Consumer Finance & Cost of Living
Household financial pressure, credit access, insurance and rising costs of essentials and services.
36 events across this topic and its sub-topics
- Single sourceabout 20 hours ago
Portuguese police confront demonstrators protesting housing shortage
Law enforcement engaged with protesters in Portugal who were demonstrating against the country's housing crisis.
Al Jazeera
- Single source1 day ago
Bottom half of Americans doubled net worth since 2019, social media obscures gains
MarketWatch argues U.S. economic data is stronger than perceived due to algorithmic filtering of news.
MarketWatch
- Single source2 days ago
Family caregivers' annual out-of-pocket costs reach $11,000
U.S. caregivers' out-of-pocket spending rose 60% to $11,000 annually in five years, straining household finances.
MarketWatch
- Single source3 days ago
Budget vehicles fly off lots as sales accelerate from year start
Low-priced cars are moving quickly despite some cheaper segments posting third-quarter declines.
CNBC
- Single source5 days ago
Cat shelter sees 150 additional animals as owners cite expense
UK animal shelters report increased cat abandonments linked to household cost pressures.
BBC News
SPONSORED
- Single source7 days ago
Visa, Mastercard face £5bn damages claim for excessive processing fees
UK lawsuit threatens Visa and Mastercard with £5bn damages claim over card processing fees.
The Guardian
- Single source7 days ago
California quartz restrictions drive shift to dust-free materials
California considers banning quartz products, forcing contractors and retailers to shift to alternative materials.
The New York Times
- Single source8 days ago
Portuguese police disband Lisbon housing protest, detain 25 activists
Portuguese police dispersed a Lisbon housing protest camp and arrested 25 people, reflecting escalating tensions over residential affordability.
Al Jazeera
- Single source9 days ago
Young adults ditch car ownership as prices soar, freeing up cash
Young Americans are abandoning car ownership, reducing demand for vehicles and fuel.
MarketWatch
- Single source13 days ago
Demonstrators reoccupy sites after police sweep arrests 55 in Portugal
Portuguese cost-of-living protesters reoccupy camps after police clearance, signaling sustained social pressure over inflation and living costs.
Al Jazeera
SPONSORED
- Single source13 days ago
Community repair workshops teach Americans to fix items instead of discarding them
DIY repair clubs expand across the U.S., reducing consumer spending on replacement goods and tech manufacturer service revenue.
The Guardian
- Single source13 days ago
Vinted sellers say automated systems unfairly suspend accounts over disputed sales
Vinted sellers report account suspensions they view as unfair, raising questions about the secondhand marketplace's moderation practices.
The Guardian
- Single source14 days ago
Borrower questioned by daily loan solicitations promising five-figure advances
Unsolicited loan offers at 8% flood a consumer's phone, raising fraud concerns in retail lending.
MarketWatch
- Single source16 days ago
Fintech startups launch products addressing shifting American spending patterns
Fintech apps offering simulated shopping and emotional financial products reflect growing consumer anxiety about spending and financial security.
MarketWatch
- Single source17 days ago
Debt payments consume growing share of household income gains
Rising debt service costs are consuming larger portions of wage increases for consumers, pressuring household finances.
CNBC
SPONSORED
- Single source17 days ago
Locating funds from old certificates of deposit proves challenging after banks discard records
New York Times examines whether owners can recover money from lost CDs in today's financial environment.
The New York Times
- Single source17 days ago
Columnist advocates aggressive debt elimination and financial transparency
CNBC money columnist urges debt reduction, framing high debt levels as a critical personal finance issue.
CNBC
- Single source20 days ago
BT customer billed monthly for nonfunctional landline after Digital Voice switch
BT customer charged for non-functional landline service for over a year, raising billing and service quality issues.
The Guardian
- Single source22 days ago
Consumers seek guidance as credit card arrears rise
BBC News reports on debt advice practices that may increase borrower obligations rather than reduce them.
BBC News
- Single source24 days ago
Household debt stress reaches levels unseen since financial crisis
U.S. consumer debt stress reaches levels unseen since the Great Recession, signaling potential economic headwinds.
CNBC
SPONSORED
- Single source26 days ago
Cox Automotive expects steeper used car price declines than earlier predicted
Used car prices declined in Q3 as demand shifted toward fuel-efficient vehicles.
CNBC
- Single source26 days ago
Sri Lanka's former first lady detained on charity fund misuse charges
Sri Lanka arrests ex-first lady on suspicion of misappropriating children's hospital donations.
BBC News
- Single source27 days ago
Imprisoned Lego fraudster's scheme exposes UK insurance scam surge
UK jailed Lego collector ran insurance scam, illustrating broader £1.3bn fraud problem affecting the sector.
The Guardian
- Single source27 days ago
Analyst warns as vehicle purchasers extend loan terms to manage rising payments
Car buyers are extending loan terms to manage rising payments, signaling potential stress in auto financing.
CNBC
- Single source27 days ago
Lego scammer receives prison time for fabricated insurance claims
Lego fraudster ranked among top insurance scammers last year, highlighting claims fraud risk in the sector.
BBC News
SPONSORED
- Single source27 days ago
Jersey Consumer Council reports banks continuing to reject credit card applications
UK financial regulator reports banks continuing to refuse credit card applications despite watchdog pressure.
BBC News
- Single source28 days ago
Sykes Holiday Cottages demanded death certificate to modify reservation
Holiday cottage company required death certificate from bereaved customer to modify booking, raising consumer protection questions.
The Guardian
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Advanced vehicle technology pushes repair expenses higher for shops and drivers
Shops must invest in specialized equipment and software to service modern vehicles, increasing costs for routine maintenance and repairs.
CNBC
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Demand for large trucks and SUVs weakens amid higher gas costs
U.S. sales of large pickup trucks and SUVs decline as fuel prices rise, pressuring automakers' high-margin segments.
The New York Times
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Wage advance applications obscure true borrowing costs through undisclosed charges
Pay advance apps charge hidden fees that make them more expensive than workers realize.
The New York Times
SPONSORED
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Financial expert questions whether premium bonds suit all UK savers
BBC News examines whether premium bonds remain a sound savings choice for UK consumers.
BBC News
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Budget hotel chain Travelodge faces scrutiny over assault victim protection failures
Travelodge failed to protect a sex assault victim, triggering regulatory and reputational scrutiny of the budget hotel chain.
BBC News
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Used car prices strain household budgets across America
Vehicle affordability has declined significantly for American consumers, raising questions about auto demand and financing stress.
MarketWatch
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
LV= insurance faces backlash over delayed subsidence claims and deteriorating properties
LV= insurance customers report the company is unresponsive to claims while homes deteriorate, raising service and liability concerns.
The Guardian
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Retiree with ample savings denied store credit despite financial strength
Retired person with substantial assets unable to qualify for retail credit card despite financial capacity.
MarketWatch
SPONSORED
- Single sourceabout 1 month ago
Homeowners face unrecognized insurance shortfalls, leaving finances vulnerable
Many homeowners lack adequate insurance coverage without realizing it, exposing a gap in the insurance market.
CNBC