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.

Reuters   September 17, 2009
Families of low and modest incomes who are saving for college save as much or more as a percentage of income as families in higher income brackets, says a new study released today from Sallie Mae and Gallup… Read More.

The Washington Post   September 16, 2009
Credit card agreements have become increasingly complicated over the years, forcing Congress to pass a new law in May that would restrict banks' ability to modify rates and fees on a whim… Read More.

WRAL.com   September 16, 2009
With today's economy and unemployment situation, many families are deep in debt with no way to pay their bills… Read More.

NY Times   September 16, 2009
The rising cost of gasoline pushed overall consumer prices higher in August even as prices for most other goods and services remained in check, the government reported on Wednesday… Read More.

Bloomberg.com   September 15, 2009
Sales at U.S. retailers surged in August by the most in three years, showing unexpected strength in consumer demand that extended beyond auto purchases spurred by the government’s “cash-for-clunkers” program… Read More.

Reuters   September 15, 2009
The Obama administration's proposal to create a federal watchdog for financial consumers was under discussion in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, with legislation seen emerging soon… Read More.

USA Today   September 15, 2009
After years of encouraging consumers to load up on debt, the credit card industry is trying a novel tactic: helping borrowers manage their debt… Read More.

Credit.com   September 14, 2009
Are Americans continuing to be wary of using charge cards because they're concerned about credit card debt? The latest figures from Visa - the largest payment network worldwide - suggest the answer is yes… Read More.

Politico   September 14, 2009
One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, President Barack Obama will travel to Wall Street on Monday to push for new rules to ensure such a crisis doesn’t happen again… Read More.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette   September 11, 2009
Do you ever meet as a family to talk about money? If not, you might think the root of your financial woes is the fact that money is in short supply. Read More.

WSJ.com   September 11, 2009
Earnings Declined Across Incomes and Races in 2008, According to New Report; More Reach for Government Safety Net… Read More.

SunSentinel.com   September 11, 2009
Most people don't understand personal finance. There are plenty of efforts to change that. Is anything working? Read More.

USA Today   September 2, 2009
American workers are turning grayer: Older adults are working longer, and younger adults are delaying entry into the labor force… Read More.

The New York Times   September 2, 2009
A surprise inheritance, a lawsuit settlement, a lottery prize or perhaps a buyout from your employer could mean you suddenly find yourself… Read More.

Today Show   September 1, 2009
You’ve done it! You’ve moved out! You’re finally living on your own! Watch out, though: If you’re not careful… Read More.

SmartMoney.com   September 1, 2009
Consumers are increasingly dissatisfied with their credit cards, according to a new survey… Read More.

Chicago Tribune   August 31, 2009
As students go off to college some parents give their kids a briefing on sex and others warn about drugs. But amid all the goodbye hugs… Read More.

The Washington Times   August 31, 2009
Rising health care and energy costs and the phasing out of traditional pensions have been making that widely sought goal tougher to reach for some tim Read More.

USA Today   August 31, 2009
Consumers are still missing in action as the economy shows signs of recovery. No wonder: Their incomes are being squeezed, and they're worried… Read More.

The New York Times   August 28, 2009
They used to tell you ''don't leave home'' without your credit card. These days, more helpful advice might be… Read More.

Nasdaq.com   July 29, 2009
A new report provides some insight into the role credit cards are playing in many Americans' personal financial struggles... Read More.

USA Today   July 28, 2009
Cash-strapped older Americans are racking up credit card debt faster than other consumers amid dwindling retirement portfolios and rising medical costs, a study shows... Read More.

WSJ.com   July 27, 2009
The savings rate is up, the Dow is over 9000 and fewer American households are falling behind on their debt payments. But are we out of the woods? Looking at the exit to the woods? Still hopelessly surrounded by trees? New data is making some economists perk up... Read More.

msnbc.com   July 27, 2009
As far as tools go, credit cards are not exactly what you’d call reliable. That’s because disputing a card charge is a more of an art than a science... Read More.

CNNMoney.com   July 23, 2009
Proponents of plan to protect consumers of financial products have called a timeout. Fed doesn't like the idea, but top Democrats are pushing hard... Read More.

WSJ.com   July 22, 2009
For months, politicians have been debating how to overhaul health care. Now it’s time for consumers to start paying attention... Read More.

The Baltimore Sun   July 20, 2009
What's going on here? And what should you do if a travel company sends a collection agency after you? Here's what you need to know, according to the experts... Read More.

   July 20, 2009
Based on recent headlines, you might think that Americans are finally saving again. Want to bet? In 2007, the latest year for which final numbers are available, Americans spent $92.3 billion on legalized gambling, according to Christiansen Capital Advisors; that same year, says the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Americans saved only $57.4 billion... Read More.

Pittsburgh Tribune   July 19, 2009
Financial advisers say that for those who have money, it's smart to have a savings strategy in place. Generally, that means three things: putting money away for retirement, cutting out unnecessary expenses and, for those who can afford it, paying ahead on mortgages... Read More.

CBS News   July 16, 2009
Consider these statistics for a moment. 62 percent of college seniors have four or more credit cards. That's not a typo. Four or more. Crazy, right? With an average balance on these cards of more than $4,000 these seniors are entering the real world already saddled with hefty credit card debt... Read More.

Consumerist.com   July 15, 2009
What's going on inside the minds of credit card companies now that the CARD credit card reform act is coming down the pike? A customer service supervisor for a major credit card company emailed us to give us the low-down... Read More.

WSJ.com   July 15, 2009
Large and midsize financial-services institutions are hiring again, albeit modestly. Recruiters cite improving financial markets and increasing investor confidence as catalysts... Read More.

ConsumerReports.org   July 14, 2009
Choice and innovation always are welcome in our economy. When they're marketed inappropriately, as they often were in the last several years, consumers suffer. The new bill focuses on reducing that suffering... Read More.

WSJ.com   July 13, 2009
Thanks to rising fees associated with using plastic, now more than ever, cash is king. Credit-card issuers are scrambling to change annual fees, interest rates on existing balances and over-limit fees before credit-card reforms take effect in February... Read More.

CQ Politics   July 12, 2009
The Obama administration’s proposal to create a consumer money watchdog may get roughed up a bit in Capitol Hill turf battles... Read More.

The New York Times   July 11, 2009
Credit can be a lifeline after a layoff, but beware of the line becoming too long... Read More.

Yahoo.com   July 9, 2009
The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely due to changes in the timing of auto industry layoffs... Read More.

USA Today   July 9, 2009
Even as regulators crack down on abusive mortgage and credit card practices, another type of lending threatens to mire consumers in a credit trap... Read More.

Yahoo.com   July 9, 2009
Summer has just started, but retailers are already feeling the heat... Read More.

ConsumerReports.org   July 8, 2009
If you’re carrying credit card balances and have joined the growing ranks of consumers who are resolved to wipe out that debt, the Federal Reserve offers a useful tool that can motivate you to translate your good intentions into action... Read More.

Bloomberg.com   July 8, 2009
JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America are replacing fixed interest rates on some credit cards with variable rates, citing changing costs and new U.S. curbs on pricing... Read More.

CreditCards.com   July 8, 2009
It's time for parents of college-age children to have that big talk. But not about safe sex, drugs or even binge drinking... Read More.

insideARM.com   July 8, 2009
The American Bankruptcy Institute said that consumer bankruptcy filings in the first half of 2009 are higher than at any point since bankruptcy reform in 2005, and are on pace to hit levels seen before the legislation passed... Read More.

npr.org   July 7, 2009
The U.S. Dept. of Labor Department reports that 467,000 jobs were lost in June, far more than expected... Read More.

Charlotte Business Journal   July 6, 2009
Five states, including North Carolina, that prohibit or limit the practice of seizing consumers’ wages have much lower personal bankruptcy rates than the nation as a whole, according to an analysis by The Associated Press... Read More.

Mint.com   July 6, 2009
Fresh off of the heels of Congress’s passing of the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights, President Obama sent a proposed law to Congress, which if enacted, would create a shiny brand new Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA)... Read More.

Associated 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.

Reuters.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.

Bloomberg.com   June 30, 2009
At least 30 million Americans had their credit limits reduced arbitrarily during the second half of 2008, FICO estimates... Read More.

LA Times.com   June 30, 2009
Supreme Court says local governments can enforce some of their consumer protections against national financial institutions... Read More.

USA 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.

Yahoo.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.

msnbc.com   June 24, 2009
Why some people cut up their credit cards and live a cash-only lifestyle... Read More.

Reuters.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.

USA 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.

The 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.

WSJ.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.

WSJ.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.

The Washtington Post.com   June 22, 2009
As high scores vanish, borrowers luck runs out... Read More.

The 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.

The Baltimore Sun   June 21, 2009
The president's regulatory overhaul is a thoughtful, practical approach... Read More.

NPR.org   June 19, 2009
The concept of a home phone may soon be going the way of the corner pay phone... Read More.

CNBC.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.

WSJ.com   June 17, 2009
Clobbered by the recession, millions of homeowners are asking for help... Read More.

US 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.

WSJ.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.

USA 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.

NPR.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.

CNNMoney.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.

USA 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.

msnbc.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 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.

Associated 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.

MSN 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.

consumeraffairs.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.

WSJ.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.

SunSentinel.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.

USA 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.

msnbc.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.

Fox Business.com   May 28, 2009
Not so long ago, Americans retired debt-free. Then, somewhere along the way, that changed... Read More.

ocregister.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.

CNNMoney.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.

ConsumerReports.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.

WSJ.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.

The 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.

KIVITV.com   May 27, 2009
Today, millions of Americans owe too much. Individuals owe $2.55 trillion in consumer debt -- excluding mortgage debt... Read More.

The 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.

LA 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.

NewsandSentinel.com   May 24, 2009
A national study says college students in 2008 used credit cards more than ever before... Read More.

MSN 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.

Las Vegas Sun.com   May 22, 2009
Congress should remember who was really hurt in the nation’s financial meltdown... Read More.

The 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.

The 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.

boston.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.

ChicagoTribune.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.

WSJ.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.

CNNMoney.com   May 19, 2009
You might be surprised to find lower credit limits and higher interest rates and fees... Read More.

WSJ.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.

Yahoo.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.

MarketWatch.com   March 31, 2009
Senate panel passes tough new rules to curb abuses... Read More.

Yahoo.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.

The Wall Street Journal   January 29, 2009
Fair Isaac Corp. is rolling out its new-and-improved FICO score... Read More.

Yahoo.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.

The 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.

SmartMoney.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.

New 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.

msnbc.com   October 7, 2008
Credit-card firm confirms members' mortgage lenders also may be a factor... Read More.

Yahoo.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.

CNNMoney.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.

CNNMoney.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.

Yahoo.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.

msnbc.com   May 29, 2008
'They prey on the most desperate working people in our society'... Read More.

CreditCards.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.

msnbc.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.

The 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.

MSNBC   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.

CNN   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.

The 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.

USA.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.

Boston 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.

BusinessWeek   November 26, 2007
Recession or not, American families will be forced to tighten their belts... Read More.

BusinessWeek   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.

Los 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.

American 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.

businessweek.com   October 11, 2007
A Ford Foundation-funded guerrilla marketing campaign on campuses is out to help students become savvy credit consumers ... Read More.

About.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.

New 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.

The 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.

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.