Consumer Money

Mortgage Rates Hit a Nine-Month High as Buyers Face Another Affordability Test

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.53%, adding pressure to buyers already balancing prices, payments and limited room in household budgets.

May 29, 2026

Household bills, a credit card and a calculator sit on a kitchen table.

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Household Debt Hits $18.8 Trillion as Families Carry More Financial Strain

New York Fed data show household debt rose again in the first quarter, while delinquency signals remained mixed rather than flashing a broad warning.

May 28, 2026

Homebuyers reviewing mortgage paperwork and a generic home listing on a laptop.

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Mortgage Rates Above 6.5% Test the Spring Homebuying Market

Higher mortgage rates can quickly change monthly payment math for buyers already facing elevated home prices and affordability pressure.

May 26, 2026

Household bills, tax paperwork, and a calculator on a kitchen table.

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Tax Refund Boost Fades as Household Budgets Stay Tight

Larger tax refunds helped some households earlier in the year, but that cushion is fading while fuel, borrowing, and everyday costs remain elevated.

May 25, 2026

Household bills, a credit card, and a budget spreadsheet on a kitchen table.

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Why Household Debt Feels Heavier for U.S. Consumers Right Now

Household debt has climbed to $18.8 trillion as credit-card balances, inflation, and financial stress keep pressure on family budgets.

May 25, 2026

A driver holds a fuel receipt and car keys near a gas pump.

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High Gas Prices Put New Pressure on Memorial Day Travel

Gasoline prices are back near the center of household-budget worries as Memorial Day travelers face the highest pump prices in years.

May 23, 2026

Emergency savings envelope, calculator, and household bills on a kitchen table.

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Emergency Savings Remain Thin as Prices Keep Pressuring Households

Bankrate’s emergency savings data shows why many households still feel financially fragile, even when parts of the economy appear steady.

May 21, 2026

House keys and a household budget worksheet representing mortgage-rate pressure.

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Mortgage Rates Remain High Enough to Keep Home Affordability Under Pressure

Mortgage rates eased slightly, but the average 30-year fixed rate remained high enough to keep pressure on buyers, sellers, and households weighing housing costs.

May 19, 2026

Household bills and budgeting materials representing consumer debt.

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Household Debt Rose Again, but Delinquency Signals Were Mixed

New York Fed data showed household debt increased in the first quarter of 2026, while delinquency measures offered a mixed picture of consumer credit conditions.

May 19, 2026