Free guides

Plain-language help with the paperwork everyone gets but nobody explains: bills, leases, bank statements, medical bills, debt letters and scams. Every guide ends with practical next steps, and many include a letter you can copy.

• Phone bill fees explained: what each charge meansWhat the regulatory recovery fee, activation fee, late fee and other phone bill charges mean, which ones you can remove, and how to ask.
• How to read your phone bill, line by lineA simple walk-through of a mobile phone bill: account summary, plan charges, one-time charges, taxes and the due date.
• How to dispute a charge on a bill (with a free letter template)Step-by-step guide to disputing a wrong or unexpected charge on a phone, utility, or other bill, plus a letter you can copy.
• How to spot a scam letter, email or text messageThe warning signs of scam messages, from fake delivery texts to fake bank calls, and exactly what to do if you are not sure.
• How to read a rental lease: 10 clauses to check before you signBefore you sign a lease, check the rent, deposit, length, renewal, repairs, fees and how to end it. A plain-language checklist.
• Got a debt collection letter? What to do firstHow to check if a debt collection letter is real, what information to ask for, and how to respond without making things worse.
• How to understand a medical bill and spot errorsRead a medical or hospital bill in plain words: services, codes, insurance payments, what you owe, and common billing mistakes.
• Free trials and auto-renewal: how to cancel subscriptionsHow automatic renewals and free trials work, how to find every subscription you pay for, and how to cancel without surprise charges.
• How to read a bank statement and spot charges you don’t recognizeUnderstand your bank statement, find unknown charges, tell the difference between a confusing name and fraud, and what to do next.
• How to ask for more time to pay a bill (with a template)If you can’t pay a bill on time, here’s how to ask the company for more time or a payment plan, with a polite letter template.
• Common scams and how to spot themDelivery, toll, bank, tax, job and prize scams explained, with what to do.
• Bill and contract words explainedA glossary of 30 terms you’ll find on bills, statements and contracts.