Financial Wellness

USDA bans school lunch fees for low-income families

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that students eligible for free or reduced price school meals cannot be charged processing fees beginning in 2027.

How to protect yourself from scammers offering fake jobs

How to stay safe from scams

Why you shouldn’t store your money in payment apps

What to know about this year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment

Content creator pledges ‘no-buy year’ to curb overspending

Elysia Berman decided she needed to drastically change her spending habits after she accumulated a collection of vintage designer clothing and a five-figure credit card debt. Her solution? A yearlong no-buy pledge. (AP video: Emma H. Tobin)

More News

The grace period for student loan payments is over. Here’s what you need to know

The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers came to an end on Sept. 30. The “on-ramp” period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of going default and hurting their credit score.

Before you sign up for a store credit card, know what you’re getting into

With holiday shopping season around the corner, experts recommend caution when your favorite store offers you a credit card.

What the Fed’s rate cut could mean for you

The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year high, with consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses.

Oracle settles suit over tracking your data. How to file a claim

In a $115 million settlement, while admitting no wrongdoing, tech behemoth Oracle has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over allegations it tracked consumer activity both on and offline.

US consumer watchdog finds that school lunch fees are taking a toll on parents

The U.S. consumer watchdog has found that low-income families typically pay as much as 60 cents per dollar in fees when paying for school lunches electronically.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck may not have had a prenuptial agreement, but you should consider one

One surprising thing about Jennifer Lopez’s split from Ben Affleck is that her divorce petition did not include any mention of a prenuptial agreement.

How to prepare for the Fed’s forthcoming interest rate cuts

The Federal Reserve is poised to cut its benchmark interest rate next month from its 23-year high, with consequences for consumers when it comes to debt, savings, auto loans and mortgages.

Wrongful death suit against Disney serves as a warning to consumers when clicking ‘I agree’

A wrongful death lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is serving as a reminder to consumers the importance of reading the fine print when signing up for a streaming service or smartphone app.

Groceries are expensive, but they don’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips to save

If you’ve noticed that you’re paying more than before for the same amount of groceries, you’re not the only one. Inflation is easing, but grocery prices are still high.

How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills

Unexpectedly high medical bills are common in the United States, but there are ways to get relief. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one in five Americans are affected by outstanding medical debt.

What investors should do when there is more volatility in the market

U.S. stocks are bouncing back after the market experienced its worst day in two years on Monday, but the average investor may still be understandably spooked.

Stores lure back-to-school shoppers with deals and ‘buy now, pay later’ plans

Mass market retailers in the U.S. are plying shoppers with offers for computers, clothes and other back-to-school essentials at affordable prices.

US agency says apps that let workers access paychecks before payday are providing loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says apps that allow workers to access their paychecks in advance, often for a fee, are providing loans and therefore subject to the Truth in Lending Act.

Amazon Prime Day deals are almost here. Should you take advantage of them?

It’s summertime, and the bargains seem easy at a time when many consumer prices are high. July sales events have become a seasonal revenue driver for the retail industry since Amazon launched its first Prime Day in 2015.

Groceries are expensive, but they don’t have to break the bank. Here are some tips to save

If you’ve noticed that you’re paying more than before for the same amount of groceries, you’re not the only one.

Starting your first post-graduation job? Here’s how to organize your finances

With graduation season over, many college grads are embarking on summer internships or their first full-time jobs.

Credit card delinquencies are rising. Here’s what to do if you’re at risk

Seriously overdue credit card debt is at the highest level in more than a decade, and people 35 and under are struggling more than other age groups to pay their bills.

Tempted to try a no-buy year? Here are tips from people doing it

Many people start no-buy challenges at the beginning of the year and commit to keep going until the end of it.

People are embracing the ‘no-buy year’ to save money and the environment

The self-imposed rules of a no-buy challenge are simple: participants pledge to stop buying non-essential items, be they unneeded shoes, additional beauty products or other impulse buys for a set amount of time, usually 12 months.

Buy now, pay later companies must adhere to credit card standards, consumer agency says

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says in a new rule that buy now, pay later lenders are basically credit card providers and must provide the same protections and rights that apply to those lenders.

Your tax refund could be bigger this year. Here’s what to do with it

The average taxpayer is getting a $2,852 refund, $75 more than last year. That’s based on the most recent IRS data. So what should you do with that money?

The Fed indicated rates will remain higher for longer. What does that mean for you?

The Federal Reserve’s decision Wednesday to keep its benchmark rate at a two-decade high should have ripple effects across the economy.

The deadline to consolidate some student loans to receive forgiveness is here. Here’s what to know

Borrowers with some types of federal student loans have until today to consolidate their loans to qualify for full student loan cancellation or credit toward cancellation.

These apps allow workers to get paid between paychecks. Experts say there are steep costs

More people are using so-called Earned Wage Access apps to get money to pay bills and buy groceries in between paydays.

Here’s how to reduce stress and get your taxes done

For many people, tax season isn’t only about gathering W-2 forms or calling an accountant. It can also bring intense feelings of stress or anxiety about dealing with finances.

Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says

Internet service providers will be required to be more transparent about the cost and performance of their internet service packages, thanks to new FCC rules that take effect this week.

Here’s how to protect yourself from common scams this tax season

Scammers look for ways to trick people into giving them money year-round, but tax season can be particularly fraught. One of the most common tax scams is identity theft.

How freelancers can prepare for changing tax requirements

If you’re a freelancer or gig worker who receives payments via apps like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or PayPal, your tax reporting requirements will change for the 2024 tax year.

What to know about the SAVE plan, the income-driven plan to repay student loans

More than 7.5 million student loan borrowers have enrolled in the U.S. government’s newest repayment plan since it launched in August.

Today is Tax day. Here are some tips on how to navigate it and file your taxes

April 15 is the last day to submit tax returns from 2023. If you left your tax filing until the last minute, you’re not alone.

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