The new year is upon us, and the annual attempt at New Year's resolutions is warming up. This financial checklist for 2026 isn’t the tedious effort of creating annual goals that are unlikely to materialize, but rather a guide to proactively achieve your financial...
Life has become increasingly expensive in recent years. So has dying. And those left behind are shouldering the grief, and the financial burden. The median cost for a funeral and viewing was $8,300 in 2023, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The...
In the United States, illness often comes with a steep financial price tag. For millions of unsuspecting, even insured Americans, rising health care costs, high deductibles, and unexpected uncovered expenses are more than they can comfortably afford. The result is a...
If you’ve noticed that your utility bills have gone up, you’re not alone. J.D. Power estimates utility bills have shot up 41% in the last five years. There are several reasons for this significant jump, including inflation, rising energy demands, and climate change,...
The student loan debt picture is growing bleak. Recent numbers show the applicant wait list for Public Student Loan Forgiveness is rising, total student loan debt is mounting, and more people are expected to slip into delinquency. The Big (and Small) Picture The...
The Federal Reserve announced last week it’s lowering interest rates for the first time in nearly a year. This rate affects how much interest banks have to pay one another if they borrow money. More importantly, it means that interest rates are also impacted on...
Discover is a major financial services company that offers products ranging from credit cards to personal and home equity loans. Recently, Discover made a significant pivot in its business to no longer offer new home equity or refinance applications. This affects...
For years, borrowers seeking an FHA loan had their creditworthiness judged almost exclusively by one number: their FICO® Score. But in a long-awaited move, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced lenders can now use VantageScore 4.0 when evaluating...
As interest rates fluctuate and household budgets tighten, more Americans are turning to online marketplaces to find the best deals on loans and refinancing. At the top of that list is Credible, a trusted platform that partners with numerous lenders to help you...
Is pet insurance worth it? If you have a pet, you’ve undoubtedly heard the chatter surrounding pet insurance and are wondering what all the hoopla is about. This relatively new trend of insuring pets is growing rapidly and is something all pet owners should consider....
After 1,879 days of pandemic-era student loan relief, borrowers in default are now forced into repayment. The Department of Education announced on May 5th that the federal government will begin collections for over five million borrowers who are more than nine months...
In today’s turbulent economic climate, millions of the 42.7 million Americans with student loan debt are asking, “Should I refinance my student loans now?” And many are taking the step. But, is it right for you, and if so, is now the right time? With uncertain...