You can’t manage what you can’t measure, and it’s difficult to measure your personal finances against the rest of the country without the right statistics. You may assume you’re doing great or worse than your neighbors, until you see the actual data. From ballooning car loans to trillions sitting idle in banks, the numbers paint a clearer picture for where you and your family stand. Must Read With that in mind, here are five mind-blowing money stats that reveal how the average American handles money — a ...

Core Insights - A woman named Donna, with a $1.4 million investment portfolio and three properties, faces a financial dilemma due to her husband's undisclosed $340,000 student loan debt, which ballooned from $65,000 [1][2][3] Financial Situation - Donna has built her wealth independently, owning properties valued at approximately $600,000, all fully paid off, and a Charles Schwab account with $200,000, funded entirely by her [2][5] - Her husband, who has no assets or retirement savings, has had his loans in deferment for over 10 years and previously in default, with indications of fraud involved in the debt [3][4] Debt Complexity - The loans are believed to be federal and were consolidated, making them non-negotiable, which complicates the resolution process [3] - Donna is willing to contribute up to $100,000 to help resolve the debt issue but seeks ways to protect her financial interests [3][4] Relationship Dynamics - The couple did not sign a prenup, and Donna discovered the debt only after marriage, highlighting a lack of transparency [4] - The emotional complexity of the situation is acknowledged, but there are concerns about the balance of power in their financial relationship [4]

Trump Administration Considers Selling Federal Student Loan Debt To Private Market, Report Sayshttps://t.co/lFKwLiF5BQ https://t.co/pFnJkd4QZp ...

Core Insights - Gen Z has experienced the largest decline in credit scores among all age groups over the past year, primarily due to student loan debt [1][2][5] - The national average credit score has decreased by two points to 715, while Gen Z's average score has dropped three points to 676 [1][2] Credit Score Context - A credit score, which ranges from 300 to 850, is a mathematical formula used by lenders to assess the likelihood of loan repayment [2] - 34% of Gen Z consumers have open student loans, significantly higher than the 17% of the total population [2] Economic Factors - The U.S. Department of Education paused federal student loan payments in March 2020 due to the pandemic, with a grace period extending until October 2024 [3] - The Trump administration has restarted the collection process for outstanding student loans, affecting approximately 5.3 million borrowers in default [4] Challenges for Young Consumers - Young consumers face difficulties in making timely payments due to student loans, a challenging job market, and high inflation [5] - A low credit score complicates access to various financial services, including car loans, mortgages, and insurance [5] Potential for Improvement - Despite the challenges, younger consumers have the most potential for credit score improvement [6] - Experts recommend that individuals should regularly check their credit scores to better understand their financial standing and take necessary actions [6][7]

I was just sitting here contemplating about like how I'm going to pay back all my student loans. >> I've applied to over 300 jobs. I don't have a job.>> Student loan debt just reached an all-time high $1.48% trillion as of June of this year. A historic drop in US college enrollment. We exist to educate, to teach you how to think, not what to think.We'd better be thinking about big transitions or transformations, if I can use the word, because um there's a lot of new competition coming into our market. >> La ...

Core Argument - The article discusses the dilemma faced by many Americans in their 30s regarding whether to pay off student loans or invest in retirement savings, emphasizing that the decision is influenced by both financial calculations and personal mindset [2]. Group 1: Student Loan Debt - U.S. borrowers hold a staggering $1.8 trillion in student loan debt, with the average balance exceeding $39,000 [3]. - Over 10% of student loan debt was reported as more than 90 days delinquent in the second quarter of 2025, indicating a significant issue with repayment [3]. - Paying off a $40,000 loan at a 6% interest rate could lead to nearly $13,000 in interest if only minimum payments are made, highlighting the financial burden of prolonged debt [4]. Group 2: Psychological Impact of Debt - Carrying large student loan balances can create a sense of entrapment, limiting career mobility and personal financial decisions, such as qualifying for a mortgage [5]. - Eliminating student debt can restore flexibility and peace of mind, which are important factors beyond just the financial implications [5]. Group 3: Investment Considerations - There is a strong argument for early investment, as the benefits of compound growth increase significantly with time [6]. - Unlike low-interest mortgages that can build wealth through rising property values, student loans do not contribute to wealth accumulation and often remain a lingering financial burden [6].

My all-time favorite game to play with people is Monopoly. For most people, they haven't played it in a while, but even then, they're familiar with the little plastic green houses, the get out of jail free card or collecting $200 when you pass go. But as we reach the game's 90th year anniversary, it's clear that we started slowly viewing it as a game of dread rather than delight.And so our current state of education is unfortunately only pointing towards worsening this lack of personal financial literacy. B ...

Consumer Debt & Delinquency - US consumer debt in serious delinquency rose in the second quarter [1] - Delinquency rate reached the highest level since early 2020 [1] - The increase reflects a record surge in past-due student-loan debt [1]

Trade and Tariffs - The Trump administration has reached a short-term trade agreement with China, reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to approximately 30% and on US goods from 125% to 10% [4][6][10] - The market reacted positively to the news, with a notable rally in tech stocks, which rose by 8% in the week following the announcement [4][6] - Companies are facing increased costs due to tariffs, and there is uncertainty about whether they can pass these costs onto consumers or if margins will contract [7][10] Walmart's Pricing Strategy - Walmart has indicated that it will raise prices on some goods due to tariff impacts, which is significant given its position as a low-cost provider [9][10] - The company expects prices to increase this summer, reflecting the cost pressures from tariffs that began in late April and accelerated into May [10][11] - Despite the anticipated price increases, Walmart has reiterated its guidance for 3%-4% net sales growth, indicating confidence in its overall business performance [11][12] CAVA's Performance - CAVA reported a 10.8% increase in same-store sales, driven by a 7.5% increase in customer visits, contrasting with declines seen in other restaurant chains [16][17] - The company has reached the billion-dollar sales mark over the past 12 months, showcasing strong growth in a challenging market [17] - CAVA's food and beverage costs increased to 29.3% of sales, but the company maintains a strong store margin around 25% [18] Dick's Sporting Goods Acquisition - Dick's Sporting Goods announced a $2.4 billion acquisition of Foot Locker, which was met with skepticism from the market, resulting in a 10% drop in Dick's shares [22][23] - The acquisition aims to turn around Foot Locker, which has been struggling with declining sales and changing consumer buying patterns [22][23] - Foot Locker's international presence may provide Dick's with new growth opportunities, although concerns remain about the viability of the acquisition [24][25] On Holdings' Growth - On Holdings reported a 43% increase in revenues, with direct-to-consumer sales up 45%, indicating strong demand for its products [27][28] - The company raised its sales guidance for the year to 28%, reflecting confidence in its growth trajectory [27] - On Holdings benefits from sourcing 90% of its shoes from Vietnam and Indonesia, which mitigates the impact of tariffs on its business [28][29] Evolv Technology and Booz Allen Hamilton - Evolv Technology is focused on transforming security management in public and private buildings, with a strong customer base in sports venues [57][58] - Booz Allen Hamilton, a consultant primarily serving the federal government, faces challenges due to potential cutbacks in defense spending but maintains a significant backlog of $39 billion [59][60]