Latest Personal finance News
Elections have less impact on your 401(k) than you might think
NEW YORK (AP) — Much like those annoying political TV ads, the warnings come back every four years: All the uncertainty around the U.S. presidential election could have big consequences for your 401(k)! Such warnings can raise anxiety, but remember: If your 401(k) is like many...
The grace period for student loan payments is over. Here's what you need to know
NEW YORK (AP) — The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on Sept. 30. The “on-ramp” period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score. “The end of the on-ramp period means the beginning of...
Before you sign up for a store credit card, know what you're getting into
NEW YORK (AP) — When Mykail James was 19 and working a holiday job at Victoria's Secret, she took out a store credit card with a $2,000 credit line. When her school break was over, she realized she could no longer afford the payments. After missing a few, she paid off the card...
The Federal Reserve is finally lowering rates. Here's what consumers should know
NEW YORK (AP) — 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. On Wednesday, the Fed announced that it reduced its key rate by an...
Editorial Roundup: United States
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ Sept. 14 The Washington Post on the effects of legalized gambling The new National Football League season will see plenty of records set on the field — and it’s...
Oracle settles suit over tracking your data. How to file a claim
NEW YORK (AP) — Tech behemoth Oracle has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $115 million over allegations that it tracked consumer activity both on and offline. The suit alleges Oracle captured, compiled, and sold individuals’ data to third parties without their...
US consumer sentiment ticks higher for second month but remains subdued
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' outlook on the economy improved for the second straight month in September, bolstered by lower prices for long-lasting goods such as cars and furniture and the prospect of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The University of Michigan's consumer...
US consumer watchdog moves to permanently ban Navient from federal student loan servicing
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has filed a proposed order to permanently ban Navient from directly servicing federal student loans, which the agency says will put an end “years of abuse." Under terms of the Thursday order, which Navient agreed to...
Freshly squeezed: Savers already feeling the pain ahead of likely start to Fed rate cuts
NEW YORK (AP) — This week the Federal Reserve is likely to cut its main interest rate for the first time in more than four years. It's a momentous move, but savers have been feeling the squeeze for months. Financial markets and banks try to get ahead of such moves by the Fed, and...
US consumer watchdog finds that school lunch fees are taking a toll on parents
NEW YORK (AP) — Single mother Rebecca Wood, 45, was already dealing with high medical bills in 2020 when she noticed she was being charged a $2.49 “program fee” each time she loaded money onto her daughter’s school lunch account. As more schools turn to cashless payment...
