Personal finance

Margot Robbie as Barbie in a movie from Mattel and Warner Bros. Mattel | Warner Bros. In the “Barbie” movie, the narrator says, “Barbie has a great day every day.” It might be because she gets to be what her heart desires. The film’s Barbies participate in a wide range of roles and professions, from

Equal Pay Day is a reminder of the persistent income inequality between men and women. As it stands, women earn just 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the National Women’s Law Center. “When you look at the cent number, it looks like it’s small,”

Overwhelming evidence suggests social media has a negative impact on self-esteem. That’s not only true for how people feel about their appearance and social status but also their financial wellbeing and economic standing. A new term, “money dysmorphia,” aims to describe the distorted view of their finances that nearly one-third, or 29%, of Americans say

A customer shops for food at a grocery store in San Rafael, California, March 12, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images The U.S. is still grappling with higher inflation, government data released this week shows. But there are some bright spots for consumers. Inflation is lower than its 2022 peak. And

Shoppers are seen in a Kroger supermarket in Atlanta on Oct. 14, 2022. Elijah Nouvelage | AFP | Getty Images Consumers continued to contend with higher inflation in February, according to new government data. The consumer price index — an inflation measure that tracks changes in the prices of consumer goods and services over time

Bankruptcy Court. Dayton, Ohio.  Stanrohrer | E+ | Getty Images The Biden administration’s new student loan bankruptcy policy is making it easier for borrowers to walk away from their debt in court, attorneys say. “We have gotten forgiveness for a number of clients under the new bankruptcy changes,” said Malissa Giles, a consumer bankruptcy lawyer

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images A free tax filing program from the IRS fully opened in 12 pilot states on Tuesday — and officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury have released state-by-state estimates of how many people qualify. “Direct File eligibility is limited to those with simple tax returns this filing season,”

miniseries | Getty After weeks of testing with roughly 1,500 returns, Direct File, a free tax filing program from the IRS, is now fully open in 12 pilot states, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. While the pilot focuses on “simple tax situations,” the Treasury estimates the pilot could cover about one-third of

Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches a video of President Joe Biden playing during a rally for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) at the Miami-Dade Country Fair and Exposition on November 6, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images Former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden issued opposing

Woman with hands raised in the classroom Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images President Joe Biden has proposed expanding free community college across the U.S., and other initiatives to lower higher education costs. The plans, announced Monday as part of Biden’s $7.3 trillion budget for fiscal year 2025, face slim chances of becoming law

U.S. President Joe Biden stops to talk to journalists about new Russian sanctions as he departs the White House on February 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden is traveling to California to attend campaign receptions across the state.  Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Should he prevail in the upcoming presidential election, President Joe Biden, 81,

California is home to some of the highest gas prices in the United States, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.40 as of Thursday, according to the organization’s data. In California, the average was $4.87, more than any other state. Several factors go into what drivers pay for