Tax refunds and bankruptcies a seasonal trend – For many people, a tax refund means a chance to fund a vacation or splurge on a big purchase. For some, though, it’s a way to wipe out crushing debt – not by paying it off, but by giving them enough money to pay for bankruptcy.

U.S. debt to double over the next 30 years – U.S. debt is likely to double as a share of the economy over the next 30 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Mortgage applications decrease – Mortgage applications dropped 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly mortgage applications survey.