The financial news that actually matters
A general consumer finance category covering everyday money decisions, budgeting, saving, debt management, credit behavior, and personal financial improvement strategies.
A debt collector calling about an old account does not automatically mean the amount is accurate, or even still collectible. Federal rules give consumers the right to see a written validation notice spelling out what is supposedly owed and to whom, and to dispute it, before sending a payment. Using that right is one of…
A free tool sits inside every credit file that most people never use until after something has already gone wrong. Adding a fraud alert tells lenders to verify a person’s identity before opening any new account in their name, and federal law requires the three nationwide credit bureaus to offer it at no charge. The…
A children’s-privacy settlement against Google and its advertising unit, AdMob, is now accepting claims, and the deadline arrives sooner than most: September 14. Families whose kids downloaded or used an app from the Google Play Store over the past decade may be owed a share of an $8.25 million fund, and no receipts or proof…
A settlement tied to a data breach at Lands’ End is now accepting claims, and the window to file is closing in. People whose personal information was exposed in a security incident discovered in December 2024 can request a flat cash payment without turning in any paperwork, or they can seek reimbursement for documented losses…
Health insurers selling Affordable Care Act marketplace plans are asking state regulators to approve a median premium increase of about 15% for 2027, and the people most exposed to the full cost are not the youngest shoppers but those in their 50s and early 60s who buy coverage before Medicare eligibility begins. A Second Straight…
Soda, candy, and other snack-aisle treats have dropped out of what SNAP benefits can buy in 18 states, the result of a wave of federal waivers the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved over the past year. The restrictions vary by state in exactly what they cover, but the common thread is the same: sugary…
A grandparent looking for a way to help a newborn or young grandchild start saving now has a federal option to weigh alongside a 529 plan or a custodial account. Under proposed regulations from the Treasury Department and the IRS, a child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 can qualify for a…
A single incapacitating stroke, a diagnosis of dementia, or a serious car accident can leave an older adult unable to sign a check, call a bank, or approve a Medicare claim. Family members often assume they can simply step in and handle those tasks, but banks, brokerages, and insurers generally will not talk to a…
A savings vehicle backed entirely by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government carries a promise almost impossible to find anywhere else in personal finance: a guaranteed doubling of value on a fixed date. Series EE savings bonds, sold through the U.S. Department of the Treasury, carry exactly that guarantee for anyone who…
Medical costs tied to long-term care can add up quickly for older Americans, from in-home aides to nursing facility bills that run into the thousands each month. Federal tax law offers some relief, but only past a specific dollar threshold tied to income, not as a flat credit or automatic write-off. The Internal Revenue Service…