Mick Mulvaney, the illegally appointed acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has radically changed the Bureau. Central to these changes is his perspective that there is no need for the CFPB to carry out its mission to serve as the consumers’ financial cop on the…

A lot of us have student loans – and some of us have trouble paying them every month. Some companies claim to resolve that issue by saying they can help you pay them down quicker, cheaper or get them forgiven altogether. Be cautious – some of these companies are running scams.

For the 44 million American consumers who struggle with a still-growing student loan debt of $1.4 trillion, the problems wrought by debt collectors and loan servicers is a nagging problem. Servicer changes and errors, unexplained fees that worsen the debt and difficulty in securing income-ba…

“I’m not calling for a donation.” (But really, I am.)

In recent days, threats to the nation’s housing finance system have emerged. At the center of the controversy are two key issues: the obligation of mortgage lenders to ensure broad mortgage credit for all credit-worthy borrowers, and secondly, whether the nation will enforce its own laws ban…

In the wake of a recent series of anti-consumer actions taken by Mick Mulvaney, the Trump-appointed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s acting director, a bicameral call for accountability was released on January 31. Led by Congresswoman Maxine Waters of California and Sen. Elizabeth Warr…

You’ve been dreaming of a new home, spending hours browsing listings and keeping an eye out for “For Sale” signs in your favorite neighborhood. Buying a home is exciting and one of the most motivating reasons to get your finances in order. We know, though, that the home buying process can be…

An important consumer protection rule that was to take effect January 16 is now being “reconsidered” by the same agency that was to enforce it – the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  

Mounting student debt is a nagging problem for most families these days. As the cost of higher education rises, borrowing to cover those costs often becomes a family concern across multiple generations including the student, parents, and even grandparents or other relatives.

This past September the State Board of Education approved revised personal finance standards for Missouri public schools. Missouri is one of only 17 states that require personal finance coursework in high school. This was the first review of the state’s personal finance standards since 2006.

Wherever you live, or household size, home is a special place where children are raised, and memories are made. Owning a home is also the largest single investment that most families make in a lifetime.   

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to stay vigilant during the holiday season to avoid falling prey to scammers who pounce on overburdened shoppers.

Before the holidays begin in earnest, take a moment for some financial planning.

In case you haven’t yet heard, Richard Cordray, the first-ever director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), resigned in late November. President Trump’s unlawful appointment of Mick Mulvaney to serve as the Bureau’s acting director signals a distinct shift in the bureau’s future.

With leagues of shoppers on the horizon, retailers and shippers are planning to hire more than seasonal employees this holiday season to accommodate service demands. The National Retail Federation expects retailers could add as many as 550,000 seasonal positions this year. Better Business Bu…

With winter on the way, the last thing anyone wants is for the furnace to stop working. But when it does, you need a reliable contractor – and fast.

A bill signed on November 1 by President Donald Trump sealed an unfortunate fate for consumers seeking financial justice. By signing H.J. Res. 111, both the president and Congress have together knocked down consumer protections to favor financial businesses and corporations.

It's that time of year again when auto dealers try to make room in their showrooms and lots for next year’s models. The seasonal clearance sales that come right before the holidays are just as tempting as ever, beckoning consumers to get that proverbial “new car fever.”

For most families, the pursuit of higher education means substantial investments in time, effort, and a combination of cash and loans to gain a college degree. These investments – both human and material -- are made in confidence that the rewards, although often years away, will one day resu…

An email signed by a foreign official says you’ve just won $5.3 million in a national lottery. You want to believe it. Just pay certain fees and taxes in advance, the email says, and a truck filled with cash will be delivered to you.

Online fraud occurs when someone poses as a legitimate source (like your bank, favorite shopping site or internet provider) to obtain your personal information – data that can then be used to conduct transactions on existing accounts.

A group of Capitol Hill lawmakers are combining efforts and influence to legislatively crack down on predatory lending nationwide. Seventeen members of the U.S. House and eight U.S. Senators are supporting companion bills that would slash the cost of payday and car-title loans from their typ…

Civil rights leaders and Capitol Hill lawmakers are standing up and speaking out against a recent Department of Education (DOE) decision to sever its working relationship with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In separate and independent actions Education Secretary Betsy DeVos…

A recent letter from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), along with a controversial appointment, have together triggered reactions that do not bode well for the 44 million consumers who together share $1.4 trillion in borrowed student de…

An old adage teaches, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ In recent months, the troubled Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) tried and lost two legal attempts to recover eligibility for federal education funds.  

If you have a college student packing to live on or near campus this fall, now's a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they're away from home. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves from identity theft and other fraud on campus.

College tuition, a new pair of glasses and retirement may seem unrelated, but the tax law says otherwise. By knowing how and where to save your money, you could pay for each of these expenses with tax-advantaged – or in some cases income-tax-free – money.

In some parts of the world, a gap year – a year-long break between high school and college – is the norm. It's starting to catch on in the U.S. as well.

Are you packing up your car and hitting the road this summer? You're not alone. According to a survey conducted by AAA, road trips are the most popular type of vacation for families in the U.S. in 2017. In fact, 10 percent more families are expected to take road trips this year than last.

Whether it's a dog, cat or another furry (or scaly) friend, many people have pets who are more than just animals – they're part of the family.

Many parents face the same difficult question when raising a child. Should one of you stay at home while the other works? It's not a question to take lightly. The decision can have emotional and financial consequences and may have a long-term impact on the stay-at-home parent's career opport…

Season ticket holder or first timer, watching your team take the field or visiting new teams in a different venue, gripping your seat tightly during the finger-biting last minutes of a close game or cheering on a decisive win – sports can certainly be some of the best entertainment possible.

Whether it's a matter of comfort, appearance or safety, there are many medical procedures that you may want or need, but your health insurance won't cover.

How many times have you gone to pour milk in your coffee, only to see that the date on the carton was yesterday? Some people will instinctively throw it away, but chances are that's not what the label is intended to convey. It's likely a marker for when the food might taste its best, not if …

Moving into a place of your own for the first time is a huge step. I remember my first post-college apartment move. It was nothing special, but it was mine. It came with a few new challenges and responsibilities and all sorts of opportunities. For the first time, I was able to decide how to …

When you're a kid, a few dollars can seem like all the money in the world. It can take weeks, sometimes months, to save up your allowance. When you finally decide to spend it, you might realize that $10 or $20 isn't as much as it seems.

Following the Great Recession, it seemed liked extreme couponing was a competitive sport. You could watch on TV as shoppers armed with binders full of clipped coupons and an in-depth knowledge of stores' policies would get incredible discounts at the checkout counter.

Some homeowners can't wait to see the assessed value of their home drop. In fact, they'll tell you the bigger the drop, the better. Why? Your property taxes depend on your tax rate and your property's current market value, which is determined by a local assessor. You can't dispute the tax ra…

Cities attract people for different reasons, which is partly why cities are such popular vacation destinations. Summer is one of the best times to visit, as the long days give you extra hours of sunlight for exploration and many cities host a variety of free activities. The busy season can m…

What does an engagement ring look like? For many people, my wife included, the answer is a diamond ring. While that's a concept that didn't became widely accepted until the diamond industry's marketing campaigns in the mid-1900s, it's one that holds strong today. However, some couples are go…

Maybe your financial house is in order. Your debt is manageable or paid off. You have an emergency fund and now you're looking for ways to grow your wealth. Or, perhaps you're planning ahead by learning about different investments options. Have you considered becoming a landlord?

Planning for a baby is exciting and sometimes a little frightening for expectant parents, especially first-time parents. The months will fly by and soon you'll be at home embarking on an adventure along with the newest member of your family. Welcome to the excitement, exhaustion, fascination…

If you've made it to a point in life where you're ready to start investing, or at least start thinking about investing, you may consider opening a brokerage account. But you're not alone if the thought of choosing a brokerage firm is foreign to you.

You may not have seen one in your neighborhood yet, but the tiny house phenomenon has spread across the country. For some, the move is driven by a desire to downsize and live a minimalistic lifestyle. Others see it as a way to decrease their impact on the environment.

Imagine the frustration that would follow if you spent hours planning and narrowing in on a dream home only to find out that you can't afford it when push comes to shove. Starting with a price range can help you make the most of your search, but you'll need to account for closing costs to cr…

Have you ever considered how lenders compare applicants? Typically, the lowest rate goes to those who have the highest likelihood of repaying the loan on time. A lot of data goes into determining that probability, including the person's credit, income and outstanding debt.

Did you recently get married, move in with a new roommate, see a child off to college or start managing a relative's finances? The change in relationship dynamics could prompt you to consider tying part of your financial lives together by opening a joint bank account.