Credit and Debt

When it comes to economic issues, the media has a love affair with hyperbole. For instance, in 2010, CBS News ran a chilling report on American consumer debt. Entitled "Addicted to

While our country's ability to borrow money is a valuable asset, particularly in times of need such as wars or economic recessions, continuously maintaining high levels of the debt

Each year, millions of Americans enroll to take courses of higher learning from post-secondary educational institutions. However, the majority do not have the funds to pay for

If you haven't applied for a mortgage in the past six years, you may be unfamiliar with the new lending standards. Back in the mid-2000s, people with credit scores as low as 580

Credit card companies like to bombard consumers with special offers, and if you have a good credit score, you likely receive pre-approved credit card invitations from time to time.

Everyone knows that credit card debt is "bad" debt due to the high interest rates on most consumer credit cards, while mortgage debt is often described as "good" debt. But

"Debt" is one of the most frightening words in the English language, conjuring up visions of peonage, deprivation, and prison. Caricatures of debt collectors, such as the mafia

While there is never any excuse for abuse, the behavior of some relentless debt collectors can border on abusive. Though there are laws to protect you from harassment, a collector

Your credit report provides detailed information about your credit history, and when applying for a loan, the contents of your report can make or break the deal. Many people

If you're like many people, you believe that as long as your credit card bill and other recurring debts are paid on time each month, you must have a great credit score.