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On Thanksgiving, many Americans will ignore the irony of stampeding through stores the very same evening that they reflected on what they’re grateful for.

Of course, Black Friday isn’t all bad – after all, this shopping day can prove successful for small businesses as well as employees who are paid time and a half for working the day of or after Thanksgiving. And for some shoppers, the adrenaline that comes with hunting for the best bargains is an annual family tradition.

If you’ve ever been in a situation where you didn’t have health insurance or were under-insured, you may be faced with some medical debt. Two-thirds of Americans state that they are “very worried” (38 percent) or “somewhat worried” (29 percent) about being able to afford unexpected medical bills for themselves or their family. A surprise medical bill can be an extremely stressful occurrence, especially if you’re already facing debt.

You may have heard that medical debt disappears after seven years. Like all myths, the “seven-year-rule” does have a grain of truth to it—but medical bill debt forgiveness is not as easy as it sounds. In most situations it’s better to pay off the debt before it hits the seven-year mark in order to avoid harassment and the potential for a lawsuit.

New Era Debt Relief explains what can happen when medical debt is ignored:

If you’ve ever watched the 2009 movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” you’ve seen how a bad shopping habit can wreak havoc on both your finances and personal life.

Perhaps like Isla Fischer’s character in the film, you have found yourself in a retail quandary. Similarly to how many people emotionally eat to fill the void in their lives, maybe you turn to online stores and the Sunday ads to make up for what you feel you’re missing.

There is something about the fall season that inspires fresh starts and changes. As someone looking to give your finances the fresh start they deserve, autumn is a great time to create new habits and tackle your personal finance goals. New Era Debt Solutions reveals why you should use fall as an opportunity to get your finances on track instead of putting them in hibernation mode.