Angelica Leicht

Durango

Editor at HousingWire

Editor and Writer at Freelance

Contributor at CBS News

Writer, editor at DGO Mag in Durango, and a fancy little badass at everything else. Rawr.

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Articles

How much will a $500,000 annuity pay monthly?

2 days ago | cbsnews.com | Angelica Leicht |Matt Richardson

With inflation lingering and market volatility rattling retirement portfolios, many Americans are rethinking how to create stable income in their later years. As a result, annuities have surged in popularity, especially among those nearing retirement. With an annuity, you take a lump sum of money and convert it into a predictable stream of monthly income, either for life or for a set number of years.
How much does credit counseling cost?

2 days ago | cbsnews.com | Angelica Leicht |Matt Richardson

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of debt you're dealing with in today's high-rate environment, the last thing you want is to add another expense to the mix. That's why many people hesitate when they hear the term credit counseling. While getting this type of expert debt support certainly sounds helpful, there are fees involved with their services, and it can be tough to justify the extra costs when you're already struggling to make ends meet.
Want to have your debts forgiven? Here's what will (and won't) qualify

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Angelica Leicht |Matt Richardson

Whether it's sky-high credit card balances, expensive medical bills, high-rate personal loans or lingering student loans, carrying costly debt has become a common thread for households across the country. According to the latest Federal Reserve data, total household debt hit a new record high of $18.04 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024.
What's the savings account interest rate forecast for May 2025?

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Aly J. Yale |Angelica Leicht

There's a lot of economic uncertainty these days. The stock market is volatile, proposed economic policies threaten to send consumer prices higher and stubborn inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve's goal of 2%. Because of this, the Fed has pulled back on its rate cutting as of late. While that's not great if you're looking to borrow cash, for savers, it can be beneficial as it keeps rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) propped up for the time being.
3 HELOC rate scenarios experts say to watch right now

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

If you've been weighing your borrowing options, chances are that you're well aware of how expensive borrowing is overall in today's high-rate landscape. But while rates on credit cards and loans are high, the rates on home equity borrowing products, like home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have remained significantly lower on average and have even been dropping recently.
What's the CD interest rate forecast for May 2025?

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Melanie Lockert |Angelica Leicht

Certificates of deposit (CDs) offer savers a stable place to lock up their savings funds for a set term. In return for holding the funds until maturity, savers get the predictability of a fixed rate of return on their money. During the current high-rate climate, CD interest rates have been lucrative, especially in the short term. So far this year, the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate paused rather than slashing rates, which has positively impacted CD rates.
Should you open a HELOC before the May Fed meeting?

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Matt Richardson |Angelica Leicht

All eyes will once again turn toward the Federal Reserve on May 6 and May 7 when the central bank meets yet again to determine monetary policy and the future of the interest rate climate. The bank didn't meet in April but in it's previous 2025 meetings in January and March it elected to keep the federal funds rate frozen at a range between 4.25% and 4.50%. That left interest rates on a variety of products that take direction from the Fed in limbo.
Being sued over unpaid debts? Here's how to settle and have your case dismissed

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Angelica Leicht |Matt Richardson

Receiving a court summons for a lawsuit over an unpaid debt can be jarring — even if you're well aware that your debt issues have been compounding. Whether it's due to a credit card balance that spiraled out of control or a personal loan you couldn't keep up with, seeing your name on a legal complaint can transform what felt like a financial challenge into a potential crisis.
Want to pursue debt forgiveness this May? Ask yourself these 3 questions first

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Angelica Leicht |Matt Richardson

If you've found yourself struggling to afford your debt payments recently, you're far from alone. A significant percentage of borrowers are facing increasing financial strain in today's unusual economic climate, and there are a few big reasons for that. One is that credit card rates are closing in on an average of 22% currently, making it easy for balances to spiral despite your best efforts.
What's the cheapest way to get equity out of your home now?

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Matt Richardson |Angelica Leicht

According to a report released in early March, the average home equity amount currently sits at $313,000. While that may be down from the $327,000 level it hit in the second quarter of 2024, it still represents a large, six-figure sum of money available to homeowners now, even accounting for the traditional 20% equity threshold many lenders will require borrowers to keep in their homes.