College debts are one of the largest financial burdens for Americans. They make up the second highest type of household debt after mortgages, totaling $1.61 trillion. That’s about $37,000 per borrower. High balances with payoff times that lasts into middle age force graduates to delay other financial goals. Read more →

With the likelihood high that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by half a point on May 4, people with credit card debt will spend an additional $3.3 billion on interest in 2022, according to WalletHub. “People generally have a negative opinion on Fed rate hikes,” said Delaney Simchuk, analyst. Read more →

In 2021, Congress expanded tax benefits and made other advanced payments in response to the covid-19 pandemic and the resulting financial impact. This may increase the amount of money you’ll receive through your tax refund. You also may be eligible to access other benefits when you file a tax return. Read more →

It’s a question that comes up frequently these days. Where’s a cheaper place to live? Using safety, affordability, quality of life, health-related factors, and more than 40 other categories, WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared the 50 states to help retirees find the best way to retire. Read more →

The website, covidtests.gov, where Americans can order four free covid-19 tests is up and running Tuesday, one day early. To help ensure people have tests on hand if a need arises, the Biden administration is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid covid-19 tests. Read more →

Martin Luther King Jr. was such a transformational leader. Over the years, I’ve written more than a dozen articles for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They included his most famous quotes, how a day to celebrate King was finally approved, and how it’s a day of service, not a day off. Read more →

Thirty percent of Americans overspent during the holidays, and it’s likely that many of them will be paying for the 2021 holiday season well into 2022, according to a survey by WalletHub, a personal finance website. However, 41 million Americans say the 2021 holiday season was worth going into debt for. Read more →

Consumers are continuing to face tremendous challenges in this, the second year of the coronavirus pandemic. I could probably write an article on 10 ways the pandemic affected people financially. I just hope it will end soon instead of continuing to drag on and on. Read more →

For me, my holiday celebration ended early. My daughters came for a Christmas celebration in early December, Lisa from Madrid and Mona from Sacramento. We had such a great time; a fabulous Christmas dinner Dec. 4 and opening presents Dec. 5. Read more →

Banks continue to rely heavily on overdraft revenue, which reached an estimated $15.47 billion in 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Three banks – JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America – brought in 44 percent of the total in 2019 by banks with assets over $1 billion. Read more →