News roundup June 15, 2024

Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 15, 2024. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Federal Reserve stands pat and pulls back on rate cut forecast The Federal Reserve concluded its latest meeting by announcing that it would continue to maintain interest rates in a range of 5.25% to […]
Good credit score but still rejected for a loan?

Credit Sesame discusses some obscure reasons for getting rejected for a loan, credit card or mortage. It’s no surprise when a personal loan is declined because of a poor credit history. But getting rejected for a loan despite having a good credit score can be frustrating and confusing. Even individuals with excellent credit can face […]
Is the U.S. approaching an economic turning point?

Credit Sesame discusses the approach of an economic turning point for the United States. Economic cycles tend to consist of a series of long-running trends. The hard part is identifying the turning points. According to data from the National Bureau of Economic Research, since the end of World War II, the average economic expansion has […]
News roundup June 8, 2024

Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 8, 2024. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. 2 out of 3 Americans live paycheck to paycheck A survey by MarketWatch found that 66.2% of American households report living from paycheck to paycheck. That means they are just barely covering expenses, with […]
Does marriage affect your credit?

All the talk about what marriage is going to do to your credit score won’t necessarily have you rethinking your walk down the aisle, but it will have you wondering what’s going to happen after you’re both wearing rings. We’ve put together this helpful guide on how marriage affects credit ratings to separate fact from fiction.
More consumers seeking help with credit

Credit Sesame discusses the growing consumer demand for help with credit. Growing numbers of Americans are seeking help managing credit. The reasons are obvious—debt problems have become a national epidemic. What may be less obvious are the rewards of better credit management. Getting credit help can do more than get you out of your current […]
News roundup June 1, 2024

Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup June 1, 2024. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. US consumer confidence bounces back The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose in May 2024, following three months of declines. Consumer views of both current conditions and expectations for the month ahead improved. However, […]
5 mortgage mistakes to avoid

Credit Sesame offers advice on five mortgage mistakes to steer clear of. Congratulations on taking the exciting step towards homeownership. Securing a mortgage is a key part of the process, and avoiding these common mistakes can ensure you get the best possible deal and steer clear of costly pitfalls. Mistake 1: Neglecting your credit Lenders […]
How national finances fail to convey the full picture

Credit Sesame discusses how national finances represent average consumers but not all consumers. American consumers have record debt. Rising delinquency rates indicate an increasingly hard time keeping up with the payments on that debt. But the economy has continued to grow and foreclosures and bankruptcies are nearly 40% below pre-pandemic levels. These would appear to […]
News roundup May 25, 2024

Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 25, 2024. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Late payments ease for another month TransUnion’s April 2024 Credit Industry Snapshot found that delinquency rates fell for auto loans, credit cards, mortgages and personal loans. This was the second month in a row […]
7 ways to get the most out of a balance transfer credit card

Credit Sesame’s seven quick tips on getting the most out of a balance transfer card. In 2024, balance transfer credit cards remain a powerful tool for managing debt, but the landscape has evolved. Here are strategies to maximize your benefits from a balance transfer credit card: 1. Assess introductory offers carefully Check the introductory APR […]
The debt problem is not caused by inflation alone

Credit Sesame discusses the causes of the continued consumer debt problem. Consumer debt has continued to grow, and people are finding it hard to keep up with their payments. Is inflation to blame? A new analysis shows that the real culprit may be that consumers have been splurging more than they did a few years […]
News roundup May 18, 2024

Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 18, 2024. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Consumer debt continues to grow The quarterly New York Fed report on Household Debt and Credit shows that the risk of consumer debt continues to grow. Total consumer debt rose by $184 billion in […]
How students can graduate without debt

Credit Sesame discusses steps you can before and during your student years to graduate without debt. It’s easy to believe that you can’t get through college without a load of debt. In fact, 30% of students graduate from a two- or four-year degree program debt-free. And another 25% graduate with $20,000 or less in student […]
Is consumer debt growth finally slowing?

Credit Sesame discusses whether the Fed’s interest rate strategy has brought consumer debt growth under control. Over the past few years, consumer debt growth has become one of the biggest risks to the US economy. Economists—including those at the Federal Reserve who make interest rate decisions—have observed a relentless appetite for debt. However, recent data […]