The Latest Debt & Finance Blog

The Federal Trade Commission Now Reviewing Student Loan Relief Industry

FTC’s Focus on the Student Loan Relief Industry

By Bill Fay | December 17, 2013

It’s hardly a surprise that loan consolidation is a popular option for people looking to lessen the burden of their student loan debt. Too many students today graduate with too…

Speaker of the House John Boehner speaks before the budget deal

U.S. House Passes Budget Deal; Senate Likely to Follow Suit

By Bill Fay | December 13, 2013

Democrats finally scored a victory in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, joining Republicans to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act by a stunning margin of 332-94. The unanticipated truce…

People shopping on the holidays in a store

Holidays a Tough Time to Reduce Debt

By Bill Fay | December 10, 2013

The inevitable collision between year-end spending and budget restrictions is making this an uncomfortable holiday season for two vital groups in the American economy: Consumers and the federal government. American…

Education Secretary Arne Duncan talking to the media

Department of Education Nets $41.3B Profit in 2013 from Student Loans

By Bill Fay | November 27, 2013

A new government report shows the U.S. Department of Education generated $41.3 billion from federal student loans in the 2013 fiscal year, making it the third most profitable industry in…

JPMorgan Fined for Illegal Lending Practices

JPMorgan Accepts $13 Billion Fine For Lending Practices

By Bill Fay | November 20, 2013

JPMorgan Chase Bank agreed to pay a $13 billion fine to the U.S. government for its role in the disastrous mortgage lending practices that landed more than 15 million American…

Scissors cutting a cable cord

Frugal Man Pulls Plug on Cable, Saves $1,200 a Year

By Bill Fay | November 6, 2013

We don’t have ESPN at my house, which is a little like a minister saying he doesn’t have a Bible at home. I was a sports writer for 25 years…

President Barack Obama speaking

Federal Government Reopens, Cloud of Uncertainty Passes for Now

By Bill Fay | October 17, 2013

The cloud of financial ruin threatening the U.S. and world economy floated away Wednesday, but it will be back. President Barack Obama and Congress made sure of that when they…

U.S. Capitol with a chain link in front of it

Consumer Financial Services Affected by Government Shutdown

By Alanna Ritchie | October 4, 2013

The continued U.S. government shutdown, now entering its fourth day, means that myriad services for consumers remain at a standstill. The Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),…

Man riding a bike to work

Frugal Man Rides His Bike to Work for ‘The Exercise’

By Bill Fay | August 30, 2013

I have just discovered that I am part of America’s 1 percent. Not trying to brag too much here, but actually, I’m even more elite than that. I’m in the…

People in a party carrying a young man

Frugal Man’s Flashback: Sharing Costs on College Parties, Food

By Bill Fay | August 23, 2013

I have a vivid picture of my first night at college 40 years ago and I’m sure it doesn’t differ much from yours. When I walked into my dorm room…