Category: Credit and Debt

5 Money Mistakes That Can Put Retirement Farther Off

Even people with employee-sponsored retirement plans still find it difficult to save for the future when faced with present-day desires.
Mortgage Lenders Can Soon Use VantageScore. Is That Good for Borrowers?

A top housing finance regulator announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would allow lenders to use the traditional FICO score or one from a rival, VantageScore.
Judge Scraps Rule Eliminating Medical Debt on Credit Reports

The Trump administration joined with trade groups to ask a court to overturn a Biden-era rule that aimed to limit the impact of unpaid medical bills on consumers’ credit history.
Trump Wants Lower Rates. Firing Powell Could Push Them Higher.

Investors, not the Fed, control the interest rates that matter most to businesses and consumers. They might demand higher returns if the central bank’s independence comes into question.
France Proposes Cutting Two Public Holidays to Avert Budget Crisis

Drastic measures are necessary “before we are crushed by the debt,” the country’s prime minister warned.
As Debt Piles Up, Countries See Fiscal Relief as Political Leverage

With developing nations crushed by unaffordable borrowing and Washington on the sidelines, some leaders are brokering debt forgiveness deals.
FICO Scores to Include a Shopper’s ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Loan History

As the use of these easy-credit installment loans has grown, FICO said repayment data would provide more insight on consumers’ credit readiness.
No, a TikTok Trick Won’t Erase Student Loan Debt

Videos promoting a quick hack for having student loans forgiven are circulating. Experts warn the trick doesn’t work.
What the Fed’s Rate Decision Means for Loans, Credit Cards, Mortgages and More

Here’s how the central bank’s interest rate stance influences car loans, credit cards, mortgages, savings and student loans.
Deficit Politics Returns in Debate Over Trump Tax Cuts

The legislation that Republicans are trying to push through Congress could swell the very fiscal imbalance that party leaders have promised to tame for years.
Consumers Are Financing Their Groceries. What Does It Say About the Economy?

Increased use of “buy now, pay later” loans may signal shifting consumer habits, but could also be a troubling sign of financial stress.
Economists Question G.O.P. Bill: Why Increase the Deficit in Good Times?

Huge deficits are already making bond investors nervous. Economists warn that could make it harder to respond to future crises.