The Latest Debt & Finance Blog

Tips to planning a wedding you can afford

Tips for the Wedding You Want at the Price You Need

By Kaitlyn Fusco | June 6, 2013

It is finally June, the most popular month to get married, and if you don’t already have wedding fever, get ready. There is no better time to plan a wedding…

Highest consumer confidence index rating since 2007

U.S. Consumer Confidence Highest Since July 2007

By Bill Fay | June 3, 2013

The bull run on Wall Street and a continued surge in home prices pushed consumer confidence to its highest level in almost six years. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer…

Women, mothers are becoming breadwinners

Women Rise as Primary Breadwinners, Some Still Face Challenges

By Alanna Ritchie | May 30, 2013

College-educated women are catching up with men in the workforce, but many other women, especially single mothers, are facing great financial challenges, a new report shows. The Pew Research Center…

Unpaid internships are sparking lawsuits

When Unpaid Internships Go Wrong

By Alanna Ritchie | May 23, 2013

As you begin building your career path, the unpaid internship is a traditional starting point — but beware of its hidden dangers. Yes, your internship can build experience and connections,…

JP Morgan Chase faces lawsuit for fraudulent debt collection

JP Morgan Chase Slammed for Debt Collection Fraud

By Bill Fay | May 17, 2013

Is the bank that issued your credit card dunning you for money it says you owe it? It’s possible. There’s nothing wrong with them trying to get it, as long…

Economic indicators show the economy is improving

U.S. Economy Is Slowly Improving

By Bill Fay | May 7, 2013

The snapshot of the U.S. economy in the first week of May looks unusually promising. Almost every arrow economists want pointing up – home sales, auto sales, stock market –…

Consumer spending is up, but credit card use is down.

Credit Card Debt Decreases Even as Consumer Spending Climbs

By Bill Fay | April 26, 2013

After years of focusing on paying down debt, American consumers have started opening their wallets to spend again. Both moves helped the economy. Consumers paid down debt, especially mortgage and…

Student loan debt puts a drag on the housing market and economy.

College Debt Dragging Down Future of Graduates and Economy

By Bill Fay | April 24, 2013

Recent studies delivered another round of warning shots that the U.S. economy is losing a spark from one of its most potent sources – college graduates – because of problems…

Boston authorities warn about charity scams after bombings.

Boston Tragedy Sparks Warning About Charity Scams

By Bill Fay | April 19, 2013

The registration of 125 “charitable” websites within an hour of the explosions at the Boston Marathon on April 15 brings light to the issue of charity scams. In what is…

Obama's budget would change the way Social Security benefits are calculated.

Obama Wants to Cut Social Security By Changing Benefit Calculation

By Bill Fay | April 18, 2013

Last week, President Obama submitted to Congress his version of a federal budget for the 2014 fiscal year. And soon, like the half-dozen other budget proposals that have been introduced by,…