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Credit Card Use Slows as Income Inches Up

By Bill Fay | August 27, 2012

Recent consumer reports indicate there was a slight shift among Americans and their approach toward debt — and it seems to be affecting economic growth. According to a July 2012…

Calculating tax increase

Americans Brace for Tax Hike if Bush Tax Cuts Expire

By Bill Fay | August 24, 2012

Uncertain economic times may become even more challenging in a matter of months, as millions of Americans could face 2013 riddled with significant tax increases. If changes are not made…

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Housing Market Uptick Offers Little for Young Homeowners

By Bill Fay | August 24, 2012

Despite the modest housing market gains in the past 12 months, many younger borrowers are still likely to be underwater in their home mortgages, real estate experts recently said. About…

Coupons

Economists: Coupon Use Is Up, Expected to Continue Increasing

By Bill Fay | August 22, 2012

American consumers are doing their best to pay their bills and stay out of debt by using coupons to shrink costs. It’s working — but much more could be saved, experts say.

Debt collector call

Aggressive Debt Collectors Face Crackdown

By Bill Fay | August 21, 2012

Long accused of using aggressive and unethical tactics, debt-collection agencies have stepped up their games recently to collect owed monies during these hard economic times. In response, lawmakers nationwide have…

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Mortgage Debt Relief Act Set to Expire

By Bill Fay | August 20, 2012

Homeowners confronting the challenges of foreclosure or the short sale of their homes may soon be facing yet another hardship — income tax on money they will never see. For…

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IRS Relaxes Rules for Tax Debt Settlement

By Bill Fay | August 17, 2012

In response to overwhelming household debt and tax liabilities, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced it intends to aid struggling Americans by possibly reducing their tax debt. In May…

Bank fees

Bank Fees Go Up Again; Credit Unions Remain Steady

By Bill Fay | August 16, 2012

American consumers can’t seem to catch a break. It seems every time we look around, prices are going up. Bank fees are no different. MoneyRates.com recently found that banking costs…

Foreclosure notice

Pilot Programs Allow Homeowners to Avoid Foreclosure, Rent Their Houses

By Bill Fay | August 15, 2012

As the American housing market continues to struggle, several banks are making an effort to lessen the financial burden on distressed homeowners. Citigroup is implementing a pilot program this month,…

Homeownership Out of Reach

Buying a Home Remains Out of Reach for Many

By Bill Fay | August 14, 2012

While America’s demand for mortgages has gone up this summer, the banks still haven’t budged much on their tightened lending standards, CNN recently reported. The Federal Reserve recently announced that…

Sources:

  1. U.S. Consumers Cut Back on Credit Card Use in June. (2012, August 7). Associated Press. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/07/us-consumers-cut-back-on-credit-card-use-in-june/#ixzz247Q0oDuY
  2. Hardekopf, B. (2012, August 13). Credit Card Use Decreases in June. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2012/08/13/credit-card-use-decreases-in-june/
  3. Consumer Credit - G.19. Federal Reserve. Retrieved August 24, 2012, from http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/default.htm
  4. Isadore, C. (2012, July 31). Spending flat despite jump in income. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/31/news/economy/income-spending/index.htm