Explore our latest research and studies on the personal finance industry, as our experts cover topics such as debt, credit scores, banking, insurance, lending, and other key resources for American consumers.
Lessons
1,095 views
7 min read
What are the things that keep you up at night? You know, those little stresses and anxieties that burrow into your thoughts like a splinter. For a lot of people, money is at the top of... read more »
By: Jon McDonald • 9/12/24
Budgeting
4,389 views
3 min read
Inflation has taken its toll on the United States. Basic staples like gas and groceries have skyrocketed in price, yet wages haven’t risen to match. Many people are struggling just to... read more »
Family
5,835 views
3 min read
Having children is one of life’s greatest decisions you can make, but it’s not for everyone. Whether you’re single and want to eventually settle down and start a family, or you’re... read more »
Traveling
10,688 views
11 min read
Whether it’s a vacation destination or simply a rest stop on a road trip, people on a budget have long recognized the value of motels. These budget lodgings not only offer modern... read more »
Retirement
15,639 views
3 min read
In a perfect world, when Americans hit 65, they retire, travel the world, and do all the things they wish they had time for while working. However, that rewarding lifestyle may no... read more »
Lessons
24,130 views
5 min read
Air conditioning has become an essential feature in American homes, providing relief from the sweltering summer heat and contributing to comfort and productivity. However, the... read more »
Military
17,699 views
7 min read
Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a... read more »
Budgeting
29,412 views
9 min read
Many Americans are turning to unconventional financial strategies to manage their finances. With the cost of living rising and salaries not getting the memo, it’s no surprise that... read more »
Spending
23,760 views
9 min read
Have you ever bought something you probably didn’t need without planning to? As it turns out, many of us have. According to the results of our latest survey, 90.42% of Gen Z and... read more »
Food
26,260 views
13 min read
Spending money on food can be a challenge for those with limited financial resources, often leading to a reliance on inexpensive but unhealthy foods. Statistics indicate that health... read more »
Lessons
38,736 views
3 min read
Finances can strain relationships. Whether deciding how much to spend on a major life purchase together or determining who should pay the tab on a date night, money can add another... read more »
Lessons
31,808 views
3 min read
In a significant blow to the wedding industry, recent research conducted by BadCredit.org reveals that an estimated 580,862 couples will not be tying the knot this year due to poor... read more »
Renting
41,439 views
3 min read
You should spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent, according to many financial experts. But with rental rates increasing on what feels like a daily basis, is that still... read more »
Budgeting
41,665 views
3 min read
Summer is a historically busy time. Across the U.S., people are getting outside, going on road trips, and socializing together with fun summer activities. But all of that comes at a... read more »
Buying a Home
27,126 views
3 min read
Owning a home is a big part of the American Dream, representing financial security and personal accomplishment. But for minimum-wage workers, buying a house may seem like a far-off... read more »
Spending
51,465 views
3 min read
In today’s digital world, online shopping is a major part of American consumer culture. It’s hard to top the convenience and accessibility that online shopping offers consumers, but... read more »
Student Debt
51,030 views
9 min read
Student loans allow more individuals to realize their educational, occupational, and financial potential. But high student debt payments after graduation can reduce financial... read more »
Fraud
40,752 views
3 min read
In today’s world, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, preying on people’s vulnerabilities and financial hardships. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), debt... read more »
Build Credit
40,997 views
3 min read
Credit Invisibility describes people whose credit history is so limited that they don’t even have a credit score. According to our recent study, a whopping 25 million Americans are... read more »
Spending
44,536 views
3 min read
Doom spending is the act of spending money without concern. Commonly referred to as retail therapy, it’s spending in pursuit of the dopamine and endorphins that release “feel-good”... read more »
Loans
46,662 views
9 min read
An online lending network is like an Amazon for lenders. Lending networks connect consumers and businesses that need loans with lenders that compete for their business. Some lending... read more »
Personal Finance
53,440 views
9 min read
Many people struggle to make ends meet. Though they work hard and try their best to live within their means, factors outside of their control can be detrimental to their financial... read more »
Jobs
43,500 views
3 min read
Nearly one-third of American adults, more than 70 million people, have a criminal record, which can severely limit their access to loans, employment, education, housing, civic... read more »
Student Debt
51,516 views
7 min read
The cost of higher education in the United States is daunting for many Americans. In 2023 the average total cost of attendance for a student residing on campus at a public four-year... read more »
Student Debt
61,614 views
5 min read
Student loan debt has ballooned to astonishing numbers, with recent data showing Americans owe over $1.7 trillion in federal and private student loans in the third quarter of 2023.1... read more »
Student Debt
33,408 views
7 min read
The amount of money students borrow to attend college has been increasing year over year. Tuition, room and board, books and materials as well miscellaneous expenses, such as travel,... read more »
Student Debt
33,440 views
11 min read
Student loans are one of the largest categories of debt, with over $1.7 trillion in outstanding student loans nationally. But student loans don’t affect every borrower equally. Some age... read more »
Student Loans
72,672 views
9 min read
Unlike many developed countries, the United States asks higher education students to pay tuition. That naturally creates disparities between people with resources to afford school and... read more »
Student Debt
64,000 views
7 min read
College is an opportunity and also an investment. With student loan payments having resumed in October 2023, students and consumers must understand the impact of monthly student loan... read more »
Student Loans
55,146 views
9 min read
Knowledge is valuable. Higher education is an investment intended to reap rewards. Data proves that investing in college is worth it. On average, bachelor’s degree recipients earn $1... read more »
Credit Scores
45,019 views
11 min read
You may not view credit as a consumer product, but that’s what it is. The interest rate is the price you pay for access to credit cards and loans, and the benefits are convenience and... read more »
Economy
72,794 views
1 min read
BadCredit.org survey reveals that 39% of people surveyed are relieved the Fed is expected to lower rates, which may encourage credit card spending (22%) and the purchases of vehicles... read more »
Saving
41,316 views
9 min read
Learning to build a nest egg isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. You’ve got to understand your motivations and challenges before you can create a workable plan. Money-saving advice... read more »
Credit Scores
93,195 views
3 min read
BadCredit.org survey reveals that many younger consumers, predominantly Gen Z and millennial males, trust AI tools to help them improve their credit. In today’s digital age, AI isn’t... read more »
Credit Repair
55,649 views
9 min read
Deciding to seek professional assistance to fix bad credit is a big first step for people stuck in the dregs of poor credit. But some strategies to repair credit are better than others.... read more »
Loans
75,642 views
3 min read
When traditional lending options like banks and credit cards are out of reach or unappealing, especially during periods of high interest rates, people often look toward personal... read more »
Credit Repair
85,481 views
11 min read
Maintaining good credit is an essential ingredient in the recipe for financial wellness. Individuals with good credit may enjoy access to more credit products, including loans, lines of... read more »
Cash
73,500 views
9 min read
When it’s sunny, and the forecast calls for clear skies, carrying around an umbrella can feel unnecessary. But should an unexpected rainstorm suddenly materialize, most people would... read more »
Build Credit
78,527 views
9 min read
The lower your credit score, the less credit you qualify for. Reasonably priced credit is hard to come by if you’re starting from scratch with no credit history or rebuilding after a... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
9 min read
For consumers who may live from paycheck to paycheck or job to job and struggle with pitfalls such as heavy debt, a tax burden, or home foreclosure, there may come a time to consider... read more »
Savings
84,588 views
9 min read
One of the many positive consequences of digital transformation in financial services is the variety of tools available to help consumers reach their financial goals. Because almost all... read more »
Personal Finance
65,010 views
11 min read
It’s not easy to go online and find the personal financial information you need to make the right money choices. There’s so much information that choosing what’s suitable for you is... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
3 min read
Debt isn’t just a financial burden — it’s a mental and emotional one as well. A growing body of research has demonstrated the pernicious impact of debt on mental well-being, with a... read more »
Credit Scores
62,076 views
3 min read
Credit scores, those three-digit numbers based on your credit reports, are used well over 20 billion times each year by lenders and others to make decisions about you. Almost every... read more »
Credit Scores
62,424 views
11 min read
Credit scores are increasingly on the minds of many Americans. As the costs of essential goods and services rise, Americans may find that their incomes aren’t sufficient to finance... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
5 min read
Although credit scores are neutral algorithms based on a person’s reported credit activity, there are indisputable variations between various demographics. Studies indicate that there... read more »
Credit Scores
77,952 views
9 min read
Credit scores are one of the most important financial barometers. A good credit score opens doors to lower interest rates and better loan products, while a poor credit score acts as a... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
9 min read
Credit scores, such as those developed by the data analytics company FICO, do not rate you as a person, but rate your actions as a borrower. These companies dive into the financial and... read more »
Credit Scores
74,327 views
7 min read
How people use credit products and repay debt has a direct effect on their credit scores, such as those developed by FICO. All of that information will be listed on consumer credit... read more »
Personal Finance
100,000+ views
7 min read
There’s no better time than the present to start your financial journey. As a US college student, you may think you’re not well positioned to take the long view and begin preparing for... read more »
Financial Planning
71,928 views
7 min read
Some people are happy going online and putting the financial advice they find there into action without much supervision. For the rest of us, money coaching is available to set... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
11 min read
If you’re reading this, you probably already appreciate the significance and benefits of a high personal credit score. A FICO® Score in the mid-700s or above signals to the financial... read more »
Personal Finance
97,455 views
9 min read
Parenthood isn’t easy. Maintaining a healthy budget isn’t easy. And when you put those two together, you get a whirlwind of stress, confusion, and sometimes unsolicited advice. This... read more »
Personal Finance
66,968 views
9 min read
If you’re a father, you’ve got to make time for things — it’s as simple as that. Parenting is a constant juggling act of equally critical priorities that all need more time than you can... read more »
Lessons
100,000+ views
9 min read
There’s no shortage of financial advice on the web. It’s not an exaggeration that for every recommendation you read or watch online, you can find something that says the opposite in... read more »
Debt Free
100,000+ views
7 min read
Paying debt and living a debt-free life is similar to working out or going on a diet: you know it’s good for you, but staying committed over the long haul is a challenge. However, like... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
11 min read
Your credit score is your window to financial opportunity, but only if you take control. Many top lenders and insurers use FICO scores to judge creditworthiness. VantageScore offers a... read more »
Credit Unions
100,000+ views
11 min read
We love credit unions — they’re part of our social fabric and a force for energizing communities everywhere. As not-for-profit member-owned institutions, they have a model that returns... read more »
Budgeting
100,000+ views
5 min read
Middle-to-low income families are being priced out of child care. Child care is deemed affordable if it costs no more than 7% of a family’s income, according to the... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
5 min read
Researchers at the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management explore the widening gender gap in wage levels. They... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
9 min read
Americans aren’t shy about borrowing money. A Federal Reserve survey found that 77% of US households have some form of debt. On the other hand, most indebted Americans (53%) list debt... read more »
Business
100,000+ views
5 min read
Starting a small business is difficult, but when larger corporate entities already dominate the market, it’s even harder to gain a foothold. Consolidation of companies is... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
5 min read
Government financial stimulus and relief resources at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 helped businesses keep their doors open and individuals remain solvent.... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
5 min read
Wage theft is surprisingly common among low-income workers despite laws and oversight tools designed to prevent it. Although it’s a national problem, it is often... read more »
Student Loans
100,000+ views
5 min read
Students who want high-paying careers after graduation may need to take on more student debt to earn degrees in desirable fields. Student Loan Planner can help borrowers... read more »
Student Loans
100,000+ views
5 min read
At around $1.5 trillion, student loan debt in the U.S. is quickly becoming what many experts are categorizing as a crisis. It is only outranked by outstanding mortgage... read more »
Children
100,000+ views
3 min read
Gentrification is a sensitive topic for many Americans, yet there has been very little research done on the issue that presents rigorous data about how it impacts... read more »
Jobs
100,000+ views
5 min read
While it makes sense for certain occupations, such as medical professionals and attorneys, to require licenses to practice, the Institute for Justice (IJ) argues that... read more »
Education
100,000+ views
7 min read
The United States has a math problem but it’s not the kind that can be solved with a simple formula or even an advanced algorithm. While math proficiency among elementary school... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
15 min read
Peppered across the western U.S. are a number of forgotten towns that are now home to little more than tumbleweeds. These ghost towns are an iconic reminder of the Gold Rush that sent... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
23 min read
We’ve all seen the click-worthy lists full of the “best places to live,” complete with the glossy photos of tree-lined streets, sandy beaches, and hip downtowns. What many of these... read more »
Auto
100,000+ views
7 min read
Ah, the smell of a new car. That alluring, straight-from-the-factory fragrance of polyurethane and freshly laid carpet somehow draws millions of people each year into car dealerships... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
5 min read
As with the 8-track players and parachute pants popular during their heyday, the company pension is mostly history. As a result, many modern workers will need to fund their own... read more »
Build Credit
100,000+ views
5 min read
In a study of over 75,000 calls, tech support hotline Gadget Helpline found that nearly two-thirds of male callers didn’t bother to read the manual for their product before calling in... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
3 min read
Although I don’t know where, exactly, I’m convinced that somewhere lies an immense mountain of missing socks pilfered from unsuspecting dryers around the country. And next to Great Sock... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
5 min read
Already approaching 7.5 billion halfway through 2017, the world population is projected to top the 8 billion mark around 2023. In the US alone, a new American is born about every eight... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
5 min read
In personal finance, credit scores are what make the world — or, at least, the lines of credit — go ’round. So it’s small wonder that, no matter how high (or low) your credit score,... read more »
Medical Debt
100,000+ views
3 min read
Your credit score is a reflection of the age, type, size, and general standing of the myriad accounts that make up your credit report. Maintaining and updating those reports is the... read more »
Get Out of Debt
100,000+ views
3 min read
Doing just a little bit of research into the best and fastest ways to pay down your debt will return the same results from just about everyone: start with the highest interest rates,... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
3 min read
Earlier this month, Lexington Law Firm published “Credit Cards: What We Found In The Fine Print,” a series of infographics featuring statistics about information found in the fine print... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
5 min read
Paying off credit cards can improve credit scores substantially as outstanding debt is the second most heavily-weighted factor in calculating credit scores. We examine... read more »
Student Debt
100,000+ views
5 min read
Student loans are the hot topic of the financial world lately, and for good reason. The number of students borrowing and the amount they’re borrowing have both gone up exponentially.... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
You’ve been reading BadCredit.org all year, working on paying off your debt as our how-to guides help you achieve financial freedom. Great job! Unfortunately not every American consumer... read more »
Student Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
With the cost of a four-year college education continuing to hit new highs, millennials aren’t the only ones struggling with rising levels of student loan debt. In a recent report... read more »
Business
100,000+ views
15 min read
Which business schools are contributing the most reliable, quality research to the economics community? Pulling data from the Social Science Research Network, we... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
5 min read
A new study from the University of New Mexico found many undocumented immigrants are severely underbanked, wary of debt and unable to handle financial setbacks of $100 or... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
3 min read
When bankruptcy exemption levels increase, the wealthy tend to invest less in risky unsecured assets, according to a new study from the University of Warwick Department... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
3 min read
A combination of overconfidence, selective memory and high liquidity explains why financial crises often follow periods of overabundant lending, according to a new study... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
3 min read
A traditional finance study may not seem like interesting reading, but we can learn a great deal about the typical U.S. consumer and the state of our current economy by looking at the... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
3 min read
Bankruptcy is a measure of last resort for the overindebted consumer, presumably offering a fresh financial start to people drowning in debt. But for low-income citizens, those who’re... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
3 min read
Back in November 2014, The New York Times shed light on a disturbing trend among some of the nation’s biggest lenders: Banks like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Bank of America routinely... read more »
Mistakes
100,000+ views
9 min read
Americans love to consume, but living a life of excess — especially with your finances — can lead to trouble. These 20 metropolitan areas lead the nation in... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
5 min read
Bankruptcy is one of the most effective yet misunderstood forms of consumer protection in the legal system. Instead of jailing an individual or forcing them into indentured servitude,... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
9 min read
Over the past decade, there’s been quite a lot of talk about consumers’ stagnating wages — not only because the average American citizen’s income hasn’t changed much in recent history,... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
3 min read
2005 was a terrible year for New Orleans — Hurricane Katrina, a category five storm and meteorological juggernaut, swept up the Gulf of Mexico and devastated cities in Texas, Louisiana,... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
3 min read
The Internet has a track record of cultivating uncanny new technologies that challenge markets, playing the role of democratized Davids to challenge the corporate Goliaths. For example,... read more »
Retirement
100,000+ views
7 min read
For someone with bad credit, figuring out retirement can be a tricky task. Chances are your finances are already battered from high-interest loans and whatever unfortunate accidents... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
7 min read
Every year, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation releases data through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program that shows the number of known violent and property crimes reported... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
3 min read
Is big data leveling the playing field in the modern-day consumer credit market, or is it doing more harm than good? This was one of the questions think-tanks, policymakers and... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
7 min read
Last month, we took at look at some of America’s most financially responsible cities. Drawing on data from Experian’s fifth annual State of Credit report, we analyzed more than 200... read more »
Good Credit
100,000+ views
1 min read
Anyone paying attention to news reports during the collapse of our banking system was treated to detailed information about credit-default swaps. But do many of us really know what they... read more »
Effects
100,000+ views
1 min read
Admittedly, credit scores can seem perplexing sometimes. You likely have three different FICO scores, depending on which of the three credit reporting agencies you choose to believe.... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
1 min read
Impatience can lead to many problems like extra stress, high blood pressure and a quick temper. A new study suggests you can add a poor credit score to the list. People that are more... read more »
Credit Reports
100,000+ views
1 min read
So you think the only thing that suffers when you have bad credit is your ability to take out a loan? Think again. According to a study conducted by the research group Demos, one in... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
1 min read
Thanks to the unprecedented convenience of the Internet, peer-to-peer lending has become a more popular alternative for consumers to find new access to capital. Sites like Prosper and... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
3 min read
A pair of researchers from Duke and Chapman Universities wondered: Why did Western Europe become an economic juggernaut, while the Ottoman Empire steadily declined from its status as a... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
1 min read
A pair of real estate economists claim they’ve found a new quirk in the post-recession housing market — not knowing the price of their homes may have kept many homeowners from... read more »
Bankruptcy
100,000+ views
3 min read
“[Health care] is a cost that now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds,” President Obama said in his 2009 State of the Union address. When Northeastern University Professor... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
3 min read
Since the end of the Great Recession, policymakers, academics and economists have been struggling with a very difficult question — what should we do with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?... read more »
Income
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recently published research paper by computer scientist Randy Olson suggests height may be determined by economic prosperity and people in underdeveloped countries are shorter due to... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
3 min read
Students who complete state-mandated financial literacy courses in high school tend to have higher credit scores than those who receive no such education, according to a new study.... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
If you’re meeting someone for the first time and trying to come up with a topic for conversation, don’t bring up credit card debt. According to a recent poll, Americans rate credit card... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
3 min read
Social media has come a long way since the early days of Facebook and Myspace. What started out as a virtual social playground for (mostly) millennials has turned into the most... read more »
Children
100,000+ views
1 min read
Talking to aging parents about money, retirement and estate planning is a challenge for even the most open families. In their latest Intra-Family Generational Finance Study, Fidelity... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
American consumers are still addicted to credit, buried in debt and embarrassed about it, according to recent data published by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Although the amount has dropped... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
3 min read
The easiest way to get bad credit is by not paying your bills. Anyone who’s missed even a single payment on their credit cards or loans will attest that their credit score drops... read more »
Auto
100,000+ views
1 min read
Your insurance rates could more than double if you have no credit history, according to a recent survey by WalletHub. The survey polled five of the largest insurers in the country —... read more »
Budgeting
100,000+ views
1 min read
A study by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling finds when it comes to personal finance and money management skills, many Americans still fall short. The NFCC survey shows 60... read more »
College
100,000+ views
3 min read
Rising tuition, a stale job market and lower-paying jobs — is college still worth it? A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York finds the answer to be an overwhelming yes. For... read more »
Medical Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
[Edit 8/7/2014: FICO plans to transition to a new credit scoring model where people with only medical debt will receive a 25-point boost in their credit scores.] According to a research... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
The financial crisis and subsequent Great Recession of 2008 appears to shaping the long-term savings strategies of the nation’s youngest Americans, according to the 2014 Wells Fargo... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recent credit card debt study shows U.S. consumers continue to pay off credit card debt at a rate of $32.5 billion in the first quarter of 2014, which is great news. Unfortunately... read more »
Student Debt
100,000+ views
3 min read
A new report published by the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) finds student debt is rising faster at state universities with the highest-paid presidents. In addition, these schools... read more »
Millennials
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to understanding credit scores and how they’re used, it turns out Millennials – those aged 18 to 34 (also known as “Gen Y”) – know far less than older Americans. According... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
While many Americans continue to repair their finances following the Great Recession, the overall amount of household debt continues to grow. In their Household Debt and Credit Report,... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
1 min read
Tight credit markets since the Great Recession continue to dampen mortgage originations in Ohio and several other states. The study conducted by the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think... read more »
Accounts
100,000+ views
1 min read
While 92 percent of Americans say they are concerned with checking account fees, only 44 percent have free checking accounts. In addition, a new study reports that 15 percent said they... read more »
Family
100,000+ views
1 min read
A new study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell University looked at the effects of the earned income tax credit (EITC) and its impact on the working poor. The... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
About or aboot? Sorry, Canada. We had to do it. According to a recently released FICO survey, bankers in Canada are more pessimistic than those in the U.S. when it comes to credit card... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
In their 9th annual Credit Card Issuers Identity Scorecard, Javelin Research has named Bank of America as “Best in Class” for security. Javelin assessed 24 financial institutions in... read more »
Budgeting
100,000+ views
1 min read
Recent growth in the use of prepaid credit cards may be fueled by consumers looking to change bad spending habits. At least that’s the conclusion according to a survey released recently... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
Income inequality in America has been out of the headlines for the most part since the Occupy Wall Street movement has died down. But that doesn’t mean the gap between the rich and the... read more »
Taxes
100,000+ views
1 min read
A new study conducted by BMO Harris Bank showed an overwhelming majority of Arizonans feel confident with the job they did preparing their taxes. Eighty-seven percent of Arizona... read more »
Millennials
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a recent study, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation found millennials (those between the ages of 18 and 34) engaged in a number of troubling financial behaviors. The recent... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recent survey of the 50 largest credit unions in the U.S. showed most still offer free standalone checking accounts. The study shows 72 percent of the largest credit unions offer no... read more »
Business
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a recent study of small- to medium-sized businesses, it was found many business owners use their personal credit cards to help finance business operations. The study was conducted by... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
A study released recently by the Pew Charitable Trusts showed U.S. consumers are using prepaid credit cards more now than ever before. In yet more evidence that Americans’ credit card... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Americans know all about consumer debt – sometimes it seems like we almost invented it. But the fact is our neighbors to the north may be even more in debt than we are. According to a... read more »
Bills
100,000+ views
1 min read
A new study carried out recently in Britain showed families with poor credit are paying more for their broadband Internet access. The research was carried out by a professor at the... read more »
Fraud
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a recent annual fraud study conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research, it was reported a new occurrence of identity fraud happened every two seconds in the U.S. in 2013. The... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
According to a recent study conducted by a group of Cambridge researchers, the credit crisis of 2008 and beyond may have been made worse by bankers not taking enough risks. While that... read more »
Health
100,000+ views
1 min read
When President Obama laid out the plans for his Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, he used Massachusetts’ health care model as a guide. Now research shows the reforms put in... read more »
Family
100,000+ views
1 min read
A study released recently by the Corporation for Enterprise Development shows nearly half of households in California have little to no savings and are in chronic financial stress. The... read more »
Divorce
100,000+ views
1 min read
As our economy continues to slowly improve from the effects of the Great Recession, most of the news is good. However, one disturbing trend has begun to show up. According to a recent... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
According to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis, Americans aged 65 and older are carrying far more debt than they were just a few decades ago. Research shows the... read more »
Get Out of Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Being in debt is often the result of many factors, but no matter why or how you find yourself in debt, paying it down is the top priority. While this is obvious to most people, the... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
The numbers are in and this year’s holiday retail spending increase was pretty decent after all. The expectation for moderate or slow consumer spending never materialized, and it seems... read more »
Apps
100,000+ views
1 min read
It seems small businesses have little loyalty to their current financial institutions and would likely switch for a better mobile banking option. At least that’s the assertion of a... read more »
Credit Unions
100,000+ views
1 min read
In recent years, the rate of interest charged for home mortgages has been at historic lows. While this has led to a boom in home purchases, the party is not expected to last much... read more »
Food
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recent study in the journal Obesity seems to show a relationship between students eating habits and the way they pay for school meals. According to behavioral economists at Cornell... read more »
Family
100,000+ views
1 min read
Managing a relationship isn’t always easy, and there are many challenges along the way. One of the biggest challenges couples face is finding a way to manage money together. In fact, a... read more »
Saving
100,000+ views
1 min read
If you want to be happier in 2014, you may want to start putting more money in your savings account. A new survey from Ally Bank suggests people who save more are happier than people... read more »
Bills
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to money priorities, Americans are focused on the basics: paying their bills on time and paying off their debt. The financial website Bankrate.com ran its third annual... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
During the U.S. housing bubble, lenders were giving out too many mortgages to unqualified borrowers, which eventually led to a market crash. To bring the market back under control,... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
It may be no surprise to those between the ages of 19 and 29 (the so-called Millennial Generation) that a recent study shows this group fairs the worst when it comes to credit and debt... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure, or CARD Act, was ratified by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2009. Since that time, the various... read more »
Identity Theft
100,000+ views
1 min read
On a study conducted by Javelin Strategy and research, it was shown one-quarter of the people whose credit card data was stolen ended up being victims of identity theft. In 2012, 16... read more »
Debt Collectors
100,000+ views
1 min read
To protect consumers, state governments sometimes create laws that restrict the ability of creditors and debt collection agencies to aggressively demand payment of debts. For example, a... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
We are all aware home values took a big hit during the recession, but some areas were hit harder than others. A recent study by the American Community Survey shows the most populated... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
The middle class in American society has been dramatically affected by the recent credit crisis and subsequent economic challenges. The segment of this population that’s taken the... read more »
Identity Theft
100,000+ views
1 min read
As our lives move online, it isn’t always easy to protect our personal information. Teens and young adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to spend more time online.... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
The American and Canadian economies have always been pretty closely tied to each other. For this reason, it should be no surprise that consumer debt is slowly on the rise in Canada,... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
With key U.S. interest rates still at historic lows of around .25 percent, banks are finding it tough to make any money these days. On top of that, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed)... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
The calculation of our credit scores has always been a bit of a mystery to many people. We know they are important when it comes to getting a loan and even renting a home, but how... read more »
Couples
100,000+ views
1 min read
With the holiday season upon us, some couples are more likely than others to feel anxiety and fear around holiday spending. These feelings can lead to damaging behavior in the... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
The American government recently launched a series of new credit card regulations with the idea of protecting consumers and reducing overall fees. A new study by the University of... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
1 min read
Government-sponsored entities (GSEs) like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play a huge role in the U.S. housing market. These organizations guarantee the loans of many homeowners to help make... read more »
Auto
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a new study based on data from six large insurers across the country, it was found drivers with poor credit pay almost double for their car insurance. We have always been told... read more »
Buying a Home
100,000+ views
1 min read
Despite the continued rise in home prices over the past two years, many believe the gains will not last. According to a survey of Americans conducted for the Country Financial Security... read more »
Holidays
100,000+ views
1 min read
Retailers just got some good news for the holiday season. Even though Americans are still worried about the economy, more than half of Americans still plan to spend the same amount or... read more »
Taxes
100,000+ views
1 min read
Americans may need to prepare to pay more in taxes in the near future. A new report from the tax publisher Commerce Clearing House (CCH) found many popular tax credits are set to expire... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
Living in the developed world, we take for granted the availability of credit for business expansion. However, in many of the emerging economies, micro, small and medium enterprises... read more »
Health
100,000+ views
1 min read
If you are confused about the possible benefits or drawbacks to the new Affordable Health Care Act that is about to go into effect, you are not alone. In fact, studies by different... read more »
Family
100,000+ views
1 min read
A joint bank account might not seem like the most romantic thing in the world, but it is often the sign of a strong and loving relationship. A new study found unmarried couples with a... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
Since the economy has begun to recover from the financial crisis, Americans are starting to apply for credit again. Financial risk professionals believe consumer demand for credit will... read more »
International
100,000+ views
1 min read
It seems Americans aren’t the only ones with serious credit problems. According to the Australian credit data company Veda, 2.3 million Aussies are at either high or extreme risk of a... read more »
Accounts
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a recent study, at least one nonprofit public interest group found the majority of complaints made to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revolve around bank checking accounts.... read more »
Retirement
100,000+ views
1 min read
Have you ever felt life was moving by so slowly that it seems like you will never retire? If so, you are not alone. Most people are so busy and focused on the present moment that they... read more »
Debit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
Debit card swipe fees amount to only pennies per transaction, but when added together, they account for a sizable chunk of retail spending. Debit card swipe fees do not get applied... read more »
Holidays
100,000+ views
1 min read
If you are among that group of American consumers who feel the pinch of credit card bills every new year, you are not alone. According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to paying off debts, Americans do not treat all bills with the same priority. A recent study has shown Americans are more likely to make their home loan payments on time... read more »
Banks
100,000+ views
1 min read
If you feel like your bank is speaking a different language, you are not alone. According to a recent study conducted by Maritz Research, one-third of bank customers have difficulty... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
1 min read
While the American housing market is starting to improve, it still has not recovered from the housing bubble. One of the reasons why the market is still struggling could be because many... read more »
Retirement
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a study just released by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), more than 90 percent of working-age households in the U.S. are not saving enough for retirement. And if... read more »
College
100,000+ views
1 min read
It looks like college students still need help learning to manage their finances. A new study found many students were already picking up some costly bad habits, including not being too... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
The amount consumers pay per month toward their credit cards gives a pretty good indication of whether or not they will ever be delinquent on their account. The credit rating agency... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
A report from the U.S. Federal Reserve shows consumer borrowing has hit a record high in the latest reporting period. Despite the fact Americans cut back slightly on their use of credit... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Too much debt is more than just a financial issue. According to a study from the Northeastern University Feinberg School of Medicine, high levels of debt also appear to cause serious... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
1 min read
A poor credit score makes it incredibly challenging to get a personal bank loan. This is especially true these days because banks have tightened lending standards since the financial... read more »
Loans
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to home loans, race unfortunately appears to make a difference. A study out of New York University showed wealthier minorities are more likely to receive subprime loans.... read more »
Spending
100,000+ views
1 min read
It’s probably not surprising to learn compulsive buying is a problem in many Western countries. In fact, many of us probably know someone who suffers with this affliction. But a new... read more »
Student Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Student loans have overtaken both credit card and automobile debt as the largest percentage of household debt in the U.S. According to new data from the Federal Reserve, student loan... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
It looks like the lessons learned from the financial crisis and ensuing economic downturn may have changed the way many Americans view debt and borrowing. In the years leading up to the... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Are you still asking your parents for money? What about your grandparents? They may be more broke than you. A recent study shows middle-income Americans over 50 carried more credit card... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
1 min read
Since the housing bubble burst and home values plummeted, Americans have begun to question whether it still makes financial sense to buy a home. A recent study shows the conventional... read more »
Business
100,000+ views
1 min read
For small business owners, finding financing is tough. Since the financial crisis, banks have tightened lending standards, which puts many new businesses in a tough spot. What makes the... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to managing debt, women appear to have the edge over men. In a recent study, the credit reports of 750,000 men and women across the United States were examined. This... read more »
Spending
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to predicting consumer spending behavior, a lot of work goes into taking surveys and observing sales figures from a macro perspective. However, a recent scientific... read more »
Financial Planning
100,000+ views
1 min read
It may not come as much of a surprise to many of us, but it appears women are significantly more likely to act on financial advice they receive. This is according to a survey conducted... read more »
Health
100,000+ views
1 min read
In a somewhat surprising study released by the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, it was revealed people who have unpaid credit card debt or large medical bills are more likely to... read more »
College
100,000+ views
1 min read
When students build up credit card debt, they aren’t just hurting their finances. They’re also putting their degree at risk. According to a study from the research firm Teenage Research... read more »
Mortgages
100,000+ views
1 min read
It’s no secret the recent “great recession” was largely caused at the hands of mortgage lenders with all-too-lenient credit requirements. A recent study called “The Mortgage Credit... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Credit card debt is becoming an increasingly large problem for young Americans. According to a recent study out of Ohio State, the current generation of youths is taking on more debt... read more »
Credit Checks
100,000+ views
1 min read
We all know employers these days often use credit checks as a way to screen job candidates before making the decision to hire. So it’s a bit of a surprise to learn fewer companies today... read more »
Minorities
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recent $1.3 million dollar study undertaken by Freddie Mac has revealed some surprising differences in credit scores between African-Americans and Caucasians. The study compared the... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
It seems like common knowledge we should avoid debt. Each generation goes through the process of accumulating debt, struggling to pay it off and then trying to pass the lessons they’ve... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
After many years of credit struggles, young Americans may be finally getting a better handle on debt management. A new study out of the Pew Research Center found Americans under 35 have... read more »
Credit Checks
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to verifying the health of our finances, there are few things more important than our credit report. According to a recent survey, 22 percent of Americans have never... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to the complex and sordid world of credit card theft, it turns out there is at least a little trust among these thieves. A study published recently in the journal Global... read more »
Family
100,000+ views
1 min read
Unemployment costs Americans more than their weekly paycheck. According to a recent study out of the Pew Charitable Trusts, it also badly damages their long-term wealth. The study found... read more »
Economy
100,000+ views
1 min read
When the American housing bubble burst, it led a financial panic and the collapse of the American economy. Wall Street made problems even worse by investing a large amount of money in... read more »
Credit Card Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Many Americans are still in a tough spot financially. According to a recent survey, about one in four Americans has more credit card debt than savings. More than a thousand adults... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
1 min read
A recent study shows one-third of all Americans are suffering the consequences of having a low credit score. Lenders are reportedly tightening their belts and requiring a minimum credit... read more »
Credit Repair
100,000+ views
1 min read
A new study shows fully reported non-financial payment data, also called alternative data, can have a positive impact on consumers when assessing credit risk. According to a report... read more »
Letter of Explanation
100,000+ views
1 min read
When it comes to peer-to-peer micro loans, lenders are looking at more than a person’s credit history. According to a recent study from the University of Delaware and Rice University,... read more »
Credit Scores
100,000+ views
1 min read
TransUnion, one of the big three credit reporting agencies, recently revealed their ranking of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest consumer credit scores. The study... read more »
Work
100,000+ views
1 min read
With more and more companies using credit reports as a part of the hiring process, this can dramatically impact an applicant’s ability to land the job. Companies claim using credit... read more »
Credit Cards
100,000+ views
1 min read
It seems everything leads to cancer, these days. You can’t do too much of anything without putting yourself at some sort of increased risk. But who would have thought checking your... read more »
Income
100,000+ views
1 min read
I think most of us recognize the past five years or so have been difficult for many working Americans. However, we’re being told conditions are improving and an economic recovery has... read more »
Credit Errors
100,000+ views
1 min read
In 2004, Congress initiated a 10-year project to study the accuracy of the credit reporting industry. The results are published in two-year increments. The most recently published... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
3 min read
Debt isn’t just a financial burden — it’s a mental and emotional one as well. A growing body of research has demonstrated the pernicious impact of debt on mental well-being, with a... read more »
By: Ashley Fricker • 10/17/23
Debt
100,000+ views
9 min read
Americans aren’t shy about borrowing money. A Federal Reserve survey found that 77% of US households have some form of debt. On the other hand, most indebted Americans (53%) list debt... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
While many Americans continue to repair their finances following the Great Recession, the overall amount of household debt continues to grow. In their Household Debt and Credit Report,... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
Americans know all about consumer debt – sometimes it seems like we almost invented it. But the fact is our neighbors to the north may be even more in debt than we are. According to a... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
According to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis, Americans aged 65 and older are carrying far more debt than they were just a few decades ago. Research shows the... read more »
Debt
100,000+ views
1 min read
It may be no surprise to those between the ages of 19 and 29 (the so-called Millennial Generation) that a recent study shows this group fairs the worst when it comes to credit and debt... read more »