Personal Finance
Car buyers are getting hit from all angles these days, but experts offer advice on ways you can still find a deal. New-Car Prices and Discounts According to Kelley Blue Book, data released the week ending Sept. 11 showed the average U.S. new-vehicle transaction price climbed to $50,089 in August.…
Snoopy and the “Peanuts” gang are coming to a Starbucks coffeehouse near you. On Sept. 15, Starbucks locations around the world will launch a new limited-edition merchandise collection inspired by “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” that includes drinkware and accessories, the coffee chain announced earlier this month. The collaboration…
One way to reach your financial goals is to “set it and forget it” when saving and investing money. You can even put important bills on autopay to avoid late payment fees. But not everything should go on autopay. There are some bills that, once on auto-renewal, can drain your…
Costco Wholesale has begun rationing motor oil at its stores and charging just over 61% more for its motor oil products than it did nine months ago. Costco’s 2-pack of 5-quart Kirkland Signature 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil costs $57.99, compared to $35.99 in December. Another motor oil product, the…
President Donald Trump and his administration have made a lot of big promises to improve affordability since taking office. The latest came during Trump’s Feb. 24 State of the Union address in which he floated expanded access to 401k accounts with a funding match for Americans who lack access or…
Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS. That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time…
If you’re over 55 and you’ve refinanced your mortgage lately, there’s a decent chance you got taken. Not by a con artist. By a lender with a license, a nice website and a loan officer who called you “sir” or “ma’am.” Bankrate calls it the seniority tax, and its August…
As women’s access to education and employment has steadily increased, so has their participation in the economy. However, significant challenges remain that include a wage gap between women and men, along with other barriers women face in growing their wealth. Such challenges can impact women’s ability to save, as well…
Debt settlement companies technically aren’t allowed to charge fees until after lowering a consumer’s debt. But a loophole in the Telemarketing Sales Rule — and a mish-mash of federal and state laws — allows predatory firms the opportunity for exploitation. A growing corner of the $23 billion debt relief industry…
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost $115,000…
