Search

The article discusses tips to help Americans achieve financial maturity and financial stability. These tips include budgeting money through some principles and establishing priorities, managing debts including student loans and medical debt and improving credit score, and saving early for retirement and other saving goals.

The article provides practical financial advice tailored to different life stages, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance and understanding from experienced individuals to navigate complex financial decisions effectively.

The article discusses how home buyers can avoid high mortgage rates by buying homes with assumable low-rate loans. Topics discussed include the listing of thousands of homes with an assumable mortgage which can be transferred from the existing homeowner to the new buyer, the benefits of assumable mortgages to buyers and home sellers, and challenges in finding assumable mortgages.

The article reports on the lawsuits filed by several states including Missouri challenging the U.S. President Joe Biden's SAVE repayment program, which would provide student debt relief. Issues discussed include unlawfulness of SAVE, difference of the SAVE plan from other repayment programs, the argument that the Education Department overstepped its authority by turning to the major questions doctrine, and inability of borrowers enrolled in SAVE to enroll in other repayment plans.

The article reports on the efforts by the U.S. Labor Department to protect investors by creating a rule aimed at fixing the flaws of the existing regulatory framework. Under the proposed final rule, more financial professionals are required to act as fiduciaries and put the investors' interest first. The rule will cover retirement plans, annuities, and related investment vehicles.

The article reports on the occurrence of Internet theft of social security accounts in the U.S. Topics mentioned include the scheme used by fraudsters to steal money online, the increase in social security scams during the pandemic, and the recommendations issued by the Social Security Administration during the launch of the portal.

The article reports that the U.S. legislation known as Secure 2.0, which included a package of retirement-related provisions intended to boost savings, would make it easier for people with education loans to save for retirement while paying what they owe. Topics covered include the companies which introduced the benefit to employees, how the benefit can help employers and how the plight of student debt borrowers has become a national focus.

The article offers a look at how Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF) works as well as its underlying risks. Cited are the regulatory protections that come with Bitcoin exchange-traded products, whether the approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a suggestion that these investment product is safe for ordinary investors, and the tax implications of Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

The article suggests a safety plan for writing checks to avoid check fraud. These include using the entire line or drawing a line to the end when writing the payee's name, using gel pens with ink that are difficult to wash, contacting the bank for unusual checks, keeping a separate account for check writing, reporting check theft to the U.S. Postal Service, taking pictures of checks as proof, and using a bank's online bill-payment platforms over paper checks.

The article reports on the increase in fraud involving paper checks in the U.S. Topics discussed include the stealing of paper checks sent via mail by fraud artists and crime rings and then depositing the checks into their accounts, the decline in the use of paper checks, and the impact of check fraud on banks and customers.

The article reports on the financial challenges facing workers in the U.S. adult entertainment industry as they are rejected by majority of banks when securing loans like mortgage despite their good legal standing. According to Bella's Hacienda Ranch manager Bella Cummins, she was denied loans while her employees need to wait at least two weeks for their paycheck's clearance. Also cited is the social and employment discrimination faced by industry workers.

The article reports on the move by banks to deactivate or shutter the accounts of their clients like their checking and savings account as an alleged de-risking strategy. Also cited are the aim of said actions to prevent terrorism, fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking, and the use by banks of computer algorithms to detect possible anomalous transactions.

The article discusses Visa and Mastercard agreeing to cap swipe fees for merchants, potentially saving 30 billion U.S. dollars over five years, following a 20-year legal battle, with mixed reactions from smaller merchants and calls for legislative change.

The article highlights U.S. President, Joe Biden's move to cancel student debt for 78,000 borrowers, predominantly public sector workers, contributing to a total cancellation of nearly four million borrowers, focusing on fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

The article focuses on the Alabama Supreme Court's recent decision impacting in vitro fertilization treatments, prompting questions about the financial implications of moving embryos to states with different regulations, including concerns about the cost.

The article focuses on the complexity of the American tax code for the current year, highlighting new provisions and changes, including increased penalties and interest rates for unpaid taxes, as well as the introduction of the IRS's new Direct File program for residents in certain states.

The article explains the potential consequences if one falls behind on student loan payments. It discusses the impact of skipping payments on credit scores. Categories used by credit reporting companies to generate credit scores include payment history, amounts that borrowers pay down on installment loans, and accrued interest on missed payments. Guidance is also offered to borrowers for finding credit reports and scores.

The article discusses how students can take advantage of U.S. President Joe Biden's loan repayment program, known as SAVE, which opened for enrollment in August 2023. Topics covered include exclusion and eligibility for the new repayment plan, how the SAVE plan works and the changes for borrowers with small loan balances. It also cites what would happen to borrowers who were in default before payments were paused and delinquent borrowers under the program.

The article reports on the progress of student debt relief in bankruptcy cases in the U.S. using a legal process introduced by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. It discusses the difficulty for borrowers in meeting the legal standard for eligibility for student debt cancellation including the need to demonstrate that their loans create an undue hardship. It presents the case of Alista Lineburg, who won her lawsuit to clear her federal student debt in bankruptcy without a lawyer.

The article reports on the reduced spending of American consumers as they struggle with the rising commodity prices amid inflation growth. It describes the change in consumers' consumption habit to cope with rising prices of commodities as the U.S. Federal Reserve raises interest rates, as well as their frugality impact of inflation on It It also raises concerns of consumers including fears of recession, job risk, retirement, cost of healthcare and living.

The article focuses on the Biden administration's announcement that, starting in February, Federal student loan borrowers enrolled in the SAVE income-driven repayment plan, who initially borrowed 12,000 U.S. dollar or less for college and have made at least 10 years of qualifying monthly payments.

The article focuses on the increasing trend of banks abruptly shutting down customer checking accounts without sufficient explanation, leaving innocent individuals and small business owners frustrated, as banks cite user agreements that grant them the authority to close accounts at their discretion. It mentions the challenge for banks lies in balancing customer frustrations with regulatory scrutiny, as regulators closely monitor banks for signs of money laundering or fraud.

The article offers news briefs including toymaker Hasbro cutting 17 percent of its workforce, software firm Nvidia to expand its partnership with Vietnam's technology firms, and outrage faced by Zara Advertisement Campaign for featuring mannequins with missing limbs and wrapped statues.

The article presents questions and answers related to student debt cancellation, cost of college education, aid for international students, and 529 college savings plans.

The article presents cases of student loan borrowers who will continue to struggle under he weight of their loans following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Courtto to dismiss the federal student loan debt forgiveness plan of U.S. President Joe Biden. It describes the circumstances of borrowers including Gina McDavitt, Dorien Rogers and Asha Anthony. The advantage of the Federal PLUS loans for parents is discussed.

The article discusses how homeowners in fire-prone areas in the U.S. like California can secure affordable homeowners' insurance and save some money. Also cited are the move by insurance firms like State Farm to stop offering new homeowners' policies in disaster-prone areas due to factors like growing cost of rebuilding and high exposure to catastrophes like wildfires, as well as the comment by United Policyholders' Amy Bach on the developments.

The article shares tips and guide to people with student loan payments after the payment pause on U.S. federal loans ends in September 2023. These include informing student loan servicers, contacting the loan servicer for notice or billing statement, knowing one's eligibility for debt cancellation, and options for borrowers who cannot afford loan payment such as fixed payment plans, income-driven repayment plans, deferment or forbearance, and Revised Pay as You Earn.

The article clears up confusion over rules on mortgage fees and pricing on mortgage rates in the U.S. which applies to loans backed by quasi-government entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Topics discussed are payments on mortgage fees backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a pricing structure that dates back to the 2008 financial crisis, misinformation fixated on creditworthiness, and the mission of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make home ownership more accessible and sustainable.

The article reports on the miscalculations of student loan payments made by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority that affected about 420,000 student loan borrowers who are being transferred into the SAVE income-driven repayment plan of the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

The article focuses on how Social Security benefits for over 71 million Americans will increase by 3.2% next year to combat inflation, though this is lower than the previous year's 8.7% rise. It mentions that this adjustment is crucial for retirees, especially those without other retirement accounts, as it helps preserve their purchasing power amidst rising costs.

The article discusses a new law in New York State requiring auto insurers to add a supplemental spousal liability insurance coverage, potentially raising premiums for policyholders, even if they are unmarried or insuring a business vehicle.

The article focuses on the resumption of student loan payments and provides information about the Biden administration's measures to ease the transition, including a yearlong "on-ramp" for missed payments, the introduction of the more affordable income-driven repayment plan called SAVE.

The article reports that some people in the U.S. suddenly cannot access their bank accounts without any advance warning. Topics discussed include estimated number of suspicious activity reports (SARs) filed by financial institutions in 2021, according to a bureau of the Treasury Department, and amount in remediation that Wells Fargo was ordered to pay by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the substantial injury it caused through its aggressive freezing and closing of bank accounts.

The article explains how a bank protects the money of depositors. Topics discussed include deposit insurance coverage of a bank account, role of the Federal Deposit Insurance Cor. (FDIC) when a bank goes out of business, direct deposit of paycheck or Social Security payment and access to safe deposit box if a bank failed, deposit insurance for a credit union, protection of brokerage and investment accounts, and types of investments covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC).

The article provides information on tax changes for the 2023 tax filing season in the U.S. Topics discussed include tax deduction for mileage, tax breaks that are available if an electric car is purchased or installed home energy efficiency features, taxation of one-time payment from a state, tax for use of Venmo and other online payment services, tax consequences when a student loan balance is erased via a government program, and changes to Roth individual retirement accounts.

The article offers tips to employees on how to effectively manage their finances and career if they are laid off from work. Among the tips are negotiating a separation or severance package, developing a spending plan to cover one's expenses while unemployed, filing an unemployment insurance application, and assessing one's health insurance needs. Also cited are the tips from experts like Policygenius' Jennifer Fitzgerald.

The article reports that retirees in the U.S. have decided to choose annuities to hedge their retirement portfolio. In 2022, sales of annuities rose by 22 percent to an estimated 310 billion U.S. dollars, according to LIMRA, an insurance industry trade group. Some of the popular annuities that consumers can consider include fixed-rate annuities, registered index-linked annuities and single-premium immediate annuities.

The article discusses how American households are coping with the Covid-19 pandemic as of March 2021 by featuring the experiences of several individuals like Lawrence Bentley of Massachusetts, Pam Smith of Pennsylvania, and Karan Kaushik of New Jersey. Smith lost her job as yoga instructor and her husband died due to the virus. Bentley, meanwhile, also lost his job in information technology data management.

The article reports on the student loan debt plan proposed by the U.S. Department of Education under the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden that would revise the existing REPAYE income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Information is provided about eligibility qualifications for the plan, discretionary income, changes for borrowers with small loan balances, conditions for inclusion of spouse's income in payment calculation, enrollment in the plan before loan payments are set to resume.

The article discusses factors and issues to consider that serve as a guide to house purchasing with less down payment. House buyers are advised to understand first how the mortgage market operates, citing the strategies of lenders and quasi-government entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Another issue to consider is the added costs that come with smaller down payment offers. Institutions that could provide information on mortgage products include credit unions and banks.

The article reports on the announcement by the U.S. Justice Department and the Education Department of a process on November 17, 2022 that would make it easier for people seeking relief on their federal student loans to clear their debts through bankruptcy. Topics covered include the difficulties that borrowers face when using bankruptcy to discharge their student loans, and the potential of the new guidance in providing a meaningful avenue for debt relief.

The article reports on the challenges facing American families wanting to own a home in the U.S. due to rapid increase of mortgage rates that make homeownership tougher. Also cited are the Federal Reserve's (Fed) move to increase interest rates rapidly to address high inflation, and the claim by Brean Capital analyst Scott Buchta that the effects of market volatility and increases were passed on to consumers.

The article offers information on several financial terms including compound interest, student loan deferement, and Roth individual retirement account (IRA). It suggest contributing money that has already been taxed as part of your paycheck in IRA. It states that student loan deferement is a period when loan payments are temporarily suspended or reduced. It further states that compound interest makes saving early and powerful.

The article reports on updates in the housing market in the U.S., particularly the increase in mortgage rates to 7% as of October 2022 as the Federal Reserve continues its aggressive interest rate hikes to address high inflation. Based on Freddie Mac data, rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 7.08%. According to Freddie Mac's Sam Khater, the increases resulted in the decline of housing demand and home prices.

The article reports on the 8.7 percent increase in U.S. Social Security benefits, through the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), by 2023 to help about 70 million Americans deal with inflation. It shows the dependence of retirees and older people in lower-income households on Social Security checks. It attributes the imbalance in Social Security funding in previous years to demographic shifts and refers to raising payroll taxes or trimming benefits as ways to close the funding gap.

The article reports on the strategies used by mortgage lenders to attract borrowers amidst the surging interest rates imposed by the U.S. Federal Reserve to address high inflation like offering incentives. Also cited are the Inflation Buster program introduced by lender Rocket Mortgage to lure borrowers, and the move by United Wholesale Mortgage to reduce its rates to attract borrowers.

The article reports on the increase in mortgage rates in the U.S. Topics mentioned include the effect of inflation and the level of mortgage rate on home buyers and housing market, the commitment of the U.S. Federal Reserve to increase its key interest rate to address the rising consumer prices, and the popularity of a 30-year fixed rate mortgage as home loan.

The article addresses questions about the plan of the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to cancel up to 20,000 million dollar-worth of federal student loans and to extend pause on student loan payments. Topics include qualifications for debt cancellation, types of debt that qualify, tax requirement to qualify for debt cancellation, adjustment of monthly debt payment, income-driven repayment plan, default loans and overlap with public service loan forgiveness.