Credit card debt
FILE - In this May 12, 2020 file photo, a pedestrian passes a closed barbershop during the coronavirus pandemic, in the North End neighborhood of Boston. Many small-business owners took on debt to weather the coronavirus pandemic, which forced lockdowns and decimated revenues for large sectors of the economy. Now, those business owners are faced with repaying this debt and rebuilding their companies. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
4 tips for small-business owners paying down pandemic debt

By Kelsey Sheehy Of Nerdwallet May. 27, 2021 07:00 AM EDT

FILE - This Aug. 11, 2019 file photo shows an American Express card in New Orleans. American Express saw its first quarter profits rise sharply, the company said Friday, April 23, 2021, but the company saw a significant drop in revenue as fewer customers used their credit cards and those with balances paid down debt. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
AmEx sees drop in revenue as pandemic slows travel, dining

By Ken Sweet Apr. 23, 2021 08:12 AM EDT

Startup cards can help build credit even in tough times

By Melissa Lambarena Of Nerdwallet Apr. 07, 2021 11:00 AM EDT
While major credit card issuers tightened lending standards and slashed credit limits amid COVID-19, some financial technology startups took a different tack. ...

This photo provided by Hay House, Inc. shows Suze Orman. Women are bearing a tremendous financial burden during the pandemic, primarily because of leaving the workforce, by choice or by force. The Associated Press spoke with Orman, personal finance expert and author of the podcast Women & Money, about how women can survive and emerge from this period. (Marc Royce/Hay House, Inc. via AP)
Suze Orman on women, money and surviving the pandemic

By Sarah Skidmore Sell Feb. 21, 2021 09:10 AM EST

FILE - This undated file photo provided by NerdWallet shows Liz Weston, a columnist for personal finance website NerdWallet.com. (NerdWallet via AP, File)
Liz Weston: How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic

By Liz Weston Of Nerdwallet Feb. 01, 2021 07:00 AM EST

FILE - In this July 18, 2012, file photo, a pedestrian passes credit card logos posted on a downtown storefront in Atlanta. Many consumers want to pay off their debt in 2021 but are unsure how to navigate the COVID-19 economy. Experts recommend listing all your debts and contacting each lender to see if it will reduce your interest rate, lower your monthly payment or waive late fees. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
How to make good on your resolution to pay off debt in 2021

By Jackie Veling Of Nerdwallet Jan. 27, 2021 07:01 AM EST

FILE - In this April 20, 2020 file photo, a man sits at a picnic table in a park in Kansas City, Mo., as the sun sets. Don’t beat yourself up if you failed to achieve your money goals in 2020, a uniquely challenging year. The new year presents a new opportunity to improve your finances. To set — and achieve — money goals in 2021, take a few simple steps. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Millennial Money: Crafting smarter money goals in 2021

By Sean Pyles Of Nerdwallet Jan. 19, 2021 06:35 AM EST

FILE - This Aug. 11, 2019 file photo shows Visa credit cards in New Orleans. The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped Americans from keeping up with their credit card payments, thanks in large part to government relief programs passed by Congress earlier this year. For some, however, the ability to keep buying things with plastic and then pay the bill likely depends on whether current negotiations in Washington produce another round of economic aid. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
Americans can pay their credit card bills, but for how long?

By Ken Sweet Dec. 07, 2020 07:06 AM EST

FILE - This Aug. 11, 2019 file photo shows an American Express card in New Orleans. American Express’ fourth-quarter profits dropped by 39%, the credit card giant said Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, as the pandemic’s deep impacts on travel, entertainment and dining dramatically impacted the company’s results. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
AmEx profits plunge as travel spending comes to a standstill

By Ken Sweet Oct. 23, 2020 12:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 23, 2020, file photo, a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, is displayed in San Antonio. Stimulus checks, paused student loan payments and the need to stay at home may have helped you cut back on your debt for the first time. Keep that momentum going and take control of your finances. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Millennial Money: Use a crisis to build helpful money habits

By Amrita Jayakumar Of Nerdwallet Oct. 13, 2020 06:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 3, 2020, file photo, a woman watches the sunset from a park in Kansas City, Mo. 2020 is barely halfway over. The Great Recession inspired many money lessons that are relevant for the current coronavirus-related economic downturn. If you’re feeling financially squeezed by the pandemic, explore actions that experts have suggested and taken to overcome obstacles in the previous financial crisis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Millennial Money: 6 Great Recession lessons that still apply

By Melissa Lambarena Of Nerdwallet Aug. 25, 2020 06:45 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2019, file photo, credit cards are displayed in Zelienople, Pa. U.S. consumer borrowing rose in June after three months of declines but the key category of credit card debt extended its decline. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
US consumer borrowing up in June after 3 months of declines

By Martin Crutsinger Aug. 07, 2020 06:05 PM EDT

FILE - This Aug. 11, 2019 file photo shows Visa credit cards in New Orleans. U.S. consumers reduced their borrowing for a third straight month in May 2020 as the millions of jobs lost because of the coronavirus pandemic made households less eager to take on new debt. The Federal Reserve reported Wednesday, July 8, 2020 that consumer borrowing declined by $18.3 billion in May, a drop of 5.3%. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
US consumers reduced their borrowing by $18.3 billion in May

By Martin Crutsinger Jul. 08, 2020 03:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 18, 2012, file photo, credit card logos are seen on a downtown storefront as a pedestrian passes in Atlanta. The coronavirus pandemic has made financial security a higher priority than ever. If you’re in a stable position now, you can increase future flexibility by reducing credit card debt. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
Make room on credit cards to add options in an emergency

By Sean Pyles Of Nerdwallet Jun. 04, 2020 11:07 AM EDT

Why good credit matters — even if you don’t plan to borrow

By Bev O'shea Of Nerdwallet May. 27, 2020 09:49 AM EDT
Even if you don’t plan to borrow a dime, a good credit record is valuable. Think of it like a household fire extinguisher: It’s smart to have a good one even...

Millennial Money: Put off debt payments to start saving now

By Sean Pyles Of Nerdwallet May. 19, 2020 06:56 AM EDT
It’s our new normal: Tens of millions of Americans are unemployed or on a reduced income. We’re social distancing and spending more time at home. But one thing...

FILE - In this April 29, 2020 photo, a couple walks by a row of closed motels, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the financial lives of most Americans as businesses shutter or cut salaries to adjust to the new economic uncertainty. But roughly a quarter of Americans have not yet been financially affected. Those fortunate enough to have financial security can use this time at home to improve their fiscal health so they are better prepared when the next economic crisis hits. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
Millennial Money: Still employed? Focus on savings and debt

By Kelsey Sheehy Of Nerdwallet May. 05, 2020 06:04 AM EDT

FILE - This undated file photo provided by NerdWallet shows Liz Weston, a columnist for personal finance website NerdWallet.com. When stock markets are rattled by news events, it’s unsettling for any investor — but especially so for those who are retired (or nearly there). The first thing anyone with an investment portfolio should do is make sure it’s properly balanced, taking both income needs and risk tolerance into account. (NerdWallet via AP, File)
Liz Weston: Start thinking bankruptcy now, not later

By Liz Weston Of Nerdwallet May. 04, 2020 06:53 AM EDT