Topic: Credit Card Debt

Serious debt problems will continue, experts say

Over the past 10 to 15 years, total debt outstanding in the US has grown as a much faster pace than population, and little has been done to deal with the debt in spite of widespread unemployment, flat personal income, and declining collateral values.

Credit card debt: Are consumers returning to bad habits?

Credit card debt increased an estimated $64 billion in 2011, far more than in the previous two years. Holiday shopping bills will swell credit card debt even more in early 2012.

Six predictions for consumers in 2012

It’s been nice, 2011, but as we move into the new year, many consumers are no doubt wondering what 2012 has in store for them, particularly when it comes to their wallets. Is a double-dip recession in the cards? Will it be easier to get a mortgage? Is a checking account switch in order? What will interest rates be like in the new year? Here are my Top 6 predictions for consumers in 2012:

Credit card debt: Indebted mom wants to buy me a TV. Should I accept?

Credit card debt is burdening mother, so how should responsible daughter respond? Also, contribute to charity or pay off credit card debt? Questions 10 and 4 in this reader mailbag.

Homeowners cheer Fed's 'Operation Twist.' Wall Street, not so much.

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will drive down long-term interest rates through a strategy called 'Operation Twist.' The move has already pushed mortgage rates to historic lows, but Wall Street appears to have doubts about the plan's broader economic impact.

First credit card? Five key tips for college students.

If getting a credit card is a rite of passage for college students, choosing the right plastic and learning how to use it responsibly is a matter of life and debt. Young people age 18 to 24, carry an average credit card debt of $2,002, according to CreditKarma.com. Before you end up as a debt statistic, learn to pick the right card and manage your credit before getting your hands on plastic. Here are five things every new credit cardholder should know:

Getting married? Six steps in financial planning for newlyweds.

Getting married? Congratulations! Your future spouse will be your business partner as well as your life partner. Your credit, good name, and financial future will be tied to this person, who may not hold the same beliefs about money that you do. Talking about money is difficult for anyone, and it may seem like a romance-killer. But it is a good test of your relationship. An honest discussion about finances before the wedding can help avoid one of the biggest causes of stress after the wedding. Here are six ways to help you confide in each other and create a financial plan:

Top 5 credit cards for world travel

Is world travel on your horizon this year? Bringing the right credit card is as fundamental as packing the right wardrobe. While there are great benefits to using plastic abroad – such as travel assistance and fraud protection – the cards’ foreign transaction fees can eat into your travel budget. And traditional magnetic strip credit cards aren't universally accepted overseas anymore. Picking the right card for a foreign trip depends on the perks you’re looking for, the fees you’re willing to pay, and the kind of credit you have. Here are Credit Karma’s Top 5 credit cards for world travel:

Retirement income: Invest in 401(k) or Roth IRA?

Retirement income funds can go to Roth IRA, but only up to maximum allowed. Question No. 9 in today's reader mailbag.

Credit cards: delinquencies at 15-year low

Credit cards are being used more wisely, according to a new report. The delinquency rate on credit cards is the lowest since 1996.

MasterCard website goes down. Payback from WikiLeaks supporters?

MasterCard website down for hours Wednesday. Anonymous Internet group called Operation Payback claims responsibility in support of WikiLeaks.

Credit cards way past due? Call the company anyway.

Credit cards went unpaid for months, so what now? That's question No. 2 in the reader mailbag..

Jealous? Look closer.

It's easy to feel jealous of people who 'have it all.' But odds are, they either can't afford their lifestyle or they worked really hard to earn it now.

Credit card chasm: Some get great rates. Others cut off.

Credit card companies are offering some of best teaser rates ever – if you have a job.

Refinancing an underwater mortgage?

Refinancing a mortgage (question 3) and getting out from under backbreaking student loans (question 9) feature in today's reader mailbag.

Credit card debt drops, lowest in eight year as cardholders pay off balances

Credit card debt for bank-issued credit cards — like those with a MasterCard or Visa logo — fell to $4,951 on average in the three months ended June 30, down more than 13 percent from $5,719 in the same period a year ago, according to TransUnion.

Lessons from my worst money blunders: credit card debt

Never put a balance on a credit card that you can't already afford to pay at the end of the month.

Credit-card deals become harder to find

Recent reforms make credit-card deals more difficult to negotiate with card companies. Here's how Americans are coping.

Reader mailbag: Should you make a bigger mortgage payment?

You could make a bigger mortgage payment. But is it worth it?

Credit cards: Is it better to manage them well or give them up?

It's hard to use them without encouraging credit card debt or overspending.

Reader mailbag: planning ahead

Credit-card bill could hit students hardest

Young consumers are easy prey for predatory credit-card issuers. They are relying on their plastic more than ever.

Congress moves to regulate credit cards

Lawmakers have been getting an earful from disgruntled consumers.

Congress turns from bank bailouts to helping consumers

Targets include credit card companies, payday loans with exorbitant interest rates, and predatory mortgage lenders.

Buried by credit-card fees? Washington is on it.

Obama is to meet this week with banks about card-holder complaints. Congress is weighing a 'bill of rights' for borrowers.