What happens to your credit score and credit report after death?
Credit Sesame explains what happens to your credit score and credit report after death, and how to protect loved ones from identity theft and unresolved debts. When someone passes away, their financial footprint does not vanish overnight. In fact, credit reports may remain active for years unless the proper steps are taken. Understanding what happens […]
U.S. consumer payment trends: How do your spending habits compare?
Credit Sesame breaks down consumer payment trends using 2024 data and explains the pros and cons of today’s most common payment methods so you can make more informed spending choices. Technology and financial innovation are changing the way Americans handle money. Some of these changes provide consumers with more choices and better efficiency. However, some […]
News roundup May 24, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 24, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Moody’s joins other agencies in U.S. credit downgrade In May 2025, Moody’s Ratings became the third of the three major institutional credit agencies to downgrade U.S. debt. Credit agency grades are an assessment of […]
From trust to tech: The evolution of credit scoring
Credit Sesame traces the evolution of credit scoring from handshake deals to algorithm-based models, with machine learning playing a growing role in how risk is evaluated. Early lending was all about personal judgment Before credit scores existed, borrowing decisions were based on trust. Lenders evaluated risk by relying on relationships, reputation, and perceived character. If […]
Why are Americans still spending when recession fears are rising?
Credit Sesame explores why Americans are still spending when recession fears are rising, even as debt grows and confidence in the economy fades. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, is how the old saying goes. Lately, consumers seem to be doing the opposite. The latest Survey of Consumer Expectations from the Federal Reserve […]
News roundup May 17, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 17, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Consumer outlook darkens in April survey The April 2025 Survey of Consumer Expectations from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed economic gloom is increasingly clouding people’s outlooks. Consumers expect inflation to rise […]
How credit smart are you? 10 simple questions to assess your habits
Credit Sesame’s fun, informal quiz helps you explore how your everyday choices could reflect your level of credit responsibility. This is not a formal assessment. It will not impact your credit score. But the way you answer these 10 yes-or-no questions might reveal how your habits might be shaping your credit profile. Be honest with […]
The real cost of convenience services for busy parents
Credit Sesame explores how the cost of convenience is hitting parents harder and what it could mean for their finances. Parenting brings deep rewards but also constant financial demands. From groceries and clothes to school supplies, everyday expenses can stretch a budget thin. That is before even factoring in major costs like paying for college. […]
News roundup May 10, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup May 10, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Parents fuel gig economy spending Households with children are likely to remain among the heaviest users of gig economy services such as ride sharing and food delivery. A new TransUnion survey finds that these […]
Student loan default in 2025: what you need to know
Credit Sesame explains what student loan default means in 2025 and what resumed collections could mean for borrowers. What is happening in May 2025? Federal student loan payments officially resumed in October 2023, following a pause that began in March 2020. The U.S. Department of Education introduced a one-year on-ramp period, running from October 1, […]
What the latest GDP decline says about the next recession
Credit Sesame explains why a small dip in GDP does not mean the next recession is here, but why it still makes sense to prepare for what could come next. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States declined at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025. Coming at a […]
News roundup May 3, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup for May 3, 2025. Stories, news, politics and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Job growth slows in April 2025 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs last month. That was down a little from March’s 185,000 new jobs. Also, the […]
How 2025 economic fears are impacting consumer credit habits
Credit Sesame explores how consumer credit habits are shifting in 2025 as rising debt, inflation, and economic uncertainty prompt Americans to rethink their spending and borrowing. Consumer credit habits in 2025 reflect growing financial anxiety In early 2025, signs of economic stress are beginning to show in household credit behavior. With inflation still high and […]
How conflicting spending habits are fueling consumer debt
Credit Sesame examines how conflicting consumer spending habits are contributing to rising consumer debt, as short-term purchases soar while long-term investments decline. Recent trends in early 2025 suggest consumers have mixed feelings about the economy, caught between the urge to spend and the hesitation to invest. Short-term spending remains strong, showing a continued willingness to […]
News roundup April 26, 2025
Credit Sesame’s personal finance news roundup April 26, 2025. Stories, news, politics, and events impacting personal finance during the past week. Corporate profits surge since COVID A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that U.S. companies have made significant gains in the years since the pandemic began. This represents more than […]
