Latest Debt Relief News
Want to learn even more about debt relief, credit counseling, and debt consolidation? Take a look at the articles below for the latest news in the debt management industry. Please note that when you click the links below, you'll be visiting an external site.
Banks Keep Hiking Rates as Credit Card Law LoomsAssociated Press July 1, 2009
Credit card reform may be looming in the headlines, but for now the fine print is still hitting consumers hard... Read More.
Citi Raises Rates on Millions of Credit Cards: ReportReuters.com July 1, 2009
Citigroup Inc has increased interest rates on up to 15 million U.S. credit card accounts just months before curbs on such rises come into effect... Read More.
States Gain More Power Over BanksLA Times.com June 30, 2009
Supreme Court says local governments can enforce some of their consumer protections against national financial institutions... Read More.
Consumers Hit Again as Some Banks Raise Credit Rates, FeesUSA Today.com June 30, 2009
The ink has barely dried on credit card reform signed by President Obama in May, and already, issuers are raising prices again... Read More.
Administration Sends Congress Consumer LegislationYahoo.com June 29, 2009
President Barack Obama asked Congress on Tuesday to create a new agency to police the fine print on credit card bills and mortgage documents and determine what fees, penalties and interest rates are fair... Read More.
Living Without the Plastic Cushionmsnbc.com June 24, 2009
Why some people cut up their credit cards and live a cash-only lifestyle... Read More.
Banking Broken Consumers Need Help: WatchdogReuters.com June 24, 2009
The outspoken head of a U.S. Congressional watchdog panel will strongly urge lawmakers on Wednesday to set up a new government agency to protect consumers from tricks and traps set by banks... Read More.
Recession Generation? Young Adults Brace for Simpler LifestyleUSA Today.com June 24, 2009
The Millennial generation, or Gen Y, ranges from people in their 20s to those still in grade school. But what they all have in common is the knowledge that the recession has in some way shattered the world they thought they knew... Read More.
Despite Recession, High Demand for Skilled LaborThe New York Times June 23, 2009
Just as the recession began, Chris McGrary, a manager at the Cianbro Corporation, set out to hire 80 experienced welders. Only now, 18 months later, is he completing the roster... Read More.
The Boundaries of UnemploymentWSJ.com June 23, 2009
Economists say jobless benefits soften the blow of recessions by offering laid-off workers money for necessities like food and housing while they seek new jobs... Read More.
A Personal-Finance WorkoutWSJ.com June 23, 2009
The central idea behind the Obama administration's effort to protect the personal finances of Americans boils down to this: put laziness to work... Read More.
Credit Score Shell GameThe Washtington Post.com June 22, 2009
As high scores vanish, borrowers luck runs out... Read More.
A Fairer Credit Card? PricelessThe New York Times June 22, 2009
Industry representatives would have you believe that the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act enacted last month spells the end of the credit card as we know it... Read More.
Obama's Financial FixThe Baltimore Sun June 21, 2009
The president's regulatory overhaul is a thoughtful, practical approach... Read More.
More Families Pull The Plug On Their Home PhoneNPR.org June 19, 2009
The concept of a home phone may soon be going the way of the corner pay phone... Read More.
Fed's Hoenig: Consumer Protection Agency TrickyCNBC.com June 19, 2009
The Obama administration's plans to create a new consumer protection agency in the financial sector could be tricky and create conflicting oversight... Read More.
Loan Redos Get Tangled in Thicket of Red TapeWSJ.com June 17, 2009
Clobbered by the recession, millions of homeowners are asking for help... Read More.
Better Planning Needed for Health ExpensesUS News June 16, 2009
Health-care costs are the dominant cause of personal bankruptcies, according to a recent study based on detailed 2007 records and extensive interviews with people who filed for bankruptcy that year... Read More.
Making an Easy Re-Entry Into the Work ForceWSJ.com June 16, 2009
If you've been unemployed for months and have finally found a job, you're likely thrilled at first. But anxiety often follows that excitement... Read More.
Forecast: TV Services Spending to RiseUSA Today June 16, 2009
Cable, satellite and phone company video providers should get through the recession relatively unscathed, according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers... Read More.
Life as A Bond - How To Manage And Make MoneyNPR.org June 15, 2009
With the stock market edging toward positive territory, you may be wondering what to do with whatever money you have left to invest... Read More.
You Can Still Retire Rich...ReallyCNNMoney.com June 10, 2009
Yes, you may have to work longer, and you definitely have to save more. But today's lower stock prices will lead to bigger gains in the long run... Read More.
Some Bright Spots Emerge in Tough Job MarketUSA Today.com June 10, 2009
Signs of stabilization in the job market are emerging, according to several private surveys, as restaurants, mortgage servicers and health centers step up hiring... Read More.
Credit Card Delinquencies Jump 11 Percentmsnbc.com June 8, 2009
Credit card holders who in ordinary years might have used their tax refunds to pay down their balances apparently spent the money elsewhere as the recession deepened in the first quarter... Read More.
The High Cost of Cheap CreditThe Boston Globe June 7, 2009
The new credit card law has been widely hailed as a David vs. Goliath victory of hapless consumers over venal lenders... Read More.
Consumer Borrowing Plunges by $15.7B in AprilAssociated Press June 6, 2009
Borrowing by consumers fell by $15.7 billion in April as U.S. households continued to trim spending and put away their credit cards amid a severe recession... Read More.
The New Class Divide: DebtMSN Money.com June 4, 2009
In hard times, how much money you make matters less than how much you owe. Many of today's have-nots are yesterday's gotta-have-it-alls... Read More.
Harvard Study: 60% of Bankruptcies Caused by Health Problemsconsumeraffairs.com June 4, 2009
A new study finds that more than 60% of personal bankruptcies in the United States in 2007 were caused by health-care costs associated with a major illness... Read More.
The Importance of Deciphering Your InsuranceWSJ.com June 4, 2009
Health insurance is getting more complicated, and consumers don't always grasp the details. But there are some steps they can take to avoid being surprised by unexpected bills and coverage limits... Read More.
Get Creative in Tough TimesSunSentinel.com May 31, 2009
One of the fundamental tenets of financial planning is you should build up enough of a cushion to withstand an unexpected financial emergency... Read More.
Leap in U.S. Debt Hits Taxpayers with 12% More Red InkUSA Today.com May 29, 2009
Taxpayers are on the hook for an extra $55,000 a household to cover rising federal commitments made just in the past year for retirement benefits, the national debt and other government promises... Read More.
U.S. Online Shoppers Hit with Foreign Feemsnbc.com May 29, 2009
In case you had any doubts that credit card firms would find ways to make up for revenue lost through recent reforms passed by Congress, let me put them to rest... Read More.
Retiring Debt-free Should Be Your GoalFox Business.com May 28, 2009
Not so long ago, Americans retired debt-free. Then, somewhere along the way, that changed... Read More.
8 Surprising Ways to Hurt Your Credit Scoreocregister.com May 28, 2009
As the ongoing credit crunch forces lenders to tighten their wallets, your credit score has become more important than ever... Read More.
Insured Workers Skip Medical CareCNNMoney.com May 27, 2009
One in four employees are choosing not to receive care to save on out-of-pocket costs; many others are either splitting their pills or not taking them at all... Read More.
Bucking the Trend: One Credit Card Issuer Lowers its Interest RateConsumerReports.org May 27, 2009
Many credit cardholders already have been hit with higher interest rates on their cards in the wake of the economic meltdown, and industry analysts anticipate that credit card reform also may lead to more annual fees and stingier mileage or cash-back perks on rewards cards, as has been reported by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal... Read More.
Credit Protection May Not ProtectWSJ.com May 27, 2009
Cardholders anxious about the economy and their own financial security may be tempted to sign up for a so-called credit-protection plan... Read More.
Before Help Arrives, Work at Saving Yourself From DebtThe Washington Post.com May 27, 2009
The credit card law President Obama signed will help many people by stopping companies from arbitrarily raising interest rates on existing balances and charging certain fees... Read More.
Debt-help Options Grow with Economic ChallengesKIVITV.com May 27, 2009
Today, millions of Americans owe too much. Individuals owe $2.55 trillion in consumer debt -- excluding mortgage debt... Read More.
Save Money, Online and OffThe Washington Post.com May 26, 2009
Here are six money-saving tips that can help you reduce bills, avoid financial pitfalls, get cheap event tickets, and more... Read More.
Early Retirement Claims Increase DramaticallyLA Times.com May 24, 2009
Instead of working longer as the economy worsens, more Americans are calling it quits before age 66. The ramifications could be profound for the retirees, families, government and social institutions... Read More.
Students Not Following National Credit Card Use TrendsNewsandSentinel.com May 24, 2009
A national study says college students in 2008 used credit cards more than ever before... Read More.
What the New Credit Card Law Means for YouMSN Money.com May 22, 2009
The new credit card law will bring sweeping changes to the credit card industry and make cards easier to understand for consumers... Read More.
Put Focus on ConsumersLas Vegas Sun.com May 22, 2009
Congress should remember who was really hurt in the nation’s financial meltdown... Read More.
Credit Card Law a Consumer Benefit with BugsThe Associated Press May 22, 2009
The new credit card law is receiving widespread kudos as a victory for cardholders over the lenders that impose "gotcha" fees and penalties with scant justification and little notice... Read More.
A Good Credit Card BillThe Washington Post.com May 21, 2009
WHY, YOU MIGHT ask, did Congress pass new credit card legislation just months after the Federal Reserve Board adopted what Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke described as 'the most comprehensive and sweeping reforms' of credit card accounts? Read More.
What the Credit Card Bill of Rights Means for Consumersboston.com May 21, 2009
Yesterday, Congress passed the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act of 2009 and sent it to President Obama for his signature. This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act and provides consumers with many reforms to the way credit cards are issued and administered today... Read More.
Senate OKs Restrictions on Credit Card IndustryChicagoTribune.com May 20, 2009
The Senate on Tuesday passed a landmark bill that gives consumers new protections in their agreements with credit card companies, but one result may be a return to annual fees and other costs for the most creditworthy customer... Read More.
What the New Credit Card Rules Mean for YouWSJ.com May 19, 2009
Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that aims to reform the credit-card industry. The bill marches on to the House and could land on President Barack Obama’s desk by the end of this week... Read More.
Don't Jump at that Credit Card OfferCNNMoney.com May 19, 2009
You might be surprised to find lower credit limits and higher interest rates and fees... Read More.
Who is Complying With New Credit Card Rules? An UpdateWSJ.com May 1, 2009
The House yesterday passed a version of the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights. It’s the latest in a wave of proposed legislation aimed at helping consumers deal with the credit-card industry... Read More.
Here Comes Your Stimulus BonuslYahoo.com March 31, 2009
Employers should be ready for the Making Work Pay credit by Wednesday. That means some extra take-home pay. Here's what you need to know... Read More.
Lawmakers Hear the Cries for Credit Card ReformMarketWatch.com March 31, 2009
Senate panel passes tough new rules to curb abuses... Read More.
How to Blow Your Credit Limit -- Without SpendingYahoo.com March 12, 2009
If you haven't had the credit limit cut on your credit card recently, count yourself lucky. Risk-averse card issuers are getting slash happy... Read More.
New FICO Credit Score DebutsThe Wall Street Journal January 29, 2009
Fair Isaac Corp. is rolling out its new-and-improved FICO score... Read More.
Tax Credits Worth Pursuing This YearYahoo.com January 29, 2009
The very factors that have many consumers worried about affording this year's tax bill could actually work in their favor this tax season... Read More.
U.S. Aims to Rein In Credit-Card RatesThe Wall Street Journal December 15, 2008
WASHINGTON -- U.S. federal regulators are poised to adopt tough restrictions to make it harder for credit-card companies to raise interest rates on millions of existing customers, reversing decades of light regulation of the industry... Read More.
5 Card Deals That Can Destroy Your CreditSmartMoney.com December 9, 2008
Such deals are incredibly enticing to cash-strapped consumers trying to make it through the holidays — and both credit-card issuers and retailers alike know it, says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC)... Read More.
Consumers Feel the Next Crisis: It’s Credit CardsNew York Times October 28, 2008
First came the mortgage crisis. Now comes the credit card crisis. After years of flooding Americans with credit card offers and sky-high credit lines, lenders are sharply curtailing both, just as an eroding economy squeezes consumers... Read More.
AmEx Rates Credit Risk By Where You Live, Shopmsnbc.com October 7, 2008
Credit-card firm confirms members' mortgage lenders also may be a factor... Read More.
Credit Card Rates That Jump OvernightYahoo.com September 5, 2008
While you might have so far avoided any direct effect from the storm clouds in the economy, they're causing the credit-card industry to change in ways that could hurt all consumers. Whether you have good credit or bad, Consumer Reports' analysis reveals that now is an essential time to do a credit-card checkup to make sure your accounts haven't changed for the worse... Read More.
5 Steps to Building an Emergency FundCNNMoney.com August 7, 2008
The Heinekes may be good savers, but like most Americans, they need to put more cash into a rainy-day fund... Read More.
Senate Passes Landmark Housing BillCNNMoney.com July 26, 2008
Controversial measure aims to help borrowers, bolster the housing market and provide a fail-safe for Fannie and Freddie. Bush is likely to sign it soon... Read More.
Five Signs that You're Living Beyond Your MeansYahoo.com July 14, 2008
If you are concerned that your finances could be in danger, there is a way to tell whether you're in over your head... Read More.
'Short-term' loans are a long-term headachemsnbc.com May 29, 2008
'They prey on the most desperate working people in our society'... Read More.
Your Credit Card Personality: The Diva/Big SpenderCreditCards.com May 2, 2008
You work hard. You play hard. You like the best of everything. After a tough day at work, you'll tell yourself you deserve a treat, whether it's a new pair of shoes or the latest gadget on the shelf. Many of your purchases are impulse buys. Occasionally, this gets you into trouble when your purchases extend beyond your financial means... Read More.
Bankruptcy Filings Jumped 38 Percent Last Yearmsnbc.com April 15, 2008
WASHINGTON - Bankruptcy filings jumped 38 percent last year compared with 2006, as many consumers struggled with higher mortgage payments and other debt loads... Read More.
Even at Megastores, Hagglers Find No Price Is Set in StoneThe New York Times March 23, 2008
Shoppers are discovering an upside to the down economy. They are getting price breaks by reviving an age-old retail strategy: haggling... Read More.
Credit Scores 101: What they Are -- and Aren'tMSNBC March 14, 2008
If American consumers feel like they are back in school again, angling for a few more points and good grade, that’s no accident. The aggressive marketing of three-digit credit scores has practically turned a high figure into a status symbol – but it’s so much more than that... Read More.
Rogue debt collectors -- how to fight themCNN February 29, 2008
If you've faced a financial catastrophe -- an illness or job layoff -- and you've fallen behind on some bills, you're well aware that debt collectors are eager to collect those payments... Read More.
First the jingle bells, then debt-stress calls ONLINE ASSISTANCE TIPS FROM THE PROSThe Free-Lance-Star January 10, 2008
Just as many people associate the ringing of sleigh bells with December, credit counselors have traditionally linked January with a surge in ringing phones... Read More.
Tips for Avoiding ForeclosureUSA.gov January 2, 2008
Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them?... Read More.
You Get No Credit for OverspendingBoston Herald November 26, 2007
Rising gas prices, falling home equity and pressure to shower family and friends with gifts could add up to big holiday debts for shoppers this season... Read More.
The Consumer CrunchBusinessWeek November 26, 2007
Recession or not, American families will be forced to tighten their belts... Read More.
Prisoners of DebtBusinessWeek November 12, 2007
In a financial version of Night of the Living Dead, debts forgiven by bankruptcy courts are springing back to life to haunt consumers ... Read More.
Collection Agency's Threats Deemed IllegalLos Angeles Times November 11, 2007
The Texas firm's case is a lesson in how far a company can go to force payment of a bill ... Read More.
Smart Credit Moves Can Improve Financial HealthAmerican Chronicle November 5, 2007
With the news so full of stories lately about how so many people have damaged their finances and their lives with credit card debt and other types of financing ... Read More.
Countering Credit-Card Pushersbusinessweek.com October 11, 2007
A Ford Foundation-funded guerrilla marketing campaign on campuses is out to help students become savvy credit consumers ... Read More.
Debt Management Company Watch OutsAbout.com September 22, 2007
Choosing a debt management solution isn't a decision that can or should be made with ease. There are companies that promise they can relieve your debts if you send them money, but just how trustworthy are these companies?... Read More.
Consuming Fire: Debt Slowly Killing The Big SpendersNew York Post September 16, 2007
Consumer spending - the jet fuel that supplies 70 percent of the economic activity in this country - is in danger of being choked off, the result of mounting credit card debt and falling house prices... Read More.
In Over Your Head? Ask Your BodyThe Washington Post July 24, 2007
Persistent Stress Caused by Financial Worries Can Lead to Physical and Mental Problems Such as Hypertension and Eating Disorders, Say Experts... Read More.
When Two Become One Become One: Living on one income is more doable than you think! Here's how.ChristianityToday.com June 1, 2007
Georgia and Thomas Gentry of Des Moines, Iowa, were tired of their consumer debt. After eight years of escalating debt, they threw up their hands. 'It seems as if the more we pay down, the more we charge. We don't want to work just to pay our credit card bills!'... Read More.
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