A recent poll from MetLife showed that some consumers feel as though the economy has seen the worst of the recession. The poll showed that 41 percent of respondents said they felt the economy would stay the same this year,

As some consumers have a new-found frugality after the recession, a report indicates they are saving more by using coupons. According to media and marketing company Valassis, the first half of this year saw people save almost

A recent report shows that credit card debt defaults have declined for the third month in a row. According to Moody's Investors Services, June posted a charge off rate of 10.28 percent of all accounts. That's down 0.43 percentage

Consumer confidence continued to fall in July, according to a recent report from The Conference Board. The organization noted that fears about the job market, along with a more negative view of business conditions, led to

Credit card debt is an issue that some Americans are struggling with, and some practices that may have put them there were restricted through new regulations from the government. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility

Some consumers in Massachusetts have had it harder during the first half of this year, according to a recent report from the Warren Group. The firm reported that the first six months of 2010 saw total bankruptcy filings

Debt problems could arise for people who are out of work, as they may have to rely on credit in order to make day-to-day purchases like groceries. However, the second half of this year could prove to be promising to people

Consumers seem to be improving on the ability to pay off debt, according to a June report from two firms. The Consumer Credit Default Indices, which are produced by Experian and Standard & Poor's, show that of overall balances,

Since around the beginning of June, roughly 2.5 million unemployed Americans were cut off from benefits made available by the government. However, President Barack Obama signed a $34 billion extension to the jobless program

According to a recent poll from the Pew Health Group, people without bank accounts may have to rely on alternative forms of financial services. To gather its information, the group surveyed 2,000 families in and around Los

Credit scores have been more in the news lately, especially as lenders are becoming more careful with their money. However, a recent report from American Banker noted that some lending institutions are also applying other

Two lawmakers are calling on the Federal Reserve Board to institute additional rules regarding credit card debt. According to a report from the Associated Press, Democratic Senators Charles Schumer and Tom Harkin have sent

As many Americans work to get out from under mounds of credit card debt and faltering mortgage loans, President Barack Obama signed what he called the strongest consumer financial protections in history. The Wall Street

Not saving money - or being too burdened by debt - could make it that much more difficult for people to retire comfortably. However, people have managed to improve their situations over time, according to a recent report

One difficult consequence of having too much debt and an inability to pay it off could be bankruptcy, which can tarnish a person's credit score for years. Ironically, some people may not even be able to afford to file for

When considering purchases, consumers may often confuse what they want with what they need. Recently, personal finance expert Liz Pulliam Weston noted that one of those expenses may be a swimming pool. In the past she has

Since 2008, troubled homeowners in Iowa have had the chance to try and avoid losing their homes through a program offered by the Home Ownership Education Project. Iowa Mortgage Help has assisted more than 8,500 people since

Having a solid financial history has become more important when it comes to getting home loans, especially after the recent economic problems experienced by the country. Furthermore, the Washington Post reported that government-owned

Not paying off a credit card balance can eventually lead to the account being written off by a company, which could result in trouble for the borrower in the form of collection agencies or lawsuits. However, one card issuer

The summer will be over before some people know it, and many younger consumers will be making their way to college for the first time. As a result, some parents may want to sit down with their kids to make sure they have

A recent poll shows that consumers are having mixed feelings about the economy, especially with regards to their finances. The survey, taken by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, showed that 65 percent of

One of the many effects that can result from not handling finances properly is that people may not be able to pay on their home loans. After being delinquent for a time, these loans will end up in default, which leads to

After the high-flying times before the recession, many banks are being much more careful about lending money to consumers. As a result, some people may find it difficult to get loans for things like debt consolidation from

The idea of a debtors' prison may seem like an archaic notion on the pages of a novel from Charles Dickens. But in some ways, the concept still exists across the country. According to a recent report from the Minneapolis

A recent index from Consumer Reports showed some mixed results for consumers, as employment improved but some economic troubles still persisted. The firm's Employment Index showed that 7.8 percent of Americans began a new

A recent survey from American Express shows that many consumers have been focused on trying to pay off debt, as might be expected after a recession. According to the company's Spending & Saving Tracker, 75 percent of consumers

One effect of not staying current on bills is that consumers may have to encounter debt collection companies. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission said it has determined that the system used to resolve debt collection

Fannie Mae recently announced it has partnered with an organization in an effort to help people in South Florida avoid foreclosure. The government-backed company is joining with the Neighborhood Housing Services of South

One of the major dangers of not keeping on top of debt is that it can lead to damaging a credit score, which could make it more difficult to secure credit cards in the future. According to a report from the Associated Press,

Sure it seems as though consumers have been getting their arms wrapped around their credit card debt, especially when looking at recent figures.After all, the Federal Reserve Board has reported that the amount of credit

Given that their lives may involve a lot of moving and life changes, having the best financial situation may be difficult for some veterans.However, the New England College of Business and Finance is offering a free financial

One problem younger consumers may face is having ramped up credit card debt during their college years, including the practice of using plastic to pay for their tuition. However, a recent survey from CardRatings.com, 64

Stress tied to debt difficulties abated a bit across the country, according to a recent report from the Associated Press. The news organization's Economic Stress Index fell from 10.6 in April to 10.3 in May, the lowest level

Throughout these hard economic times, many consumers have focused on trying to get out of - or avoid altogether - credit card debt, especially as the prospect of unemployment looms. The Federal Reserve Board reported that

Cutting back on expenses is one of the most basic things people can do to pay off debt, and a recent survey shows some consumers are brown bagging it to do so. The poll from CareerBuilder.com revealed that 47 percent of

School supplies are one cost that could cause people to have to pull out their credit cards, but people in Illinois may get a break in August. Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a bill that would create a sales tax holiday

The number of troubled accounts in the country saw a decline, according to a recent report from the American Bankers Association. In the first quarter, the number of delinquent accounts dropped from 3.19 to 2.98 percent,

Some consumers are still having a rather hard time dealing with their credit card debt and other loans, according to a recent report from the American Bankruptcy Institute. The ABI, relying on statistics from the National

How sure people are in the economy could affect their perceived position in the job market, and a recent survey showed a slight decline in confidence. According to SFN Group Inc., employee confidence dropped a point to 51.6

A recent study shows that the recession is driving more people within the middle class into bankruptcy. According to the Institute for Financial Literacy executive director Leslie Linfield, the most common type of person

Recent increases in interest rates on credit card debt may have become more the norm for some consumers, as companies tried to protect themselves against the effects of the recession. Many cardholders may have thought they

Unemployment declined in June, even with a drop in the number of jobs available in the country. Because the government does not include people who are no longer looking for work, even a decline in employment available can

The recession may have changed the way people deal with their finances, and a recent survey supports that claim. According to the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends Project, 62 percent of Americans surveyed

New rules from the Federal Reserve Board recently took effect, meaning some people may be afforded additional protection against unwanted fees. Through the rules, which started on July 1, banks must ask customer permissi

Consumers facing higher amounts of credit card debt may have also run into increased interest rates, as financial institutions deal with the fallout of the recent recession. However, that may change in the future thanks

Consumers in the midst of unemployment may not be getting a break, even as Congress adjourns for the Fourth of July holiday. Republicans in the Senate managed to filibuster an extension to unemployment benefits for the third

One reason why consumers may consider an option like a debt management plan is because they can't keep up with their bills, although a recent report indicates credit card delinquencies declined in May. According to Fitch

One of the key factors in being able to pay off debt is having a job, although people who are out of work can expect a similar employment situation to what they've seen so far this year. According to a recent survey from

Worrying about debt can end up making it even more difficult for people to deal with their problems, and a recent survey shows many Americans spend hours a day with bills on their minds. According to the poll conducted by

A recent report from Fitch Ratings shows that consumers continue to have trouble with their retail credit card debt. The firm said that April saw defaults on retail credit cards increase 0.22 percentage points to rest at

A new poll from a product search engine shows that consumers are still trying to get a handle on their debt. According to the survey from BillShrink.com taken in June, 67 percent of respondents said they are paying off their

A main indicator of economic growth showed improvement, as the nation's gross domestic product increased during the first quarter. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP rose 2.7 percent in the first three months

Older people may have found that the recession has reduced their retirement income, forcing many to have to work later in life. Recently the U.S. Department of Labor made available almost $596 million in funds to help provide

Those with home loans may have found that their financial situations made it almost impossible to keep up with payments, even after the recession.Still, others have actually opted to decline paying their mortgage on purpose,

On the eve of his departure for the G20 summit in Toronto, President Barack Obama noted that progress has been made on financial reforms. In his statement, the president said that reform legislation will advance the toughest

Many consumers may use credit cards, although how much they end up paying for it may be a mystery to some. According to a survey from peer-to-peer lending company Lending Club, 78 percent of adult respondents said they use

While some may be having problems with their banks, a number of Americans don't have any kind of account, a recent report found. According to research firm MarketsandMarkets, about 21 million people in the country were underbanked,

A recent report shows that the recession is still affecting shopping plans for some consumers. According to a survey from PriceGrabber.com, 45 percent of respondents said they are going to spend as much as they did on back-to-school

A recent report from Moody's Investors Service showed that even more people may have had a better time paying off credit card debt. According to the ratings agency, defaults on credit cards saw their second straight decline

There are a number of bills that consumers may have to face each month, including those for credit card debts and home loans. As these can pile up, especially during tough economic times, some people may find they are having

Banks have faced the prospect of increasing defaults throughout the recession, although a recent study makes a connection between consumer loyalty and accounts that are behind on payment. According to TransUnion, 1.7 percent

People who are having a hard time finding a job may go to the government for the extra assistance they need, which could include unemployment or nutritional assistance. These types of programs often work by issuing a card

A number of things can put a real damper on a credit score, including not paying off card debt or falling behind on a mortgage. However, given that many homes saw their values drop during the recession, some consumers are

Many Americans saddled with an insurmountable amount of debt may initially consider filing for bankruptcy, but before doing so, they should consider debt settlement options. Though debt settlement often requires an indiv

One of the most important things a young person should know is how to manage their personal finances. However, a recent survey has found that nearly half of all high school seniors are unable to do so.While 45 percent of

Some people may opt to stay at home with their kids while their spouse works, leading to a situation where they ignore their own individual finances.Recently, CBS MoneyWatch noted that stay-at-home parents should make sure

Consumers facing problems with their home loans may have tried to seek help through the government's Home Affordable Modification Program.The goal of HAMP is to help between 3 million and 4 million people facing foreclosure

A recent survey from card network Visa showed that respondents may be against certain regulations tied to the use of debit and credit cards.According to the poll, 75 percent of respondents said they would oppose financial

Dealing with debt difficulties and more working hours, many fathers in the country are losing time with their families, according to a recent survey from CareerBuilder.com. The annual Father's Day survey from the company

Consumers who got into trouble with credit card debt may have done so because the products they were presented might not have had fair terms.As a result, lawmakers in Washington have passed new financial reforms that would

When trying to pay for their education, some people may have to take out student loans, although these debts may spell trouble later. In a recent posting on her website, financial expert Liz Pulliam Weston received a letter

After the recession, trying to get out of debt became a priority for many people, as consumers concentrated on stabilizing their finances. Recently, the Standard & Poor's/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices showed that

Despite a number of indications otherwise, some consumers may not be convinced that the recession is over. However, a recent survey from Experian's PriceGrabber.com shows that 52 percent of respondents feel as though the

A number of rules have taken effect recently to protect consumers who use credit cards, and the Federal Reserve Board recently announced a number of final regulations. According to the Fed's changes, credit card companies

In the face of more difficult lending standards and an economy that is righting itself, some consumers are in a position to have to make decisions on how to improve their financial situations. What they should do, however,

When it comes to how they feel about their personal finances, the number of Americans who seemed positive declined in May, according to a recent report from Gallup. The fifth month of the year saw the number of U.S. residents

Trying to save money for retirement may have gotten more difficult during the recession, as financial products took a hit and the stock market dipped. As a result, many people may be returning to being employed after period

Facing debt problems or unemployment, some consumers in the country may feel more stressed out. However, a recent monthly report from the Associated Press found that the nation's stress level has dropped on the whole, thanks

As Father's Day approaches, some people may be reminded of those old cliches their dads were quick to bring up. However, some of those pieces of advice may actually come in handing when it comes to how people deal with their

Troubles with mortgages could lead to consumers having debt problems, although a recent report indicates fewer home loans were in foreclosure in May.According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings dipped 3 percent from April

As the summer comes around, homeowners may find that they end up paying more in bills to help keep their home cooler. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has offered a number of tips for people who want to stay

Owning a home is a priority for many Americans, and the current market may make it easier with lower interest rates and home prices. Before consumers stop renting and dive into buying a home, they should take a few things

A recent survey showed that some consumers in the country with lower incomes may not have the means with which to deal with a job loss. According to California-based EARN, only 36 percent of survey respondents who earned

Learning about financial responsibility at a young age may help consumers build sound financial habits for the future. And, getting that first job as a teen may be one step that will lead in that direction. According to

A number of things may get in the way of consumers being able to handle their personal finances, including taking on too much debt or not having a cushion of funds. According to a survey commissioned by the Principal Financial

The amount of credit card debt in the country has continued to drop, according to a monthly report from the Federal Reserve Board. The central bank noted that revolving consumer credit - which is mostly made up by credit

Handling credit card debt and loans should lead to a better credit score, which can help consumers when trying to qualify for financial products. This may be especially important information to consider as lenders have gotten

Keeping track of accounts is one of the ways younger people make sure their personal finances stay in good shape. The Federal Trade Commission recently recommended that college students and recent graduates get copies of