Consumer Debt

A Financial Security Threat in the Courtroom

For readers unfamiliar with the subject, we offer a simple, non-technical explanation of debt collection litigation.

September 21, 2021

Medical Debt and its Impacts on Health and Wealth: What Can Philanthropy Do to Help?

Philanthropy has an opportunity to find and invest in solutions to support the millions of households struggling at all phases of the medical debt lifecycle.

March 29, 2021

Majoring in Debt: Why Student Loan Debt is Growing the Racial Wealth Gap and How Philanthropy Can Help

The problems that emerge from carrying student loan debt are systemic and have consequences not only for borrowers and their households, but also their communities, their states, and the nation’s economy. But these problems are solvable.

January 28, 2021

Set Up to Fail: Fines, Fees & Financial Insecurity

Chronic Debt is a rapidly growing problem among households across the US and a significant barrier to financial stability and wealth building.

January 28, 2021

Young Adults and Consumer Debt: The Quiet Crisis Next Time

October 17, 2019
Ida Rademacher and Genevieve Melford authored this piece on consumer debt for New America and The Emerging Millennial Wealth Gap.

October 29, 2019
Young student reading book in library

Toward a College-Debt-Free Society

This spring, the Expanding Prosperity Impact Collaborative (EPIC), an initiative of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, released a study on ways to help those with student loan debt to eliminate some portion of their federal student loans.

October 9, 2019

Many Americans Still Face Financial Instability Despite Economic Growth

July 30, 2019 The Pew Charitable Trusts interviews show continued challenges linked to income, job markets, and family situations.

July 30, 2019
A group of people working in a modern office.

Is Your Debt ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’? It Depends

July 25, 2019

Ida Rademacher is featured in the New York Times on positive and negative sides of debt.

July 25, 2019

Student Loan Cancellation: Assessing Strategies to Boost Financial Security and Economic Growth

This first-of-its-kind brief focuses on debt relief proposals that would aid the 44 million borrowers who currently have student debt.

April 23, 2019