Surprise! Young Adults Have Smartened Up About Debt
Youthful consumers typically get a bad rap when it comes to debt, but new research shows young adults have gotten a lot smarter about using credit cards.
debt
Are Credit Cards Making Us Poorer and Fatter?
According to Derek Thompson's recent article for the Atlantic, credit cards are making us "dumber, fatter, poorer." The research backs him up: Is it time to ditch our plastic?
Americans Better at Paying Credit-Card Debt on Time
The rate of decline for national credit card delinquencies in the first quarter fell 19 percent compared to the prior quarter.
How Fast Should You Cut Your Debt?
Determining how fast you can and should pay off your debts starts with a few simple steps -- and first among them is understanding how you got into debt to start with.
What Makes a Perfect Stock?
Yet while few stocks have everything one might want in an investment, knowing the most desirable traits of great stocks can guide you in making choices for your own portfolio.
Consumers Cut Back Credit Card Use in March
Americans cut back on using their credit cards in March, suggesting many were reluctant to take on high-interest debt to make purchases.
Apple Raises $17 Billion in Largest Corporate Bond Sale Ever
Apple sold $17 billion worth of bonds late Tuesday in the largest sale of corporate bonds ever, part of a plan to increase its share buyback program and boost its dividend.
My Abusive Marriage Destroyed Me -- and My Finances
Everyone talks about the physical aspect of domestic abuse, but thereĀ's more to it. Leslie Morgan Steiner's ex-husband left her not only battered, but nearly bankrupt.
Riches to Rags: Tales of Woe From Those Who Had It and Lost It
Climbing the ladder of success can be a slow process. But once you get there, the reverse process -- sliding down the chute of economic despair -- can happen all too quickly.
8 Types of Taxable Income That Might Surprise You
There's nothing simple when it comes to tax laws, so it's important to know which sources of income are taxable -- and some may surprise you.
Which to Do First? Pay Down Debt or Save for a Rainy Day
Millions of Americans have heavy debts and limited savings, so when a rare bit of spare cash appears, they face a conundrum: Should they pay down debt or build up savings?
Next Avenue Money Scorecard: How Do You Rate?
Curious to see how your finances stack up compared to other Americans in their 40s, 50s and 60s? Next Avenue gathered the stats so you can find out how you're doing.
This Couple Bounced Back From $160,000 of Debt in 3 Years
For most people, tackling the average $8,000 we carry in credit card debt seems like an unbearable task. What if you had 20 times as much to worry about?
Fewer U.S. Taxpayers Expecting Refunds This Year
Fewer Americans are expecting the financial boost of a tax refund this year, an American Express survey shows.
This Couple Learned the True Cost of Living Beyond Their Means
Travis and Vonnie Pizel made a good living, but 10 years into their marriage, bad spending habits had put them $109,000 in credit card debt. Here's how they got out.
Young Adults are Too Broke to Get Loans
Young adults are in less debt than they were a decade ago, but it's not because people under 35 have suddenly become fiscally responsible. It's more likely that their shaky economic status keeps them from qualifying for loans.
U.S. Consumer Debt Rises on More Car, School Loans
U.S. consumers borrowed more in November to buy cars and attend school, but stayed cautious with their credit cards. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that consumers increased their borrowing in November by $16 billion from October to a seasonally adjusted record of $2.77 trillion.
How to Ruin Your Retirement in 3 Steps
A successful, prosperous retirement is a common goal for most of us, but it's remarkably easy to wreck your golden years if you're not being careful. Here are three steps you could be taking right now to ruin your retirement.
13 Ways Americans Throw Away Money
Blame the government or blame the economy, but Americans should also blame themselves for their declining net worth. We waste over half a trillion dollars each year -- and that's just for areas with available data. And what do we waste that money on? Read on ...
Pop Quiz: What Did Washington's Bailout Bonanza Buy for America?
The government's Great Recession bailouts are one of the hot topics of debate this election. But let's skip the rhetoric and run the numbers. If you think you know the facts about the bailouts, or if you're just curious, take a peek at our bailout quiz.
Debtors' Prison Is Back, and Just as Cruel as Ever
To most of us, "debtors' prison" may sound like something straight out of a Dickens novel. But across the country today, predatory lenders are using a legal loophole to manipulate courts into jailing poor citizens who legitimately cannot pay what they owe.
Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Personal Finance for the 40%
According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 40% of Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck -- and if that sounds rough, it's an improvement from a 2008 peak of 46%. Here's a great infographic on what that means for our personal finances.
Can You Have Too Much Credit?
"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful," said film star Mae West. But what about too much credit? Is having a lot of credit a wonderful thing as well?
How Dewey & LeBoeuf Became the Biggest Law Firm Bankruptcy Ever
Dewey & LeBoeuf was one of the world's great law firms, with 1,300 attorneys on five continents and revenues in excess of $900 million a year. This makes its bankruptcy quite simply the largest law-firm failure ever. So how did it manage to go broke?
This Bright-Eyed Young Man Was Utterly Demolished By Student Loans
Even as total outstanding student debt rises to $1 trillion, lawmakers have yet to allow loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. Without an escape clause, these loans can strangle a person. Take 36-year-old Nick Keith, who remains $142,000 eight years after graduating from culinary school.
What Happened When This Guy Paid His Student Loan in Cash
Last week, a Reddit user posted a photo of a $114,000 student loan bill-paid in cash-that elicited thousands of comments. Since then, the anonymous alum has stepped forward as Alex Kenjeev, a 2009 law school graduate of the University of Toronto.
Debt Confessions of a Former Priest
When he left the priesthood in 2001, he was deep in credit card debt. He dug himself out eventually, but looking back he marvels at how easy it was to get into such a desperate situation.
2 Surveys Reveal We're Feeling a Bit Better About Our Finances
Two new surveys suggest that financial optimism is on the rise. But even with the improving numbers, among average Americans, those who are upbeat about their personal finances are outnumbered by the pessimists, and we're still wary of buying stocks.
Recovery Threatened by Runaway Student Loan Debt
Surging above $1 trillion, U.S. student loan debt has surpassed credit card and auto-loan debt. This debt explosion jeopardizes the fragile recovery, increases the burden on taxpayers and possibly sets the stage for a new economic crisis.
Jean Chatzky's 6 Simple Rules for Financial Fitness
Today show financial editor Jean Chatzky -- author of DailyFinance's "Family Money" column -- has a new book titled Money Rules: The Simple Path to Lifelong Security. On Wednesday, she spoke with Matt Lauer, explaining the easy principles she recommends.