Personal finance

Miniseries | E+ | Getty Images Americans have suffered in “declines in overall financial well-being,” according to a new annual Federal Reserve report on economic well-being of U.S. households released last week. Only 63% of all adults can cover an unexpected $400 expense, the report on 2022 found, down from a high of about 68%

These days, many people are worried about paying for college. Less than half of Americans are confident that they’re currently saving enough for future education expenses, according to a recent report by Edward Jones. Checking your 529 college savings balance may not provide much comfort, either. Last year, these popular savings plans took a hit

In this article JPM CCF AXP V MA COF DFS BAC WFC C MHI-AU NTFL SSVC TNL TRV JBLU DAL DELTACORP-IN LUV SAVE AAL UAL 9201.T-JP YOU AMZN Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Have you ever gotten a free flight because of your Delta SkyMiles card? Or maybe you get the advantage of walking

As a growing contingent of Americans feel priced out of a college education, tuition assistance may be the most valuable incentive companies are using to attract and keep workers. In the last few years, more businesses have added or expanded benefit offerings of free college programs. Not only does free or discounted higher education improve

Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images The pandemic-era policy suspending federal student loan payments has been an especially big win for public servants. Most borrowers have benefited from the payment pause, which has lasted more than three years and spanned two presidencies. But for those pursuing the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the policy

In this article LC Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Even as inflation cools, consumers still show signs of strain. As of April, the share of adults feeling stretched too thin held nearly steady at 61%, according to a new LendingClub report. However, high-income earners are increasingly under pressure, LendingClub found. Of those earning more than

Nikola Stojadinovic | E+ | Getty Images Borrowers may be down to their last few months without a student loan payment. The Supreme Court could announce its decision on the Biden administration’s sweeping student loan forgiveness plan any day, and the U.S. Department of Education has braced borrowers to be ready for the bills to

Izusek | E+ | Getty Images The 2023 summer travel season is expected to be a busy one, making federal programs like TSA PreCheck especially helpful for fliers, according to experts. Such programs carry fees but generally save travelers time at the airport. However, relatively long processing times — as with recent passport applications —

Three years after the Covid pandemic, there are more than 1 million fewer students enrolled in college. “Overall, undergraduate enrollment is still well below pre-pandemic levels, especially among degree-seeking students,” said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Only community colleges notched enrollment gains in the current semester, while enrollments in

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., meet in the Oval Office on May 22, 2023. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images As President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., continue to negotiate ahead of a June debt ceiling deadline, experts are warning that Social Security checks could be at

Amid concerns about the U.S. economy and the possibility of a recession, most retirement savers want some sort of assurance they won’t outlive their nest eggs, recent reports show. As a result, demand for annuities, which offer a guaranteed stream of monthly income like Social Security and pensions, has soared. Now, more than half, or 54%,

Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., leaves the Capitol after the final votes of the week on Feb. 28, 2019. Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call Group | Getty Images House Democrats on Tuesday slammed Republicans for putting Social Security benefits at risk amid an ongoing federal debt ceiling stalemate, while also re-upping a plan that aims to

Monthirayodtiwong | Istock | Getty Images If you’re boosting your emergency fund or saving for a short-term goal, a certificate of deposit ladder, or CD ladder, may help you capture higher yields amid interest rate uncertainty. After a series of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, options for cash, such as high-yield savings, Treasury

In this article EOCW Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT When it comes to managing money, women face unique challenges. Women tend to live longer than men, which means they need their money to last for a longer period of time, according to Kamila Elliott, a certified financial planner and co-founder and CEO of Collective

Marc Debnam | Getty Images Weddings are expensive, and not just for the bride and groom. As more couples choose to go all out on their nuptials, the average guest will spend $611 on travel and accommodations, gifts and special-occasion attire and preparation this year, according to a recent report by Bankrate.com. Wedding gifts alone

More than 4 million new college graduates will head out into the world this month, but it could be years before they pay their own own way. Most people feel like a grownup by the time they’re 18 — and certainly once they have a college degree — but many young adults do not become

In this article EOCW Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Even as inflation shows signs of cooling, some investors may be fearing the worst about a potential looming economic downturn. A recent survey from Nationwide finds more than two-thirds of respondents — 68% — expect a recession within the next six months. Meanwhile, 62% of

Getty The annual contribution limit for health savings accounts, or HSAs, will soon get a sizable boost due to inflation, the IRS announced this week. For 2024, the yearly limit for self-only HSA plans is rising to $4,150 from $3,850 in 2023, and the cap for family plans is jumping to $8,300 from $7,750. The catch-up

JGI | Blend Images | Getty Images The IRS is preparing to test a free online direct filing system for some taxpayers — and while pre-populated returns with certain details already filled in aren’t part of the initial plan, research shows it may be possible for certain filers. As directed by the U.S. Department of

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., urges Congress to make child care affordable, pass paid leave, support care infrastructure, and raise the debt ceiling on May 17, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Paul Morigi | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Many workers need to take leave at some point to address their own health needs or to