In the Balance are short essays related to research on understanding and strengthening the balance sheets of American households. Learn more about research on household financial stability»
As fewer young adults wed, those who are married have a larger concentration of housing wealth, while those who aren’t face more debt.
The use of bankruptcy to avoid medical bills and the sometimes transient nature of Medicaid play a role in low-income families’ decisions about saving.
After Medicaid eligibility, financially stressed families chose to save more from tax refunds, but low-income families that weren’t as financially stressed didn’t make major changes to saving choices.
The student loans black students are taking out to finance college may be contributing to racial wealth gaps.
Should more families be encouraged to hold a liquidity buffer even if it means incurring more debt in the short-term?
Household wealth reached a new high in 2016. Recessions followed two previous record highs. Might it happen again?
Even without bad choices or bad luck, younger, less educated or nonwhite families are more likely to be delinquent on loans.
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