Financial Education
Learn the “why” and the “how” with clear lessons, examples, and actions you can use today.
Debt Settlement in 2025: The Complete Consumer Guide to Eliminating Unsecured Debt
By Dean Barwick, ConsumerFinanceReviewBoard.org Introduction: America’s Growing Debt Crisis Debt has become one of the most pressing financial challenges in modern America. As of the beginning of 2025, total U.S. consumer debt has surged to over $17.5 trillion, with...
First Steps to Getting a Mortgage | 2025–2026 Guide
Complete 2025-2026 Guide for New Homebuyers Part 1 of 3 in the Consumer Finance Review Board Mortgage Education Series — designed to help homebuyers navigate every step of the mortgage process with confidence and clarity. Introduction — Why Getting a Mortgage Feels...
Financial Resilience
Turning Policy Uncertainty Into Long-Term Opportunity (Part 4 of 4 — Series by the Consumer Finance Review Board) 1. Beyond the Turbulence If 2025 taught investors anything, it’s that disruption no longer arrives in isolation.From California’s Proposition 50 and New...
Strategic Shelters
Building a Defensive Investment Playbook for 2026 and Beyond (Part 3 of 4 — Series by the Consumer Finance Review Board) 1. From Market Jitters to Market Strategy The past year has reminded investors that uncertainty is the new normal.Between California’s Proposition...
Retirement at Risk
Protecting Your Nest Egg in Volatile Markets (Part 2 of 4 — Series by the Consumer Finance Review Board) 1. The Calm That Isn’t So Calm Congress may be ending the recent shutdown, but investors remain uneasy.California’s Proposition 50 is reshaping state tax...
Unrest, Uncertainty, and Your Money
(CFRB Part 1 of a 4-Part Series) How the CA Prop 50 Vote, the NY Mayoral Shift, and a Near-Miss Government Shutdown Are Shaping Market Risk 1. Introduction — Political Upheaval Meets Market Anxiety The close of 2025 has delivered a trifecta of uncertainty for...
Understanding Annuities: The Complete Consumer Guide
Introduction: Why “Annuity Rate Watch” Matters More Than Ever Retirement planning has always been about balance: balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s security, balancing growth with protection, and balancing your dreams against financial realities. For decades, the...