Date: June 8, 2026 Subject: Consumer Protection / Housing Economics As the rental market continues to tighten across the United States, prospective tenants are increasingly confronted with the daunting barrier of upfront move-in costs. Traditionally, a security deposit—often equivalent to one or two months’ rent—serves as the primary gatekeeper to housing. However, a new financial…
Date: June 8, 2026 Subject: Consumer Protection and Housing Affordability As the American housing market continues to face unprecedented volatility, a new financial product has emerged, promising to ease the burden on prospective tenants. Security deposit installment plans—often marketed as "deposit alternatives"—are being pitched as a lifeline for renters struggling to bridge the gap between…
By Barry Coleman, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) June 14, 2026 (Originally published August 2017) Few experiences in personal finance are as anxiety-inducing as receiving notice that a debt has been sold to a collection agency. The transition from a missed payment to a collections account often triggers a cascade of aggressive communication, financial…
