Author: Jessica Wong

It’s a scam so convincing that it’s raked in millions from unsuspecting residents across Washington State, including one victim who lost a jaw-dropping $870,000.

Con artists posing as government agents are using high-pressure, fear-fueled tactics to trick victims into handing over huge sums. Many of the scams involve references to victims’ Social Security.

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At least 47 victims have come forward — 27 in King County alone. Authorities believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg and are asking anyone with information about the scam to come forward.

Patrick Hinds, who heads the Economic Crimes and Wage Theft Division at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is talking to local media to raise awareness of the problem.

“In a nutshell, this scam really works by playing on people’s fear,” he told Fox 13 Seattle.

Fake officials, real devastation

It begins with an ominous email, text, or computer pop-up that appears to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or a related agency that claims your identity has been stolen or your accounts hacked.

Victims are told to act fast and click on a link or call a number to connect with an official — when in fact they’re directed to a live con artist.

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The scammers tell victims their safest course of action is to liquidate all their accounts — storing their money as cash or gold — and hand it over to a courier, who will deliver it to a federal agency, for “safekeeping.”

“Of course none of that is true,” Hinds says.

Social Security scams are among the most common of the imposter scams in the U.S., and cost unsuspecting Americans $577 million in 2024 alone.

One Washington victim fell for just such a ruse when a scammer told him his Social Security Number had been compromised. He ended up losing more than $500,000 to the fraud.

He told KIRO 7 that the imposters are convincing and definitely instill fear.

“One of the first things they do is say, ‘We’ll have you electronically sign a non-disclosure agreement,’” he said. “They kept saying, ‘You can’t discuss this with anybody.’”

Hinds confirmed the scammers create a sense of urgency and secrecy to manipulate their victims and conceal their wrongdoing. They keep the con alive with fabricated letters confirming “receipt” of funds, and more calls with “officials.”

“They’ll bring in someone else who claims to be from a different agency, like your bank or the FBI,” said Hinds. “It’s all part of the trap.”

How to protect yourself

Of course, Washington isn’t the only state where this is happening. Across the U.S., imposter scams ranked first among all fraud types in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, accounting for $789 million in losses — an increase of $171 million from 2023.

Hinds urges the public to remember key ways to stay safe:

Watch for 3 Red Flags:

1. Fear: The message is meant to scare you.

2. Urgency: You’re told to act now, with no time to think or ask questions.

3. Secrecy: You’re warned not to tell anyone, not even your family or bank.

Gut check

Ask yourself, “Does this make sense?” If something feels a little off, your gut may be telling you something. Get a second opinion from family, friends and trusted advisors.

Keep in mind:

1. A real government agency would never use robocalls or texts to demand money via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Hang up on suspicious calls and delete any such texts.

2. Con artists ‘spoof’ (fake) legitimate email addresses and caller IDs to trick you, so even if an email or phone number looks real, it could be fake. Moreover, in this era of deep fakes, fraudsters can forge convincing documentation, with authentic-looking signatures and government logos, so be wary.

3. You can always verify that communications are legitimate by cross-referencing with official government agency contact information.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you have fallen victim to a scammer, or suspect you have, here’s what to do:

• Stop all contact with the scammer immediately.
• Document everything including screenshots, messages and receipts.
• Contact your bank to freeze accounts, reverse transfers or flag suspicious activity.
• Contact local police.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and in the case of Social Security scams, the SSA Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov

It’s important to act fast.

Banks and card issuers may be able to reverse fraudulent charges. State and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reimbursement programs might help in limited cases.

Bottom line?

“If someone asks you to withdraw all your money and give it to a stranger ‘for safekeeping’ — don’t do it,” Hinds said. “Real agencies don’t work like that.”

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

At Smith’s in St. George, Utah, 80-year-old Gary Saling is a familiar face — always bagging groceries with a smile. But, behind the uniform is a life story few shoppers know.

Saling once designed multimillion-dollar mansions for Wall Street elites and served Hollywood royalty. Now, he’s still clocking in to pay off $80,000 in medical bills after caring for his late wife at home until her final days.

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“There is no way I’m a hero. I am not an angel, and I’m certainly not a saint,” Saling told KSBY News.

Care, costs and a commitment

As an architect, KSBY reports, Saling rose to the top after being raised by a hard-working single mother, designing estates for the ultrawealthy and landing on Architectural Digest’s prestigious annual top 100 list.

After raising two sons alone following a divorce, Saling says he found unexpected love in 1991, at a red light.

“I mean, it was the exact instant. We both raised our sunglasses,” he said.

The woman was Carol, an artist. They later discovered they’d been regulars at the same coffee shop for years. In 2017, Carol was diagnosed with Sundown syndrome, a form of dementia. The couple moved to southern Utah to be closer to a neurologist.

“The neurology was covered by Medicare,” Saling said. “What wasn’t covered was the promise that I would keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home.”

Carol passed away in 2021. But Saling works five days a week, long past retirement, to pay for her medical bills he still owes.

Duana Johnson, who runs a local ministry, noticed Saling working and decided to act.

“I saw Gary bagging groceries, and I thought, ‘What’s this guy? Why is this elderly man still here?’” she told KSBY News.

She launched a fundraiser, opening a donation account at the State Bank of Southern Utah and setting up a Venmo account. Around $2,000 has been raised so far.

“I’m trying to raise enough money for him to be able to retire and not have to worry about working anymore,” Johnson said.

Saling didn’t expect the spotlight, but doesn’t regret a single choice.

“I made the promise to keep her at home and never put her in a nursing home,” he said, “because I took vows.”

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How to manage large medical bills

If you’re facing overwhelming medical bills, like Saling, you’re not alone. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this burden.

Always ask for an itemized bill

Always ask for an itemized bill, which breaks down each charge by medical code. This can help with finding mistakes, like duplicate charges or services not rendered.

Platforms like Grok and Openhand use artificial intelligence to analyze medical bills and identify potential overcharges.

Negotiate the bill

Many hospitals and providers are open to negotiation. You can:

• Ask for a discount for paying the bill in full up front.
• Request a discount based on your financial situation.
• Inquire about payment plans or financial assistance programs.

Apply for charity care or financial assistance

Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs, known as charity care under the Affordable Care Act. These programs can reduce or even eliminate your medical bills based on income and family size.

Use assistance programs and advocacy resources

While the U.S. government doesn’t provide direct debt relief for medical bills, there are related programs:

• Programs like Medicare and Medicaid cover a significant portion of medical expenses for eligible individuals.
• Some states, like Utah, offer additional assistance for medical expenses.
• 211.org is a free, confidential service connects individuals with local resources, including medical assistance programs.
• The Patient Advocate Foundation offers support in negotiating medical bills and understanding your rights.

Explore low-interest loans or credit options

If you’re not able to pay the medical bills up front, there are other options you can consider:

• Some financial providers offer medical credit cards with promotional 0% interest for a set period.
• Banks or credit unions may offer loans with lower interest rates compared to credit cards.
• There are financial institutions that specialize in medical financing.

Consider bankruptcy — as a last resort

If the medical bills are too much to handle and you’ve exhausted other options, bankruptcy may be an alternative:

• Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge unsecured debts, including medical bills.
• Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows for a repayment plan over time.

Check in with a bankruptcy attorney to understand the implications and figure out if this is the right path for you.

Lastly, you’ll want to stay organized and keep records of all communications and documents related to your medical bills. And seek professional help from a financial advisor or credit counselor for personalized assistance.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Andrea, a wife and mother from Philadelphia, recently found herself in a high-stakes financial and emotional crossroads, caught between family loyalty, cultural expectations and a commitment to financial stability.

“I am in a really tricky situation,” Andrea shared during a recent call to The Ramsey Show. “My brother and my mom are asking me to [lend] my brother $3,000.”

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The purpose of the request was to cover her brother’s business expenses.

But Andrea and her husband have been saving that money to try to pay down debt.

Here’s what Ramsey had to say to Andrea.

Grandma wants to take money from grandkids’ accounts

Ramsey Show Co-host Jade Warshaw posed an alternative suggestion.

“Why doesn’t she lend him the $3,000?” she asked the caller, referring to Andrea’s mother.

“Because she doesn’t have the money,” Andrea replied.

Dave Ramsey’s response? “Neither do you. You’re broke and in debt.”

But the plot thickened when Andrea revealed her mother’s solution: tapping into Andrea’s children’s savings.

“I talk to my mom sometimes, telling her we save money for the kids, right? So her idea was to take the money from the kid’s savings account to give my brother the $3,000,” she said.

“She has a lot of ideas about what you should do with your money,” Warshaw noted, “Do you feel like you have to listen to what she’s asking you to do?”

Andrea hesitated, noting her brother once helped her early in her marriage, but that support came in the form of small items for her kids.

“That was not $3,000. That was a hundred dollars,” Ramsey said. “Because I got to tell you in my world, when grandma asked for the kids’ money for the brother, that means grandma needs to be smacked.”

Originally from Ecuador, Andrea noted that extended family support is a common expectation in her community.

Ramsey responded, “In your culture, it is more normal to share with extended family … but this is your household. And your household is separate.”

Cultural norms can shape financial habits, but limits are limits. Even with that understanding, Andrea expressed hesitation.

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“My brother is more … resentful. If you tell him something that he doesn’t like … then he’s not going to talk to me,” she told the hosts.

She feared that saying no would lead to tension or silence.

“There’s no consequence here other than adults choosing how they’re going to behave next. If your brother gives you the cold shoulder, that’s not something you can control,” Warshaw said. “All you can control is your response.”

Andrea admitted that her mom would likely try to persuade her.

Ramsey’s response was simply, “No is a complete sentence.”

He suggested that Andrea tell her mother, “Mom, I love you. I love him. That’s not in question. But this money is set aside for my children. And the answer is going to be no, no matter how long we talk.”

What to do when money comes between family

Financial experts emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries in similar scenarios. According to a survey by Ipsos for BMO, 34% of partnered Americans report that money is a source of conflict in their relationships. Money issues with extended family can add to that stress.

Here are some tips to navigate tricky situations like these:

• Start with an open conversation. Schedule time to sit down and talk about your concerns without placing blame. For instance, Andrea could say, "I understand your situation, but I need to prioritize my children’s future savings."

• Establish firm boundaries. Don’t be afraid to set your limits and let your family know that they need to respect them.

• Offer different types of support. Look for other ways to help, such as recommending resources or financial counseling services that may be useful.

Finally, if the conversation doesn’t seem to be progressing, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a financial advisor, to help facilitate.

It can be tough, but by approaching the situation with firm boundaries, it’s possible to maintain family relationships while also protecting your financial well-being.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Nancy, a senior from Las Vegas, says she recently won $200,000 after an appearance on a game show. Unsure what to do with the life-changing jackpot, she called into The Ramsey Show seeking advice.

“I’m 70 years old, that’s more money than I’ve ever had,” she said in a clip posted May 11.

But with great winnings come taxes. Nancy says she had about $145,000 left in prize money after paying roughly $55,000 in taxes. Now, the big question loomed: What should she do with this windfall?

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Here’s what finance personality Dave Ramsey had to say.

‘You don’t want to be digging up bushes in your yard for dinner’

Nancy told Ramsey she and her husband are semi-retired, living on about $4,500 a month in Social Security, plus some part-time work where she earns up to $600 per month and her husband brings in a couple of thousand dollars more. They recently downsized their home and owe $85,000 on the mortgage, which runs them $756 per month.

Their total savings? Just over $200,000, including the game show winnings, which they’ve parked in a high-yield money market account earning 5.5% interest. Outside of home equity, that’s their entire financial cushion.

So, the big question was should Nancy pay off the house or keep the cash? Ramsey was quick to weigh in.

“If you had $600,000, I would tell you instantaneously write a check and pay off your house,” he said. “If you had $100,000, I would say don’t touch it, you would be starved.”

In Nancy’s case, Ramsey recommended she pay off the house, but only if she and her husband commit to the following strategy:

• Get on a tight, detailed budget.
• Start investing $1,000 to $1,500 per month in a mutual fund.
• Keep $30,000 in emergency savings
• Invest the leftover funds into a mutual fund as well.

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Here’s Ramsey’s logic: Paying off the house would free up $756 per month. If the couple can get on a budget and squeeze about $750 more out of their monthly income, investing $1,500 per month, with an average annual return of 10%, would generate around $85,000 in four years, covering the amount used to pay off the mortgage.

As for investing the rest of the couple’s savings, let’s say they’re left with $75,000 after paying off the house and setting aside an emergency fund — assuming the same average rate of return as above, that amount would be close to $150,000 by age 77, and around $300,000 by age 84, not counting additional monthly contributions.

“Too many retirees have a paid-off house and no money to live,” Ramsey warned. “You don’t want to be digging up bushes in your yard for dinner.”

How to smartly plan for a financial windfall

If you suddenly come into a life-changing amount of money, you might be tempted to spend it. But you also will want to make sure it lasts so you don’t end up going broke.

Before making any major financial moves, make sure you understand the tax hit. Many windfalls aren’t tax-free, so it’s a good idea to get in touch with a licensed accountant. Figure out how much you’re really walking away with before you start writing checks.

Next, take a look at your debt. Any high-interest debt, from credit cards to personal loans, should be on the chopping block. That said, not all debt is created equal. Got a mortgage under 4%? It might be worth keeping for now, depending on your broader financial picture and how much you’ve got to work with. After all, you don’t want to end up house-rich and cash-poor.

Don’t forget about safety. Boosting or building your emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of expenses, parked in a high-yield savings account, can protect you from going further into debt in case your car breaks down or a pipe in your home bursts.

Retirement accounts may also be top of mind. Consider setting one up, if you don’t have one yet, and contributing the maximum amount yearly. A financial advisor can help set you up and invest for long-term growth so you can enjoy your golden years.

At the end of the day, a financial windfall with the right plan can set you up for stability, freedom and maybe even a little fun.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A federal judge has ordered the city of McKinney to pay almost $60,000 plus interest to 81-year-old Vicki Baker.

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Why the big payday? Baker’s home was torn apart by a SWAT team during a 2020 police standoff.

Baker took the city to court after her house became the battleground for a high-stakes manhunt, reported WFAA. McKinney police unleashed tear gas, explosives, and tactical vehicles on the property while chasing a fugitive who had barricaded himself inside.

Insurance plans do not cover “acts of the government” and the city refused to pay for the damage, so Vicki joined forces with the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file a lawsuit in March 2021.

“I’ve just learned that my battle with the city of McKinney is coming to an end,” Baker said in a statement on June 5. “Judge Mazzant has, once again, ruled that I am due just compensation under the Texas Constitution.”

‘…Vicki is finally going to be made whole’

According to the WFAA report, it all started on July 25, 2020, when Wesley Little, a man Baker had hired for repairs, broke into her home and held a teenager hostage. Baker was in Montana, but her daughter, who was living at the property, escaped and called 911.

After Little released the teen but refused to surrender, a SWAT team fired roughly 30 tear gas canisters shattering windows, smashed doors, and tore down a fence with an armored vehicle. Once inside they found Little had died by suicide.

The incident left more than $50,000 in damage to the house, according to Baker, with her insurance covering only the destruction caused by Little, not the police’s tactical incursion.

The city of McKinney initially refused to pay, citing sovereign immunity, a legal shield that often protects cities from liability unless waived or overturned by a judge.

Baker, a cancer survivor who had recently invested $25,000 to ready her home for sale, didn’t back down. “It was more devastating because of everything that was happening to me at the time,” she said. “I felt like this was a case that would help not just me, but a lot of people. That’s why I wanted to fight.”

With legal help from the Institute for Justice, Baker argued that the government’s destruction amounted to an uncompensated taking of her property under both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

“It took five years, but Vicki is finally going to be made whole,” said Jeffrey Redfern, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice. “She’s fortunate that Texas has strong protections for private property rights, but people in much of the rest of the country aren’t so lucky.”

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There were many setbacks, including losing at the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the case, but a favorable ruling grounded in the Texas Constitution was ultimately handed down by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant this month.

WFAA has covered similar cases in Texas since 2020, highlighting the ongoing legal battle over police damage during raids, with cities repeatedly invoking sovereign immunity. Michael Lamson, a Houston trial lawyer, said to WFAA, "If you’re taking their property and you’re not paying them for it, you’re doing a very good job as a government."

Redfern reportedly pointed in court to a 1980 Texas Supreme Court ruling in Steele v. City of Houston, where the city was held liable after police allowed a home to burn following tear gas explosions, as a crucial precedent.

McKinney officials stated they are “evaluating options for appealing” the ruling.

As for Baker, now living in Montana, she says the city’s legal fees ended up being more than what it owed her. “They have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees,” she said. “And they could have gotten off with paying me $60,000.”

What is sovereign immunity?

In Texas and other states, sovereign immunity protects state agencies, counties, and cities. Sovereign immunity is meant to shield public agencies from endless lawsuits that could drain taxpayer dollars and gum up government operations. Unfortunately, this means when a homeowner sues a city for damage caused during police raids or other government actions, city governments can pull out the sovereign immunity card.

The may ways this can hurt homeowners include: Limited legal recourse: Most can’t sue cities for property damage unless there’s a rare exception. Financial strain: Repairs from police or government damage can run tens of thousands of dollars. Legal fights: Challenging sovereign immunity is complex and expensive, and can be lengthy. Unfair burden: Citizens pay the price, while cities walk away free and clear.

The Institute for Justice is taking on similar cases in California, Indiana and North Carolina awaits a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Martin v. United States, involving an FBI SWAT raid that damaged another family’s home.

For now, Baker’s victory could become a powerful blueprint for others fighting back against government damage.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A $14.6 billion web of deceit that stretched across the country has prompted a massive federal crackdown in the U.S. health care system. More than 300 people are facing charges nationwide in what the Justice Department calls the largest health care fraud takedown in American history.

In North and South Carolina, prosecutors say scammers siphoned off over $20 million in taxpayer funds by filing fraudulent claims, targeting the most vulnerable, including severely disabled children.

“Republican and Democrat, we’re all here with one goal and that is to eradicate health care fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson, according to WCNC.

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Fake clinics, stolen IDs and sham services

The Carolina cases are part of what officials are calling “Operation Border War,” named after the investigation into a network of fake companies near the border between North and South Carolina operated with the alleged goal of defrauding Medicaid.

A multi-state probe uncovered two major schemes, both operating out of Charlotte and crossing state lines. In the first case, authorities say Donald Saunders and seven co-conspirators allegedly stole $21 million from South Carolina’s Medicaid program by filing false claims using stolen patient information of severely disabled children.

But these kids never received care.

“The majority, nearly all of these were severely disabled children,” said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Children who were quadriplegic or nonverbal or autistic, billing for services that these minor, severely disabled children never received.”

Investigators say the suspects made up fake medical records, billed for nonexistent therapies and cashed in to the tune of $21 million.

In a separate North Carolina scheme, Crystal Jackson from Charlotte allegedly raked in nearly $2 million by billing Medicaid for services to patients who were either deceased or in jail.

“She held herself out as a licensed provider of health care. She was not,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “She provided services to folks who were incarcerated or deceased, or at least claimed to.”

The Carolinas’ cases are just a part of the nationwide sweep, with 324 defendants, nearly 100 licensed medical professionals and 25 doctors now facing federal and state charges.

While the Justice Department says $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims were submitted nationwide, only a fraction — about $2.9 billion — was actually paid out. In the Carolinas alone, scammers are accused of successfully stealing more than $20 million from Medicaid.

Attorney General Alan Wilson says the crackdown in the Carolinas and nationwide sends a clear message: “If you continue … defrauding the Medicaid system, you are going down.”

Authorities say the investigation is far from over, and more arrests could be coming. Both state attorneys general are urging whistleblowers and concerned citizens to step forward.

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How to spot and fight health care fraud

Health care fraud isn’t just a government problem; it drains taxpayer dollars, raises insurance costs and undermines care for those who truly need it. Here’s what to look for and how to stop it.

• Review medical bills and statements: Always check Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements carefully. Keep your eyes peeled for services you didn’t receive or duplicate charges.
• Protect your personal information: Don’t share your Medicaid or Medicare numbers except with trusted medical providers. Fraudsters often steal patient IDs to file fake claims.
• Ask questions: If a provider recommends expensive tests or treatments, ask why. Get second opinions if something feels off.
• Report anything suspicious: If you suspect fraud, like billing for services never received or fake providers, contact your state Medicaid fraud control unit or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
• Document everything: Keep copies of all medical records, bills and communications with health care providers.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

As Texas rapidly grows, moves to improve infrastructure could hurt small businesses. What started as a calculated business move in a fast-growing area turned into a major setback for Ricky Jordan, president of Fifth Gear Automotive.

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“It really sucks,” he said recently to WFAA after his shop in Argyle, Texas was forced to close and the building was demolished due to a road expansion.

"I’ve lived in this area for 35 years," he said. "This was really an up-and-coming place that needed car repair. There wasn’t a lot here."

He opened Fifth Gear’s second location off U.S. 377 in 2020. “We understood that there was going to be some road expansion that affected the parking lot, so we did a lot of due diligence in the beginning prior to building or buying it to get compliant” said Jordan.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s long-term infrastructure project plans include widening the highway to four lanes and adding medians, sidewalks, and left-turn lanes.

Jordan said he had no problem working with the county on the affected parking and fire lane issues, but then things took a sudden turn late last year. He said “We had no issues up until we got notification we had to leave.”

What is eminent domain and how can it affect your business?

That notification didn’t come from TxDOT, but from Atmos Energy, a Dallas-based natural gas-only distributor. A spokesperson for the utility company confirmed to WFAA they are required to perform pipeline replacements in accordance with the state’s road expansion project.

“We really didn’t understand we were going to lose the building until the very end. And we didn’t really understand timelines to the very end,” Jordan said. According to him, Atmos said it needed to run gas lines through the land where his shop stood.

To make matters worse, the building was demolished months after his business was told to leave.

Jordan said he was required to vacate the property by January 31, but the building wasn’t demolished until mid-June. He said, “We could have continued operations until they actually needed to tear the building down, that would have saved me months of, at the least, staying in business.”

The upheaval faced by Fifth Gear Automotive is due to a legal mechanism known as eminent domain. It allows the government to take private property for public use, think highways, pipelines, railroads, schools, in exchange for “just compensation.”

“We always prefer to acquire property rights through negotiation,” said Atmos in its statement. “When that is not possible, the courts have a process for acquiring the easement and compensating the landowner.”

That "just compensation" is usually based on fair market value. It may also include certain damages if your remaining property’s market value is diminished by the acquisition itself or by the way the condemning entity will use the property, says the Texas Landowner’s Bill of Rights.

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It sounds fair, but isn’t always in practice.

For example, in Jordan’s case, the financial and emotional pain may be much deeper than the compensation. "It’s basically cut our business in half and taken us to a point where it’s an investment to stay in business, not a profitable venture," he said.

Negative effects of eminent domain

Here’s how eminent domain works:

• The government identifies the land needed for a project.
• They offer the owner “just compensation.”
• If the owner and the government cannot agree on the value of the property, the government can initiate a legal process called condemnation, filing a claim for the property in court.

Eminent domain is meant to allow the building of better public infrastructure, but for small business owners, it can bulldoze more than just property. When timelines shift or communication is poor, the financial fallout can hit like a wrecking ball.

Fifth Gear Automotive has relocated to a temporary office about two miles away off Highway 407, with hopes of opening a new permanent site there in 2026.

"I’m excited about the investments that we’re making in this area," Jordan said. "We need larger roads and better infrastructure to support a growing city and town, but you need to be very mindful of the businesses and how it impacts the people around."

“By imposing tremendous costs (both social and economic) in the form of lost communities, uprooted families and destroyed small businesses, eminent domain often thwarts, rather than helps, economic growth,” says the Institute for Justice. “Instead of seizing private property, cities can streamline regulatory barriers, like permitting and zoning laws, and usher in development without eminent domain.”

In 2006, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) produced a report on the use of eminent domain by state and local governments.

Property rights groups and a national community organization described the negative effects like loss of small businesses and jobs, decreases in affordable housing, and the dispersal of communities.

They also said property owners may be hurt by lack of notice, blight designations that negatively impacted neighboring nonblighted properties, significantly undervalued appraisals, and inadequate compensation.

If your business is near a major public works project, talk to a lawyer early, even before the notices arrive.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Picture this: You own a home, along with $130,000 in cash savings and $40,000 in your 401(k), and you’re not even 30 years old yet.

On paper, this is a great financial situation. But after years of pinching pennies, turning down dinner invites and putting fun on layaway, was the sacrifice worth it?

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Welcome to the emotional hangover of hyper-saving, a side effect of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.

If this sounds like you, we’ve got some strategies for how to be fiscally responsible and still enjoy your life.

Full bank account, blank social calendar

The FIRE movement is a financial movement that is made up of intense saving and budgeting to support an early retirement.

Saving 50% to 70% of your income sounds glamorous on paper, and for the ultra-disciplined, it’s a path to fast-track financial goals. But when your social life takes a back seat to spreadsheet life, the returns may not always be what they seem.

According to Federal Reserve data, as of 2022, the median net worth for American households under 35 years old was just $39,000. So, if you’re in your late twenties with six figures saved and real estate in your name, you’ve already lapped this figure several times over.

But while your bank account may be full, what can you do if your social calendar is blank?

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Is there a middle ground?

Once you’ve nailed the basics, like establishing an emergency fund, bolstering your retirement savings and acquiring some equity, it could be time to rebalance. Financial stability should be your launch pad to life, not the finish line.

Here are some ways to reclaim your social life:

The “Yes Month”: Say yes (within reason) to social invites for a month. Go to that concert. Grab rooftop drinks. RSVP “yes” to life. Giving yourself permission to live a little can revitalize your emotional well-being.

Create a “Fun Fund”: Set aside a guilt-free allowance for everything you used to say “no” to, such as weekend getaways, dinners out, shopping or even grabbing a coffee.

Book a short trip: Whether it’s a road trip or something more exotic, a short, reasonably priced escapade can reset your perspective and your priorities and give you time for self-reflection.

Talk to a professional: A financial advisor can help you pivot from survival-mode saving to intentional living. Think of it this way, you take your car in for service regularly, right? So consider these meetings to be a tune-up for your money mindset.

You may also want to ask yourself: “What does ‘enough’ look like — for me?”

This can be used as a baseline for your saving mindset. Defining what’s “enough” — whether it’s a certain amount of savings or a paid-off mortgage — can help you figure out how much room you have to enjoy other things while you work toward achieving that goal.

Saving aggressively in your 20s is a powerful move. But financial independence isn’t just about escaping work; it’s about designing a life you actually want to live.

If you’re sitting on a growing bank account and a shrinking social life, maybe it’s time to rebalance the books, not just financially, but emotionally.

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• This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

What started as a routine wildlife check turned into a multimillion-dollar legal bombshell.

A trail camera set up in Issaquah’s Grand Ridge Park to catch glimpses of local wildlife like bobcats and jaguars ended up catching something entirely unexpected: a tree hurtling down a hillside.

“To see a tree just flying down the hill like a javelin was pretty alarming,” Alex Brown, the homeowner who installed the motion-triggered camera, told KING 5. “Pretty much every day we see a bear coming by that camera, bobcats, cougars, the occasional mountain lions.”

Instead, what pinged Brown’s phone was a sliding tree and what he discovered when he hiked up to investigate would soon ignite a legal firestorm involving more than 140 felled trees.

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‘Serious and generational harm’

Brown said that he “found that quite a few trees had been cut up there within the park boundary,” adding, “A lot of them are still lying on that slope, which is alarming to those of us living down here.”

Many of the scattered stumps and fallen branches were inside a protected area of Grand Ridge Park.

King County has now filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $7 million in damages, accusing several homeowners of illegally cutting down 142 trees, many classified as “significant,” allegedly for the purpose of scoring a better view of West Tiger Mountain.

"This unlawful act caused serious and generational harm to a protected natural area," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez in a statement. He added that the cuts violated county codes, disrupted the wildlife habitat and damaged decades of public investment in conservation.

Jimenez said the county is going after civil penalties, treble damages and the contractors involved in what they call an environmental breach of trust.

Local resident Caitlin McNulty walks the trails daily with her young son Julian and said one of the falling trees landed just a few hundred feet from their home.

“It was just pretty scary because this is part of our regular little Julian loop that we come and walk most days,” McNulty said.

She suspects those responsible assumed they could get away with it.

“I imagine they thought there was a really low probability of anyone finding out. It would have been really hard for someone to have known this happened and I think the only reason we did is we had that wildlife camera there,” she said.

KING 5 spoke with one of the named homeowners in the lawsuit, who claimed the tree-cutting was done legally and for his family’s safety. But county officials aren’t convinced.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Dos and don’ts as a homeowner

You have freedoms as a homeowner in the U.S., but those freedoms stop when they infringe on public safety, environmental integrity, neighbor rights, or zoning laws. Make sure you do your homework before swinging that sledgehammer or aiming that chainsaw.

What you can do

While you’ll want to research the specific laws pertaining to the project you want to carry out, these are general guidelines about what you’re typically allowed to do.

• Home improvements: You can remodel, add rooms, or build a deck, but “any project that goes beyond a simple repair or aesthetic upgrade” usually requires a permit from your local building department. If you skip this step, you can expect delays, fines, or even forced demolition.
• Rent your property: There’s no federal law stopping you from turning your home into a cash-flow machine but be sure to check local bylaws based on where you live, because every city, county and zoning board writes its own rules, so check before you list that spare room on Airbnb, or other rental services.
• Landscape paradise: Want a backyard oasis? Go for it, but watch water‐use laws in drought zones and be careful not to disturb wildlife habitats (especially in conservation landscapes).
• Install solar and eco‑upgrades: “Solar rights” laws in many states protect your right to go green. But you’ll still need permits, interconnection inspections and sometimes an HOA notice.

What you can’t do

Here are some things you shouldn’t do if you don’t want to get in trouble:

• Cut down trees without permission: Even if they are in your own yard, many cities and states require permits before removing trees. Fines and requirements often depend on tree size, species, or location.
• DIY without necessary permits: Building a fence, shed, or even a pool without pulling proper permits? Local authorities can issue a stop-work order, force you to tear it all down and slap you with a fine. It’s not just a slap on the wrist; it could be demolition day.
• Be a noisy neighbor: Constant noise, bright lights, or strong odors from your property? You could end up paying $20,000 to $50,000 in damages under local nuisance laws.
• Breaking HOA rules: Break HOA rules, like say, paint your house neon green or build an unapproved deck and you could face monthly fines, legal fees, or even foreclosure proceedings.

Some tips on being a good neighbor, in general

• Always consult your municipality before changing property and check for permits for everything from remodeling to major landscaping.
• Check HOA rules, submit plans for approval and keep documented records and communications of every step along the way.
• Hire arborists before removing trees, especially large, habitat-important or protected species.
• Be a considerate neighbor by limiting noisy tools, bright lights and strong odors.

While the case in King County is currently civil, the King County Prosecutor’s Office says criminal charges are still on the table.

As for Brown, he is still shocked by what he saw, “The fact that so much damage was done and consequently their view was improved raises a lot of questions,” he said.

What to read next

• Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs
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• This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.