Financial tech firms promote home equity contracts as a source of money without monthly payments. But skeptics see “a loan masquerading as obligation-free cash.”

Public servants on the brink of student debt forgiveness are facing setbacks and extensive delays. The American Federation of Teachers sued to help them.

© Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark rate untouched, but a December hike could make holiday borrowing more costly.

Congress needs a plan to prevent the program’s funds from running short by 2032. Many Senate candidates have shared their positions — some of them unexpected.

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At the University of California campuses in Berkeley, Irvine and Santa Barbara, students get an unwitting education in navigating the housing market.

Much of the debt stems from hospital bills, researchers say. Even people with insurance are falling behind. But there are ways to get help.