News
Credit Card Debt Nears Record High as More Than Half of Americans Say Payoff Takes Over Six Months
Several new studies show that many people use credit cards to cover everyday living costs.
About
About Joe Pye
Joe Pye is the managing editor of Debt.com and a PFE-certified debt management professional. Pye began writing about debt and personal finance while attending Florida Atlantic University, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the student-run newspaper and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism.
In his spare time, he runs BrowardBeer.com, South Florida’s only journalistic (and journalism award-winning) craft beer blog. Pye’s work has been featured on MSN, Mediafeed, Miami New Times, Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, and Aventura Magazine.
News & analysis
Articles by Joe Pye
News
Credit Card Debt Creeps to Near Record High as Financial Stress Eases Elsewhere
New Fed report shows Americans collectively added another $21 billion to their credit card tabs, a pattern Debt.com’s own research shows.
News
Millions Trust AI With Their Money. Should They?
From the US to the UK, chatbots are giving financial advice. The results are mixed.
News
Millennials Put Down as Much on a Mortgage as Baby Boomers
New data show millennials submit the most inquiries and match the oldest generation's savings.
News
Are Americans Doing Better Financially? Depends on Which Survey You Ask
Pollsters from three places asked basic finance questions this year – and came back with three different stories.
News
Financial Literacy Slips While Affordability Woes Increase
Two recently released surveys show Americans understand fewer basic money concepts as worries about affordability continue to grow.
News
Buying a “Starter Home” Now Costs $1 Million in Hundreds of U.S. Cities
A new Zillow analysis says that's nearly triple the number from 2020.
News
Millions of Student Loan Borrowers Just Defaulted. A Second Wave May Be Coming.
New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows 3.6 million defaults in just six months, and researchers warn the worst may be yet to come.
News
Affordability Fears Are Driving Financial Stress Higher as Mental Health Awareness Month Begins
New research shows most Americans feel their finances are getting worse, reinforcing an ongoing trend that even cutting back isn’t enough to ease the pressure.
News
Credit Card Debt Continues to Climb as Americans Cut Back on Spending
New data shows budgeting and spending less may not be enough to make ends meet.
News
40% of Americans Lost Money to Scams in the Past Year, Survey Finds
A new survey shows the share of Americans who lost money to financial fraud in the past 12 months has jumped from 34% in 2025 to 40%.
News
More Americans Are Falling Behind on Buy Now, Pay Later Loans
Late payments are rising as more households turn to installment plans.
Guides
Guides by Joe Pye
The Questions You Need to Ask During Your Free Credit Counseling Session
Free credit counseling is an invaluable service that can help you zero in on the right debt relief solution.
Debt Relief Programs: Compare Options for Every Type of Debt
If debt payments are stressing your budget, you need to find relief. We explain debt relief programs for every type of debt, so you can solve challenges quickly to avoid overpaying, credit damage and bankruptcy.
Beware the Buy Now, Pay Later Debt Spiral
Convenience at checkout can mask real repayment risk.
Credit Score: What Is a Good Score and How to Improve It
Credit card companies and banks use your credit score to evaluate 90% of lending decisions. Learn how yours is calculated and get tips on optimizing your credit without paying for monitoring services.
Student Loan Default: How to Avoid Wage or Tax Refund Garnishment
Wage and tax garnishment suck up money that’s essential for your budget. Here’s what you need to know about when and how the government can apply garnishment to cover unpaid student loan debt.
How to File Taxes
This guide will help you file your taxes correctly so you can avoid back taxes, maximize your refund and help your overall financial goals in the process.
Thinking About Death is Good for Your Family’s Finances
A Debt.com survey shows people fear death, and it stops them from planning for the inevitable. I think that’s irresponsible. Let me walk you through the process.
A Traditional Burial is So 1998
More Americans are interested in nontraditional funerals. There are cheaper options that are better for the environment.
Do Medical Bills Affect Your Credit?
When you ignore a medical bill, it can go to collections. Learn how to stop a bill before it gets there and what to do when it’s on your credit report.
Credit Card Delinquency
Lock down delinquent credit card debt so it doesn’t get out of control in collections.
How a Funeral Can Bury You in Debt
What do funerals and weddings have in common? They’re both expensive and emotional. I planned both six months apart. Here’s what I learned.
Research 
Research studies led by Joe Pye
Budgeting Survey: Fewest Americans Living Paycheck to Paycheck in Five Years
Debt.com's annual survey shows what was an all-time high last year is now a five-year low. But nearly half of Americans are still one missed paycheck away from financial crisis.
Debt Settlement Survey: Daily Anxiety and the Help Many Won’t Use
A new Debt.com survey shows personal debt continues to weigh heavily on Americans’ mental health and financial outlook – and many don’t expect relief anytime soon.
Identity Theft Survey: AI Scams, Child Victims, and Credit Damage Are All Spiking
Debt.com’s latest survey shows 43% have already had their identities stolen – more than 1 in 5 were children.
Funeral Debt Survey: More Than 1 in 3 Americans Took on Debt After a Loved One’s Death
Credit cards were the top way to cover costs, followed by personal loans and funeral financing.
Debt and Divorce Survey: 42% of Couples Say It Played a Role in Their Divorce
Despite rising balances, most never sought professional help before walking away—sometimes with $15,000 more in debt.
Financial Regrets Survey: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Regret Charging Too Much on Credit Cards
Debt.com’s latest financial regrets survey reveals credit card debt is still America’s most common money mistake.
Mental Health and Money Survey: 66% of Americans Say Tariff-Driven Inflation Is Taking a Mental Toll
Debt.com survey reveals a strong link between financial pressures and emotional health during Mental Health Awareness Month
Medical Debt Survey: 9 in 10 Americans with Medical Debt Say it Shouldn’t Hurt Their Credit.
More than half say past-due medical bills have damaged their credit scores.
Editorial review
Reviewed by Joe Pye
Joe Pye has reviewed 75 pieces of content for accuracy, methodology, and editorial standards before publication.
Guide
Debt Settlement vs Bankruptcy
GuideStudent Loan Default: How to Avoid Wage or Tax Refund Garnishment
GuideStudent Loan Repayment: How It Works, Plans & When Does It Start
GuideStudent Loans Explained: How They Work and How to Manage Them
GuideHow to Establish and Build Credit
GuideWhat Do Credit Repair Companies Do?
Article6 Ways to Get Rid of Debt Shame
ArticleTariffs Are Causing Democrats to Change Their Home and Car Buying Plans – Republicans? Not So Much
ArticleWant to Save Money? Stay Single and Don’t Buy a House
+ 66 more.