By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: September 30, 2026 Main Facts: The Modern Parenting Debt Crisis Raising children in the contemporary economic landscape has transformed from a standard financial challenge into an unprecedented fiscal balancing act. Between surging childcare costs, escalating grocery bills, and the relentless stream of unexpected expenses that…
WASHINGTON — Graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is the culmination of years of rigorous scientific study, clinical rotations, and immense personal sacrifice. However, for a vast majority of new healthcare professionals, the celebration is immediately overshadowed by a daunting financial reality: six-figure student loan debt. Depending on the institution attended, geographical location,…
By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: September 14, 2026 Main Facts As the broader American populace continues to grapple with persistent inflation and a volatile cost-of-living index, military households frequently bear the brunt of these economic pressures. Frequent relocations, unique employment barriers for military spouses, and the complexities of transitioning back…
For millions of American families, taking out a Parent PLUS Loan was an act of unconditional love. Faced with skyrocketing tuition costs, parents willingly shouldered the financial burden to send their children to college, assuming the debt as their own. However, as these borrowers approach retirement age, what began as a noble investment in a…
Author: Holly Welles Updated: July 23, 2026 Main Facts: The Reality of Drained Savings and the Path Forward Facing a financial emergency is a destabilizing experience. Whether it is an unexpected medical emergency, catastrophic car repairs, or the sudden loss of primary employment, the immediate aftermath often leaves individuals staring at a zeroed-out bank account….
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: July 31, 2026 (Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2020 and has been fully updated to reflect current economic conditions, interest rate benchmarks, and evolving financial recovery options.) Main Facts: Understanding the Landscape of Debt Relief For millions of consumers, managing overwhelming…
Certificate programs have surged in popularity as a flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional four-year degrees. Whether working professionals are looking to pivot industries, boost their earning potential, or acquire specialized technical skills, these programs offer targeted education without the multi-year commitment of a traditional college path. However, while certificate programs are generally less expensive than…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Updated: August 4, 2026 Main Facts Home foreclosures are quietly ticking upward across the United States, casting a shadow of financial uncertainty over hundreds of thousands of households. According to recent housing data, roughly 227,500 American households are facing the terrifying prospect of foreclosure in 2026. For families swept up in…
By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: August 12, 2026 Main Facts As the financial landscape shifts in 2026, millions of Americans are staring down a daunting reality: student loan payments are either rising steeply or resuming after periods of relief. For a vast segment of the population, these financial obligations trigger…
Navigating a divorce is universally recognized as one of life’s most emotionally and psychologically taxing events. When significant financial liabilities are thrown into the mix—particularly federal education debt—the stress can quickly become overwhelming. For parents who utilized federal Parent PLUS Loans to help fund their children’s undergraduate education, a marital split introduces complex legal and…
