Personal finance

Wagnerokasaki | E+ | Getty Images When the U.S. Department of Education released the new interest rates on federal student loans this week, there was some unpleasant news for parents. So called Direct PLUS loans for parents will come with a 9.08% interest rate for the 2024-2025 academic year — the highest rate for parents

D3sign | Moment | Getty Images As the affordable options and relief measures for federal student loan borrowers pile up, consumer advocates advise caution before refinancing your debt. “How’s this for a warning? DON’T!” Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, wrote in an email to CNBC. Refinancing your federal student loans turns

Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images Inflation is higher than policymakers would like across the broad U.S. economy. Yet, there are many sectors seeing the opposite dynamic: deflation. Deflation means prices are declining for consumers. Conversely, inflation measures how quickly costs are rising for goods and services. Consumers have largely seen prices deflate for

Riska | E+ | Getty Images Many Americans are earning more on cash after interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve — and that income can trigger a surprise at tax time. “So many people were shocked by their cash interest earned” and taxes owed, said Boston-based certified financial planner Catherine Valega, founder of Green

As the costs at some colleges near $100,000 a year, families need a savings strategy they can bank on. Financial experts and plan investors agree that 529 college savings plans are a smart choice for many. And, as of 2024, there are even more benefits, including higher contribution limits and the flexibility to roll unused

Lourdes Balduque | Moment | Getty Images High inflation eased slightly in April, which may provide some relief to consumers who have been contending with elevated prices.   For retirees and people approaching retirement, higher than normal inflation poses unique challenges. Most retirees have access to one of the few inflation-adjusted sources of income —

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on canceling student debt on February 21, 2024 in Culver City, California. Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education is giving borrowers more time to meet a key student loan forgiveness deadline. Those who request a so-called loan consolidation by June 30 —

The US Department of Education sign hangs over the entrance to the federal building housing the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2024. J. David Ake | Getty Images The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday the interest rates on federal student loans for the 2024-2025 academic year. The interest rate on federal direct

Joe Biden and Donald Trump 2024. Brendan Smialowski | Jon Cherry | Getty Images The next U.S. president will face trillions in expiring tax breaks. While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have shared early proposals, the federal budget deficit could complicate plans, experts say. Enacted under Trump, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,

In this article AMC GME Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Traders walk the floor during morning trading at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 14, 2024 in New York City.  Spencer Platt | Getty Images Shares of AMC Entertainment and GameStop have surged once again in a new “meme stock” rally triggered

Wand_prapan | Istock | Getty Images When it comes to spending money in retirement, there’s one rule of thumb — the 4% rule — that has persisted for decades. The 4% withdrawal rule calls for retirees to withdraw that portion from their investment portfolio in the first year of retirement. In each subsequent year, the

Those armed with a newly minted diploma are entering a job market that looks a little less promising than it did one year ago. Employers plan to hire about 5.8% fewer new college graduates from this year’s class than they hired from the Class of 2023, according to a report from the National Association of Colleges