CuraDebt

07/31/2026

Household spending rose in June while the personal saving rate was only 2.7%, according to BEA's July 30 report.

If credit cards are already part of the monthly budget, a thin savings cushion can make one car repair, medical bill, or income dip harder to handle.

Article:
https://www.curadebt.com/thin-savings-household-spending-credit-card-debt-2026/

07/30/2026

Gas prices are back in the household-budget spotlight. AAA's July 30 national average showed regular gasoline above $4, and EIA's weekly data showed gasoline well above last year's level.

If fuel costs are going onto a credit card, separate those charges from older balances and check whether the monthly payment plan still works.

Article:

AAA shows regular gas above $4 nationally while EIA data shows gasoline up from a year ago. Higher fuel costs can squeeze household budgets and card payments.

07/28/2026

Owing the IRS does not automatically mean an Offer in Compromise is the right path.

The IRS looks closely at your income, necessary expenses, assets, and realistic ability to pay. Our educational estimator can help you understand those factors before deciding what to explore next.

Use the free estimator here:
https://www.curadebt.com/offer-in-compromise-payment-estimator/

Educational information only. It is not tax or legal advice.

07/27/2026

The FTC says RentGrow will pay $2.25 million to settle allegations involving tenant screening report accuracy and dispute handling.

If a rental decision may depend on a background report, check the report early, look for duplicate or incomplete records, and keep copies of any dispute documents.

Read the article:
https://www.curadebt.com/ftc-rentgrow-tenant-screening-report-accuracy-2026/

07/24/2026

The CFPB's updated credit-card dashboard shows new card originations rose in the latest reported month, while recent credit-card inquiries fell from a year earlier.

The practical question for consumers is not only whether new credit is available. It is whether the new account, balance transfer, or consolidation move lowers total cost, or simply creates more room to carry balances.

CFPB Credit Card Dashboard Shows New Card Originations Rose While Inquiries Fell

https://www.curadebt.com/cfpb-credit-card-dashboard-originations-inquiries-2026/

07/22/2026

The FTC announced a July 21 order tied to an alleged student loan forgiveness scheme.

According to the FTC, the operation took more than $45.9 million from consumers and falsely suggested an affiliation with the U.S. Department of Education.

For borrowers, the safest first step is to verify federal student loan options through StudentAid.gov or the official loan servicer before paying anyone for help.

New CuraDebt News article:
FTC Student Loan Forgiveness Scam Order Bans Operator From Debt Relief and Telemarketing

https://www.curadebt.com/ftc-student-loan-forgiveness-scam-order-2026/

07/21/2026

More people are applying for credit again, but that does not mean credit is easy to get or always the right next move.

The New York Fed's June 2026 SCE Credit Access Survey says applications for any kind of credit rose to the highest level since October 2021, while the overall rejection rate edged up to 16.1%.

For households already juggling credit card balances, the key question is whether new credit improves the plan or only delays a harder decision.

Read the CuraDebt News article:
https://www.curadebt.com/new-york-fed-credit-access-survey-june-2026/

07/20/2026

Not every debt works the same way.

Credit cards, unsecured personal loans, and some medical bills are often reviewed for debt settlement. Mortgages, auto loans, and federal student loans usually require different solutions.

The label on the debt is not the final answer. The account, creditor, collateral, collection status, and individual circumstances can all matter.

Our new educational guide explains what is commonly reviewed, what is usually excluded, and what to check before making a decision:

https://www.curadebt.com/what-types-of-debt-can-be-included-in-debt-settlement/

Eligibility and results vary. Creditors are not required to negotiate or accept a settlement. CuraDebt is not a law firm, and this post is general educational information—not legal, tax, or financial advice.

07/20/2026

Credit card debt can feel confusing when the balance changes one month but the interest keeps piling up.

The Federal Reserve's latest Consumer Credit report showed revolving credit fell in May, but credit card accounts assessed interest were still listed at 22.15%.

That means a lower balance for one month does not always solve the bigger problem. The important question is whether your plan is actually reducing the debt over time.

New CuraDebt News article:
Federal Reserve Consumer Credit Report Shows Credit Card Balances Fell In May While Interest Rates Stayed Above 22%

https://www.curadebt.com/fed-consumer-credit-may-2026-credit-card-interest-rates/

If you have credit card balances, what feels harder right now: the payment amount or the interest rate?

07/13/2026

After 25 years in debt and tax relief, one thing I see constantly with self employed folks and 1099 workers is a tax bill that catches them completely off guard. If you're an employee your employer withholds tax from every paycheck automatically. When you're freelancing or driving for a rideshare app or consulting on your own, nobody is doing that for you, so a really good year of income can turn into a surprisingly big bill the following spring.

The biggest mistake I see is people delaying their tax return because they can't pay in full. Please don't do that. The penalty for not filing is actually steeper than the penalty for filing and owing money. File on time, pay what you can, and then look at your real options like an IRS installment agreement or an Offer in Compromise if the full balance genuinely isn't realistic for you.

IRS debt and credit card debt are two completely different problems that require two completely different skill sets. Every case is unique and results vary, so there's no one size fits all answer here. We just published a full guide walking through exactly this.

Link below if you want to read the whole thing.