Debt levels in the U.S. are climbing higher than ever, and the strain is being felt across millions of households. Borrowers are carrying larger balances overall in terms of their debt loads, and ...

Angelica Leicht is the senior editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing ...

Katharine Paljug is a financial writer and editor with over a decade of industry experience. Her writing has covered nearly every aspect of the financial world, from investing in forex to paying for ...

These days, it can feel impossible to stay on top of credit card debt. The cost of living is going up, inflation is on the rise and job growth is slowing. And more Americans are falling behind on ...

When preparing for retirement, making a plan to get out of debt should be part of the process. Yet paying down debt can seem like a daunting, or even impossible, goal. Many Americans are living with ...

Credit card debt is expensive and potentially bad for your credit score. The most cost-effective method for paying it off is typically the debt avalanche strategy.

A couple shaking hands with a financial advisor. Being saddled with debt can be stressful, especially if you're balancing that struggle with saving for long-term goals like growing your family or ...

If tackling debt is your top money goal this year, you're not alone. About 25% of Americans say paying off debt is their #1 financial resolution, according to Motley Fool Money's 2026 New Year Money ...

With household debt on the rise, middle-class Americans are focusing on paying down mortgage, credit card and student loan debt — often at the expense of saving for retirement or creating an emergency ...

For millions of Americans, student loan debt is more than just a financial burden. It’s a source of anxiety, guilt and endless questions about the “right” thing to do. Should you pay off your loans as ...