Personal finance

Teacher teaching her students in art class at school. Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images The popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program began a partial processing pause on May 1, which will likely run through July, the U.S. Department of Education recently said. The temporary suspension comes as the Biden administration overhauls the once-troubled

In this article BRK.A Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, smiles as he plays bridge following the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 5, 2019. Nati Harnik | AP Warren Buffett is widely praised for his investment acumen. But one of the biggest

The Federal Reserve held rates steady Wednesday — again deciding not to cut — which means anyone who carries a balance on their credit card isn’t getting a break from sky-high interest charges. “It is becoming clearer and clearer that the Fed isn’t going to lower interest rates anytime soon,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit

Internal Revenue Commissioner Danny Werfel speaks during his swearing in ceremony at the IRS in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 2023. Bonnie Cash | Getty Images News | Getty Images The IRS has released an update on its strategic operating plan, which outlines “major accomplishments” in taxpayer service, technology and enforcement since its infusion of

A general view of the atmosphere during The Art Institute of Atlanta commencement ceremony at Riverside EpiCenter on June 17, 2022 in Austell, Georgia.  Marcus Ingram | Getty Images The Biden administration on Wednesday announced that it would forgive more than $6.1 billion in student debt for 317,000 former students of The Art Institutes, the

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it will leave interest rates unchanged as inflation continues to prove stickier than expected. However, the move also dashes hopes that the Fed will be able to start cutting rates soon and relieve consumers from sky-high borrowing costs. The market is now pricing in one rate cut later in the year, according to the CME’s

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty Images Many people claim Social Security retirement benefits at the earliest possible claiming age of 62. But that decision prompts their monthly benefits to be reduced for the rest of their lives. Working with a financial advisor should help encourage prospective beneficiaries to understand the value of delaying their benefit

In this article Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Ryersonclark | E+ | Getty Images Making your home hurricane resistant can be a significant financial undertaking. But it’s one that has the potential to pay off as such storms become more intense amid climate change. In 2024, the national average cost to upgrade an entire

urbazon Some student loan borrowers have until the end of Tuesday to take advantage of an opportunity to get their debt forgiven sooner than they would have otherwise. Borrowers with multiple student loans who request a so-called loan consolidation the end of the day on April 30 — a move that will combine their federal

Jamie Grill | The Image Bank | Getty Images Higher interest rates may be here to stay for a while longer, thanks to persistent inflation. That’s good news for cash savers, who have the best opportunity to earn returns on their money in 15 years. What’s more, prospective yields on those investments — whether through

Jitalia17 | E+ | Getty Images Series I bonds will pay 4.28% annual interest from May 1 through October 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Tuesday. Linked to inflation, the latest I bond rate is down from the 5.27% annual rate offered since November and slightly lower than the 4.3% from May 2023.

Aire Images | Moment | Getty Images Most Americans consider money to be a private topic, and women are among those most reluctant to engage in financial conversations. But not asking the questions they need help with can hold them back financially, experts say. One women-focused nonprofit has launched a new way to help them

In this article ZG Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Vitapix | E+ | Getty Images People looking to buy or sell a home this spring are paying close attention to mortgage rates. The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 7.17% for the week ended April 25, according to Freddie Mac data via the Federal

Delmaine Donson | E+ | Getty Images Wedding and engagement season is right around the corner and that means many couples will embark on a path toward marriage. One of the most important conversations newlyweds will need to have is figuring out how and who will pay the bills. The goal is to ensure the

Johner Images | Johner Images Royalty-free | Getty Images A new U.S. Labor Department rule will significantly change the advice many investors receive about rolling money over from 401(k) plans to individual retirement accounts, legal experts say. The so-called “fiduciary” rule, issued April 23, aims to raise the legal bar for brokers, financial advisors, insurance

Viewstock | View Stock | Getty Images Last year, Americans’ confidence that they would have enough money to live comfortably in retirement fell the most since the global financial crisis. New research shows both workers’ and retirees’ confidence has not recovered. But some signs of optimism have emerged, particularly as wage growth now outpaces inflation

Demonstrators attend a rally asking Rep. Kean to “Stop MAGA Cuts! Protect Social Security!” on Feb. 24, 2023 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Dave Kotinsky | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images Voters who show up at the polls this November may not just be choosing among Republicans, Democrats and third-party tickets — but also casting

A man stands outside his flooded home after heavy rain in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 13, 2023. Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty Images The warming planet is already proving expensive. U.S. weather and climate disasters cost more than $617 billion between 2018 and 2022 — a record figure, according to the U.S. Department

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel testifies during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the fiscal 2024 IRS budget and the IRS’ 2023 filing season, in the Dirksen Building in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2023. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images This season, more than 140,000 taxpayers successfully filed returns using IRS Direct

In this article ZG Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT While the spring housing market has been plagued with low supply, high prices and spiking interest rates, would-be homebuyers are focusing on new construction.  The reason? New homes have more incentives and availability than previously owned ones. “There’s more opportunity in new construction,” said Nicole