By Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: June 25, 2026 Landing a new job offer is typically a moment of celebration. Whether it represents a long-awaited career pivot, a step up to a prestigious executive title, or an exciting chance to experience life in a vibrant new city, state, or even another…
Author: Bruce McClary, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: July 3, 2026 (Originally published January 2023) Main Facts In an era defined by persistent economic shifts, rising costs of living, and complex personal finance ecosystems, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) has re-released and updated its comprehensive digital budgeting resource. Authored by veteran…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: July 10, 2026 Introduction and Main Facts For millions of Americans holding federal student loan debt, the landscape of higher education financing has felt like a moving target over the past several years. A flurry of policy shifts, court battles, administrative overhauls, and shifting eligibility…
Author: Barry Coleman, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: July 17, 2026 (Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2022 and has been comprehensively updated to reflect the evolving student loan landscape in 2026.) Main Facts Millions of borrowers across the United States continue to wrestle with the complexities of student loan…
September 2, 2026 — In a shifting economic landscape that has left millions of American households scrambling to keep pace with the rising cost of living, a new financial trend has emerged that is ringing alarm bells among consumer advocates and regulatory experts. "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services, once marketed as a convenient way…
By Holly Welles Updated: July 23, 2026 Main Facts When an unexpected financial emergency strikes—ranging from sudden automotive breakdowns and catastrophic medical bills to abrupt job loss—watching an emergency fund evaporate can be a harrowing experience. However, financial experts emphasize a fundamental truth of personal finance: savings accounts are not meant to sit untouched forever….
Navigating the financial realities of higher education involves far more than simply calculating the cost of tuition and textbooks. For many undergraduate and graduate students, one of the most pressing and expensive decisions is where to live. Whether you are dreaming of a quiet off-campus apartment with roommates or trying to decide if university dorm…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: July 31, 2026 (Originally published December 2020) Main Facts Struggling with overwhelming debt is a stressful reality for millions of households. When monthly minimum payments outpace income, individuals often search for a lifeline, only to find themselves paralyzed by the sheer volume of choices. The…
Main Facts Financing higher education has traditionally been viewed as a student-centric responsibility, primarily managed through federal student loan programs. However, a significant portion of the financial burden is routinely shouldered by parents via Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, these federal loans allow biological parents, adoptive parents, and, in…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Updated: August 4, 2026 Introduction: The Rising Tide of Housing Insecurity For hundreds of thousands of American families, the American Dream of homeownership is currently facing an unprecedented stress test. Home foreclosures are on a steady rise across the United States, casting a long shadow of financial anxiety over communities nationwide….
