Personal finance

A customer browses eggs on partially empty shelves at a grocery store in Lawndale, California, on Jan. 2, 2025.  Patrick T. Fallon | AFP | Getty Images Inflation ticked up in December on the back of higher energy and food prices, according to the consumer price index. The CPI, an inflation gauge, rose 2.9% in

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc | Digitalvision | Getty Images The health sector holds many of the best job opportunities for workers in 2025, due to factors like high labor demand and pay, according to a new ranking from job search site Indeed. Health care roles account for six of the top 25 jobs for 2025,

Freshmen college enrollment increased in fall 2024, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center said — contrary to its previous report that the enrollment declined. A “methodological error” in the preliminary enrollment report, released in October, caused the miscalculation, Executive Director Doug Shapiro said in a statement Monday. “The error in research methodology caused the mislabeling

President Joe Biden. Irfan Khan | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images The Biden administration announced this week yet another round of federal student loan forgiveness. More than 150,000 people stand to benefit from the roughly $4.2 billion in loan cancellation, which comes days before President Joe Biden leaves office. Here’s who qualifies for the

Richard Stephen | Istock | Getty Images When President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act on Jan. 5, it was a victory for those who tirelessly lobbied for years for new changes that will provide more generous benefits to public workers with pensions. Yet for the policy community, the enacted change backed by

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 2025 tax season kicks off on Jan. 27, and more taxpayers will have access to Direct File, the IRS’ free tax filing program, which launched

Workers dismantling a mattress. Thomas Lohnes | Getty Images News | Getty Images Consumers in a handful of states are paying to help make the mattress industry more eco-friendly — and more states may follow suit? Four states — California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island — now levy a flat fee on any mattress or

Rhetoric & Writing Studies Major, Adamary Garcia studies inside of the Perry-Castaneda Library at the University of Texas at Austin on February 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell  | Getty Images If your federal student loans were forgiven in 2024, you may be wondering if there are any tax implications. Many borrowers have benefited

Many Americans are starting 2025 a little worse off than before, at least when it comes to credit card debt. Almost half of cardholders — 48% — now carry debt from month to month, according to a new report by Bankrate. That’s up from 44% at the start of 2024. Of those carrying balances, 53%

A bitcoin ATM in Miami.  Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images Bitcoin prices soared in 2024. But you may want to tread with caution before euphoria leads you on a hasty buying spree. Bitcoin and other crypto should generally account for just a sliver of investor portfolios — generally no more than

Firefighters work as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on Jan. 7, 2025. David Swanson | AFP | Getty Images Massive wildfires are devastating the Los Angeles area of Southern California. As of Thursday morning, at least five people were killed, more than 100,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate and nearly 2,000

Pra-chid | Istock | Getty Images The 2025 tax filing season will begin on Jan. 27, which marks the first day the IRS will accept and process individual tax returns for 2024, the agency announced on Friday. Most taxpayers must file federal returns and pay taxes owed by April 15 this year to avoid penalties