Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: August 12, 2026 For millions of Americans, the return of student loan obligations or sudden payment increases has triggered a wave of financial anxiety. As household budgets stretch to accommodate the rising costs of housing, groceries, and everyday essentials, absorbing a reinstated student loan bill…
By Adam S. Minsky, JD Senior Contributor & Student Loan Law Expert For millions of federal student loan borrowers, a ticking clock is about to run out. The very first major deadline for participants in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan to transition to alternative repayment options is mere days away. With billions…
Author: Consumers’ Checkbook Updated: August 20, 2026 Main Facts As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, it has unlocked a sinister new frontier for cybercriminals. No longer confined to poorly translated phishing emails and clunky text messages, con artists now deploy sophisticated AI algorithms to engineer hyper-realistic websites, deepfake audio, convincing video calls, and immaculate digital correspondence….
Main Facts: The Return of Taxable Forgiveness For millions of federal student loan borrowers, loan forgiveness has long been heralded as the ultimate financial finish line. Eliminating a five- or six-figure balance through an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan can feel like a new lease on financial life. However, a hidden financial hazard—frequently referred to by…
When planning for financial security, professionals often focus on the big numbers: the total payout of a life insurance policy, the target balance of a retirement account, or the monthly benefit amount of a long-term disability (LTD) policy. Yet, one of the most critical structural decisions in disability planning hides in the fine print: the…
By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: September 14, 2026 Main Facts: The Current Economic Realities Facing Service Members In an era defined by economic fluctuations and a persistently high cost of living, American families face unprecedented budgetary pressures. However, while inflation impacts civilian households nationwide, active-duty service members, veterans, and their…
As the landscape of higher education financing undergoes its most radical transformation in decades, a new and alarming threat is capturing the attention of consumer advocates. While students and families have long navigated the binary choice between federal loans and private commercial lenders, a third, insidious category has quietly expanded: state-based student loans. A comprehensive…
By Adam S. Minsky, JD Senior Contributor, Student Loan Planner Borrowers hoping to secure long-promised debt relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program are encountering an increasingly hostile landscape. Defined by sudden payment count reductions, contested federal regulations, and stricter operational hurdles, the path to forgiveness is fraught with new risks. While the…
Introduction: The Unseen Financial Burden of Public Service Law enforcement officers at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels commit themselves to daily risks, high-stress environments, and operational trauma that the average citizen will never fully comprehend. From responding to volatile domestic disputes to managing critical public safety incidents, police officers, sheriff deputies, and federal…
By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: June 25, 2026 Landing a new job is undeniably thrilling. Whether it is an unexpected promotion within your current company, a coveted role across the country, or an international career pivot, a professional move symbolizes growth, ambition, and new horizons. However, beneath the glamour of…
