For homeowners who are behind on an FHA-insured mortgage, the loss-mitigation process can offer a path to catch up, lower or temporarily reduce payments, or leave the home without going through a completed foreclosure. But the process has deadlines, documentation requirements, and consequences when an offered plan is not accepted or completed. The Federal Housing […]
Continue ReadingAuthor: Lauralynn
Lauralynn is the Online Marketing Specialist for AdvantageCCS. She enjoys writing, reading, hiking, cooking, video games, sewing, and gardening. Lauralynn has a degree in Multimedia Technologies from Pittsburgh Technical College.
U.S. Consumer Debt Statistics For 2026: How Much Debt Are Americans Carrying?
When we first published our consumer debt infographic in 2013, American households were already carrying a substantial amount of debt. More than a decade later, the numbers have changed dramatically. As of the second quarter of 2026, total U.S. household debt stands at approximately $18.8 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. […]
Continue ReadingFinancial Infidelity & Hidden Debt: How Couples Can Rebuild Trust
Money problems can strain even strong relationships, but the problem is not always how much a household earns or spends. Sometimes the deeper issue is secrecy. A hidden credit card, an undisclosed loan, a private bank account, or repeated lies about spending can create what is commonly called financial infidelity. Financial infidelity does not look […]
Continue ReadingHow To Find Out What Is On Your Credit Card Statement
Credit card statements can be confusing. There are minimum payments, statement balances, and interest rates that show up on a monthly bill, among other things. The banks mail some statements to their customers. They deliver others digitally if the cardholder has opted in to receive electronic statements. There are due dates to worry about and […]
Continue ReadingFall Financial Reset: 7 Money Moves To Make Before The Holidays
Between back-to-school shopping, holiday shopping, travel, family gatherings, increased utility bills, and end-of-year expenses, the last few months of the year can put extra pressure on your budget. The good news is that you still have time to prepare. You don’t need to completely overhaul your finances to make a difference. A few intentional changes […]
Continue ReadingRNIH Phase II: What Prospective Homebuyers Should Know
For many first-time homebuyers in Allegheny County, the dream of owning a home can feel frustratingly out of reach. Rising home prices, closing costs, limited savings, credit challenges, and existing debt can all make it difficult to qualify for a mortgage and afford the upfront costs of buying a home. The Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Increasing […]
Continue ReadingIs Your Phone Bill Draining Your Budget? How to Find and Cancel Unwanted Subscriptions
You probably know how much your phone bill is supposed to cost every month. But do you know everything you’re paying for through your phone? Between mobile service, app subscriptions, streaming services, cloud storage, games, fitness apps, free trials, and other recurring charges, your phone can quietly become a monthly money drain. The problem isn’t usually one enormous […]
Continue ReadingThe Ultimate 2026 Back-To-School Money-Saving Guide For Families
For many families, back-to-school shopping is one of the biggest seasonal expenses of the year. Between school supplies, clothing, electronics, sports fees, lunches, and extracurricular activities, the costs can add up quickly. Even if you’ve planned ahead, it’s easy to overspend when faced with endless sales, online promotions, and pressure to buy the latest trends. […]
Continue ReadingFinancial Literacy For Young Adults: A Complete Guide To Making Smart Money Decisions
Whether you’re heading off to college, starting your first job, joining the military, attending trade school, or simply beginning life on your own soon, you’re about to make some of the most important financial decisions of your life. Unfortunately, many young adults graduate from high school without ever taking a personal finance class. While they […]
Continue ReadingMedical Debt In 2026: What Every Consumer Needs To Know
Medical debt continues to be one of the leading causes of financial stress for millions of Americans. Even with health insurance, an unexpected illness, emergency surgery, or hospital stay can leave families facing bills they never anticipated. The good news is that recent changes to how medical debt is reported and collected have given many […]
Continue Reading