Personal finance

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will leave interest rates unchanged, delaying the possibility of rate cuts as well as any relief from sky-high borrowing costs. Overall, expectations that the Fed is pulling off a soft landing have increased, but that offers little consolation for Americans with high-interest debt. And now there may be fewer interest rate

Former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD), President Biden’s nominee to be the next Commissioner of Social Security, testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on November 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images Three months into his role as commissioner of the Social Security

Woman shopping for groceries in Brooklyn, NY, on September 15, 2023. Paola Chapdelaine | The Washington Post | Getty Images A recession that was in the forecast for 2023 never came to fruition. That has led to optimism that the Federal Reserve can reduce inflation and slow the economy without a recession, in what is

Martin-dm | E+ | Getty Images Millions of Americans are scrambling to file returns as the federal tax deadline approaches. But U.S. expatriates have extra filing rules — and the burden is making some expats question their American citizenship. Nearly one-third of U.S. expats have plans to renounce their American citizenship or are “seriously considering

The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images Over the last few years, the Biden administration has repeatedly announced that it was forgiving student debt for small groups of qualifying borrowers. So far, it has canceled the loans for almost 3.9 million people, totaling $138 billion in relief. Those who haven’t qualified for the aid

Affordability is the No. 1 issue among college hopefuls. And yet, fewer students are applying for financial aid. Problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid have discouraged many high school seniors and their families from completing an application, experts say. At the current rate, the number of FAFSAs submitted by the end of August will

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 13, 2024. Sara Stathas | Bloomberg | Getty Images The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made student loan forgiveness tax-free at the federal level through the end of 2025. President Joe Biden wants to extend that policy

Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images Investing can seem overly complicated, and that complexity may paralyze Americans into doing nothing. But investing — and doing so smartly — doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, getting started can be relatively easy, according to financial experts. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist. Investing is

  Sturti | E+ | Getty Images Spring, the season when home buying and selling activity kicks off, is around the corner.  Available housing supply is already rebounding: The number of new listings jumped 14.8% from a year ago, the largest annual gain since May 2021, according to new data from Redfin, a real estate

Pixelseffect | E+ | Getty Images Some grocery store products are providing less for your money. And everyone from President Joe Biden to Cookie Monster has noticed. Blame shrinkflation. The term — which is increasingly used in conversation — refers to products becoming smaller in size, weight or quantity as their prices stay the same

For decades, research showed that earning a degree is almost always worthwhile. Recent college graduates working full-time earn $24,000 more a year than those with just a high school diploma, according to newly released data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Additionally, finishing college puts workers on track to earn a median of $2.8 million over

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Choosing when to claim Social Security is a decision that can carry big financial stakes for all older Americans, but it’s especially important for women. “It all comes down to longevity,” Mary Beth Franklin, a certified financial planner and Social Security expert, said

In this article BTC.CM= Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Chesnot | Getty Images The price of bitcoin notched record highs this week, and experts have tax tips for investors flocking to the flagship digital currency. Fueled by demand for newly approved spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds, bitcoin set a fresh record of $73,000 on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden announces the cancellation of an additional $1.2 billion in student loan debt for about 153,000 borrowers, at meeting with community at Culver City Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, CA. Irfan Khan | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images High inflation has prompted higher Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. But as the rate of price growth subsides, the annual increases for Social Security may fall in 2025 and beyond, predicts Mary Johnson, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst at The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group. In 2024,

Cavan Images | Getty Images The federal tax deadline is officially one month away for most filers — and experts say there are some key things to know this season. As of March 1, the IRS received roughly 54 million individual returns, which is less than 40% of the 146 million expected this season, according

In this article COST WPM-CA Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images Among the cans of tuna and flashlights in doomsday preppers‘ closets, there is an increasingly popular staple — gold bars. The recent rise in value of the yellow metal is not just another chapter of favorable economic

Margot Robbie as Barbie in a movie from Mattel and Warner Bros. Mattel | Warner Bros. In the “Barbie” movie, the narrator says, “Barbie has a great day every day.” It might be because she gets to be what her heart desires. The film’s Barbies participate in a wide range of roles and professions, from

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell prepares to testify before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on March, 7 2024.  Kent Nishimura | Getty Images News | Getty Images West Palm Beach, Fla. — The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to start cutting interest rates by the end of second quarter despite recent “hotter

A customer shops for food at a grocery store in San Rafael, California, March 12, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images The U.S. is still grappling with higher inflation, government data released this week shows. But there are some bright spots for consumers. Inflation is lower than its 2022 peak. And