debt
Private companies penalized for their student-loan collection tactics may be making a comeback.As President Donald Trump transfers federal student loans from the Department of Education to the Treasury Department, defaulted borrowers will be routed through the Treasury’s “Cross-Servicing program,” which uses private contractors to collect federal debts. Two agencies in…
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mattie Gardner. It has been edited for length and clarity.My husband and I are in credit card debt. We started at $63,227, and our current balance is $17,401. Back in 2022, we took a big risk and jumped into a building…
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Brandon Axelrod. It has been edited for length and clarity.I’m in debt because I’m in my first year of oral and maxillofacial surgery residency in Manhattan. My current total is over $400,000 across 10 to 12 different loans, plus accruing interest.I…
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tayler Ktestakis, a 28-year-old stay-at-home mom based in Utah County, Utah. It’s been edited for length and clarity. Loading audio narration… When I started posting about my side hustle journey on social media in 2025, I set a goal to pay…
