Personal finance

Impulse buys can quickly erode even the best financial plans. And yet, between sponsored posts on social media and “revenge spending,” they are nearly impossible to avoid. As the cost of living surges and more Americans say they are stretched too thin amid concerns about a possible recession, they’re dipping into their cash reserves and nearly half are falling

In this article FTCI Srdjanpav | E+ | Getty Images The Federal Trade Commission announced this week that it would send thousands of checks totaling more than $822,000 to student loan borrowers who lost money in a debt-relief scam. More than 14,500 consumers who paid money to a company that operated under the name Student

Getty Images As Generation X edges closer to retirement, inflation appears to be weighing more heavily on that age group than other adults. Compared with millennials (ages 26 to 41) and baby boomers (ages 58 to 76), a larger share of Gen Xers (ages 42 to 57) are concerned about the nation’s economic outlook, maintaining

Drazen Zigic | Istock | Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education is giving federal student loan borrowers who’ve fallen behind on their debt a chance to get into current standing. As part of its “Fresh Start” initiative, the 7.5 million student loan borrowers who are in default will be able to return to repayment

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaking at a news conference on July 14. Made Nagi | Reuters With President Joe Biden‘s sweeping tax, health and climate package newly signed into law, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is asking the IRS to deliver a plan within six months for the agency’s nearly $80 billion in funding. “The Inflation

Getty Images Another state has joined the growing list of those aiming to boost retirement savings among workers at companies that don’t offer a 401(k) or similar workplace plan. Delaware Gov. John Carney signed a bill into law on Thursday that will create a state-run program to automatically enroll eligible private sector workers in Roth

Simonskafar | E+ | Getty Images President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law on Tuesday, the largest climate spending package in U.S. history. The legislation earmarks $369 billion for climate and energy policies, including financial incentives for consumers and businesses that take steps to boost energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) joins activists in a demonstration outside an entrance to the White House calling for the cancellation of student debt in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters Planning his budget for next month, Scott Heins doesn’t know if he’ll have the usual cash he needs for his health-care expenses

People stand in line at a Social Security Office in Pasadena, California. Mario Anzuoni | Reuters People who face long waits for service at the Social Security Administration’s field offices have had to contend with one more complication this summer — intense heat. That prompted leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee to send

Cost is now the No. 1 factor when it comes to choosing a college. As a new application season gets underway, families are increasingly concerned about the rising price of tuition and whether a four-year degree is worth it.  For the 2021-2022 academic year, annual tuition and fees plus room and board at in-state public

The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images A new legislative package signed into law by President Joe Biden on Tuesday is a big win for Medicare patients who struggle to cover the cost of insulin to manage their diabetes. But the bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act, falls short of applying those cost controls

Getty Images By now, you probably know that prices for new cars have been climbing at a brisk pace, along with many other consumer goods, in the midst of high inflation. The average cost of a car is an estimated $45,869, according to a recent joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. Adding to

Sometimes a life raft can look a lot like a credit card. In an economy that has produced the highest inflation rate since the early 1980s, Americans are struggling to keep up with day-to-day expenses and are increasingly relying on credit cards to stay afloat. Amid a dramatic rise in the cost of living, credit card balances jumped 13% in

Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., and other lawmakers discuss the Social Security 2100 Act, which would include increased minimum benefits, on Capitol Hill on Oct. 26, 2021. Drew Angerer | Getty Images News | Getty Images Social Security crossed a new milestone when it reached its 87th anniversary on Sunday. The program was signed into law

Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images Consumers looking to buy a new car may need to clear more room in their budgets for it. For new vehicles, the average auto loan is for 70.4 months (less than two months shy of six years) and monthly payments have climbed past $700 for the first time ever,

seksan Mongkhonkhamsao Personal bankruptcy filings have fallen dramatically since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but with interest rates rising and government relief waning, filing numbers will likely pick up through this year, say experts. “I’ve had more calls in the last few weeks than the previous six months,” said Charles Juntikka, a New York-based

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 27: Student loan debt holders take part in a demonstration outside of the white house staff entrance to demand that President Biden cancel student loan debt. Jemal Countess | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images A number of big changes are coming for borrowers pursuing public service loan forgiveness. That program,

Getty Images The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by House Democrats on Friday and headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, is the most ambitious climate spending package in U.S. history — and households that take steps to improve their energy efficiency stand to reap financial benefits. The package would pump $369 billion into

Brothers91 | E+ | Getty Images Depending on how you get your health-care coverage, you may soon get a rebate from your insurer. An estimated 8.2 million policyholders are expected to receive a piece of $1 billion in rebates by Sept. 30 from various insurers, according to an estimate from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The

Families, parents and caregivers call on Congress to include paid family and medical leave in the Build Back Better legislative package during an all-day Nov. 2, 2021 vigil in Washington, D.C. Paul Morigi | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Missing a week of work due to illness, child care or other obligations during Covid-19