Roadtripping offers a unique blend of spontaneity and flexibility that many other forms of travel simply do not have. But when it comes to cost, this kind of expense can be a little less clear-cut than, say, simply purchasing an airline ticket, where you know exactly what you are paying upfront.

That variability also means that there is more room to find ways to save. And especially given the sky-high cost of gas lately — not to mention inflation — saving is more important than ever. Here are four ways to spare your wallet on an upcoming road trip.

1. Plan ahead as much as possible

Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money. Before you set out, decide how much you can comfortably budget for your trip. Then, plan the route you will take and where you will stop along the way, including for sightseeing, lodging and food.

Advanced planning can also allow you to cut down on certain costs, which can leave more wiggle room for other fun add-ins. For example, “you can often secure a better rate by booking in advance (and online), than by showing up without a reservation or booking last minute,” said SoFi.

2. Make the most of rewards

It is hard to think of a road trip these days without considering the cost of gas. While fuel is an unavoidable expense (unless you drive an EV), there are ways you can portion less of your total road trip budget toward it. Consider gas-saving hacks, such as paying in cash, joining gas station fuel rewards programs or using a gas rewards credit card. There are also apps you can use to find the cheapest spots to fill up nearby.

Rewards do not have to be reserved for just gas, either. Booking with the “same hotel chain as often as possible and signing up for their member loyalty (or ‘points’) program may net you a free night after a few stays,” said SoFi.

3. Get a tune-up before you go

Your vehicle itself is another major determinant of fuel efficiency. Simple tasks like aligning and filling your tires, as well as changing your oil, can help you use a little less fuel and put less wear and tear on your vehicle, which can add up when you are racking up the miles on a long road trip.

Taking your car in for review can also help avoid issues down, or rather on, the road, which can be costly — and cause you to lose out on valuable vacation time. The good news is, “if you happen to need a standard oil change before your trip, many service centers will offer a free multi-point checkup of your vehicle and examine fluid levels, the battery, tire pressure, brakes and more,” said Discover.

4. Pack smart

How you pack your car can also have a major impact on overall costs. Put simply, the “heavier your vehicle, the worse its fuel efficiency,” which means that the “more luggage and gear you carry, the more fuel your vehicle will use,” said Kiplinger.

Also, think carefully about what you decide to dedicate your precious trunk space to. By “packing a cooler with water bottles, drinks, hand-held snacks and sandwiches,” for instance, “you can end up saving a sizable chunk of cash by not having to buy drinks and snacks at rest stops, vending machines and drive-throughs,” said SoFi.

As conflict continues to destabilise the Middle East, the Gulf States elite are seeking solace in European alternatives that offer comparable financial benefits with a far lower risk of war on the doorstep. One such destination is the small Swiss town of Zug, which is becoming a “bolt-hole” for Gulf-based wealth, said the Financial Times.

‘Swiss Monaco’

Switzerland’s reputation as a magnet for the world’s financial elite is nothing new. In 2025, the country recorded the “densest concentration of millionaires” with an estimated 146 per 1,000 adults last year, said The Times. Now home to around 135,000 people, Zug’s canton – also named Zug – used to be the “poorest corner of Switzerland” until it lowered its tax rates in the 1950s. “Now it has corporate tax rates of 16.2% compared with 40% in the US and 33.3% in France.”

“In almost all ways Zug is unremarkable”, with its traditional Swiss architecture and cobbled waterfront lanes. But if its “Alpine lake water is clear”, the financial scene is more “murky”. Many credit Marc Rich and Pincus “Pinky” Green, founders of metals and minerals trading firm Glencore, with the transformation of Zug from a “Swiss backwater” to its status as the “Swiss Monaco”. The multinational is headquartered just outside Zug, and has made the town a “global powerhouse for trading crude and refined oil products”. It should be “no surprise” that the “1% of the world’s 1%” are taking shelter there, and at the same time, hoping to still “keep a hand in the oil business”.

“Industry estimates suggest that tens of billions of dollars could flow into Switzerland depending on how the current conflict evolves,” said the Outbound Investment Group. The “immediate trigger” for the “surge in interest” from Gulf-based investors is the war in the Middle East. However, Switzerland’s underlying appeal is its unwavering “Swissness”: “political neutrality”, “strong legal frameworks”, and reputation for wealth preservation. It’s a safe bet with no sign of slowing.

‘Availability tightening’

There are some drawbacks, said the FT. For “would-be arrivals”, the appeal of the region for Middle Eastern residents comes with “practical constraints”. Those outside the EU “face a higher bar”. Usually, the condition of residency is “tied” to employment or company formation. For the “very wealthy”, there is the added option of “negotiated lump-sum taxation agreements with cantonal authorities” that allow individuals to “pay a flat annual tax based on living expenses rather than global income”.

Even if they are holders of EU passports, the “main bottleneck” is the availability of property. Competition is “intense” and “rental supply is extremely limited, with properties often snapped up within days”. With Zug’s “availability tightening”, other cantons in the region with similar tax arrangements could benefit, such as Lugano, an Italian-speaking city in the Ticino region.

The uncertainty of the duration of the conflict is one of the most pressing concerns, said Bloomberg. The recent breakdown of ceasefire talks risks “forcing a reckoning for the professional and expat classes considering options after putting down roots in the Middle East”.

The short-term benefits of physical safety from leaving the Gulf are clear, but changing tax residency “takes time” and practicalities such as finding schools and “conforming to national requirements such as opening local bank accounts” is often “complicated and time-consuming”. The region’s ultra-wealthy are facing “uncomfortable decisions on whether to make the move permanent, especially with the end of the school year in sight”.

From brick-and-mortar behemoths to smaller online startups, there are a lot of options when it comes to banking. But banks, whether online or in-person, are not your only choice when choosing where to store your money. There are also credit unions to consider.

These financial institutions have a distinct member-owned and member-operated model that can confer a number of unique benefits to those who choose to join, from competitive rates and lower fees to a more personalized, community-focused feel. Increasingly, Americans are taking advantage. In 2025, credit unions “added 2.4 million members, bringing total membership to 144.7 million,” said CNBC Select, citing data from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

What makes credit unions unique?

The biggest distinction between credit unions and banks is that credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that are owned and operated by their members, who elect a board of directors. Because of this model, any profits a credit union earns are returned to its members in the form of lower fees and higher rates. Banks, by contrast, are for-profit institutions that are owned by private owners or investors.

To have an account with a credit union, it is necessary to become a member. Beyond that, though, credit unions offer many of the same account types and services as banks. Deposits are typically federally insured, up to the same limits as with accounts at banks, though through the NCUA as opposed to the FDIC.

What are the benefits of a credit union?

Arguably, the “biggest benefit is better rates because they work for members, not outside investors,” said Bankrate. Not only do “credit union profits go back to members, who are also shareholders,” but they also “enjoy tax-exempt status as not-for-profit organizations,” which means they do not have to pay taxes on their profits as banks do. This can materially affect the yields they can offer and the amount they collect in fees. Often, at credit unions, you will find “higher savings account rates and lower loan rates,” as well as “better yields on certificates of deposit (called share certificates at credit unions) and more competitive rates on mortgages and auto loans,” said Bankrate.

Another area where credit unions can shine is customer service. “Focusing on a community of people, they tend to pride themselves in treating everyone fairly and personalizing service the best they can,” which may materialize as “looking beyond just your credit score when approving you for a loan or offering you access to assistance like financial counseling,” said CNBC Select.

Are there any drawbacks to credit unions?

While credit unions probably sound enticing, they are not always easy to join. “Some credit unions have very specific membership requirements, such as military- and company-based credit unions,” said NerdWallet, though there are many more to choose from that do have easier-to-meet requirements.

It is also worth keeping in mind that while a smaller size can confer a more personalized service feel, it may also limit what credit unions can provide. “Banks get higher customer satisfaction ratings for the number and location of ATMs and branches, compared to credit unions,” said Investopedia, citing the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. You may also find fewer account options and a more limited, or less sophisticated, digital presence.

Premium Bonds are one of the nation’s most-loved savings products, but falling prize rates mean savers could be better off putting their money elsewhere.

Government-backed National Savings & Investments has offered Premium Bonds since 1956, as a way to keep savings safe, with the “added thrill of a monthly cash prize draw”, said GoCompare.

But its prize rate dropped this month from 3.6% to 3.3%, cutting the chances of winning.

What are Premium Bonds?

Premium Bonds are a government-backed savings account. But rather than earning a guaranteed return in interest, savers are entered into a monthly prize draw with the chance to win a sum ranging from £25 to £1 million in cash.

The prize fund rate is the benchmark used by National Savings & Investments to set the number of prizes to be given away each month. The figure represents the rate of return for a bondholder with average luck. Some holders will earn a lot, some nothing.

But the odds of winning are so low that if everyone with £1,000 in Premium Bonds were lined up, “you’d need to walk past 60% of the line until you hit the first £25 winner”, said MoneySavingExpert,.

Pro: Safe, tax-free savings

Money in NS&I accounts is lent to the government, making it secure with Treasury-backed benefits. Money with other regulated financial institutions, such as banks, is protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if a provider goes bust for up to £85,000.

As the maximum investment in Premium Bonds is £50,000, the protection level is the same as if you had an equal amount in a savings account.

Those who do strike lucky in the monthly draw can take the winnings tax-free, which could be a good way to safeguard savings from the taxman if you have used up all ISA and personal savings allowances.

Con: Low odds, won't beat inflation

The main allure of Premium Bonds is the chance to win up to £1 million, but even discounting the maximum, many of those with money in accounts will never win anything.

With the reduction in the prize rate, the odds of winning anything are 23,000 to one. The luck of the draw means a saver could win big, but they could also walk away with nothing at all.

Relying on luck and not fixed interest, over time and without a win, Premium Bonds savings may lose purchasing power as inflation rises. The poor odds of winning make it unlikely to beat such rises.

Pro: Easy withdrawal

They do offer the chance, no matter how small, of a holder becoming a millionaire, and savers get the monthly thrill of a prize draw. Plus there are no time limits, and money is free to be withdrawn at any time.

Con: Low returns

But Premium Bonds are “not the most lucrative choice” based on the return, said Fidelity. This is especially the case compared with top savings accounts, which may have suffered cuts in recent months, but still pay regular interest at more than 4%.

In contrast to Premium Bonds, savings accounts provide an “agreed rate of return”, said The Independent, plus savers may “attract higher long-term returns” by investing.

On the face of it, a subscription — whether to a streaming service, a newsletter or a food delivery app — may seem like it would not make or break your budget. But those small, recurring charges can quickly add up, especially if you have a lot of them.

Many money experts recommend subscriptions as one of the first places to look if you want to trim back. More than half of U.S. adults (55%) “plan to significantly decrease the subscriptions they have in 2026 in order to save money,” said NerdWallet, citing its recent survey. However, you do not necessarily have to go cold turkey and cancel everything to reap some savings. Here are four ways to save on your subscriptions.

1. Regularly reassess

One of the smartest ways to prevent subscriptions from taking too large a bite out of your budget is fairly simple: Keep track of what subscriptions you have, then revisit that list on a regular basis. Most Americans “likely couldn’t list all their subscriptions and prices off the top of their heads — not due to carelessness, but because they have so many, and they’re easy to forget about on autopay,” said NerdWallet.

By doing an audit, you may find you have been paying for a service you do not actually use anymore or even that you are accidentally paying for one twice. You can do this work manually, by going through bank and credit card statements, or there are also budgeting apps that can do the work of tracking, and sometimes even canceling, your subscriptions for you.

2. Commit for longer

This may seem counterintuitive if you are trying to cut back on subscriptions. But for those you really want to hold onto, making a longer-term commitment can make a difference, since “paying annually rather than monthly will usually work out cheaper,” said The Guardian. Just make sure to watch out for auto-renewal, when a price hike will sometimes sneak in.

3. Share with family or friends

When it comes to subscriptions, it is usually the more, the merrier. So if you have friends or family members who also use the same subscriptions you enjoy, ask if they want to go in on a plan together.

For instance, “Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium and some live TV bundles all have family or group options that cost much less than what you’d pay on your own,” said GoBankingRates. Sometimes, though, there is fine print to be aware of — for example, some “services’ family plans might require all members to live at the same address.”

4. Pause and rotate

Just because you like to have a subscription does not mean you must have it all the time. Another hack that people sometimes use to save money is pausing (or totally canceling) one subscription, then picking up another for a bit.

How would this work? For saving on streaming services, you would “pick a couple that have shows premiering this month or shows that you’ve been meaning to watch,” then “keep those for a few months while you catch up on everything you want to watch,” said Kiplinger. After that, “cancel your subscription and move on to your next batch of two or three streaming services.” Once you are “caught up on movies and TV series on those, rinse and repeat.”

If you opt for a pause instead of a full cancel, you can keep your account there, frozen and waiting for you. Just make sure to maintain tabs on when it starts back up.

Climbing gas prices can put a major crimp in your budget, especially if you have a long commute or live in a car-reliant location. Just cents more per gallon can quickly add up to a higher total gas bill, and when the price per gallon skyrockets by a dollar or more — as it did in some areas in March amid the Iran war — that can make every fill-up feel like a nail-biter.

Common solutions to higher gas prices are often tied to driving habits, whether that means relying less on your car and more on public transportation, or finding someone to carpool with on your way to work. Those gas-saving strategies are certainly valid, but they are not your only option, particularly when gas prices are getting especially steep. Another hack might already be in your wallet, or could be a smart addition to it: a gas rewards credit card.

How can credit cards help offset higher gas prices?

Gas credit cards offer “rewards on fuel purchases, which can help reduce the cost,” said U.S. News & World Report. These rewards may come in the form of points or a percentage cash-back on every fuel purchase.

Many of today’s top gas credit cards “offer around a 3%-5% (or 3x-5x) return on your gas station spending,” said Yahoo Finance. And while this may not seem like much, it can “add up over time, especially while fuel prices are high.”

Are there any risks or drawbacks to using credit cards to cover gas?

Perhaps the biggest caveat is that gas rewards cards tend to be best for those who can afford to pay off their credit card balance in full each and every month. Given steep credit card APRs, “any rewards you might earn by paying with plastic would likely be overshadowed by the interest you’d rack up in just a single billing cycle,” said NerdWallet. Some cards may also charge annual fees, which can also eat into the rewards you earn.

Additionally, it is worth noting that cards may put a cap on the rewards you can enjoy in a certain period. “Depending on how much your regular gas bill is, these caps could make a difference in how much you can earn,” said Yahoo Finance.

How can you find the best gas credit card?

To get the most out of a gas rewards credit card, you need to know what to look for. There are two main types: specific “co-branded gas cards — those affiliated with a particular company such as Exxon or Shell,” and “general rewards credit cards,” said NerdWallet. The former “tend to offer incentives on fuel bought at those specific stations,” whereas general rewards cards allow you to earn rewards “on gas purchases made anywhere, not just with one specific brand,” and often at a higher rate. (There are, however, exceptions here, such as “cards affiliated with wholesalers like Costco and Sam’s Club, whose gas prices tend to be lower than average,” said NerdWallet.)

That said, when choosing a card, it is also important to note any associated costs. That could be a membership fee, as with the aforementioned wholesalers’ cards, or an annual fee.

For a general rewards credit card, you should also take a look at the card more holistically in terms of your financial habits. If you can “find a card that helps you save on gas along with your other regular budget items, you can save even more over time,” said Yahoo Finance.

The countdown to the closure of the SAVE plan has at last begun. The student loan repayment plan, which aimed to offer lower monthly payments and a faster path toward forgiveness for borrowers, almost immediately faced pushback when introduced by the Biden administration in 2023, with several Republican-led states suing. For a while, this ongoing legal battle left borrowers in limbo. But with the recent arrival of a decisive, plan-ending judgment, followed by a deadline set by the Trump administration for those who are enrolled to exit, borrowers are now in a position where they must take action.

What is happening to the SAVE plan?

After a roughly two-year legal battle, a decisive judgment has arrived for the federal SAVE, or Saving on a Valuable Education, plan. As of March, the “Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals put an end to a legal challenge of the SAVE student loan repayment plan and instructed a district court to approve a proposed settlement between the Trump administration and the state of Missouri that would end the program,” said Yahoo Finance. In short, the program is “permanently eliminated.”

Following this, the Department of Education sent out a notice informing borrowers “they would need to switch to a different federal repayment plan by the end of September,” said NerdWallet. As of that announcement, “over 7 million borrowers” were still enrolled in the plan, which “offered lower monthly payments than other income-driven repayment plans,” as well as the opportunity for faster loan forgiveness.

What will happen to borrowers enrolled in SAVE?

Up until this point, while litigation has been ongoing, borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan have been in “an administrative forbearance without payments due since the plan was challenged in court in the summer of 2024,” said CNBC, though interest began accruing in August 2025. But as of July 1, these remaining enrollees can expect to receive an email from their servicer instructing them to leave the SAVE plan and offering instructions for how to enroll in another repayment option. They will have 90 days to do so, or until the end of September.

Those who do not switch over will be automatically enrolled in the 10-year standard plan, “which would result in considerably higher payments in many cases,” said U.S. News & World Report.

What alternative repayment plan options do borrowers have?

With SAVE now officially off the table, borrowers have the option of existing income-based repayment plans, which can offer more affordable payments than the standard 10-year repayment plan. Another option is to wait to enroll in RAP, or the Repayment Assistance Plan, a new repayment plan established under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This plan moderates payments based on income, though a minimum payment is required, and offers forgiveness after a longer period of 30 years.

Regardless of the option borrowers choose, “it’s likely that any new plan will mean higher payments,” said U.S. News & World Report. The SAVE plan “was the most affordable option for most people.”

The countdown has begun to the introduction of new rules on how pensions are treated after someone dies.

In the “biggest shake-up of inheritance rules in a generation”, said The Telegraph, the value of a pension will, from April 2027, form part of someone’s estate after they die.

This could mean an inheritance tax bill for one in five households, said The Times, so “the countdown is on to protect their family wealth”.

What is the pensions death tax?

Putting money into a pension has traditionally been “one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass wealth on to loved ones”, said Rest Less. But any unused money in the pot from next year will fall into the scope of inheritance tax, “potentially reducing the amount families receive when someone dies”.

The proposals were announced in the October 2024 Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. They aim to address concerns, said Dentons, that pensions were “increasingly being used as vehicles for inheritance planning, rather than for their primary purpose of providing retirement income”.

Who will be affected?

Inheritance tax is paid on the value of an estate above £325,000. Additionally, there is a £175,000 allowance for your main residence.

The tax “isn’t going to be an issue for most people”, said Royal London, but you may be affected if you own your own home and the value of your pension is added due to the potential total amounts.

The changes will still affect “most individuals” who have unused pension benefits when they die, said Tax Adviser. This means pensions can no longer be relied on as an “efficient means of passing” on wealth such as to your children. This could apply to millions who were previously free of it.

Inheritance tax receipts have already been rising due to “years of property price growth, asset inflation and frozen tax thresholds”, said The Times, so including pensions “will accelerate the trend”.

Beyond the potential charge, “of greatest concern”, said Wedlake Bell, is that payment of inheritance tax on pension assets will remain six months from the end of the month when the deceased died and interest on unpaid inheritance tax is currently running at 7.75%. The government has rejected calls to give bereaved families more time to pay.

Many families could face paying interest, said MoneyWeek, “due to administrative jams” involved in finding pension information and getting the right valuations.

How to prepare for the changes

If you are retired “it might make sense” to prioritise taking money from your pension before other assets, said Grovely Financial, especially if your goal is “inheritance tax mitigation”.

Another option, said MoneyWeek, is to “give away money while you are alive” so you can watch your loved ones enjoy it.

Up to £3,000 per tax year can be given as a financial gift, and tax-free gifts can be made to your children worth up to £5,000 for a wedding or civil partnership or £2,500 for a grandchild or great-grandchild.

Any money given outside of the gifting allowances is tax-free as long as you live for seven years after transfer. Gifting allowances can be used to pass cash on to loved ones, or alternatively, for extra net income.

Alternatively, there are life insurance policies that pay out to cover the cost of inheritance tax. They work in a similar way to other life insurance products: you pay premiums while you are alive “and there will be a payout when you die”, said The Independent.

A British computer scientist who pioneered a forerunner of cryptocurrencies has denied reports that he is Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin.

An investigation by The New York Times used biographical details and writing style comparisons to make the case that Adam Back was the cryptocurrency’s enigmatic founder.

Who is Adam Back?

Back, a 55-year-old computer scientist from London, “has long been seen as a potential candidate to be Nakamoto”, said The Times. “A pioneer of early digital asset research in the 1990s”, he “has a long-standing background in cryptography, the techniques used to secure and verify digital information”. This includes developing Hashcash, “a proof-of-work system that later influenced Bitcoin” and was referenced by Nakamoto in his Bitcoin “white paper”.

Back dismissed The New York Times’ use of writing analyses to link him to the elusive Nakamoto as “a combination of coincidence and similar phrases from people with similar experience and interests”. In reference to the claim that he disappeared from Bitcoin message boards when “Satoshi” was at his busiest, Back insisted that he “did a lot of yakking” on the forums at the time. “I’m not Satoshi,” he said.

Why is Nakamoto’s identity a secret?

Since Bitcoin launched in 2008, Nakamoto has chosen to stay anonymous. All their communication was written under their pseudonym and no verifiable personal details have ever been released or revealed. Since 2011, they have given no public statements at all, their seeming disappearance giving them a “cult-like status among crypto enthusiasts”, said The Times.

This anonymity was very on-brand for Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency was designed to have no central authority; if the identity of a real person were known they could become a leader or figurehead, which might contradict the founding principle of decentralisation. There is a security element, too: Nakamoto is thought to own $78 billion worth of bitcoin, so remaining anonymous lessens the risk of extortion or kidnapping.

It’s also possible that the mysterious founder is not one person, but rather a team of developers or cryptographers. Either way, the years of speculation have added to Bitcoin’s profile and acted as a useful indirect marketing tool.

Has anyone else been suggested?

In 2014, Newsweek identified a Japanese-American systems engineer called Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto as the creator of Bitcoin. He disputed this, and the claim has “largely been debunked”, said the BBC.

The following year, Wired suggested Nakamoto could be a pseudonym for Australian computer scientist Craig Wright. Unlike Back and Dorian Nakamoto, Wright went public to assert he was indeed Nakamoto, until a UK High Court judge ruled he was not the Bitcoin founder and barred him from continuing to claim he was.

In 2024, an HBO documentary claimed that Canadian crypto expert Peter Todd was the real Nakamoto, a suggestion he described as “ludicrous”.

Whether you are considering a move to a new apartment or reevaluating how to allocate your budget, you may be wondering how much is reasonable to shell out each month for rent. Of course, the cost of housing is a non-negotiable — after all, you need a place to live — but it is also typically among the biggest regular expenditures a person has. It is also an expense you must commit to, at least for a certain period of time, when you sign a lease.

Before you sign on the dotted line and agree to pay a portion of your income every month, it is important to have an understanding of the guidelines for rent spending, as well as what factors influence the amount that is actually right for you and your budget.

What percentage of your income should ideally go to rent?

These two common rules of thumb can give you a rough idea of what is reasonable to spend on rent each month, at least according to financial experts:

The 30% rule: This rule “says that you should limit what you spend on rent to 30% or less of your gross monthly income,” with the cost of rent also including “other housing costs, such as renters insurance, utilities, parking and more,” said Rocket Mortgage.

The 50/30/20 rule: This is a “more comprehensive rule that takes all of your expenses into account, as well as savings goals,” said Rocket Mortgage. Here, the benchmark is to spend a maximum of 50% of your income on essentials and financial obligations, like rent, and then 30% on wants, meaning discretionary spending. The remaining 20% goes into savings.

What factors affect the cost of renting?

The above rules can be a helpful starting point, but they do not necessarily account for the myriad factors that can quickly throw a wrench in those calculations.

Location, as you might expect, is a big one. For instance, the 30% rule can be “hard to follow in a place like New York City or San Francisco, where median rents are well over $3,500 for a one-bedroom apartment,” said NerdWallet, citing 2025 Zillow rental market summaries. Where you live also shapes housing inventory, and the “law of supply and demand means landlords can charge more in areas where there’s a shortage of rental properties,” said Experian.

It is also important to look at the one-time and recurring costs as they relate to the place you rent. Some landlords include utility costs in the price of rent, in which case it may make sense for you to pay a bit more. Or, an apartment building could “have an on-site gym or a washer and dryer in-unit, which might make your rent payments higher,” but you will “save money on membership fees and laundromats,” said NerdWallet. Another consideration is commuting costs: While you may save by living further from the city center, how much will you then have to shell out to get to work every day?

How can you determine how much rent you can afford?

Rather than focusing on this one number, it is important to zoom out and consider your broader financial situation. The “biggest factors are your income and fixed monthly bills, such as utilities, loan payments, health insurance and other costs you must cover,” said Rocket Mortgage. This will shape how much you actually have leftover in your budget to cover the cost of rent.

If you find that the resulting calculations are out of line with the above rules of thumb, consider whether you can cut back in other areas or if you are open to exploring ways to pay less in rent, such as getting a roommate.

Spring is usually considered prime time for the housing market. The winter weather is finally thawing out, the sun is starting to shine more regularly and everything is looking greener and rosier. But this year, some unanticipated challenges are threatening to upend what is usually the busy season for both buyers and sellers.

Due to the war with Iran, the “cost of oil is shooting higher, leading to rising inflation and causing the Fed to reconsider” its previously planned rate cuts, said CNBC. In turn, “U.S. bond yields are rising, with mortgage rates following suit.” With rates steadily increasing week by week and waning affordability continuing to squeeze budgets, the question arises: is this spring the right time to make homebuying moves?

What is next for mortgage rates?

In March, mortgage rates steadily climbed. The month saw a “three-week climb” that marked the “steepest such rise in more than a year and a half,” said Realtor.com, citing Freddie Mac data. As of the week ending March 27, the “contract rate on a 30-year, ​fixed-rate mortgage rose 14 basis points to 6.57%,” said U.S. News & World Report.

So, will that ascent continue? “While there’s a slight possibility of rates easing downward, they are more likely to remain in the low-6% range for the near term,” said MarketWatch, citing Jen Poniatowski, the SVP of mortgage growth and market development at Key Mortgage.

However, the trajectory will ultimately depend on factors that are hard to predict with any certainty, particularly oil prices. “If oil prices retreat closer to $70 per barrel, then mortgage rates may return closer to 6%. If oil prices reach $100, then mortgage rates may rise to 6.7% to 7%,” said Lawrence Yun, the chief economist and senior vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors, to MarketWatch.

How could rising rates affect the spring housing market?

Higher mortgage rates have already “proved a deterrent for some potential home buyers,” said NerdWallet. And then there is the added layer of “higher costs for basic household goods, food and gas,” which “could scuttle more folks’ plans.”

This hesitancy is showing up in the market. “The number of homes for sale is climbing not because there are so many more sellers, but because the homes on the market are sitting,” said CNBC. This is giving buyers a bit more leverage, though, as “sellers entering the market appear to be moderating their price expectations, with the typical asking price running nearly 2% below year-ago levels,” said Realtor.com.

Is this spring still a good time to buy or sell?

Both buyers and homeowners “should be prepared for continued rate volatility and avoid making decisions based solely on short-term market movements,” said Kiplinger. Really, what it comes down to is “how a housing decision fits into your broader financial picture, including your income stability, long-term plans and comfort with monthly costs,” rather than what is going on with the market at any given moment.

Zooming out for some broader context can also be helpful. While rates are high, and rising, “they’re still notably lower than at the same time last year,” said NerdWallet.

Sometimes, people may feel like they are stuck renting because homeownership is out of reach financially. But what if renting were actually a step on the path toward becoming a homeowner? In the case of rent-to-own agreements, it can be.

These agreements are essentially rental leases that include an option (or, in some cases, an obligation) to eventually buy the property after living in it for a period of time. During this time, some of the rent you pay may go toward a future down payment. While this likely sounds like an appealing prospect, and it can have upsides, there are some definite drawbacks worth weighing first.

What is a rent-to-own agreement?

A contract that effectively “gives renters the option to work toward buying the home they already live in,” said Bankrate. Because of this dual purpose, the contract contains two parts: a standard rental lease detailing your obligations as a renter, and a separate option-to-purchase contract.

As part of the agreement, a portion of the rental payment you make each month may get diverted toward your eventual down payment, an arrangement known as “rent premiums” or “rent credits,” said NerdWallet. You may also need to make a non-refundable deposit upfront, known as an “option fee,” that is similarly a portion of the home’s purchase price, “typically 1% to 7%.”

While you continue to rent, that money will be held in an escrow account until you purchase the home. Typically, “your rent-to-own agreement will spell out how long you can rent the home before you must decide whether or not you buy it,” a period of time that is “often 2 to 3 years,” said Rocket Mortgage. Depending on the specifics of the contract, that eventual purchase may be an option (a lease-option contract), or it may be a contractual obligation (a lease-purchase contract).

What are the pros of rent-to-own homes?

One of the obvious upsides is that you are accruing a down payment while you live in the home as a renter. This can be helpful if you have been struggling to set aside the necessary amount. Plus, while you save, you have built-in time to improve your credit, if that is necessary for you to secure a competitive mortgage offer.

The arrangement can also offer some stability, not to mention logistical relief. “Since you’re already living in the home, you won’t have to deal with the expense and hassle of moving again,” and you will also have the chance to “familiarize yourself with the property and neighborhood,” said Redfin.

Are there downsides to rent-to-own?

Definitely. For one, “if you change your mind or you can’t buy the home when the time comes, you could lose a lot of money,” said Investopedia. “At a minimum, you will lose your option fee,” and “if you signed a lease-purchase contract, you could face more financial fallout.” Even if you feel confident you will follow through, tread carefully: “Often, the contract terms are so rigid that the renter winds up defaulting and losing all the money,” said The New York Times.

Further, while it may sound smart to lock in a home purchase price when you sign the contract, often years ahead of purchase, this might not actually end up being a great deal. “That price is often higher than the home’s fair-market value,” said the Times, citing Karen E. Brown, the director and managing attorney of the Home Defense Program at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Often, the “inflated prices cause problems when the property is appraised for a mortgage.”

Bereaved families could be in line for thousand of pounds of compensation from National Savings & Investments (NS&I) after the government-backed bank admitted failing to trace accounts of dead customers.

A “catastrophic operations failure”, said The Telegraph, meant money belonging to 37,500 dead savers has been withheld from their families.

NS&I has said claims with a total value of up to £476 million in customer deposits “may have been affected”.

The savings organisation’s chief executive Dax Harkins has stepped down following the scandal, and has been replaced by former HMRC boss Jim Harra.

What has gone wrong at NS&I?

NS&I has been accused of “short-changing bereaved families” after losing track of investments, delaying payouts, and withholding prizes for its popular Premium Bonds, said ThisIsMoney.

Some families, said The Guardian, had resorted to paying lawyers to “recover their money”. NS&I has apologised and said its search process “failed to identify” all products when handling bereavement claims, which it said has now been fixed.

It’s not the first bit of “negative publicity” for NS&I, said Sky News, after the bank’s £3 billion digital transformation project was criticised by MPs for exposing “the taxpayer to additional risk”.

Who is affected by the missing payments?

Pensions minister Torsten Bell told MPs that around three-quarters of the cases relate to the period between 2008 and 2025.

NS&I has said up to 37,500 bereavement claims may have been affected, adding that it received 211,800 new bereavement claims and repaid £4 billion last year.

How much are people owed from NS&I?

The cases cover accounts worth an estimated £476 million, according to NS&I, which “works out at roughly £12,693 on average per person”, said ThisIsMoney.

The government has indicated families should have their funds returned, including interest and compensation.

How can bereaved families claim?

The government has confirmed “impacted customers” will be remunerated, said Metro, but “exact details” haven’t been announced yet.

NS&I has confirmed it will ensure savers’ estates are “appropriately compensated” and will reveal more details in May. It has also hired 100 more staff members to contact those affected.

You “don’t need to do anything” if you have recently made a claim or have an ongoing one, said NS&I, as it will be responsible for contacting beneficiaries.

This also means those affected won’t need to use a claims management company or solicitor, said MoneyWeek, “to be reunited with their money”.

The “silver lining”, said The Guardian, is that the money is 100% safe as NS&I is government-backed. So the main issue is “marrying it up with the owner, not the security of funds”.

High inflation is bad enough on its own — but what about when it comes with high unemployment and stagnant economic growth? This pairing is what is known as stagflation, a rare economic phenomenon. And lately, concerns are cropping up that the U.S. economy could be showing signs of it.

“Persistent inflation above the Federal Reserve’s target and the job market slowdown had already prompted worries,” said CNBC. Then “surging oil prices due to the Iran war” entered the equation, bringing to mind the “oil supply shocks that led to shortages and long gas lines Americans saw during stagflation in the 1970s.” Still, many experts, including Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, maintain that the risks of stagflation reoccurring remain low.

What is stagflation, and why does it happen?

Stagflation — a blend of the words inflation and stagnation — refers to the combination of “stagnant economic growth, high unemployment and persistent inflation,” said Investopedia. This is a pattern that “defies traditional economic models, which typically show inflation rising during strong economic growth and falling during recessions.”

Often, stagnation is attributed to supply-chain disruptions, such as to the oil supply. This can result in “a shortage of crucial goods or commodities,” which in turn “can lead to higher prices for consumers and a slowdown in economic growth,” said Yahoo Finance.

Another driver can be monetary policy decisions made by the Federal Reserve. For example, an “easy monetary policy where interest rates are being lowered combined with a tight fiscal policy can lead to wage retaliation if taxes remain too high,” said Kiplinger. “As workers demand higher wages, businesses may reduce employment and pass the higher costs onto consumers by raising prices.”

What are the risks of stagflation?

One of the “most noticeable effects of stagflation is higher prices for goods and services,” which can lead consumers “to spend more for everyday expenses and even take on debt to keep up with higher costs,” said Yahoo Finance. Additionally, people may experience “fewer job opportunities, lower wages or layoffs” as businesses instate cost-cutting measures to deal with the effects.

Together, this can make it more challenging to save and invest, which can have ripple effects down the road for people financially.

How can you protect yourself from stagflation?

To be clear, it is still up for debate whether or not the U.S. is nearing, or actually even showing real signs of, stagflation. Still, many of the steps you can take to prepare happen to be generally good financial practices anyway, including:

• Set aside money in savings, ideally a high-yield account, and make sure your emergency fund is well-stocked.
• Pay down debt — particularly high-interest debt like credit card debt.
• When it comes to investing, “stay the course and diversify,” said Kiplinger.
• Pay some attention to your career, whether that is by learning new skills to increase employability or exploring ways to boost income.

Getting a refund when you file your taxes is a nice financial boost. This year, there are claims that tax refunds could be bigger than ever before.

President Donald Trump has said “this will be the ‘largest tax refund season of all time’ following the 2025 changes enacted via his ‘big beautiful bill,’” said CNBC. The White House in January released an estimate saying the “average refund could increase ‘by $1,000 or more,’” said CNBC. But will refunds actually be bigger — and if so, will yours be among those that are? Here is what to know.

What is the average tax refund for 2026?

The average tax refund this year is “higher by about $350, or nearly 11%, when compared to last year, according to the latest Internal Revenue Service data as of March 13,” said CNN. At its highest point so far this tax season, the average refund size “peaked at $3,804 on Feb. 20, an increase from $3,453 about one year prior,” before that average “gradually declined over the next two weeks,” said CNBC.

However, the deadline for tax filing is not until April 15, which means that the average could very well shift, though “refund sizes typically level off after late February,” said CNN, citing Erica York, the vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation.

How did the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impact tax refunds?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July, introduced a number of changes that could affect how much money people get back this tax season. Alongside making permanent many provisions that were set to expire and would have increased many people’ s tax bills, the bill introduced four new tax deductions: deductions for tips, overtime pay, new car loan interest and seniors age 65 and up.

Additionally, “standard deductions have been adjusted for inflation twice for 2025,” said Experian — once as part of the “regular 2025 inflation adjustments” and then “again with the passage of the OBBBA.” At the same time, “tax brackets have been adjusted by about 3%” for 2025, a change that “can reduce the amount of tax you pay by taxing more of your income at lower rates,” said the outlet.

Lastly, “when the OBBBA was passed into law, the IRS did not update withholding tables,” which meant that “some taxpayers became eligible for additional deductions but were still paying more toward taxes with each paycheck,” said Yahoo Finance. As a result, those taxpayers may get more money back than usual.

What else affects the size of your tax refund?

While deductions, tax brackets and excess withholdings can all certainly influence the amount of your tax refund, they are not the only factors determining how much you get back, if anything. Other things that may have an impact include:

• Any changes in eligibility for tax credits
• A change in income, or the addition of side income
• Changes to your tax filing status
• The sale or purchase of a home
• Updates to your retirement account contributions
• Capital gains, interest or dividends from investing

So before you go betting on a bigger-than-ever tax refund this year, realize that the reality actually comes down to your specific financial and tax situation. If you are in luck, that could mean more money back from Uncle Sam.

Abuse can take many different forms. One that may be less easily visible but still seriously damaging is financial abuse. This occurs when someone wields money and access to it as a form of control over someone else. It can look like aggressively monitoring spending, forcing reliance on them for cash, withholding access to funds or even actively sabotaging employment opportunities or financial standing.

Financial abuse is unfortunately not so uncommon — research indicates that it occurs in “99% of domestic violence cases,” said the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). This form of abuse can often perpetuate a given situation, too, as “surveys of survivors reflect that concerns over their ability to provide financially for themselves and their children was one of the top reasons for staying in or returning to an abusive partner.”

What is financial abuse?

Financial abuse, also referred to as economic abuse, is “where a partner — or ex-partner — controls money and finances, taking over the decisions on anything from spending and bills to bank accounts and loans,” said The Money Pages, a financial website. At its root, financial abuse is typically about control over another individual, as overseeing or restricting a victim’s access to necessary financial resources can force them to be dependent on the abuser.

This form of abuse “rarely happens in isolation and usually occurs alongside other forms of abuse, including physical, sexual and psychological abuse,” said Surviving Economic Abuse, a registered charity for the cause.

What are some of the warning signs of financial abuse?

Since financial abuse “doesn’t always involve physical harm, it’s often hard to recognize, even by its victims,” said TD Bank. Abusers may use a “wide range of tactics to gain and maintain financial control,” which can also make it harder to identify confidently.

Common signs of financial abuse can range from fairly subtle to more overt, including:

• Control or intense scrutiny over any spending
• Restriction of access to funds and accounts
• Secretiveness or refusal to share information about financial situation
• Sabotage of or interference with your ability to work
• Theft of your income or other property
• Refusal to contribute to or help with household costs, or other misuse of funds
• Accrual of debt in your name, or other damage to your financial standing

What can you do if you or someone you know is a victim?

If you believe that you or someone you know is the victim of financial abuse, it is important to get help. There are a number of resources available to turn to:

The NNEDV's Financial Abuse Toolkit

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Local programs that support victims of financial abuse

Understand that getting out of the situation can be difficult, and even risky, but it is possible to do so. Communication is critical, as is slowly taking steps to find financial safety once again, whether that means changing passwords, ensuring access to independent resources going forward or seeking out expert guidance and support to rebuild.

When you are in a tight spot for money and you have a sizable balance in your retirement account that won’t be needed for years to come, it can be tempting to go ahead and tap into it. You can just restock it later, right? The problem: this does not always end up happening. Plus, you will lose out on the compound interest that would have accrued, which can materially affect your available savings come retirement.

Last year, a “record 6% of workers in 401(k) plans administered by Vanguard Group took a hardship withdrawal,” marking the “sixth straight year of increases since 2018, when Congress made it easier to take a hardship distribution,” said The Wall Street Journal. Many people are facing real financial challenges: The “top reasons for taking hardship withdrawals last year were avoiding foreclosure and eviction and paying medical expenses.” But when you are in this situation, there are other places to turn outside of the money set aside for your golden years.

Your emergency fund

If you have built up an emergency savings fund, this is the time to use it, as opposed to raiding your 401(k) balance. This is “why you have emergency savings in the first place,” said Bankrate. Just make sure that if you do tap into it, you replenish the balance later, and that you are saving in a high-yield account to maximize interest earnings.

Friends or family

If you have friends or family members who might be willing to help, share your situation with them. “Though it can be difficult to ask, borrowing from someone you know could be a fast and affordable solution,” as you will avoid a credit check and, depending on the situation, interest payments, said NerdWallet. Just make sure to approach the arrangement thoughtfully, with clear communication and an agreed-upon repayment plan, to avoid future conflict.

A home equity loan or line of credit

If you own a home and have built up equity in it, a home financing product — like a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) — can “provide a cost-effective method of accessing extra cash,” said SoFi. Interest rates on these loan products are typically lower because they are secured loans, meaning they are backed by your home. However, this also means that in case of non-payment, the lender can seize your house, which is a risk worth keeping in mind before proceeding.

A personal loan

Another option you might consider, if you do not have a home to borrow against or do not want to put it on the line as collateral, is a personal loan. Personal loans are “available from online lenders, local banks and credit unions and can be used for virtually any purpose,” said SoFi. These loans are also unsecured, which means you do not have to put anything on the line to take one out — though that can also mean they may have slightly higher interest rates.

Losing your job can bring up a lot of things. There is an emotional component as you leave behind your old position and team and there is also a logistical one, both in terms of what your next steps will be in your career, and how you will get by for a while without a steady paycheck.

For those with student loan debt, one of the big financial questions after a job loss is how they will continue to make monthly payments. While it may be tempting to table the issue for later, once you have worked through the initial fallout from losing your job, postponing the issue could end up making things more challenging down the road. Here are three steps you can take to manage your loans.

Inform your loan servicer

The first thing you should do student loan-wise after losing your job is to get in touch with your loan servicer. The “earlier you contact your loan servicer, the more options you’ll have,” said ELFI, a lender offering private student loans and refinancing. Be transparent about your situation, and find out what relief options are available to you. Your lender can walk you through the choices and help you figure out what might make the most sense.

Look into alternative repayment plans to reduce payments

Depending on the type of student loans you have and your specific lender, you may have access to different repayment plan options; these could allow you to lower the amount that is due each month. When you are working on a constrained budget after a job loss, this can make a major difference, allowing you to continue making progress on repayment without forking over more than you can reasonably afford

For instance, “federal student loan borrowers who are laid off from their jobs — or just not earning enough — are usually able to sign up for an income-driven repayment plan and get a lower payment, or even a $0 bill,” said CNBC. Those with private loans generally do not have this option, but their lender may instead offer loan restructuring, where you get an “extended loan term that makes your payments more affordable,” said ELFI.

Consider deferment or forbearance for a pause

If continuing to make payments does not seem tenable, you can consider exploring taking a pause entirely, either through deferment or forbearance. For federal loans, “borrowers can pause payments for up to three years with a student loan unemployment deferment,” said NerdWallet. Meanwhile, forbearance is “typically limited to a few months at a time,” said Bankrate. Some private lenders may offer these options, though not all do, and availability varies by lender and loan type. Before proceeding, just make sure to note the implications of a pause, namely whether interest will continue to accrue during it.

Student loan refinancing is often billed as a way to expedite and simplify student loan repayment. And it certainly can be: By replacing your existing loans with a new one, you can potentially score a lower interest rate, and you will have just one payment due date to keep track of. But refinancing is not the right strategy for everyone.

In general, it’s a move that tends to make sense if you have private student loans and if your credit score and income are “high enough to qualify you for a lender’s lowest interest rates,” said NerdWallet. However, in the following four instances, you may want to reconsider or at least think twice.

1. You have federal loans and may want those benefits

While technically you can refinance either private or federal student loans, refinancing federal loans is “riskier” because when you do, “you’re no longer eligible for federal benefits and repayment options,” said U.S. News & World Report. This includes options like income-driven repayment plans, where your payments are modified based on your income and family size, as well as temporary repayment relief options like student loan forbearance.

Even if you do not need those options right now, it is important to consider whether there is any chance you will down the road. For instance, “if you lose your job or have to take a pay cut, making student loan payments can become more difficult, especially because private lenders don’t offer much support in times of need,” said Student Loan Planner.

2. You are pursuing student loan forgiveness

Also under the umbrella of federal benefits you will lose if you refinance — though worth calling out on its own — is student loan forgiveness. “Refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal loan programs including Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness,” said NerdWallet.

If you are progressing along on either of those options — or if you are far along on an income-driven repayment plan, which will wipe away any remaining debt after 20 or 25 years of payments — then refinancing is likely not in your best interest.

3. Your interest rate would not change much

For refinancing to make sense savings-wise, the interest rate you get on your new refinance loan needs to be noticeably lower than it is on your current loan(s). If your student loan “already has a decent rate or you don’t qualify for the lowest rates, the savings with your new loan may not be significant enough to bother with refinancing,” said Student Loan Planner.

Generally, the biggest factor in landing a much better rate when you refinance is solid credit, though lenders will also take into consideration your overall financial situation, including your income and your other debt obligations.

4. You are close to paying off your loans

While you might think refinancing could help push you over the finish line on paying off your student loans, it may not work out that way. At this point in the game, “it doesn’t make sense to do something as risky as refinancing,” where you are changing up your loan terms entirely, and “because you’re close to paying down your debt, any refinancing benefits would be minimal,” said U.S. News & World Report. Instead, stay the course and relish the fact that the end is near.

The one thing that can sweeten the slog of filing your tax return is finding out you are getting money back once you hit submit. A tax refund can be a nice little financial windfall, offering a cash infusion to put toward paying down debt, bolstering your savings or inching closer to your financial goals.

However, the exact amount of your refund — and whether you even get one at all — will vary depending upon the specifics of your return. While many of these determining factors are not changeable, especially not shortly before tax time, there are some last-minute steps you can take to potentially increase the amount of your refund, allowing that money to stretch that much further in your financial life.

1. Make sure you are maximizing deductions

Tax deductions and credits are two easy ways to possibly shave down the amount of your money that goes to Uncle Sam. They work in different ways, though: Deductions “lower your taxable income, which in turn can reduce your tax bill,” while credits “offer a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction,” said H&R Block.

When you go to file, make sure you are aware of any deductions or credits you are eligible for, and that you are claiming them. Some common ones to be aware of are the student loan interest deduction, the Saver’s Credit for certain taxpayers contributing to an eligible retirement account, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and various credits for those caring for children and other dependents.

2. Increase contributions to your IRA or HSA

If you have either an independent retirement account (IRA) or a health savings account (HSA), upping your contributions can reduce your taxable income, which can help boost the refund you get.

While it may seem counterintuitive, you can actually “still make prior-year contributions to a traditional IRA up until the 2026 tax filing deadline,” and the same goes for an HSA, said Yahoo Finance. For the 2025 tax year, you can contribute up to $7,000 to an IRA ($8,000 if you are age 50 or older), and up to $4,300 to an HSA as an individual ($5,300 for those 55 and up, or $8,550 for families).

3. Be strategic when selecting your tax filing status

One of the “first decisions you make when completing your tax return — choosing a filing status — can affect your refund’s size, especially if you’re married,” said Intuit TurboTax. That is because your tax filing status determines what tax bracket you are in, as well as the amount of the standard deduction and your eligibility for certain tax credits.

Often, it is straightforward which filing status applies to you — but that is not always the case. For instance, “many taxpayers who care for elderly parents don’t realize they can claim head of household status,” which is available “if you provide more than half of your parent’s financial support — even if your parent doesn’t live with you,” said Intuit TurboTax. Also, while filing jointly is usually the more tax-efficient choice if you are married, in some cases, filing separately can yield a higher tax refund.

President Trump has a new plan for the government to “give millions of workers a $1,000 a year to boost their retirement savings,” said Michelle Singletary in The Washington Post. During his State of the Union speech last week, Trump said that 54 million workers without access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan will soon be able to open tax-advantaged accounts similar to those for federal employees—and the federal government will match contributions up to $1,000 each year. The idea of matching contributions “piggybacks on a retirement savings program established” during the Biden presidency. But the wrinkle in Trump’s new plan is that he wants more workers to be able to access “the federal government’s low-fee workplace investment program,” and be able to, in his words, “profit from a rising stock market.” But as with many Trump pronouncements, what he says may be “too good to be true.” To qualify for the full $1,000 match, workers would have to put in at least $2,000 per year. That’s a lot to ask of workers currently “struggling to pay for housing and health care.”

Still, the arrival of this option is “welcome news for the millions of Americans without access to a workplace retirement plan, much less an employer match,” said Emily Peck in Axios. Fewer than 20% of America’s lowest earners have a 401(k) today, and Social Security alone isn’t going to cut it for many of them. There are “real policy chops” behind this proposal, which arrives “at a moment when policy wonks are rethinking” a broken retirement system. It’s not hyperbolic to say this could be “one of the most consequential administrative actions in decades,” said Teresa Ghilarducci in Forbes. Millions of workers have “no retirement wealth simply because they lack access to payroll-based savings.” That maps “directly onto income inequality.” Trump’s action won’t “resolve the retirement crisis,” but it will help reduce this “persistent coverage gap.”

This plan has already been tried, said Kathryn Anne Edwards in Bloomberg. In 2015, former president Barack Obama launched MyRA, a program “similar to today’s Trump Savings Plan” that introduced voluntary benefits to those without workplace retirement accounts. What happened? After two years, only 30,000 people joined, and it was “abruptly ended by the Trump administration in 2017.” MyRA failed because “Congress needed to approve auto-enrollment, and it didn’t.” Research has conclusively shown that “what ‘works’ about 401(k)s” is automatic enrollment, which “supersedes” the greatest obstacle to savings: inertia. However, auto-enrollment requires legislation from Congress. “There is great potential for the federal government to help Americans struggling with financial insecurity,” but a White House announcement isn’t going to do much.

With the weather finally thawed and kids out of school, spring and summer are the busiest seasons for homebuying. This can mean more options to choose from on the market — but it can also mean more competition.

Going through the work of putting together an offer on a house you are excited about, only to get beat out by other buyers, can feel like a major letdown. So, how can you make your home offer stand out if you are wading into a hot housing market? From having your own affairs in order to being flexible and savvy in the offer you craft, here are some tricks you can implement to improve your odds of winning out.

Have everything in order before bidding

If you are trying to buy in a fast-moving, competitive market, it is vital that you have all your ducks in a row before you get to the point of submitting an offer on a home. This means working with an experienced, knowledgeable real estate agent you can trust, and already having mortgage preapproval in hand, so you have a ballpark idea of how much you will actually be able to borrow.

The former will help you ensure you are putting your best (and most strategic) foot forward when you make an offer, and the latter will provide peace of mind for the seller, given that “in a competitive market, sellers will likely have multiple offers to choose from and will look for a buyer who is able to close on the sale,” said Zillow.

Understand the market, the property and the seller

When it comes to this, the real estate agent you work with can make all the difference. “Their deep market knowledge allows agents to identify accurate comparable listings and help buyers price offers more strategically,” said USA Today. They will also “know how quickly homes are selling in a given area and can communicate quickly and effectively with listing agents.”

An agent can often get insight into what is most important to a particular seller — whether that is a quick closing timeline, the security of a cash offer or an above-listing price — and help ensure your offer checks those boxes.

Consider ways to sweeten your offer

Depending on what feels reasonable and is doable for you, there are a number of steps you can take to make your offer more enticing, including:

Increase your earnest money deposit. This is a deposit made upfront to demonstrate your seriousness about and ability to purchase the home. Typically, it is “around 1% to 3% of the purchase price,” but “in a competitive market, you may choose to increase this to 5% or higher to stand out and prove your commitment,” said Investopedia.

Add in an escalation clause. With an escalation clause, your offer automatically increases, up to a specified maximum, if another buyer in the running outbids you. This can “help you stay in the running if another offer comes in for slightly more than yours,” said Rocket Mortgage, though it is not always necessary or even allowed in certain markets.

Offer concessions. Offering the seller concessions can “make your offer more attractive,” said Rocket Mortgage, though it is also vital here to ensure what you offer is workable for you. Common examples of concessions include offering to pay certain fees, such as the agents’ commission or the seller’s real estate attorney fees, or purchasing the property as-is.

You have found a home and made an offer. Now, you are ready to apply for a mortgage. While you may have dipped your toe in by getting preapproved prior to home shopping, the process of formally applying for a mortgage is much more involved.

You can expect the first step — applying and deciding what lender to work with — to take “up to one week,” said U.S. News & World Report. After that, you can anticipate another “three to four weeks” for underwriting and loan processing, and then “up to one week” to wrap everything up and close on your new home. Here is the exact timeline breakdown.

1. Submit your application for a mortgage loan

Once you’ve “had your purchase offer accepted and you’re under contract for the property you want, you can get official loan estimates from the lenders you got preapproved with,” said U.S. News & World Report. This requires filling out a mortgage application, usually online, and providing a great deal of information, including information on your employer and income, your assets and debts, your credit history and the property you intend to buy. Be prepared to provide supporting documentation, which ideally you will have compiled during your preparation for applying.

Once completed, you will need to sign and then submit your application. “Sometimes, to begin processing of your application, the lender may require a fee of $100 to $500 that covers the cost of pulling your credit report and obtaining an appraisal of the property’s market value,” said Kiplinger.

2. Review loan estimates and select a lender

If a lender accepts your application, within three business days, they will provide you with a loan estimate. This is an “estimate of the final loan costs at such a point in time based on the information relied upon by the lender,” said Zillow, and it is an essential document for accurately comparing total costs between different lenders.

Pay special attention to “compare their closing costs and interest rates, using the best offer to try to negotiate your loan terms, because some lenders will match interest rates or offer discounts,” said U.S. News & World Report. This can lead to major savings.

3. Undergo loan underwriting and processing

Once you have committed to a lender, the process of loan underwriting begins. This usually takes “between 30 and 45 days,” though potentially much longer, and is a time during which “your lender verifies your financial situation before deciding whether to approve your loan application,” said Rocket Mortgage. Specifically, the lender will “review your documents and details of your income, assets, debts, credit and the property you’re applying to buy,” and this will include ordering a property inspection. You may be asked to provide additional information.

After this process is completed, underwriters will give the final word on your loan application, which may be “to accept the loan as it is proposed, reject it or approve it with conditions,” such as that “you supply more information about your credit history,” said Investopedia.

4. Review your Closing Disclosure and close on your home

At least three days prior to closing, the lender “issues a Closing Disclosure outlining your finalized loan terms, monthly payment and closing costs,” said Kiplinger. Review this carefully to make sure there are no discrepancies or surprises. If everything looks good, you can move forward with scheduling your closing and a final walkthrough of the house that is about to be yours.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons have been stranded across the Middle East by the Iran conflict and many more could see holidays cancelled due to flight restrictions and airport closures.

However, people who purchased travel insurance to protect against such disruption might be out of luck.

Travel insurance often excludes protection against war, said the Daily Express, so “you may not be covered by your holiday insurance at all”.

How travel insurance works

Travel insurance typically covers a “range of possibilities”, said MoneyHelper, such as lost luggage, medical care and disruptions including delays and cancellations.

But unless you have a specialist policy, most standard travel insurance won’t include losses linked to a war, “meaning disruption to your trip”, said the Association of British Insurers. Extra costs you may have, such as food and hotels, may not be covered.

There may be some protections if government guidance on a destination changes after you booked, such as if the Foreign Office advises against travelling to a country.

If the guidance changed after you booked, said Axa, travel insurance coverage “may apply” and your policy may cover you for getting home or let you cancel your trip and get a refund for flights, hotel bookings and tours.

Travel disruption rights explained

It is always worth checking with your airline or travel provider when there is disruption such as delays or cancellations before claiming on your travel insurance. Most travel insurance policies “don’t cover claims if the losses can be recovered from another source”, said the Financial Ombudsman Service.

As the Foreign Office guidance changed on the Gulf, customers who have already booked have the right to cancel a package holiday.

If you are stuck in a destination such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, package holiday operators “have an obligation to book you on the next available flight home”, said The Sun.

Airlines typically have to pay compensation if they are at fault for a delay. But those flying in and out of the UK and European Union, or with a non-UK or non-EU airline, should not expect redress, as the airlines are not at fault for the outbreak of war. However, there is a duty of care for airlines to look after affected passengers. This means they should help with rearranging flights and provide food, drink and accommodation.

But don’t rush to take a refund from your airline while you are stranded as “it manages down the problem at little cost to the carrier”, travel expert Simon Calder said in The Independent. You are better off hanging on to your ticket and “hope that eventually they come up with an alternative journey for you”.

It is also worth checking if the local destination is providing support. The United Arab Emirates has publicly said that it is “bearing accommodation and hosting costs for affected passengers” amid the Iran conflict, said Condé Nast Traveller, so many travellers “won’t need to pay for hotels at all” and won’t need to claim on insurance. However, you may still need your insurance for “extra expenses” such as missed onward connections or medical costs.

Investing introduces a seemingly endless array of options. Often, funds are touted as a great way to avoid fully committing to any one investment, as they allow you to own a diverse group of assets with just one purchase. But even when you go to look at investment fund options, you’ll find that there are a myriad to choose from.

Two of the most common you will likely come across are ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds. But how do they differ, and how can you know which one is the right fit for your portfolio? Read on for the breakdown.

How do ETFs and mutual funds differ?

Admittedly, ETFs and mutual funds do have a lot in common. “They are both relatively liquid baskets of stocks, bonds and other assets overseen by professional money managers, and can help investors diversify their portfolios,” said CNBC.

However, they also have some distinctions “that may make one a better financial choice than the other for certain investors,” said the outlet. These include:

Management: One big difference is in how the funds themselves are managed, which in turn impacts both the cost of investing and your potential returns. Generally, mutual funds tend to be actively managed, which means the “fund’s manager picks and chooses securities to buy and sell, and when to do so,” said Bankrate. By contrast, ETFs are more often passively managed, meaning the “fund manager doesn’t select the investments but rather mimics an index that’s already been selected, such as the S&P 500.”

Cost: Passive investing tends to be less costly, and that generally holds true for ETFs vs. mutual funds, with ETFs usually being “significantly cheaper for investors to own than mutual funds,” said CNBC. Additionally, ETFs tend to be more tax-efficient.

Buying and selling: Another major difference is in how you can buy and sell these investments. While ETFs trade on an exchange, just like stocks, allowing for buying and trading at any time the market is open, mutual funds are not priced until the end of the trading day. So although investors technically can place trades at any point in the business day, they “won’t know their transaction’s exact price per share until the end of the day,” said CNBC.

When can ETFs be a good fit for your portfolio?

Ultimately, whether an ETF or a mutual fund makes more sense for your portfolio “all depends on your goals and the type of investor you are,” said Schwab, as well as the specifics of the particular fund. For example, if you are a passive investor focused on tax efficiency and cost savings, a passively managed ETF may be the right move; this can also make sense if you tend to trade actively, as various types of trades “are possible with ETFs, but not with mutual funds,” said Schwab.

When could mutual funds make more sense?

Mutual funds tend to be a better choice for investors who prefer a more active management style, as they are more likely to align with that. Investing in mutual funds can also make sense depending on your specific investment account. For instance, 401(k) plans “often invest in mutual funds and don’t have an ETF option,” and some plans, as well as brokerage accounts, also “allow automatic contributions to mutual funds,” said Bankrate.

Whether it is because you are juggling too many bills, your budget is stretched thin or you simply overlooked the due date, you have missed a student loan payment. What happens next?

The unfortunate — though perhaps unsurprising — reality is that missing a student loan payment does carry consequences, ranging from late fees and credit damage to collections calls and even wage garnishment. How severe the consequences get, however, depends on how long the debt remains outstanding, which is why prompt action in this situation is essential.

What happens if you do not pay your federal student loans?

The distinction of a missed federal student loan is important to note here, because “what happens to you ultimately depends on the type of student loan you have: federal or private,” said Ramsey Solutions, a personal finance website.

Just one day after you miss a payment, your federal loan is considered delinquent. Late fees do not kick in until 30 days after a missed payment, though it is important to note that “all federal student loans issued after 2010 are part of the Federal Direct Loan program, which means that they do not incur late fees,” said NerdWallet.

If 90 days have passed and you still have not made any payment, then the servicer will usually report that to credit bureaus, which will then add it to your credit report, where it will remain for seven years. “This can lower a credit score by over 150 points, according to a 2025 report by the New York Fed — making it harder for you to open a credit card, rent an apartment or even get a cell phone plan,” said NerdWallet.

After that, if non-payment continues for 270 days, your loans will enter default. This carries even more serious consequences, potentially including wage garnishment.

How do the consequences of missed payments differ for private loans?

The biggest difference is that “private lenders usually give you less leeway than the federal government when you miss student loan payments,” said SoFi. Unlike with federal loans, when there is a standard timeline with defined consequences, individual lenders get to determine their own policies.

As a result, “you could see higher late fees” and credit damage “after just 30 days,” and “your loan might default after just 90 days,” said NerdWallet. Additionally, private lenders can sue you for the money you owe.

How can you avoid missing student loan payments?

Digging yourself out of the hole that missing a student loan can create is not an easy task. You are better off avoiding the scenario in the first place, which you can do by:

• Setting up autopay, if you have a tendency to forget your payment due date.
• Looking for ways to lower your student loan payments, if the amount is what is causing you to risk missing a payment.
• Talking to your lender, if you have hit a personal or financial roadblock that is temporarily preventing you from being able to pay.

A home inspection is a critical step in the homebuying process. While buyers typically see a property during an initial viewing, an inspection allows for a deeper dive into the house and an assessment of any issues it might have.

This is valuable information, given how major an investment a house is, and the fact that when you become the owner, you also become responsible for any problems that may arise, or that already exist. A thorough and detailed report can give you the confidence to move forward with the deal, the backing to ask for compensation for needed repairs or the understanding that it is in your best interest to walk away.

1. Understand your state’s inspection standards

To know what you can expect to get from a home inspection, it is first important to understand the standards your state has for them. “Currently, 35 states require home inspectors to be licensed, although the requirements vary widely,” said The Wall Street Journal, citing James Thomas, the executive director of the American Society of Home Inspectors. The remaining 15 states “regulate inspectors by statute,” though these “guidelines are typically less rigorous than the requirements for licensing.”

It is also good to note what an inspection in your state is required to inspect, and what may be missing from that list. Keep in mind that home inspection is “a noninvasive, visual review of a home’s structure and major systems,” which means it “doesn’t include such things as punching holes in walls to check electrical or plumbing,” said Rocket Mortgage.

2. Be an active and attentive participant in the inspection

When “walking through a home you’re considering, keep a critical eye (and a critical nose) open,” looking out for any “stains on walls and, especially, ceilings” as well as red flags like a “mildew smell,” said The New York Times. Make sure to bring anything you notice to the attention of your inspector. Do not hesitate to ask them questions.

Since a home inspection is so critical, it is also vital to ensure you can give it your full attention. As such, “this is definitely an instance where you’ll want to drop off your little one at grandma’s and leave your dog at home, because both you and the inspector need to be able to focus on the inspection,” said Consumer Reports.

3. Involve other expert opinions, if necessary

Remember: The inspector is not necessarily the end of the road when it comes to investigating issues with your potential future home. “Uncovering concerns like termite damage, old wiring inside walls (even if the electrical panel is modern) and buried oil tanks (in older homes that once had an oil furnace) will require separate, specialist checks,” said the Times. It is therefore worth asking both “your agent and inspector about common troubles in your area” for investigation on those sorts of matters.

If your inspector does flag any concerning issues with a home, you will likely want someone with particular expertise in that area to come take a closer look. For instance, if “your inspector finds worrisome foundation cracks,” you may consider hiring a “structural engineer or an architect to check it out more thoroughly,” said Consumer Reports.

The catch-22 of building credit is that you need to have access to and use credit in order to improve your credit. But often, without a solid score or an established history, it is difficult to qualify for borrowing opportunities, such as credit cards, in the first place.

A secured credit card can make landing an opportunity to prove yourself, credit-wise, a bit easier. While you will have to be in the financial position to hand over an initial cash deposit, from there, if you use your account responsibly, you can start moving on up in the credit world and eventually access better cards.

What is a secured credit card?

A secured credit card works much like a regular credit card, except for the fact that a security deposit is required when you open the account. This deposit “reduces the risk to the credit card issuer: If you don’t pay your bill, the issuer can take the money from your deposit,” said NerdWallet. This is why secured credit cards are generally easier to qualify for and more accessible to those with poor or no credit.

Secured cards tend to have lower credit limits compared to the more standard unsecured credit card, with the limit typically equal to the amount of the cash deposit made upon account opening. So, for example, if you “make a $200 security deposit, you’ll receive a $200 credit limit,” said CNBC Select.

How can a secured credit card help establish credit?

One of the “biggest pros of secured credit cards is that they’re available to customers with poor or limited credit,” said WalletHub. This is primarily because secured credit cards are backed by collateral — that initial security deposit — which the issuer can seize if payments are not made. Unsecured credit cards, by contrast, are backed only by the cardholder’s creditworthiness, which is why for these cards, an applicant’s credit score and history are weighed heavily.

Still, unsecured credit cards “report account activity to the major credit bureaus just like unsecured cards do,” which means “cardholders can begin to rebuild or establish credit by using the card responsibly,” said WalletHub. Responsible use means consistently making on-time payments and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio by not using too much of your total available balance at any one time.

Are there any drawbacks to secured credit cards?

Depending on your financial situation, coming up with the initial deposit required for a secured credit card may not be easy, especially since those funds will continue to be tied up while you have the card open. The “required security deposit typically starts at $200, but you may have the option to make a larger or smaller deposit,” said Experian.

Just keep in mind that this deposit typically represents your credit limit, or the amount you can spend with the card. Not only can a low limit “reduce your financial flexibility,” it “also makes it easy to use a high percentage of your available credit, which can negatively impact your credit score,” said Experian.

Plus, while it is generally easier to get approved for a secured credit card, “you’ll still need some kind of income to be approved,” and a “major negative on your credit report, such as non-discharged bankruptcy, may also prevent you from qualifying,” said WalletHub. If you are approved, paying off your balance in full is essential — not only for building credit, but also because the APR on a secured card is typically higher.

While it is legal to bet using online prediction markets in the United States, pushback has begun against a practice that many states say is harmful to their residents. Officials have initiated numerous lawsuits against major betting platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, but they may face an uphill battle as these prediction markets continue to grow more popular.

At least 20 lawsuits nationwide

Many states have alleged that the online prediction community is essentially a front for gambling. At least 20 federal lawsuits have been filed nationwide, “disputing whether companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket should be treated as federally regulated financial exchanges, as they maintain,” said The Guardian. But the lawsuits claim these companies are “gambling operations that should be regulated like state-licensed sportsbooks.” Polymarket was previously banned in the U.S. but was largely reinstated in 2025.

These lawsuits say the industry is harmful because companies “let users trade on the outcome of virtually anything, ranging from sports and elections to award shows, speeches and even what someone might wear,” said The Guardian. The users essentially bet against each other while platforms collect transaction fees, differing from casinos where players bet “against an established ‘house.’” These companies fall under “federal commodities law and are currently overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission rather than under state gaming regulators,” making the platforms available in all 50 states.

One of the most notable lawsuits is in Nevada, where the state’s “effort to block the prediction market platform Kalshi is moving through multiple courts,” said NBC News. Officials in Nevada allege that Kalshi, “through its prediction market contracts, is offering people a way to illegally bet on sports,” though Kalshi maintains it is just a financial exchange platform. But many of these lawsuits are also facing their own headwinds. In “Massachusetts alone, Robinhood and Polymarket have sued to block” legal maneuvers by the attorney general, said Bloomberg Law.

‘A full-blown war’

As the lawsuits continue, there are also political aspects to the rift between lawmakers and prediction markets. This has “escalated into a full-blown war, and battle lines aren’t being neatly drawn along party lines,” said Wired. Liberals and conservatives often find themselves defending the same cause. One side “argues that the platforms are breaking the law by operating as shadow casinos. The other insists they are just giving people access to legitimate financial markets already subject to adequate government oversight.”

Prediction markets have also become “entrenched in mainstream culture, a transformation that has brought vast sums of money into play,” said Wired. But in court, challenges to “sports prediction markets have won early victories,” said The New York Times, which could be “devastating for prediction markets” as a whole. Kalshi’s “own data shows that $12.5 billion of its total trading volume comes from sports-related contracts.” All of its other categories combined generate just $4.7 billion.

The 2028 election could also have implications for the market, particularly if Democrats win back the White House and go after such brands. “These sportsbook companies want to be fast, they want to be active, they want to get a good return on what they’re spending right now,” Chad Beynon, a senior analyst at Macquarie Group, told the Times, “knowing that this could go away in 2028.”

President Donald Trump has already lent his name to real estate projects, hotels, golf courses and even a meme coin. Now, the president has given his name to a federal prescription drug platform: TrumpRx.

Officially launched on Feb. 5, the drug-pricing website allows consumers to search for prescription drugs and then purchase them elsewhere, purportedly at a discount. But while the White House has promised the site will “instantly deliver prescription drugs at ‘the lowest price anywhere in the world,’” drug policy experts say the “jury is still out on whether the platform will provide the significant savings Trump promises,” especially given that a number of similar platforms already exist, said the Los Angeles Times.

How will TrumpRx work?

Put simply, TrumpRx is designed to “help uninsured Americans find discounted prices for high-cost, brand-name prescriptions, including fertility, obesity and diabetes treatments,” said the LA Times.

Rather than selling drugs directly, the website will allow consumers to search for their prescriptions, find prescription savings if available and then go to their pharmacy with a provided coupon or get directed to a manufacturer’s direct-to-consumer website to purchase the drug at a discount. While things may shift in the future, “at least initially, people would not be able to use their insurance through TrumpRx, though it directs people to some manufacturer sites that allow patients to use their coverage,” said The New York Times.

As of the site’s launch, TrumpRx offers 43 medications, “including well-known and widely used products like insulin; inhalers; the popular weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound; and a copycat version of Humira, used for conditions like arthritis,” said the Times. The Trump administration says more drugs will be added in the future.

Who can benefit from TrumpRx?

TrumpRx is “primarily for people who are buying out-of-pocket without insurance,” said NerdWallet. People who are insured privately, rather than paying cash, generally will not see as much benefit, although there are “cases when discounts could reduce costs — for example, when a newer, specialty name brand drug isn’t covered or easily approved by insurance,” said the outlet.

Meanwhile, people who are covered by Medicaid are “unlikely to benefit since nearly all prescription drugs are covered with little or no copay,” said NerdWallet.

Will TrumpRx offer meaningful savings?

It is “unlikely that many consumers will save money by using TrumpRx,” given that “nearly all of the drugs on the site are already widely covered through insurance, and some are available as inexpensive generics from competing manufacturers,” said the Times.

Further, many of the discounts that TrumpRx does offer are already available through comparable websites, such as the online pharmacy GoodRx. For example, “Pfizer’s Duavee menopause treatment is listed at $30.30 on TrumpRx, but it is also available for the same price at some pharmacies via GoodRx,” said the LA Times. In another example, “weight management drug Wegovy starts at $199 on TrumpRx” — a price at which “manufacturers were already selling.”

The big difference between a secured loan and an unsecured loan comes down to one thing: collateral. This refers to a valuable possession, such as a house or a car, that backs up — or secures — the loan, as the lender can take that asset should you fail to repay the money you have borrowed.

While a secured loan may sound scary, and there is certainly risk involved, there are upsides to this kind of loan as compared to an unsecured loan, where you do not put anything on the line. Keep reading to better understand the pros and cons of each.

What is a secured loan?

A secured loan is a type of loan that is backed by collateral. When you take out a secured loan, “you give the lender the right to seize the asset you use as collateral should you fail to repay the loan,” said Bankrate.

Common examples of secured loans are auto loans and mortgages, wherein the property the funds are used to buy — meaning, the vehicle and the home, in these cases — is used as collateral. Because lenders can at least partly recoup their losses by seizing that property in the instance of non-payment, they view these loans as lower risk. As a result, “secured personal loans can be easier to qualify for,” and they “typically have lower annual percentage rates than unsecured loans,” said NerdWallet.

What is an unsecured loan?

With an unsecured loan, there is no property backing up the loan. Instead, “lenders rely on your credit and financial factors like your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to assess your likelihood of repaying the loan,” and “they also use your credit score to help determine the interest rate,” said Experian. Common examples of this category of loan are personal loans, student loans and credit cards.

Since there is no collateral the lender can seize if you do not repay an unsecured loan, they typically charge higher interest rates and offer lower borrowing amounts. You will still face damage to your credit in the instance of non-payment.

Should you get a secured or unsecured loan?

Ultimately, whether a secured or unsecured loan makes more sense will depend on your intended use for the funds, your creditworthiness and the level of risk you are comfortable assuming.

For “higher-ticket purchases, a secured loan is often a better choice,” said Investopedia, as this will generally offer you better terms and a higher borrowing limit. Other reasons to get a secured loan include “locking in a lower interest rate or building your credit with a secured credit card,” as pledging collateral, assuming you have it, generally makes qualifying for a loan easier.

On the other hand, an unsecured loan presents a lower level of risk, since there is no asset on the line. Plus, unlike with a secured loan, which typically stipulates how you can use the funds, with an unsecured loan, “funds can generally be used as needed,” said Bankrate.

When you think about getting a dog, or a cat, or whatever type of pet you are dreaming about, you are likely thinking about all the good moments together: the snuggles on the couch, the belly rubs, their funny antics and charming personality. What might be less front of mind are the financial considerations of pet ownership. But in order to be responsible to both your pet and your wallet, the costs are important to weigh before making a commitment that will last for years to come.

How much can you expect to spend on a pet?

When adopting a pet, the upfront cost is far from the only expense you will end up incurring over their lifetime. Dreaming of a canine companion? The cost of “owning a dog over the average lifespan of 12 years ranges from $20,000 to $55,000,” said Discover, citing research from Credit.com.

Other types of pets, like cats, may be slightly easier on the wallet, but there are still plenty of costs involved. Whereas the average annual ownership cost for a dog is pegged at around $1,852, it is $1,235 for cats and $1,459 for other pets, said Zebra, an insurance comparison website, citing data from the American Veterinary Medical Association. Cats also have a longer average lifespan, with indoor cats potentially living 10 to 20 years.

What are the typical costs of pet ownership?

The first cost many hopeful pet owners will face is an adoption fee, which can range anywhere from $50 to $5,000 and up, depending on whether you get your pet from a shelter or a breeder, said Zebra. Beyond that, you can expect to pay for:

• Supplies, such as a bed or crate, toys, a litter box and food and water bowls
• Vet visits, including one-time costs like spay/neuter surgery as well as annual check-ups and any emergency visits
• Food and treats
• Medications, if necessary
• Pet insurance
• Grooming and upkeep
• Training, like basic obedience classes
• Pet sitting and boarding (or hotel and airline fees if your pet travels with you)

How can you ensure you are financially ready for a pet?

Ensuring you are ready to bring a furry (or scaly) friend home requires first getting clear-eyed about the financial commitment involved, as well as your budget and your lifestyle. Make sure you are ready for the costs involved — both upfront and ongoing — and that you can balance them with your other financial commitments, as well as your financial goals.

There are also proactive steps you can take to mitigate the costs of pet ownership. For instance, you might establish a dedicated pet savings account, which can function “just like your emergency fund, but for your pet,” said CFP Let’s Make a Plan, a website for financial planning and certified financial planners. You might alternatively consider “exploring pet insurance or wellness plans” — for instance, a “preventive care plan can help spread out the cost of routine care and protect against surprises.”

Alongside saving, investing is a cornerstone of building wealth. It is not always easy to know where to get started, however, in part due to the sheer range of possible investment options. Should you dive straight into stocks? What about ETFs and mutual funds? And how do bonds fit into the whole picture?

If your head already feels like it’s spinning, don’t fret: “With the right tools and resources, investing can be much easier than you’d expect” — and “you don’t need a lot of money to get started,” said Vanguard, a top investing company. Here’s what you need to know.

What investments are good choices for beginners?

Arguably, the best starter investment is likely one you are already familiar with: your retirement plan. “Why? Contributions are taken right out of your paycheck, which helps you build an investing habit,” said NerdWallet, plus you may get the added bonus of an employment match (essentially free money) and the tax benefits associated with some types of accounts, like 401(k) plans.

Beyond that, some solid options to consider are funds — like exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds and mutual funds — because they effectively offer a short-cut to owning a range of investments, which means your portfolio will not rely too much on the performance of any one investment. Mutual funds, for instance, “give you the opportunity to invest in a basket of stocks or bonds (or other assets) that you might not be able to easily build on your own,” said Bankrate.

What should you consider when building your portfolio?

Just as important as what investments you choose for your investment portfolio is an understanding of why you are investing. Common investment goals include: being able to retire someday, covering the cost of a child’s education or saving up for a house.

Your specific goals will also provide some clarity on your investment timeline and the level of risk it is reasonable to take on. For example, the “longer you have to reach your goal, the more time you have to weather market ups and downs, which means you may be comfortable taking on more risk,” said Vanguard. Risk tolerance also comes down to personal comfort, as some people can stomach market swings better than others.

Also take into consideration just how involved with the management of your portfolio you would like to be. This can partly shape your strategy — for instance, a “passive investor typically buys low-cost, diversified mutual funds or ETFs, and holds them for the long term,” whereas “active investors generally choose individual investments or mutual funds that aim to outperform the market,” said Bankrate. It also may indicate whether you want to outsource some of the work, such as through a robo-adviser.

Lastly, do not overlook the importance of diversification. Basically, this entails “choosing a variety of investment types,” which in turn can “help lower your risk and improve your chances of achieving your investment goals,” said Vanguard.

When should you start investing?

In short, now. If you have any cash flow to spare (and let’s be honest, most budgets do if you look closely), then it is one of the biggest financial favors you can do for your future self.

“Investing is crucial if you want to maintain the purchasing power of your savings and reach long-term financial goals like retirement or building wealth,” said Bankrate. Otherwise, if left to sit in savings, “eventually inflation will decrease the value of your hard-earned cash.”

The process of filing your own taxes can seem daunting, especially if you are doing it for the first time. But assuming that your financial situation is fairly straightforward and you have the necessary documents already in order, it can actually be a cinch. Plus, many of the tax filing programs available today will help walk you through the whole thing, step by step, so you are never truly on your own.

Still, you can save yourself some stress — and time — by doing a little legwork now. Here’s how to set yourself up for a successful first time filing.

Determine whether you actually need to file

Before you start worrying about the specifics of filing, make sure you definitely need to file. Whether or not you need to file your taxes depends on a few factors, including your income, your age and your tax filing status.

“If you can be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return and you’ve had a job — even a part-time one — and earned more than $15,750 in the tax year — you’ll need to file,” said H&R Block. The same goes for if you brought in more than a certain amount in unearned income, such as interest from investments. However, “if you don’t fall into either category and are a dependent, you are likely not required to file a federal tax return.”

Be clear on your tax filing status, including whether you qualify as a dependent

Knowing your tax filing status is relevant for figuring out whether or not you need to file, and it also affects your tax rate, as well as deductions and credits. Your selection here will be fairly straightforward if you are unmarried and do not have any dependents.

Another consideration to ensure you do not overlook: whether you are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. “If you fail to indicate that you can be claimed as a dependent by someone else, and they do claim you on their taxes, the IRS may reject your return,” said TaxAct. Generally, the IRS considers you claimable as a dependent if a parent or another person paid “more than half of your expenses in the past year.”

Check what documents you will need — and figure out where they are

Taking the time to figure out what documents you will need when you go to file, and where those documents are located, can make all the difference in how painstaking or pain-free the tax-filing process is. Broadly speaking, these documents will include any income tax forms, such as “W-2s, 1099s and other forms reporting any kind of income,” plus supporting documentation for tax deductions and credits, like a Form 1098-T if you are a student and qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, said Bankrate.

To avoid backtracking later, consider collecting these forms in one place as they arrive. And before you file, it is worth taking a minute to “think about anything you did in the past year that might impact your taxes,” like “changing jobs” or “paying college tuition or student loan interest,” said Intuit TurboTax.

Be conscious of the deadline

This applies to any tax filer, but it is especially true for a first-timer: Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to file ahead of the April 15 deadline, ideally with a buffer built in, just in case anything unexpected crops up (such as a crucial document gone missing).

The earlier you file, the “better your chances of avoiding tax-related identity theft” will be, not to mention that “if you’re owed a tax refund, you may receive it sooner,” said Better Money Habits, Bank of America’s financial education platform.

Your credit card’s APR, or annual percentage rate, is an important figure to pay attention to, especially if you do not pay off your card’s balance in full each and every statement cycle. The APR represents the interest rate you are charged on a credit card balance that remains after the card’s due date, and it can make a sizable difference in how much you ultimately have to pay to zero out your balance.

While credit card APRs have always been notoriously high, especially in comparison to other forms of borrowing, they have gotten even steeper in recent years. The “average interest rate on a commercial credit card is nearly 21% these days, according to Federal Reserve data,” which is “nearly double the rate seen 10 years ago,” said CBS News. So how can you know whether the rate you are quoted is better — or worse — than what is typical?

What is a good APR for a credit card?

Technically speaking, the “best APR you can get on a credit card is 0%,” said NerdWallet. That is a deal that will not last forever, though, as credit cards that do offer a 0% APR only do so for a brief promotional period, after which the card’s “interest rate resets to the ongoing APR,” said the outlet.

Otherwise, a helpful benchmark to look at is the current average credit card APR, which is data the Federal Reserve provides. If your card is below that average, then it is likely a good rate. That said, “even a credit card at the national average can be considered a decent option, especially if you’re looking at one of today’s best credit cards that comes with rewards, bonuses and perks that can help offset any fees,” said Bankrate.

How are credit card APRs determined?

A major determinant of credit card APRs is the prime rate, which tracks the Federal Reserve’s target federal funds rate range. Based on that, “credit card issuers set their APRs by adding their profit margin (usually about 12% to 13%) to the prime rate,” said Bankrate.

Different types of cards also have different APRs. For instance, “if you’re looking for a high-value rewards credit card with premium benefits, you can count on a high APR,” whereas “some cards designed for beginner cardholders or those looking to improve their credit may have slightly lower interest rates,” said Yahoo Finance.

Your credit score heavily influences the APR you get, too. As you may expect, a higher credit score can generally land you a more favorable APR.

How can you qualify for a better APR?

While you may “not be able to control all factors that determine your APR, you can be proactive in maintaining or polishing your creditworthiness,” said NerdWallet. In turn, this may lead to a lower credit card APR. To improve your score, do the following:

• Consistently pay your bills on time.
• Keep your credit utilization rate (the amount of your total available credit you are currently using) as low as possible.
• Avoid applying for multiple new borrowing opportunities at once, as this will result in multiple hard inquiries, which temporarily lower your score.
• Monitor your credit report to look for any errors or issues affecting your score.

With only so much money coming into your bank account each month, it can feel challenging to decide where to allocate it, especially when you have competing priorities. After all, paying down debt, whether from credit cards or student loans, is non-negotiable. But saving is also critical if you want to reach other financial goals, like contributing to an emergency fund for your peace of mind or putting money toward a down payment for an eventual home of your own.

While it may not always feel easy to juggle these two financial priorities, it is certainly possible — and arguably necessary, depending on your situation. Take these three tips into consideration.

Fine tune your budget

To successfully maintain the balancing act that is saving up money while paying down debt, it is first important to evaluate your overall financial situation. This should include the money flowing into — and out of — your bank account each month, alongside your outstanding debt and how much you currently have saved.

By getting this big-picture view of your situation, you can identify any wiggle room to put more money toward either priority. It can also help you determine whether one priority may come out ahead in terms of needing more of your attention, e.g. if you lack an emergency fund or your debt is racking up interest fast.

Do not underestimate the importance of an emergency fund

While it may feel counterintuitive to be socking away money for your future self when you already owe money to others, failing to put anything aside can end up landing you in further debt. “If you don’t have any savings, focusing solely on paying debt can backfire when unexpected needs or costs come up. You might need to borrow again, and debt can become a revolving door,” said Melissa Joy, a certified financial planner and founder of the firm Pearl Planning, to Bankrate.

While you will need to pay at least the minimum due on any debts to avoid credit impacts, from there, see if you can find any amount you can divert toward savings each month. Or even better, “set up monthly automatic transfers from your checking account into a high-yield savings account earmarked for emergencies only,” said U.S. Bank, aiming for a balance that would cover three to six months of expenses.

Implement a debt payoff plan

Debt — especially high-interest debt like credit card debt — will stand in the way of achieving financial freedom if you let it linger. So, come up with a plan that will allow you to pay it all down, once and for all. Typically, the most cost-effective approach is to focus on zeroing out the account with the highest interest rate first (known as the avalanche approach), though some people may feel motivated if they tackle their smallest balance first, then work up from there (the snowball strategy). You might also look into debt consolidation.

No matter what approach you choose, it is critical that during this time you do not take on any more debt. “Adding new debt while trying to pay off existing balances only makes things more difficult,” said U.S. Bank. Plus, the faster you can pay off your debt, the sooner you can turn your attention fully to saving, and making your other financial goals a reality.

Tax filing can necessitate a lot of lingo and decisions that feel high-stakes. One of the first choices you have to face when you go to do your taxes is what tax filing status to use. This will determine what tax brackets apply to you and, as a result, how much you pay in taxes. It also influences the tax credits and deductions you can claim.

Sometimes your tax filing status is obvious, such as if you are single with no dependents. But in other cases, it is less clear what filing status to select. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) even says “filing with the wrong tax status is one of the most common errors that a taxpayer can make,” said U.S. News & World Report.

What is a tax filing status?

Your tax filing status is the category under which you file your taxes and it “informs the IRS about you and your tax situation,” said H&R Block. The status you choose has a number of implications, including whether you need to file a return, which tax brackets apply to you, what your standard deduction amount is and whether you can claim certain tax deductions.

A taxpayer’s filing status is primarily determined by marital status, though whether or not they have any dependents also has a bearing, among other factors.

What are the different tax filing statuses, and who are they for?

There are five tax filing statuses:

Single: This is a “taxpayer who is unmarried, divorced, a registered domestic partner or legally separated according to state law as of the last day of the tax year,” and who does not qualify for head of household (see below) and is not widowed, said Investopedia.

Head of household: To claim this status, a taxpayer must be unmarried and have “paid more than half the cost to keep up a home for the year and provided most or all the support for at least one other person for more than half the year,” said NerdWallet.

Married filing jointly: This option is for married couples who want to file together, allowing them to combine “both spouses’ income, deductions and credits on a single tax return” while sharing “joint responsibility for the tax,” said Forbes. The status is also available to those whose spouse died during the year.

Married filing separately: While filing jointly is generally most advantageous for married couples, they can also opt to file two separate returns. “There are situations where filing separately makes sense — often involving separate debts, significant medical expenses or uneven income,” or if student loan repayment plans are under consideration, said Forbes.

Surviving spouse: Those who have lost their spouse in the last two years and have a dependent child may select this filing status, after that first year when they can still choose to file as married filing jointly. “This filing status is unique in that you are entitled to the joint return tax rates and the highest standard deduction amount even though you’re no longer filing a joint return,” said Bankrate.

Which tax filing status should you use?

You do not necessarily have to make the choice yourself: “If you’re not sure which status to use, the IRS has a ‘What is my filing status?’ tool that lets you input your information to help you determine which one to choose,” said NerdWallet. Or, you can always consult a tax professional.

It probably feels more complicated than it really is. Although “it may seem as though there are multiple tax filing statuses to choose from,” typically, “most people will be deciding between two options, at most,” said Bankrate. When weighing one or the other, assess which option will result in you owing the least amount in taxes, while also assessing the legwork involved in switching over from one status to another.

Coming up with the cash for a down payment is not easy. If the goal of homeownership is out of reach because of that upfront amount required, you may be tempted to dip into the savings you have stashed for other purposes — like your retirement.

In fact, the Trump administration recently suggested this possibility, proposing to “allow investors to use some of their retirement funds to make a down payment on a ​house,” said Reuters. It is already an option to borrow against retirement funds through a 401(k) loan, assuming your plan permits it. But is raiding your retirement for a home purchase a financially sound idea?

While the specifics of the Trump administration’s proposal have yet to be revealed, there are some major caveats and drawbacks to 401(k) loans. And generally, taking money out of your retirement, even if you repay it, will reduce your later balance. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether utilizing your 401(k) makes sense.

Pro: It is an immediate source of cash for a down payment

The obvious benefit of tapping your 401(k) for a down payment on a house is that it is a quick source of cash, assuming you have built up a decent balance. There are limits on how much you can borrow through a 401(k) loan, though: The “maximum loan amount is $50,000 or 50% of your vested account balance, whichever is less,” said Bankrate.

Con: You have to repay the loan

A 401(k) loan is money borrowed that you will have to repay, even if those payments are technically going back into your own account. Loan payments are typically automatically deducted from your paycheck, which will mean less money to put toward other expenses, including payments on your new mortgage. For repayment, the “time frame is normally no more than five years,” meaning with a “$50,000 loan, that’s $833 a month plus interest,” said Investopedia.

Pro: Interest on a 401(k) loan is paid back to your account

Unlike with a traditional loan, where the interest you pay goes to the bank, interest paid on a 401(k) loan “will go back into your retirement account, although on a post-tax basis,” said Bankrate. As a result, “you are earning at least a little money on the funds you withdraw,” said Investopedia.

Con: You will lose out on potential investment growth

When you take money out of your 401(k), you will lose out on the potential growth of those funds. Even if you repay the full amount, those lost years during which interest could have continued compounding could result in a gap in your retirement savings balance. Plus, “some plans don’t allow employees to make regular contributions until the loan is paid off,” said NerdWallet, putting you further behind.

Pro: No credit check is required

A 401(k) loan “won’t require a credit check or be listed as debt on your credit report,” said Bankrate (though your employer will likely know about the loan). This means that if, for some reason, you are “forced to default on the loan, you won’t have to worry about it damaging your credit score because the default won’t be reported to credit bureaus.”

Con: Leaving or changing jobs will expedite repayment

Repayment expectations shift for a 401(k) loan if you are no longer at the job where you have your 401(k). Should you leave your job, whether because you want to change companies or get laid off or fired, “you must repay the loan by the due date of your federal income tax return or the loan will be considered a withdrawal,” said Investopedia. A 401(k) withdrawal will entail paying income taxes on the amount and, if you are under the age of 59 ½, a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Seeing our loved ones age is not always easy, and now there is the added threat of ever-increasing financial scams that they may fall victim to. While fraudsters can and do target people of any age, seniors tend to be particularly vulnerable due to a combination of factors including less tech familiarity, greater amassment of wealth, cognitive decline and, in some cases, isolation.

Just last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center “received nearly 150,000 complaints of cyber-enabled fraud against people 60 or older, with almost $5 billion in losses,” and with the average victim losing around $83,000, said The New York Times, citing the agency’s annual report. Often, it is seniors’ “adult children” who are the “first people to notice when something seems amiss,” but in many cases, “family dynamics can make it difficult to change their behavior.” Here are some tips for how to get through.

1. Open up lines of communication

Have financial conversations openly and candidly with your family members. Creating an environment where you have these talks can make it more likely that your family will give you insight into what is going on with them and their financial situation.

If that sounds intimidating, remember these conversations can start slowly. “It’s really about just talking. Start with your own situation. You might say, ‘I want an extra set of eyes on my financial accounts. Would you mind getting alerts if something happens? I can do the same for you.’ You make it a two-way street,” said Elizabeth Loewy, the co-founder and COO at EverSafe, an online financial protection and monitoring service, to Fidelity.

Should a concern arise, it is also important to approach the topic with empathy and patience, as you may not make an impact immediately. “Don’t chide or correct, but instead ask questions in a respectful manner,” said the Times. This will also help ensure your elder family member does not stop talking to you going forward.

2. Educate them on the warning signs

Raising awareness can go a long way toward preventing scams from taking hold. Inform your elderly family members of the red flags to watch out for, from requests for personal information to pressure to act quickly, and “explain the types of scams specifically targeting them via channels such as phone calls, emails, text, social media and even letters in the mail,” said J.P. Morgan Wealth Management.

If you think the information would be better received if someone else delivered it, “banks, credit unions and other financial professionals may offer free trainings on how to prevent fraud or manage money,” said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

3. Keep an eye on their accounts — and their cognitive health

Getting looped into your elderly family member’s accounts, whether through receiving unusual account activity alerts or copies of their bank statements, can allow you to keep a better eye on things. Then, if anything looks suspicious, you can stop it before it goes too far.

Beyond accounts, another proactive measure you can take is tracking your relative’s cognitive well-being, as troubles there, even prior to a formal diagnosis, can make people more susceptible to financial fraud. In fact, “one of the first signs of cognitive decline is a change in financial behavior,” said AARP, citing its senior vice president for policy and brain health, Sarah Lock. “You may notice that the person who’s been meticulous in their financial affairs suddenly becomes less so,” said Lock, with issues ranging from unpaid bills to unusual spending cropping up.

There are a number of hurdles on the pathway to becoming a homeowner, but for many people, one of the first and particularly daunting challenges is the down payment.

Even if you are getting a mortgage, it’s still necessary to put this cash amount down upfront, and the recommended amount — 20% — is steep, especially given the high cost of housing. But if you can work backward from that figure and break it down into smaller steps, plus employ some tricks to make saving up a little easier, it is more than possible to get there.

How can you figure out how much to save?

Saving for a down payment can feel like a totally amorphous goal until you get more specific about it. So, how can you figure out what a reasonable amount to save is — especially before you have found the house you are going to buy?

Start by figuring out how much house you can afford to buy in your current financial situation. There are a number of rules of thumb you can use to decide this, but “probably the best-known metric” is the 28/36 rule, which “involves putting no more than 28% of your gross monthly income toward housing expenses and 36% toward overall debt,” said CNBC Select.

Once you have that upper limit in mind, determine what percentage of the amount you would like to save for a down payment. To avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), you will need to put down at least 20%. However, it is not mandatory to do so — in fact, “in 2024, down payments for first-timers averaged 9%,” said CNBC Select.

What can you do to help save up?

First off, it is helpful to set a clear timeline for when you would like to start making moves toward homeownership. This will allow you to more easily see how much you need to save each month.

From there, evaluate your monthly budget, considering how much is coming in and how much is going out. Could you take steps to increase your income, whether that is by asking for a raise or picking up extra work? Alternatively, upon reviewing your expenses, identify some areas where you could tighten up or cut back.

Another shortcut to saving is to divert any “windfalls in the form of tax refunds, insurance payouts, inheritances and so on, which could put you significantly closer to your goal,” said Investopedia.

Where should you stash your down payment savings?

Where you put that money you are saving up can also make a difference in reaching your goal, thanks to the power of interest. Some options to consider include:

High-yield savings accounts: High-yield savings accounts can work for those “who value flexibility and competitive interest rates,” as they allow you to withdraw your funds without penalty (up to a limit), said Yahoo Finance. “Some of the best online banks and credit unions offer high-yield savings accounts with interest rates over 10 times higher than the national average.”

Certificates of deposit (CDs): CDs can make sense “once you have a good-sized chunk of savings,” as you effectively lock up the funds for a certain amount of time, though at a “slightly higher rate than savings accounts or money markets,” said NerdWallet. Just make sure to have your CD’s maturity “timed to mature around the time you expect to have the bulk of your down payment saved” and ready to go.

Money market accounts: A money market account can provide a little bit of the best of both the above options. They “may offer higher rates than standard savings accounts,” but you will have a bit more flexibility to withdraw the funds in case you need to than you do with a CD, said Bankrate.

Credit card interest can take a balance that seems manageable and make it balloon — sometimes into an amount that feels totally untenable. Part of the problem is how steep interest rates can be, often climbing above 20%. With a rate cap, though, there would be a limit as to how high those rates could reach.

The hope in implementing a credit card rate cap is that taking on debt could become less costly for Americans. At least, that is the reason President Donald Trump cited when he floated the possibility of a one-year rate cap beginning Jan. 20, 2026, amid the ongoing affordability crisis. According to some critics, however, that solution would only create new problems.

How would a credit card rate cap work?

In essence, a rate cap would put an upper limit on the interest rate that credit card companies can charge. Under Trump’s proposal specifically, that cap would be 10%, and it would remain in effect for one year, after which point it is unclear what would happen. Still, this would mark a significant cut, given the current average credit card APR is around 22%.

Still, it is worth noting that as of now, Trump has yet to “offer any details on how the one-year cap would be enacted,” said The Wall Street Journal. Further, said the Journal, “industry groups and analysts are skeptical Trump’s call for a cap will move forward in its current form.”

What benefits would a cap have for consumers?

If you carry a balance from month to month, a rate cap could translate to serious savings on credit card interest payments. Per one estimate, with a 10% rate cap “consumers could save $100 billion a year, or about $899 per person,” said The New York Times, citing an analysis by researchers at Vanderbilt University.

Those who pay off their credit card balance in full each month would not experience any real benefits, as they do not pay interest anyway.

Are there any downsides of cap on card rates?

While lower credit card rates may sound like good news all around, there are some potential downsides. Slashing rates would also slash a major source of revenue for credit card companies, and “if lending is less profitable, banks say, they will be forced to slash credit lines and curb their credit-card offerings,” said the Times.

For starters, this could mean that “many people, especially those with lower incomes and lower credit scores, would lose access to credit cards,” said the Journal. As a result, these people could turn to alternatives that have greater risk and fewer protections.

Credit card rewards could also be impacted. “If a rate cap reduces overall revenue, issuers are expected to tweak rewards programs in ways that preserve their most profitable relationships, while trimming costs elsewhere,” the Journal said. This could mean “smaller sign-up bonuses, tighter eligibility requirements and stricter redemption policies for rewards like hotel stays and flight vouchers,” as well as the possibility that “points become worth less.” Meanwhile, other cards that offer “simpler rewards, such as flat-rate cash back, could institute new annual fees.”

Household budgets remain tight as we enter 2026, so it’s no surprise that money-related goals are high on many people’s new year resolution lists.

Nearly a third of people are aiming to cut their monthly spending in 2026, said City A.M., to help “boost their savings” and build up “rainy day” funds.

A financial new year’s resolution can focus on “small, manageable changes that can make a meaningful difference”, said Moneynet.

Here is how to give your finances a new year boost for 2026.

Make financial goals

A new year can be a “good time” to reconsider your financial goals, said Brewin Dolphin.

Think about what you would like to achieve financially “over the short, medium and long term”. You could be saving for a mortgage deposit or your retirement and if your objectives have changed, said Active Financial Planners, you may need to adjust your strategies and “reassess the level of risk you are comfortable with”.

Assess your spending and saving

Cutting back on spending may help save money but you can’t just have a “vague goal of spending less”, said RestLess. Set “short term and achievable goals”, such as spending less on lunch or on going out.

You could also analyse your spending habits, said Planned Future, to find “non-essential expenses” such as subscription services, impulse purchases or luxury items. These could be redirected towards savings or investments.

Start a savings or investing habit

There are “three main reasons” to save regularly, said Money Helper. These are for emergencies, so there’s money available “if something unexpected happens”; to fund luxuries such as your first home or holidays; and to “live comfortably in the future” such as when you retire.

All UK adults get a £20,000 allowance that can be saved or invested through an ISA tax-free. The 2026/27 tax year will be the final tax year that under-65s can put the full £20,000 into a cash ISA, before the allowance for this product drops to £12,000, said Moneyfacts, so “it could prove all the more important to maximise your contributions”.

But don’t panic if you aren’t ready to invest yet, said A.J. Bell. Investing regularly over the long term is “what really benefits your wealth”, whenever you start.

Put more money into your pension

Boosting your pension contributions is an “extremely tax efficient from of long-term saving”, said St James’s Place. The “real bonus” is the tax relief you get at your highest rate of tax.

Everyone automatically gets 20% tax relief and higher earners can reclaim the extra 20% or 25%, “reducing the cost of the contribution overall”.

Shop around

Shopping around for new car or home insurance as well as broadband and mobile phone contracts can help save money.

But your “biggest monthly outgoing”, said RestLess, is likely to be your mortgage so it is “vital to make sure you aren’t paying more than you need to each month”. You could save money by remortgaging.

Are you protected?

It is essential to have adequate insurance in place, said Active Financial Planners, such as life insurance, income protection or critical illness cover. But “make sure your policies match your current circumstances” or your family could face financial difficulty “if the worst happens”.

Similarly, it is worth creating or updating your will, especially if your situation has changed “due to marriage, children or other life events” as clear estate planning “brings peace of mind for you and certainty for your loved ones”.

A budgeting app can be a great tool to ensure you are spending within your means and saving adequately. Many of the top apps today allow you to easily track and categorize your expenditures, set and work toward your financial goals and even forecast your cash flow in the future.

But no matter how many bells and whistles an app may have, if it does not actually serve your needs, you find it frustrating to use or it is otherwise unreliable, then it’s sure to become just another icon cluttering up your phone screen. As you peruse the myriad budgeting app options, take these factors into consideration.

Alignment with needs and preferences

Selecting an app that “matches your lifestyle makes budgeting much more manageable,” said Money. Contemplate what features you need — e.g. sharing access with a significant other, integrating investing, help tracking payments and subscriptions — and what style of budgeting may work best for you.

Also consider how much active management you want to put into budgeting. While “many budgeting apps connect with your accounts and pull data automatically” and even “automatically categorize your spending,” other apps will “encourage you to be more involved in the process, requiring you to manually categorize transactions,” said WSJ Buy Side, The Wall Street Journal’s research and commerce division.

Ease of use

Budgeting is not necessarily a fun activity as it is — so if a budgeting app is also frustrating or confusing to use, there is a very good chance you will not end up using it. When comparing different apps, look for those “that allow you to quickly input transactions, set budgets and track your spending without a steep learning curve,” said Community Choice Credit Union. User reviews and ratings can help in this evaluation, as people are likely to flag what did and did not work for them, as well as any areas they think could use improvement.

Affordability

While you should consider price, “don’t just gravitate toward the cheapest option” when choosing a budgeting app, said CNBC Select. After all, “spending money to help you save can be worthwhile in the long run.”

Some apps are entirely free, others may charge for certain premium features, and then there are those that require you to pay for a subscription. Often, however, you can get a free trial that will at least let you test out the app before purchasing.

Security

Security is key when using a budgeting app, as you are inputting a lot of personal financial details and typically connecting the app to many of your other financial accounts. You stand a better chance of ensuring your data is safe by “opting for reputable budgeting apps,” namely those that utilize “bank-grade encryption and multi-factor authentication,” said Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus.

Obtaining student loan forgiveness can feel like pure relief — but there may be some fine print to that forgiveness. As of Jan. 1, 2026, following the expiration of a Biden-era provision that made student loan forgiveness tax-free, some borrowers who get their debt balance wiped away will now face a sizable tax bill.

Effectively, this means that borrowers “who qualify for student loan forgiveness in 2026 could face thousands of dollars in new taxes alongside their debt relief,” said Business Insider, marking a financial hit that some have dubbed the student loan “tax bomb.” Whether or not taxes will apply, however, depends on the specifics of your own student loan forgiveness situation.

When do you owe taxes on student loan forgiveness?

Forgiving a federal student loan balance, and the “possible resulting tax bomb, primarily impacts borrowers who use income-driven repayment plans,” said Intuit TurboTax. These are the federal student loan repayment plans under which you pay a certain amount of your discretionary income over a set period of time, after which any balance that remains gets forgiven.

That said, whether or not you owe taxes for forgiveness under an income-driven repayment plan depends on when you enrolled in the plan and when your loans were forgiven. “Borrowers whose loans were forgiven between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2025, are exempt from taxes on their forgiven loan balances,” as are those who were “enrolled in an IDR plan and eligible for forgiveness before the end of 2025,” even if their forgiveness “isn’t actually processed until 2026,” said Yahoo Finance.

On the other hand, “if your loans are eligible for forgiveness on or after Jan. 1, 2026, you will owe federal taxes on the forgiven balance,” said Yahoo Finance.

What types of loan forgiveness are tax-free?

Not all forms of loan forgiveness will lead to a tax bill. For instance, “if you follow the rules of programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Teacher Loan Forgiveness and similar federal loan programs, any loan forgiveness you receive should not be taxable,” said Intuit TurboTax.

Other scenarios where loan forgiveness is tax-free include loans that were discharged due to permanent disability or death, or because of school closure or fraud.

How could student loan forgiveness impact your tax bill?

If your student loan forgiveness is subject to taxes, any amount you receive in forgiveness is considered taxable income. This may end up pushing some people into a higher tax, which could lead to them paying more in taxes overall.

The exact impact will depend on both the amount of debt forgiven and each borrower’s tax bracket, but it could be significant, considering the “average loan balance for borrowers enrolled in an IDR plan is around $57,000,” said CNBC. “For those in the 22% tax bracket, having that amount forgiven would trigger a tax burden of more than $12,000,” said CNBC, citing higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Meanwhile, “lower earners, or those in the 12% tax bracket, would still owe around $7,000” in that scenario.

Whether it is across town or across the country, moving can quickly begin to feel like an overwhelming undertaking. There are likely a million different to-dos running through your mind, from researching neighborhoods and clearing out your basement to getting preapproved for a mortgage and finding a realtor to work with.

Having a clear checklist to run down — and knowing what items to start with — can bring some order to the process. Follow these steps to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Put together a budget

Moving, as you may have already begun to realize, is not an inexpensive endeavor. And all too often, what had initially seemed like small costs can end up surprising you when they start to add up. Before you get into the logistics of it all, take a minute to outline your upcoming moving expenses, accounting for the “cost of everything from packing tape, bubble wrap and moving boxes, to moving company fees,” said The Spruce.

Once you have that rough estimate in mind, you can guarantee you are setting aside enough to comfortably cover all of the costs involved. Even better if you have a little runway prior to the move and can stash your savings in a high-yield savings account, so interest earnings will boost your available funds.

Organize and declutter

Put simply, the “more you have to move, the more it’s going to cost you,” said Apartment Therapy. So as soon as you can, start going through your current home or apartment room by room, taking stock of everything that is there and deciding what you actually want to bring along with you. When assessing, “you should consider removing large, bulky items like unused furniture or appliances or heavy items like books,” said Forbes.

From there, decide whether those are items you would like to donate or give away to friends or family. You can also try to sell some items, which can mean extra cash to put toward the move or new items for your next home.

Research and hire movers if you plan to use them

The search for a moving company should start well before you actually need them there. Ideally, aim to "start the search for a moving company as soon as possible — preferably two months before your move — to get the best price," said Wirecutter, citing Brian Brooks of E.E Ward Moving & Storage.

When evaluating and comparing different moving companies, take into consideration their reviews and reputation, checking sources like the Better Business Bureau and asking around for recommendations. From there, choose a few to get an estimate from.

Get your existing home into tiptop shape

While you might have your sights set on your future home right now, it is important to give your existing one the TLC and prep it needs. For a renter, this may include doing any repairs or touchups necessary to ensure you get back your security deposit. If you own your home and are planning to sell it, “you may need to make repairs based on the results of the appraisal,” as well as “fixing anything you agree to as part of negotiations” that may have come up as part of the home inspection, said Rocket Mortgage.

You might also tend to some small home projects that could boost curb appeal or simply ensure your old home really shines, paving the way for an easier move to your next one.

The stakes when buying a home are high. Not only is it a sizable chunk of change to put down, for likely the most expensive item you will ever end up owning, but it is also the place you will spend a lot of your time for years to come. So, how can you make sure you do not end up with a case of buyer’s remorse?

It’s impossible to predict how you will feel in the future and whether your life or needs will shift significantly, but there are a number of key factors to consider in your home search to prepare. Paying attention to these can go a long way toward ensuring you end up buying a house you feel good about, or at least one that you feel confident you can later resell.

Location and noise level

Location, location, location — you hear it a lot when it comes to real estate, and for good reason. While you can change many things about a house, “you can’t change a house’s location,” so be sure to “consider safety, schools, amenities and proximity to family and friends” before buying, said NerdWallet.

One factor that might not be as readily apparent, depending on when you tour a home, is the noise level in that particular location, whether it be from a nearby railroad, airport or major road. Beyond being “just annoying,” a noisy location “can also affect the home’s value” when you go to sell, said Ramsey Solutions, a personal finance blog.

Layout and square footage

The inside of a home matters just as much as where it is. “The layout of a home is essential to how you’ll live in and enjoy the space,” said Zillow, so consider whether the rooms flow in a way that aligns with your lifestyle and whether the dimensions of different rooms are suitable for your needs. As one example, “an open floor plan might be great for entertaining, but it may not suit your needs if you prefer more defined spaces,” said the outlet. Or, say, you have a king-sized bed you love, but the master bedroom is not the most spacious.

Do not underestimate the importance of the appropriate square footage overall. Get a house that is too small, and you could find yourself on the hunt again once you decide to have a kid. Going too big can pose problems, too, if a disproportionate amount of your monthly income has to go toward mortgage payments.

Signs of major issues or untended repairs

It hardly matters how perfect a home’s location and layout are if you move in to discover the house is in need of extensive, and expensive, repairs. Some biggies to look out for are issues with the exterior, namely the foundation and the roof, as well as major systems, like plumbing and HVAC. Another red flag to keep your eyes peeled for: signs of mold or water damage, as either of these left untreated “can cause a ton of problems like structural issues, rot and mold — especially in basements,” not to mention pose a potential health risk, said Ramsey Solutions.

Finally, pay attention to the overall upkeep of the home. “If the seller couldn’t afford the time or money to fix maintenance issues you can see at a cursory glance, just think what your home inspection will reveal,” said Realtor.com.

While you certainly do not have to wait for the beginning of the new year to overhaul your financial habits, the calendar’s fresh start can offer a natural opportunity to reassess. But all too often, when we identify an area of our life that is not quite going as planned, there is a temptation to tear it all down and start from scratch, in the form of a broad-ranging — and overwhelming — resolution.

Sometimes, though, making small tweaks to existing habits, or introducing some fresh ones, is all it takes to course correct, allowing one good financial decision to snowball into the next. Sounds more manageable, right? Read on for some ideas to get started.

1. Dial up your retirement contributions

Increasing the amount you are diverting to retirement savings is easy enough to do, and it can make a sizable impact over time. As an illustration, a “worker who raises contributions by just 1% in their mid-20s — starting at a 5% rate and bumping up to 8% over three years — could accumulate about $84,000 more by retirement than someone who never increases their rate,” said Investopedia, citing analysis by J.P. Morgan.

While on first glance, diverting more of your funds may seem like a stretch for your budget, “often, you can increase your retirement contributions without making a meaningful difference to your current lifestyle,” especially if the increments are smaller, such as an increase of 1%, said Yahoo Finance.

2. Start tracking your spending

This is another small adjustment that can result in major shifts to your financial life, both in terms of your understanding of where your money is going and in how much you spend. Once you start paying closer attention to your expenditures, you might realize that “some impulse purchases that you shrug off on a regular basis might be having a bigger impact on your bottom line than you think,” said Citizen’s Bank. This can also provide an opportunity to evaluate whether your spending is actually aligned with your larger goals (more on that next).

There are a variety of apps you can use to make this tracking super simple, or you can always make a simple spreadsheet to update regularly.

3. Set goals and intentionally work toward them

When it comes to saving, budgeting or investing, it can be hard to get motivated if you do not know what you are getting motivated for. Defining your financial goals, both for the short- and long-term, can provide you with some much-needed clarity, and also ensure you start taking the actions necessary to actually achieve those goals.

What shape these goals take is entirely up to you. For instance, “one person’s goals might be to pay off their student loans and save for a down payment on a house,” while “another might want to sock away enough cash in an online bank account to start their own business down the road,” said SoFi. It is really all about making your money work for you, instead of the other way around.

Once you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare. This means access to federal health insurance coverage — but for some, it can also mean a slew of calls that are allegedly about Medicare coverage, but in actuality are an attempt by scammers to get ahold of personal information.

While “seniors have long been targeted by fraudsters claiming to offer enhanced Medicare plans or to be Medicare officials,” these types of calls “seem to be on the rise,” said The New York Times. In the last year, “complaints about them to Better Business Bureaus have increased 40%,” said the Times, citing Melanie McGovern, the director of public relations for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

If these calls (or emails or text messages) are something you have experienced or worry about experiencing in the future, here is what to know.

What are common Medicare scams to look out for?

Often, Medicare scams “claim to offer a Part C plan or say a beneficiary’s card is expiring,” said the Times. Scammers have also “impersonated doctor offices or claimed to need information to prevent an interruption of coverage.” You might alternatively get a call from “someone claiming to be from Medicare, the Social Security Administration or your state’s insurance department” informing you that “you need to get a new Medicare card or replace a paper card with a plastic chip card,” said Forbes.

Other “telltale warning signs” of a Medicare scam include being told you are eligible for a refund because of a change in your plan, or getting “offers involving no-cost medical supplies, medical care or prescription medications,” said the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit that serves seniors.

As a general rule of thumb, it is “important to understand that a Medicare representative will not call you out of the blue,” said Healthline. That is something you typically have to initiate.

How can you protect yourself against Medicare scammers?

While staying abreast of common Medicare scams can help you stay safe, scammers are always coming up with new schemes. As such, it is smart to apply some general best practices to protect yourself:

Do not give out your personal information. This includes basics like your Social Security number, banking details and login information but also your Medicare number. “Avoid giving this to anyone but your doctor, pharmacy or people who work with Medicare to assist beneficiaries,” said NCOA.

Do not fall for threats or persuasion. Remember: “If you qualify for benefits, you won’t lose them just because you fail to sign up for a plan,” said Forbes.

Do not click on unfamiliar links. Convincing as they can sometimes seem, “do not respond to unexpected emails or text messages or click on any links they contain,” said NCOA.

Do not forget to review your benefit statements. If they string together enough information, scammers “might be able to charge a company that does not exist for products and services that the victim didn’t ask for, doesn’t need and may not ever receive,” said the Times. As such, checking your statements for any suspicious or unfamiliar charges is vital to stay on top of potential fraud.

Part-and-part mortgages could become more popular as part of a regulatory review of mortgage lending rules.

The Financial Conduct Authority is considering an overhaul of the rules to boost lending to underserved groups such as first-time buyers and the self-employed.

The City watchdog said in its review that respondents suggested part interest‑only and part repayment mortgages could help consumers “access homeownership earlier”.

These part-and-part mortgages can provide a “unique solution” for borrowers, said Ascot Mortgages, by giving payment flexibility and a way to “gradually reduce mortgage capital”.

What is a part-and-part mortgage?

There are two main types of mortgage. With a “repayment” loan, borrowers pay off the amount borrowed and any interest. An “interest-only” mortgage involves only the interest being paid off each month and a lump sum is owed to cover the remaining capital at the end of the loan term.

A part-and-part mortgage provides a third option that combines both, said Unbiased, “where you pay off some of your mortgage but not the whole amount”.

Through this mix, mortgage payers secure lower monthly repayments, “while still ensuring the property is yours at the end of the term”, said Clifton Private Finance.

How do they work?

A part-and-part mortgage can “significantly reduce your monthly repayments”, said Tembo Mortgages.

The application process is the same as applying for a repayment or interest-only mortgage, but it helps those “looking for lower monthly payments without resorting to a longer mortgage term”, said Unbiased.

You will need to discuss how much of your mortgage you plan to pay off each month, and the lump sum you will need to clear under the interest-only portion at the end of the term.

For example, a £200,000 repayment mortgage at 5% over a 30-year term would cost £1,074 per month. But if you take £50,000 as an interest-only loan, the monthly repayment would drop to £1,014. This doesn’t appear like a huge cut in monthly costs, but it can snowball over time.

Pros and cons

The main benefit of a part-and-part mortgage is that your monthly repayment will be lower, said The Telegraph, which can be “helpful if you’re on a strict budget”.

The loans are also flexible, so you can make overpayments “if you can afford to”. Affordability will also be boosted as you won’t owe as much initially.

However, there are downsides, as lenders may have limits on how much of your mortgage can be interest-only, said Unbiased. Plus, you still need a plan to repay the interest-only portion at the end of the term, said Mortgageable, “otherwise financial pressures could simply be delayed”.

Keeping track of your financial life is important, but it can easily start to feel like a lot of upkeep. There is your budget to tend to, your savings and retirement accounts to contribute to and your various bill due dates to keep track of — not to mention managing your investment portfolio and working to pay down any debt.

Although these tasks are generally non-negotiable, the good news is that you likely can reduce the amount of time you devote to them. If administering your financial life is starting to feel like it’s cutting into living your actual life, here are some time-saving — and stress-reducing — tactics to consider implementing.

1. Get rid of debt

Hanging onto debt is not only a steady drain on your bank account, it’s also taking up your time and attention. “Paying off even one sizable credit card or loan can not only ease worry, but also reduce the number of financial obligations you have to deal with each month,” said SoFi. Once an account is paid off, you no longer have to fret about remembering that due date or making that payment. Plus, you will have more resources to devote to your topline financial goals.

Two common debt paydown approaches to consider: “Focus on the debt with the highest interest rate first (the debt avalanche) or the smallest balance (debt snowball) — whichever method motivates you more,” said Rocket Money.

2. Take advantage of automation

One of the “simplest ways to reduce financial stress is automation,” said Credit Sesame, a credit monitoring service. This allows you to ensure your bills get paid automatically and on time, without the need to go in and manually make the payments, eliminating the risk of forgetting and owing late fees. Alongside your rent or mortgage, “water, electricity, trash, cable and phone are all bills better paid on autopilot,” said NerdWallet.

And you can use this approach for more than just bills. You might also consider setting it up so a portion of your paycheck automatically goes into your savings. Plus, said NerdWallet, “you won’t miss it if you make adding to your savings automatic.”

3. Reduce your number of accounts

The fewer accounts you have, the less you have to check in on. If you have “more than one checking or savings account, you may want to see if you can pare it down to one of each,” said SoFi. This can also help with meeting minimum balance requirements, saving you on fees. Similarly, consolidating 401(k) plans from former employers offers another chance to streamline as well as to save, since “when you leave a company but don’t roll over your 401(k), you’re often subject to fees that your employer may have been covering while you were employed.”

4. Eliminate unnecessary expenses

Another important step in Marie Kondo-ing your financial life is to get rid of any expenses that do not “bring you joy,” or that you simply do not need to be paying. “This can include unused gym memberships, streaming services you barely watch, dining out frequently and other costs that drain your finances rather than add value to your life,” said Rocket Money.

You can also apply this ruthlessness to stuff sitting around your house — especially if having some extra cash in your bank account would alleviate some financial worry. Don’t be afraid to sell that old baseball card collection or extra set of chairs.