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…
WASHINGTON — The daily average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped below the critical 7% threshold on Tuesday morning, settling at 6.97% APR, according to data provided to financial analysts by Zillow. While a sub-7% average may catch the eye of prospective homebuyers and those eyeing a refinance, financial experts emphasize that…
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…
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…
Main Facts: The Financial Realities of Modern Policing Law enforcement officers at local, state, tribal, and federal levels undertake daily risks and psychological burdens that most citizens will never fully understand. Beyond the physical and emotional toll of the badge, however, a quiet crisis weighs heavily on thousands of personnel: mounting student loan debt. While…
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…
Paying off a mortgage is widely considered the ultimate milestone of the American Dream. After decades of monthly payments, interest accrual, and the stress of potential rate fluctuations, reaching that final balance is a moment of profound relief. However, for many retirees, the dream is tempered by a lingering reality: the property tax bill. While…
Despite persistent criticism from economists and tax policy experts, "sales tax holidays"—designated periods during which specific goods are exempted from state and local sales taxes—remain a staple of American fiscal policy. In 2026, the popularity of these tax-free windows reached a new peak: 20 states are conducting such holidays, an increase from 19 the previous…
New York, NY – July 15, 2026 – Mortgage interest rates experienced a notable decline today, following the release of yesterday’s more optimistic Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which indicated a slowdown in inflation for June. This cooling inflation environment has provided a welcome, albeit potentially temporary, respite for prospective homebuyers and those considering refinancing…
Few political rallying cries are as universally resonant as the promise of tax relief. For homeowners across Florida, the prospect of lower property taxes is not merely an economic preference; it is a visceral response to years of rising costs, inflation, and a volatile housing market. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the movement…
