based on your disposable income.
You make one monthly payment to the court.
They distribute it to your creditors.
At the end?
Whatever's left gets discharged.
When does Chapter 13 make sense?
You make too much to qualify for Chapter 7.
You're behind on your mortgage or car and want to catch up while keeping them.
You have assets you need to protect.
You have tax debt or other priority debts to reorganize.
Your disposable income is low enough that the payment is manageable.
Sometimes your Chapter 13 payment is lower than debt settlement would be.
Sometimes it's higher.
It depends on your income and expenses.
So which one is right for you?
Here's how to think about it…
Choose debt settlement if:
You don't qualify for Chapter 7 (income too high).
Your Chapter 13 payment would be higher than settlement.
You want to avoid bankruptcy for personal or professional reasons.
You're working with a reputable company.
You understand the fees, timeline, and risks.
You're already behind or about to fall behind.
Choose Chapter 7 if:
You qualify (pass the means test).
You want this over in 4 months, not 3-5 years.
The attorney fee ($1,500-$2,500) is doable.
You don't have significant assets at risk.
You're comfortable with bankruptcy on your record.
Choose Chapter 13 if:
You don't qualify for Chapter 7.
You're behind on secured debts (house, car) and want to keep them.
Your disposable income makes the payment lower than debt settlement.
You have assets to protect.
You have tax debt or priority debts to handle.
The real question to ask yourself:
Am I going to fall behind on this debt no matter what I do?
If yes… then one of these three options makes sense.
If no… then you might have other options to explore first.
You're smart enough to know what you don't know…
...And what you don't know yet is which option actually fits your life.
Here's how to find out…
We built a free calculator.
It shows you:
Whether you qualify for Chapter 7…
What your Chapter 13 payment would be…
What debt settlement would cost you…
The credit score impact for each…
The pros and cons based on YOUR situation.
Not someone else's.
Yours.
You answer 9 questions.
You see your real options.
No email required unless you want to talk to someone.
And if debt settlement makes sense?
We can connect you with vetted companies — the good ones — who are transparent about fees and timelines.
You've been carrying this weight long enough, mama.
You don't need to figure this out alone.
Click below and let's see which path actually fits.
[Button: "Show Me My Options"]
P.S. When you see which option fits your life…
...You're going to feel your shoulders drop.
Because you'll finally know the path forward.
Not the path someone's trying to sell you.
The path that's actually yours.
I'll be here when that happens.
You're already doing the hardest part.
