Personal finance

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

In this article NRDS Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images As the average interest rate on retail store credit cards near 30%, many holiday shoppers could be in for even more financial strain this year if they carry a balance. The average annual percentage rate for merchant cards reached

Shapecharge | E+ | Getty Images The federal estate-tax exemption helps wealthy families avoid or reduce inheritance tax, but the clock is ticking on the size of this advantage. In 26 months, some families that pay no inheritance tax today face the potential for sizeable federal taxes unless benefactors act. Though few families have enough

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, at rear, listens as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Washington, D.C., June 2, 2022. Olivier Douliery | Afp | Getty Images Amberlee McGaughey, a librarian in Pennsylvania, was not worried about the restart of student loan payments. She was done with her debt, or so she thought. In August, she

Dardespot | E+ | Getty Images Social Security beneficiaries stand to get a boost to their benefits next year, based on a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment. But there are several thresholds workers should keep in mind, based on new numbers for 2024 that were recently announced by the Social Security Administration. If you’re a worker who

Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images If you’re itching to save more into your 401(k) for 2023, your plan may have a feature that allows you to bypass the yearly deferral limit. For 2023, you can funnel $22,500 into your 401(k), plus an extra $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. But so-called after-tax contributions can

Getty Images Your earnings potential largely depends on your choice of major in college, many studies show. And when it comes to the highest-paying bachelor’s degrees, engineering and other STEM-related fields of study continue to dominate. (STEM is shorthand for “science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”) Students are taking note, according to Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a