Making the Most of Your 401(k) Contributions
If you have a 401(k) through your employer, there’s good reason to max out your 401(k) contributions, but most retirement savers aren’t hitting the mark...Read full article
Author: April Lewis-Parks
US Consumer Debt Eclipses Mortgage Debt
For the first time, US consumer debt has eclipsed mortgage debt, because Americans have more household debt tied up in credit cards and student loans...Read full article
How Much Should You Have in Emergency Savings?
Emergency savings is essential to cover unexpected expenses like home and car repairs, as well as to give you a financial safety net in case you lose your job or can’t work due to a medical emergency. But how much should you have in emergency savings and how much do average Americans actually save?..Read full article
Are Store Credit Cards Bad?
A new trend in increased credit card delinquencies on store credit cards reveals two good reasons why you might want to think twice before opening a in-store credit card. Consolidated Credit explains how to decide if store credit cards are a bad idea for your finances...Read full article
Are You Feeling the Financial Well-Being?
A new Federal Reserve study finds more Americans say they are doing okay or living comfortably, but improved economic well-being in the U.S. is not equal across all demographics and regions. We define financial well-being and offer tips on how to improve yours...Read full article
Is There a Tie between Student Loans and Credit Health?
Is there are correlation between student loans and credit health? A new FICO study suggests that although student loan borrowers don’t always have bad credit scores, having student loans may make overcoming financial challenges much harder...Read full article
Military Families Face a Financial Confidence Gap
First Command finds that there is a financial confidence gap between Service Members and their spouses, who typically manage the household finances. What can be done to improve financial confidence?..Read full article
Why Women Hold More Student Debt
A new study finds women hold more student debt than men. In fact, women hold two thirds of all student loans currently in repayment. CNBC explores five reasons why student loan debt is a bigger burden for women than it is for men...Read full article
How Credit Smart Are You?
It’s National Financial Literacy Month, which makes it the perfect time to find a range of free financial education resources. But what resources do you need? Consolidated Credit has a simple 7-question Credit Smart test so you can test your knowledge and determine what you don’t know...Read full article
12% of Americans Had a Credit Card Declined Last Year
One in ten Americans had a credit card declined last year, but embarrassment is really the least of your worries if it happens to you. Learn why cardholders experienced a declined credit card last year and what you can do to avoid it...Read full article
More Americans Right Size Emergency Savings
Learning how to right size emergency savings is a crucial skill that can help you achieve financial stability and avoid problems with credit card debt. We offer tips to help you ensure you have more savings than debt...Read full article
Which Cities are Home to the Highest Credit Card Debt?
A new study finds residents in the South may be struggling the most to pay off their credit cards. Each week, Consolidated Credit searches for financial research that can help… Read full article
Big Changes Coming to Credit Cards Offering 0 Interest on Balance Transfers
As consumer debt levels continue to break records, driven by credit card debt, many households may turn to balance transfer credit cards to consolidate. However, new changes in credit cards offering 0 interest on balance transfers could make this type of consolidation less beneficial...Read full article
What Causes America’s High Credit Card Balances?
Americans have record high credit card balances that are often caused by covering daily expenses to make ends meet. We look at reasons for debt and offer helpful tips on how to achieve a balanced budget so you can avoid credit card debt...Read full article
Say Goodbye to Credit Card Signature Requirements
The last major credit issuer just announced they will phase out signature credit card signature requirements on most transactions this year. As EMV chip technology improves, you should see less request for your John Hancock, and hopefully less fraud...Read full article
Average Credit Card Debt by State
As we head into 2018, U.S. consumers have record high debt levels, but does it affect all states equally? We look at Experian’s 2017 state of credit report to understand average credit card debt by state and tell you what you can do to get out of debt...Read full article
Consolidated Credit Celebrates 25 Years of Helping People Get Out of Debt
Consolidated Credit celebrates 25 years of helping credit users who are facing challenges with debt to find the solutions they need to get out of debt fast. Learn about key initiatives in community outreach and financial education that we’ve started...Read full article
Credit Card Use Continues to Climb
Consumer credit card use continues to climb, now beating pre-recession levels of spending. Credit card debt increased by 13% in November alone, leading to an all-time high of $1.023 trillion. Here’s what you can do to pay off your debt...Read full article
How to Use Cash Back Credit Cards
Experts predict that cash back credit cards may be king in 2018 as more credit card issuers roll out even sweeter reward programs. But if you want to get the most out of cash back incentive programs, you need the right strategy...Read full article
It’s Time to Handle Your Holiday Debt Hangover
If you decided to ignore your credit card balances until after the holidays, it’s time to cure your holiday debt hangover and pay off holiday debt...Read full article
End of Year Financial Tips
As we approach New Year, it’s time to get your finances organized for 2018. Consolidated Credit offers end of year financial tips to help you get started...Read full article
Thanksgiving Weekend Smart Shopping Tips
Consolidated Credit’s certified financial coaches offer smart shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to help you save money and avoid holiday debt...Read full article
Revealing the Risk of Long Term Auto Loans
A new CFPB report reveals the risk of long term auto loans, showing higher rates of default. We explain the debt management challenges these loans present...Read full article
Millennials Fear Debt More Than Dying
Death, war, drowning due to sea level rise – all those fears are nothing compared credit card debt for Millennials. So why Millennials fear debt so much?..Read full article
