Make Me Smart Dealing with credit card or medical debt? Here's how to handle it.
Oct 10, 2025
Marielle Segarra, host of NPR's Life Kit, focuses on credit card and medical debt, providing practical solutions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding interest rates and offers tips on negotiating medical bills. Marielle advises checking for financial assistance before paying bills and highlights common billing errors to dispute. She also tackles the emotional barriers around debt, encouraging listeners to take actionable steps without shame. Plus, fun discussions on unique local news stories and food trends keep the mood light!
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Pay Full Card Balance Each Month
- Use credit cards and pay the full statement balance each month to avoid interest charges.
- Carrying a balance month-to-month causes interest to accrue and can snowball into serious debt.
Pause And Check For Charity Care
- Pause when you receive a medical bill and don't react under pressure.
- Check whether you qualify for financial assistance or charity care before paying anything.
Audit And Negotiate Medical Bills
- Scrutinize every item on your medical bill and call billing if something looks wrong.
- Ask for a settlement or discount and negotiate amounts rather than accepting the printed charge.