CFPB - EconomicHQ

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Debt-to-Income Ratio Explained: How DTI Is Calculated and Used

Debt-to-income ratio compares monthly debt payments with gross monthly income. Learn the formula, what lenders may count and why DTI is not the same as a credit score.

Casey Lester October 23, 2026

Credit & Debt

Personal Loans Explained

Personal installment loans provide a lump sum repaid over time. Learn how APR, fees, term, credit, collateral, and total repayment cost affect the offer.

Casey Lester October 20, 2026

Consumer Money

Housing Affordability Explained

Housing affordability depends on more than the mortgage principal and interest payment. Learn how rates, taxes, insurance, down payment, debt, maintenance, and savings priorities fit together.

Casey Lester October 15, 2026

Credit & Debt

Hard vs. Soft Credit Inquiry

Hard inquiries usually happen when you apply for credit and can affect a score; soft inquiries generally do not. Learn how rate shopping, account reviews, and prescreening differ.

Casey Lester October 13, 2026

Credit & Debt

How to Dispute Credit-Report Errors

You have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit-report information. Learn what to document, who to contact, what timelines apply, and what not to dispute.

Casey Lester October 8, 2026

Banking & Interest Rates

How Federal Reserve Rate Changes Affect Consumers

Fed rate changes can influence credit cards, savings, auto loans, mortgages, and business financing, but consumer rates do not all move one-for-one with the federal funds rate.

Casey Lester October 7, 2026

Credit & Debt

Buy Now, Pay Later Explained: How BNPL Works, Fees, Credit and Risks

Buy Now, Pay Later loans split purchases into installments, often with little or no interest. Learn how repayment, fees, credit reporting and budgeting risks work.

Casey Lester October 6, 2026

Credit & Debt

CarMax Auto Finance: What an 11.8% Average Contract Rate Says About Used-Car Affordability

CarMax Auto Finance reported an 11.8% weighted-average contract rate in its latest quarter. Here’s how to interpret that figure without confusing it with an APR or a national auto-loan average.

Casey Lester October 3, 2026

Credit & Debt

How to Read a Credit Report

Learn how to review identity information, accounts, balances, payment history, inquiries, and possible errors on a credit report—and what to do if something is wrong.

Casey Lester October 3, 2026

Credit & Debt

Household Debt Explained: Mortgages, Auto Loans, Credit Cards and Student Debt

Household debt includes mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, student loans and other borrowing. Learn how to read debt totals, delinquency data and the risks behind the headlines.

Casey Lester October 2, 2026

Tag: CFPB