Student debt: ripple effects across the larger economy
Student debt held by Texas residents and many millions of Americans in other states as well is often readily distinguished by financial commentators from other types of unsecured debt. That means most centrally things like credit card debt and medical bills. Many media pundits are quick to note that those types of financial obligations, once […]
Can a bill collector take my Social Security checks?
As we have often seen in San Antonio, people of all ages run into financial difficulties at times in their lives. Unfortunately, for some people, their senior years can be marred by not only financial problems but also setbacks in their health. As you undoubtedly know, medical bills are one of the leading causes of […]
Military members can fight back against harassing debt collectors
According to the national news source Governing magazine, Texas is home to nearly 125,000 active-duty military personnel. That large number of men and women who reside in the state while serving their country likely comes as no surprise to most Texans, given the many — and often major — military installations that are interspersed throughout […]
How Texas residents can avoid excessive medical debt
Mountains of medical bills have driven many Texas residents to financial desperation. In fact, recent media reports indicate that this is a countrywide problem. It has also been reported that it is not only uninsured individuals who find themselves in this position, even some people who have medical insurance are finding it difficult to manage […]
Study: despite ACA, medical debt soon to be No. 1 bankruptcy cause
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’re well aware that having good health insurance doesn’t necessarily mean that an injury, a chronic health condition or a sudden illness won’t cause you financial problems. Overwhelming medical debt has long been a common trigger for bankruptcy, and a recent study using 2013 data predicts […]
Debt and lack of savings pushes retirement age up for many
If you are a San Antonio resident who is putting off retirement – perhaps, indefinitely – you are not alone. The average age at which Americans retire is continuing to rise, and it has been reported that many Baby Boomers will wait until at least the age of 66 to leave the workforce. And, as […]
Even for those with insurance, medical debt can be a problem
One of our most important themes in this blog is that medical debt is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy. As we discussed in our December 6 post, the ever-rising cost of health care has made medical bills a bitter pill to swallow for large numbers of Americans. Many of the people struggling with […]
Bankruptcy can help someone buried under medical debt
One of the most disastrous events that can happen to someone during their life is a major medical condition. It takes away your ability to live your life, and it leaves you in a lot of pain. While your insurance may cover a large portion of all the medical costs associated with your condition, there […]
Age differences apparent in bankruptcy caused by medical debt
“When it rains, it pours,” goes the slightly nonsensical old saying. And indeed, it’s true that when trouble comes, it sometimes doubles up. A case in point is a cancer diagnosis and financial problems. And according to research published this week, people with cancer are twice as likely to file for bankruptcy as people who […]
For medical bills, payday loans are the opposite of debt relief
Medical bills can hit you like a ton of bricks. Even people with health insurance can suddenly find themselves owing more than they imagined – because taking on that debt it seemed like the only way to get the care they or a family member desperately needed. In the San Antonio area and throughout the […]