Debt | Credit Card Topics

New Discover Survey Shows Many College Graduates May Need Multiple Jobs to Pay Off Student Loans

By: Ray FitzGerald, 8/2/2018

In a Nutshell: More than 1.1 million borrowers defaulted on their student loans in 2016 alone. While a sluggish job market caused some of those defaults, many of the issues stem from borrowers lacking the knowledge needed to prepare for repayment when they apply for loans. Discover Student Loans recently conducted a national online survey of 2,015 students, former students, and parents in the US to determine their perceptions on repaying student loans and the impact of repayment on... read more »

Advantage Credit Counseling Service Takes a Holistic, Non-Judgmental Approach to Tackling Consumer Credit Card Debt

By: Ray FitzGerald, 7/30/2018

In a Nutshell: The majority of Americans live in debt. While most of this debt is tied to mortgages and student loans, consumers owe trillions of dollars in combined credit card, medical, and other loan debts. With so many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, these debts can quickly spiral out of control and become a burden that is too heavy to bear. Since 1968, Advantage Credit Counseling Service (ACCS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has helped thousands of consumers better their financial... read more »

9 Best Credit Cards for Paying Down Debt

By: Mike Randall, 7/23/2018

Ten years ago in this country, a lot of things hit their peak; the stock market, government bond interest rates, and the amount of revolving debt carried by American consumers. The Great Recession led to a wave of contraction by the banks, the government, and by the rest of us. Since 2008, however, the stock market has recovered and the Federal Reserve has once again begun raising interest rates. Perhaps the biggest round-trip, however, has been the amount of debt Americans are once... read more »

9 Best Debt Consolidation Loans & Credit Cards in 2018

By: Ashley Dull, 7/9/2018

Many of the most successful chess players plan their moves out several rounds in advance, with contingencies already considered should their opponent not move as predicted. This ensures they're not making rash moves that could cost them a piece — or the game. The same strategy should apply to most personal finances. If you have your moves planned out in advance — i.e., have a workable budget — with well-thought contingencies in place, it's much easier to stay on track. But,... read more »

2018 Credit Card Debt Statistics: Average US Debt

By: Brittney Mayer, 4/6/2018

March of 2018 saw the sixth rise of the federal funds rate — and, thus, the US Prime Rate — since 2015, a marker of the continued growth of the US economy since its lows in the late 2000s. But while economists may hail the increase as a positive sign, average consumers may not feel so positive about an increase in their interest rates — particularly not the 50% of consumers with credit card debt that just got more expensive. And we're not talking about an insignificant... read more »

3 Best Credit Card Loans for Bad Credit in 2018

By: Ashley Dull, 3/23/2018

The concept of "everything in moderation" is one that is often easier said than done — as anyone who has ever waddled away from an all-you-can-eat buffet can surely attest. But while tossing moderation to the wind in favor of a third buttery yeast roll might just give you indigestion, other excesses can have much more lasting consequences — like bad credit. Indeed, one place you should always practice moderation is your personal finances, particularly when it comes to taking on... read more »

6 Best Loans to Pay Off Credit Card Debt in 2018

By: Adam West, 2/26/2018

It can be seriously tempting to try your hand at credit card churning after reading one of the thousands of online tales of cardholders using points and miles to practically get to the Moon and back. But what is a little less publicized is that for every successful churner, there's likely an unsuccessful cardholder sitting on a lot of credit card debt. Even if churning isn't an issue, the ease and convenience of credit cards — and their double-digit APRs — have gotten many... read more »

Clarifi: Serving the Financial Counseling Needs of the Greater Delaware Valley for More Than 50 Years

By: Ray FitzGerald, 2/16/2018

In a Nutshell: For more than 50 years, residents of the Greater Delaware Valley area have turned to Clarifi for financial education, counseling, and coaching services designed to meet the expanding needs of today’s consumers. Originally founded as a nonprofit to help clients manage credit card debt, Clarifi has added expert advice on buying a home, eliminating alternative sources of debt, and starting a business to its existing lineup of services. In addition to one-on-one... read more »

A Money Club Just for Women: Smart Cookies Helps Women with Debt Management and Financial Planning to Achieve Their Richest Lives

By: Kristine Crane, 1/11/2018

In a Nutshell: When five women founded a money club more than a decade ago, they could not have foreseen it inspiring a movement to get out of debt and live overall richer lives. However, that’s exactly what Smart Cookies has evolved into. Employing a sense of community, transparency, and responsibility, these founding members have shared their lessons with the world through a series of books and courses that have helped hundreds of women better manage their finances through more... read more »

What is the Average Credit Card Debt in American Households?

By: Brittney Mayer, 1/8/2018

No matter what you received under the tree, the average American adult started the new year with the gift that keeps on giving: credit card debt. In fact, more than two-thirds of shoppers used credit cards to finance their holiday purchases in 2017, which means many of us started 2018 with more than $1,000 in extra credit card debt. And that's hardly all the credit card debt Americans are dealing with in 2018. Collectively, the total revolving debt in the US has topped $1.011... read more »

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