August 19, 2026 — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the landscape of American higher education finance, recent legislative adjustments to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans have effectively retroactively altered the financial obligations of millions of student loan borrowers. For many, the promise of a manageable debt-to-income path has been replaced by the reality…
By Barry Coleman, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: July 17, 2026 (Originally published March 2022) Main Facts Millions of student loan borrowers across the United States continue to face significant hurdles when attempting to navigate complex repayment structures, changing federal guidelines, and mounting financial pressure. According to recent economic indicators from the Federal…
By Holly Welles Updated: July 23, 2026 Main Facts: The Reality of Drained Savings and the Path Forward Life is inherently unpredictable. Whether it is a sudden vehicle transmission failure, an unexpected medical emergency, a family crisis, or an abrupt job loss, financial emergencies have a way of completely upending even the most meticulously planned…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: December 2020 | Updated: July 31, 2026 For millions of consumers facing mounting financial pressure, the landscape of debt relief can feel like an overwhelming labyrinth. A quick internet search reveals dozens of for-profit companies, financial institutions, and legal avenues, all promising a quick escape…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Published/Updated: August 4, 2026 As housing market pressures continue to ripple across the United States, new data reveals a concerning upward trend in home foreclosures. For the estimated 227,500 American households currently facing the threat of foreclosure in 2026, the situation can easily feel paralyzing and insurmountable. However, housing and financial…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: August 12, 2026 As federal student loan payments resume, escalate, or weigh heavily on household budgets, millions of Americans find themselves grappling with difficult financial choices. The anxiety surrounding upcoming or rising bills is a shared reality for a massive segment of the population. Unfortunately,…
By Consumers’ Checkbook Updated: August 20, 2026 Main Facts The landscape of financial crime has undergone a seismic shift. Con artists and digital predators are no longer relying solely on poorly worded phishing emails or obvious telemarketing scripts. Armed with advanced artificial intelligence, cybercriminals are now capable of generating hyper-realistic fake websites, convincing voice cloning,…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: September 14, 2026 Main Facts While economic pressures continue to squeeze households across the United States, America’s military families and veterans frequently bear a disproportionate burden. Skyrocketing living costs, frequent relocations, and unique employment barriers leave many service members vulnerable to sudden financial instability. According…
You split a routine $200 online purchase into four bite-sized installments through Klarna or Afterpay. You made every payment on time, smoothly avoiding interest, and comfortably assumed the transaction existed in a vacuum—completely detached from your broader financial profile and your hard-earned credit score. For years, that assumption was entirely correct. Buy Now, Pay Later…
By Hermond Palmer, NFCC Published: June 24, 2026 (Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2020.) Main Facts The threat of missing a mortgage payment can trigger immediate anxiety for homeowners, casting a long shadow of uncertainty over their financial stability. For millions of Americans, homeownership represents the cornerstone of personal wealth, generational…
