Lifestyle and Budget

The share of people in each state who reported taking out a payday loan in the past five years, which ranged from 1 percent to 13 percent, according to a 2012 survey by Pew Charitable Trusts.

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week after four straight weeks of declines, while remaining near historically low levels.

Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell for the fourth straight week, with the benchmark 30-year rate again marking its lowest level since May 2013.

Uncle Sam wants to make it more affordable for Americans to buy their first home.

A unanimous Supreme Court says home buyers don't need to file a lawsuit, but may simply write a letter if they want to back out of a mortgage because they claim their lender violated the federal Truth in Lending Act.

A debt collection agency has agreed to waive nearly $18 million in improper judgments in a settlement with New York state.

U.S. consumers increased their borrowing in November, as stronger demand for auto and student loans offset a drop in credit card debt.

The Federal Reserve releases its November report on consumer borrowing.

President Barack Obama is returning to Arizona to promote home ownership in a state that has served as a symbol of the nation's real estate crisis and recovery.

First-time homebuyers whose home loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration would benefit from an Obama administration move to lower mortgage insurance premiums.

Average U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week, but the benchmark 30-year rate stayed near a 19-month low.

When it came time to pick a college, Abby Slusher leaned toward a private school near her southeastern Michigan home for the small campus and class sizes.

Average U.S. mortgage rates rose slightly this week but the benchmark 30-year low remained very close to the 19-month low hit last week.

In a first-of-a-kind case, the Federal Trade Commission is targeting a data broker for allegedly selling sensitive consumer information — including bank account numbers — to marketers that authorities said the broker knew had no legitimate need for it.

New York financial regulators have reached a settlement with Ocwen Financial Corp. requiring the nation's largest subprime mortgage servicer to reform its practices and provide $150 million to help struggling New York homeowners.

Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell this week, with the benchmark 30-year loan rate reaching a new low for the year.

It's the new career trade-off: Around the country, areas with the strongest job markets increasingly have some of the costliest homes.

U.S. consumers increased their borrowing in October but at a slightly slower pace than in the previous month as credit card use slowed.

Average U.S. long-term mortgage rate declined slightly this week, with the benchmark 30-year loan remaining below 4 percent.

Americans are slowly but steadily borrowing more money, bringing to an end a five-year effort to cut household debt that has slowed consumer spending and the economy.