Personal finance

Consumers are sending mixed signals. For the most part, people are concerned about inflation and the direction of the U.S. economy. Consumer spending sank in March, according to Morning Consult. “Sticker shock” has taken a toll, the report found, with consumers more likely to walk away from a purchase because the price is too high. However, many

Viktorcvetkovic | Istock | Getty Images Shortly after the Supreme Court makes its expected ruling on the Biden administration’s sweeping student debt forgiveness plan, the loan bills are expected to resume. The U.S. Department of Education has said payments would be due again 60 days after the litigation over its student loan forgiveness plan resolves.

Francesco Carta Fotografo | Moment | Getty Images When it comes to cryptocurrency like bitcoin, new investors are often motivated by friends to take the plunge, according to a new study. But that might hold traps for the unwary, experts warn. “I don’t imagine friends are talking about when they lost money,” said Lee Baker,

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images For many Americans, a comfortable retirement may feel out of reach. Retirement confidence has dropped significantly in 2023, marking the biggest decline since 2008 among both workers and retirees, according to a new report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research. Workers’ confidence dropped to 64% from

Grace Cary | Moment | Getty Images Wholesale egg prices are poised to fall to $1 a dozen in coming weeks — the lowest level in almost two years — as prices undergo a dramatic retreat from record highs over the winter. Wholesale prices — which retailers like grocery stores pay to egg distributors —

FatCamera | E+ | Getty Images If you had a surprise tax bill this season, it’s not too soon to prepare for next year, financial experts say. As of April 14, the IRS processed nearly 76 million refunds, with an average payment of $2,840, which is 8.5% smaller than refunds at the same point last

The U.S. personal savings rate remains below its historical average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of personal saving was 4.6% in February. That’s well below the average annual rate of more than 8%, according to the data, which traces back to 1959. In June 2022, the rate

At the very least, the Supreme Court‘s pending decision on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan will shed more light on the overwhelming burden of education debt. Increasingly, borrowers are struggling under the weight of a growing tab. As of the latest tally, borrowers owe a combined $1.7 trillion. For those who start college but never finish, managing such

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol after announcing his debt limit increase plan on the House floor on April 19, 2023. Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images As Republicans scramble to put together a plan to fix the nation’s debt limit,

In this article YOU TNL SSVC MHI-AU COF V Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Choosing whether to rent or buy has never been a simple decision — and this ever-changing housing market isn’t making it any easier. With surging mortgage rates, record rents and home prices, a potential economic downturn and other lifestyle considerations,

JGI/Jamie Grill After years of relatively low yields, certificates of deposit, or CDs, have recently shelled out higher rates, following a series of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. While there’s uncertainty around the Fed’s future moves and the direction of interest rates, experts say CD ladders may capture higher yields while offering flexibility.

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana speaks to the press on Capitol Hill on Feb. 10, 2021. Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images Social Security’s trust funds have a new projected depletion date that is about a decade away. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., revealed during a Tuesday webcast hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center

At the country’s top colleges, the most recent application season was the most competitive on record, but for some students, getting accepted was the easy part. The biggest problem that remains is how they will afford to go. To that end, The Princeton Review ranked colleges by how much financial aid is awarded and how satisfied students are with

In this article UAL AAL TSLA NFLX SHOP-CA LYFT Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Okrasyuk | Istock | Getty Images Losing your job can be devastating financially and emotionally. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people are experiencing that firsthand as the number of companies reducing their headcounts mount. This week, job cuts at Disney

Anastasija Vujic | Istock | Getty Images As the pace of hiring declines, teens in the market for summer jobs may also face a slightly slower market this year. However, those who want to work should be able to find opportunities, according to a new report. Teens are poised to see a gain of 1.1

At Winooski High School in Winooski, Vermont, students in Courtney Poquette’s personal finance class are learning about money management, including figuring out how they can afford items they may want to have in their first apartment.  “You’re going to have to buy all of the things that you want,” she explains to her students. “And

Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images Sales of electric cars are poised for a boom, spurred by factors such as federal policy, technological advances and environmental concerns. To that point, 41% of Americans are at least somewhat likely to buy an electric vehicle as their next car, according to a recent poll from the

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 27: Student loan borrowers gather at Supreme Court the evening before the court hears two cases on student loan relief to state the relief is legal and needs to happen immediately on February 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for We The 45 Million) Jemal Countess |

Whitebalance.oatt | E+ | Getty Images For newcomers getting started in investing, or those who just want to ensure they’re making the wisest moves, experts generally have one piece of advice: Open a Roth individual retirement account. “There’s just no question that that is the better place” for their money, according to IRA expert and

Rosley Majid / Eyeem | Eyeem | Getty Images Following recent bank failures and ongoing market volatility, it may be tempting to try to time the market. Of course, buying low can be a good thing. But a continuous mindset of buying and selling in response to market changes may not be. Why? Because time