Americans’ Paychecks Still Lag Behind Rising Costs
More than six in 10 American workers say their paychecks have not kept up with rising household costs over the past year, the highest share in four years, according to Bankrate’s latest Pay Raise...
View ArticleUtility Bills Rise as AI Boom and Energy Demand Drive Costs Higher
Consumers are beginning to feel renewed pressure on their monthly utility bills, according to new data from the Bank of America Institute. The average payment for electricity and gas rose 3.6%...
View ArticleConsumer Advocacy Pushes States to Rein In Earned Wage Access, Payday Lenders
The Center for Responsible Lending is warning state and federal officials that payday loan apps, often marketed as “earned wage access” products, are trapping consumers in the same cycle of debt as...
View ArticleVoters Agree: Healthcare Costs Are Driving Medical Debt, And They Want States...
A new national study sponsored by Undue Medical Debt paints a clear picture for revenue cycle leaders and collections professionals: healthcare is widely viewed as unaffordable, medical debt is common,...
View ArticlePRA Group Reports 3Q Loss Amid Strong Collections and Cost Reductions
PRA Group reported a $408 million net loss for the third quarter of 2025, driven by a $413 million noncash goodwill impairment related to historical European acquisitions. Despite the headline loss,...
View ArticleMiddle-Class Americans Are Stretched Thin But Still Saving for Retirement,...
Despite economic uncertainty, rising debt, and caregiving demands, America’s middle class remains committed to saving for the future, according to the 25th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey:...
View ArticleHousehold Debt Climbs, But Liquidity Cushion Still Looks Solid
Total household debt rose to $18.59 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, according to data released yesterday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and WalletHub. On a per-household basis, balances...
View ArticleWinter Heating Bills Set to Rise as Utility Delinquencies Climb
Industry forecasts show households facing an average $976 in home heating costs this winter, up 7.6% from last year, according to estimates cited in recent analyses. This follows elevated summer...
View ArticleAmericans Report Growing Anxiety Over Affording Healthcare
Nearly half of adults are worried they will not be able to afford necessary healthcare in the coming year, according to a new nationwide survey from the West Health-Gallup Center for Healthcare in...
View ArticleSenators Press BNPL Industry for Data as Concerns Grow Over Consumer Debt Stress
Seven leading Buy Now Pay Later companies are facing new scrutiny from Senate Democrats who have requested detailed information not only on loan origination and usage but also on collection activities,...
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