Hill Street Studios | Getty Images To get into an elite college, parents and students put a lot of emphasis on grades and test scores. However, in the wake of last year’s college admissions scandal, admissions directors are quietly turning their attention to something besides raw numbers. Today, “almost every institution is looking more carefully
Personal finance
People shop at the Macy’s flagship store on 34th St. on Black Friday on November 23, 2018 in New York City. Stephanie Keith | Getty Images Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year — for a reason. “Everything will be on sale in some capacity,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer
Photo by Hero Images via Getty Images If you’re planning on punching in at your job well into your 60s, pay close attention to your workplace benefits. That’s because if you mismanage them, it could cost you. The over-65 crowd is expected to become a growing share of the workplace in the future. The labor
This fall, resist the temptation to just re-elect all of last year’s workplace benefits. Employers are rolling out their benefits packages for 2020, and that means it’s time for you to choose your health-care, life insurance and disability coverage for the new year. Failure to pay attention means you could miss out on valuable opportunities
A woman uses her vaping device in Harmony, Pa. Keith Srakocic | AP While the long-term effects of vaping are still unknown, there’s little doubt that vaping won’t go in your favor when it comes to life insurance. The vaping-related illness outbreak reached more 1,888 probable cases with 37 fatalities as of Oct. 29, according
Getty Images It’s no secret the holiday season brings on more financial stress for many consumers. And one group — millennials — are the most susceptible to taking on more debt to keep up, according to a new survey from CreditCards.com. The survey found that more than half of the people in that generation —
You might know by now that Medicare’s annual open enrollment is underway and ends Dec. 7. So do scammers. Every fall, when the program’s 60 million or so beneficiaries can make coverage changes for the next year, criminals tend to step up their game, experts say. It could involve a person pretending to be a
For many Americans, the open enrollment season, which covers both employer-based and federal health insurance, is underway. Rising health-care costs are a significant cause of stress, and yet, nearly three-quarters of working adults spend 45 minutes or less reviewing their benefits before enrolling, according to recent research by employee benefits provider Unum. At the very
MACON, Georgia — As the head of student loan debt at the U.S. Education Department, Wayne Johnson discovered some people had balances of more than $1.5 million. “I’ll never forget it,” Johnson, 67, said, during an interview with CNBC on Sunday night at a gated retirement community he owns here. “There were lots of folks
The reporter’s kitchen in November 2017, shortly after she and her husband closed on their first home. Darla Mercado If you think bringing your garish 1960s-era kitchen up to date is just a matter of new paint and appliances, think again. Home renovations modernize your dwelling, potentially make it more energy-efficient and may enhance its
Many people don’t worry about retirement until a looming number acts as a lightbulb. In 2017, Wendy Mays was in her mid-40s and at the tail end of adopting several young children. “I was very scared,” said Mays, a former criminal defense attorney in San Diego who has a podcast on financial independence for families.
When it comes to renovating your home, the last thing you want is surprises. So before you start swinging a hammer, it’s important to take steps that can help you avoid costly blunders, according to Drew and Jonathan Scott, the stars of HGTV’s “Property Brothers.” “[The] No. 1 common mistake that so many people make
Meb Keflezighi, of the United States, reacts after winning the 118th Boston Marathon, April 21, 2014. John Tlumacki | The Boston Globe | Getty Images When Meb Keflezighi ran his first competitive race in the seventh grade, his motivation was simple: to get a t-shirt for his school’s running club that his older brothers also
Tereza | Twenty20 As the Federal Reserve cuts rates, it’s a good idea to make sure your savings are still getting the biggest boost possible. The central bank slashed its benchmark short-term interest rate this week by a quarter point for the third time this year. As a result, some banks are pulling back their
President Donald Trump addresses the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on October 8, 2018. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images President Donald Trump is making his move to Florida official. His home state of New York may not let him go without
If you’re changing your Medicare coverage during open enrollment and you plan to travel at some point, make sure you know whether your insurance will go with you. Coverage away from home depends partly on where you travel to, along with whether you’re on basic Medicare or get your benefits through an Advantage Plan. It
MACON, Ga. — At 5:01 a.m. on Thursday October 24, Dr. Wayne Johnson, who was hired by the Trump administration to oversee the country’s $1.6 trillion in student loan debt and its 44 million borrowers, submitted his resignation letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Around an hour later, Johnson made an announcement that hurled him
Former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is interviewed at the Silicon Slopes Tech Conference on January 19, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. George Frey | Getty Images Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is taking the lead on a new proposal aimed at fixing funding shortfalls for Social Security, Medicare and the nation’s
Carlina Teteris | Moment | Getty Images As you choose your benefits for 2020, don’t overlook a key saving account that could beat your 401(k) plan — at least in terms of taxes. This year, nearly 3 in 10 employers that offer workplace benefits provided a high-deductible health insurance plan along with a tax-advantaged savings
The Federal Reserve‘s decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point for the third time this year is meant to bolster the economy. Everyday Americans may lose some ground. On the one hand, lower rates often mean cheaper loans, which can impact your mortgage, home equity loan, credit card, student loan tab and car