Personal finance

High inflation and higher interest rates continue to weigh on American households. As of September, 62% of adults said they are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a new LendingClub report. The figure is unchanged from last year. “Living paycheck to paycheck remains the main financial lifestyle among U.S. consumers,” the report said. More from

In this article GM STLAM-IT F Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT United Auto Workers members and supporters rally at the Stellantis North America headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Sept. 20, 2023. Bill Pugliano | Getty Images News | Getty Images While predictions across the board about employee pay are forecasting slower wage growth

Consumers are increasingly relying on credit cards to make ends meet, but their credit rating hasn’t suffered. Even as credit card balances for Americans surpassed $1 trillion for the first time ever, the national average credit score rose two points from a year ago to reach a new high of 718, according to a report from FICO, developer

State and local pay transparency laws enacted over the last few years have more employers disclosing salary ranges in job descriptions. Yet, wages aren’t growing as expected. The growth of advertised wages for new hires is slowing, according to a report from job posting service ZipRecruiter — and in some cases, it’s reversing, with companies now

Thomas Barwick When it comes to Social Security, many people have one question: “Will my benefits be there when I retire?” Fears that the program could run out of money tempt some people to claim benefits as early as possible to get back the funds they have paid into the program for their retirement. Meanwhile,

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on new efforts to cancel student loan debt at the White House on Oct. 4, 2023. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images President Joe Biden’s plans to cancel up to $400 billion in student debt for tens of millions of Americans were foiled over the summer at the Supreme Court. Still,

If you’re making $120,000 per year, saving $1 million for retirement might seem out of reach. But with a little dedication and the right timing, it’s certainly possible — if you stick to a clear plan. As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest that you save 10% to 15% of your salary for

Troy Millings, left, and Rashad Bilal, co-creators of Earn Your Leisure. Source: Tyrell Davis Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings are among a growing class of financial influencers who want to help people be smarter about money. The duo — a former financial advisor and a teacher, respectively — launched the podcast “Earn Your Leisure” nearly

In this article AAPL Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Igor Golovniov | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images For many purchases, once you swipe your debit or credit card or click “buy now,” that transaction swiftly shows up as pending on your account. But that’s not always the case if you’re shopping in

People wait in line for a meal served by Queens Together, local restaurants and The First Baptist Church with help of Northwell Health and Ponce Bank in New York on May 6, 2023. Selcuk Acar | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images The share of U.S. households facing hunger is rising at an alarming pace. Nearly 13%

No-mad | Istock | Getty Images The United Auto Workers union has brought new attention to the idea of a 32-hour workweek as part of its strike demands. Turns out, most workers would embrace a shorter workweek. A recent Bankrate survey found 81% of full-time workers want a four-day workweek. That goes particularly for younger

In this article T-CA Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Nicoletaionescu | Istock | Getty Images Workers’ biggest financial concern is still keeping up with rising costs, more than one year after inflation peaked at a new 40-year high, according to a new report from Telus Health. Those money woes may have a connection to

In this article NRDS Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Getty Images Both retail credit cards and buy now, pay later programs can offer opportunities to spread out payments for high-priced purchases, especially during the year-end holiday shopping season. Buy now, pay later, or BNPL, is like a new form of old-school layaway plans, except

Hoozone | E+ | Getty Images Health savings accounts have powerful tax benefits that make them an efficient way to save for future medical costs. But to harness their full potential, HSA funds must be used for qualified medical expenses. There’s a long list of qualifying costs — from artificial limbs to birth control pills,

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for Americans to set money aside. Largely due to high inflation and rising interest rates, 81% of adults said they did not contribute to their emergency savings this year, and 60% also said they feel behind when it comes to building a cash cushion, according to a new Bankrate report. “Rising

Twenty/20 American cardholders paid $130 billion in interest and fees in 2022, according to a new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Cardholders were charged more than $105 billion in interest last year, and $25 billion in fees. The tally represents “the highest amount of interest and fees ever measured by the CFPB’s data,”

Thirty European nations have delayed implementing the ETIAS travel authorization scheme for U.S. and other foreign visitors until 2025. Pictured, Krakow, Poland. Martin-dm | E+ | Getty Images A new requirement for American travelers bound for Europe slated to take effect next year was delayed — again — to 2025. The requirement — an online

Douglas Sacha | Moment | Getty Images When Covid-19 stimulus checks were deployed to millions of Americans, the government reassured Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries they were eligible for payments. But some beneficiaries, who include retired and disabled Americans, may have gotten more than they bargained for — lost benefits. Some SSI recipients

Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona speaks during the National Action Network National Convention in New York, April 12, 2023. Jeenah Moon | Reuters The Biden administration announced on Tuesday a finalized plan to improve its oversight of higher education institutions and to bolster consumer protections for student loan borrowers. “We are raising the bar

Sdi Productions | E+ | Getty Images Many people will soon be picking their health insurance plans for 2024: November is a common month for workplace open enrollment, and the public marketplace opens Nov. 1. But choosing a health plan can be tricky. In fact, a 2017 study found many people lose money due to