News Direct

Author: Rebecca Holland

  • This California senior dropped by her insurer went from paying $1,100/year to nearly $8,000 — now she’s had to ‘dip into savings’ to survive under ‘last resort’ FAIR plan

    This California senior dropped by her insurer went from paying $1,100/year to nearly $8,000 — now she’s had to ‘dip into savings’ to survive under ‘last resort’ FAIR plan

    Sandy Vignolo is speaking out after her annual insurance premiums increased a staggering amount.

    The Dutch Flat, California senior is paying nearly $8,000 for fire insurance alone — plus a separate liability policy — after she spent $1,100 to cover her home just a few years ago before her insurer dropped her policy, according to ABC10.

    “We’ve had to dip into savings to pay that,” Vignolo told the broadcaster in a story published July 4. “There’s a lot of people around here … that it has gone beyond what they have.”

    Don’t miss

    Vignolo signed up for the state’s FAIR plan, the high-cost fire insurance of last resort, for coverage when she was dropped by her insurer. Suzanne Vidal, another Dutch Flat resident, told ABC10 an elderly neighbor of hers is now paying $15,840 on the FAIR plan, compared to just $1,800 in 2020.

    “People are losing their homes,” Vidal told the broadcaster. “Even if they don’t have a mortgage and they’re paying that much for insurance, that’s hard to come by if you’re on fixed income. Let’s say you’re making $1,200 to $1,800 a month in Social Security. There’s just no way you can do it.”

    ‘Maybe next year’

    However, the state is promising better insurance offerings to come. Reforms being rolled out by insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara’s “Sustainable Insurance Strategy” are meant to help homeowners get off the FAIR plan and into better private insurance offerings.

    “Definitely by no later than the end of this year, starting of next year, you’ll start seeing more correction in the market,” Lara told state lawmakers on July 2.

    Deputy insurance commissioner Michael Soller says a market correction means more competition, per ABC 10.

    But Vidal, a real estate broker, remains skeptical.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    “They told us this in my industry a year ago, that this year was going to be totally different. The first of the year, a lot of these companies were going to come back into our market with insurance available at reasonable or sensible prices,” Vidal said. “Now it’s, ‘Maybe next year.’”

    Meanwhile, she and Vignolo warn that many elderly residents of California simply can’t wait that long for insurance prices to come down.

    Cope with high insurance costs

    If you are living in a high-risk area, one that is prone to severe weather and high crime rates, you are advised to shop around as much as possible for coverage.

    Homeowners can contact their insurer if they receive a non-renewable notice to find out if there are any steps they can take to retain their coverage. If you feel your non-renewal was unfair, you may be able to file a complaint with your state insurance department.

    If your home is deemed uninsurable due to old plumbing, outdated electrical or other issues, it may be necessary to find a means of bringing these up to code so that you can retain your insurance coverage.

    California’s Department of Insurance recommends that homeowners who have tried to find private insurance look into the non-admitted/surplus lines market to find coverage. For users of the FAIR plan, they also recommend supplementing your coverage with a private policy to extend your coverage beyond fire protection.

    If your insurance costs have increased substantially, it may be time to consider shopping for a new plan, or even reducing your coverage to bring down the total cost of your bill. The California Department of Insurance offers a Homeowner Coverage Comparison Tool to help you compare offers and find the right insurance plan for you.

    What to read next

    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.

  • Atlanta renters say their complex is ‘unlivable’ with no power and collapsing ceilings — and now they fear eviction as management alleges some tenants are living there illegally

    Residents of Bolden Townhomes in southwest Atlanta have long been upset with their living conditions, but now they face something even worse: eviction.

    Many of these disgruntled renters spoke with Atlanta News First about the “unlivable” conditions they’ve been forced to endure — which reportedly include mold, collapsing ceilings, boarded-up windows and a lack of electricity and air conditioning.

    Don’t miss

    And now they’re demanding answers from the property owner about eviction letters taped on the front doors of tenants who have been paying rent for these undesirable homes.

    “I don’t understand how you would take our money and kick us out,” Martavious Pope, a resident of Bolden Townhomes, shared with AFN.

    Another renter, who AFN identified as Ba Ba, said his children cannot visit him because of the poor condition of his home. Ba Ba showed AFN reporters his portable stove top — which is typically used for camping — that he uses to cook his meals, adding that he’s lived with no power or air conditioning for months.

    “There’s been no accountability, no one here to tell the landlords that this is an unjust living situation and tenants should [not] live in these conditions,” said Alison Johnson of the Housing Justice League.

    Atlanta City Council Member Jason Dozier is also calling for “a swift, coordinated response from the City of Atlanta, including our code enforcement agencies, housing officials, and legal partners.”

    Bolden Capital Group pushes back

    While residents and local politicians share their concerns, Bolden Capital Group — which owns Bolden Townhomes — claims that problems including “unauthorized occupancy, utility theft and damage to units” have made it difficult to maintain the homes.

    “These issues have created difficult and unsafe conditions for our legal residents, our team members, and the broader community,” Bolden Capital Group said in a statement shared with ANF, adding that there are pending legal matters the company is currently dealing with.

    Bolden Capital Group also said it’s working with local law enforcement to resolve the situation, adding that the company believes residents are living illegally on its property.

    If Bolden Capital Group can prove that residents of Bolden Townhomes are unlawfully occupying its homes, under Georgia law, the company can issue eviction notices with a notice period ranging anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days.

    If the notice period expires without the occupant leaving the property, Bolden Capital Group can file a forceful detainer lawsuit and — if the lawsuit is successful — the local sheriff’s office can conduct the eviction on behalf of the company.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Fighting unlawful evictions

    Ba Ba is one of the Bolden Townhomes residents who received an eviction letter. As he gave AFN reporters a tour of his home, he brought out the lease agreement that he signed with Bolden Capital Group, proving that he’s living there legally while adding that he pays his rent every month.

    For residents like Ba Ba, who have been paying rent and can prove they’ve signed lawful agreements, there are a number of ways they can fight against unlawful eviction. Contacting local news organizations and drawing the attention of government representatives is a good start, but residents can also challenge the eviction if the landlord has obtained the appropriate court documents.

    Under Georgia state law, a landlord must have an eviction warrant to legally evict a tenant. If Bolden Capital Group has obtained the necessary court orders, residents such as Ba Ba can file an answer to the eviction warrant. This would give them the chance to state to the court why Bolden Capital Group does not have the legal right to evict them.

    Bolden Townhomes residents can also sue Bolden Capital Group for its unsafe living conditions. In most U.S. states, Georgia included, the implied warranty of habitability principle states that landlords must provide basic living standards and conditions at the moment of and throughout a tenant’s occupancy. As part of the basic living standards, landlords must provide tenants with drinkable water, sanitary living conditions, working electricity and adequate heating and ventilation.

    If you find yourself in a similar situation as Ba Ba, reach out to your representatives at the municipal, county and state levels to make them aware of the situation and get them to advocate on your behalf. You may even consider contacting your local news outlet, as the residents at Bolden Townhomes have done. If these tactics don’t apply enough pressure on your landlord, you can consider the legal options that we mentioned above.

    What to read next

    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.

  • Dave Ramsey once told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    Dave Ramsey once told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

    The 4% rule in retirement has been a widely accepted retirement standard for over 30 years.

    The rule states that you should draw 4% of your assets from your investments each year in retirement. This should, in theory, allow you to maintain a comfortable standard of living while continuing to let your investments appreciate in value.

    However, it seems this longstanding rule could be poised to fall.

    Don’t miss

    A recently retired caller to The Ramsey Show asked host and finance personality Dave Ramsey if it would be safe to go up to a 5% withdrawal rate in order to pay for trips he and his wife wanted to take in early retirement.

    Ramsey has said he believes that retirees can earn up to a 12% annual return from mutual funds, and will therefore be safe to withdraw more than the standard 4% per year without jeopardizing their nest egg. He calls the standard rule “absolutely wrong” and “ridiculous.”

    But another finance celeb has a very different opinion.

    Suze Orman has called the classic 4% rule “very dangerous.”

    Orman, a fellow best-selling author and expert, also called for a tweak to the 4% rule in an interview with Moneywise — saying that retirees should only withdraw a maximum of 3% yearly if they are retiring in their 60s.

    Who’s right? Here’s what to consider.

    The importance of retirement accounts

    Ramsey’s advice is based on a number of suppositions that may not reflect the real financial status of the average retiree.

    Inflation will eat away at the value of your retirement savings, and it’s very possible that your retirement years could coincide with a period of higher inflation.

    That’s not to mention the stock market’s volatility. Many experts believe a consistent 12% return, like Ramsey has optimistically said mutual funds can deliver, may not be likely.

    Suze Orman’s advice, on the other hand, is more conservative. She advises retirees to withdraw as little as possible from their savings, which is a safer approach.

    Either expert would argue that the best way to make your money last in retirement is to start saving as early and as aggressively as you can.

    Gold has historically acted as a hedge against inflation, and many professional investors such as Ben Mallah and Peter Schiff tout it as a solid alternative investment to the stock market and way to diversify your IRA as the price of gold continues to rise.

    One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

    Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

    To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

    Before you begin investing however, you need a plan. And while Ramsey and Orman make good points on withdrawal strategy, you may need help that’s more tailored to your personal situation. If you’re unsure of how to navigate planning for retirement on your own, calling a professional give you some peace of mind.

    Advisor.com simplifies the search process by connecting individuals with an exclusive network of fiduciary advisors, each dedicated to transparency and held to high ethical standards.

    All you have to do is answer a few simple questions regarding your finances and long-term goals, and Advisor.com will connect you with a vetted expert near you who is best suited for your needs. You can then set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if they’re the right fit for you.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Boost your existing savings

    If you’re already in retirement, you may want to follow Ramsey’s advice on growing your existing savings with safe vehicles like mutual funds. However, many retirees have not considered the benefits of certificates of deposit, whose returns can now exceed 5%.

    Between 2008 and 2022, when certificate of deposit rates were practically zero, and their appeal to investors about the same, they fell out of favour. But since the Fed started aggressively raised interest rates to combat inflation, certificates of deposits (CDs) have become a hot topic once more. And even though rates are slowly coming back down, these accounts are still worth a look.

    A certificate of deposit is a low-risk savings account that could earn as much interest as a high-yield savings account, possibly more. However, to earn that higher rate, you’ll have to park your money in the account for a certain period of time.

    With MyBankTracker you can shop and compare top certificates of deposit rates from various banks nationwide.

    Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates, with daily rate updates and personalized recommendations based on your risk preferences and time horizon so you can find the right CD to meet your retirement savings goals.

    Parking your savings in these short-term growth funds will allow you to plan year-to-year and continue to grow your savings when you’re on a fixed income.

    You can check out Moneywise’s Best High Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 to find some savvy savings options that earn you more than the national average of 0.4% APY.

    Invest for passive income in retirement

    Dave Ramsey is a huge advocate for finding new passive income streams to pay down debt and build savings. While much of his advice is focused on finding a lucrative side hustle, for those in their golden years, a more relaxed approach may be easier to incorporate.

    One of the easiest ways to grow your savings and portfolio is through Acorns, an automated investing and saving platform that simplifies the process of setting aside extra funds.

    When you spend on anything — groceries, gas, or bills — Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference into a smart investment portfolio for you, allowing you to grow your wealth without even thinking about it.

    You can also customize how you save.

    With an Acorns Silver plan, you get access to Acorns Later, a retirement investment account with a 1% IRA match on new contributions.

    You can also opt for Acorns Gold plan, which offers a 3% IRA match on new contributions and the ability to customize your portfolio by selecting your own stocks.

    Sign up now and for a limited time you’ll get a $20 bonus investment.

    What to read next

    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.

  • ‘There ought to be consequences’: This Houston man is suing the state over nearby roadwork that has dragged on for 10 years, costing him customers and a business

    ‘There ought to be consequences’: This Houston man is suing the state over nearby roadwork that has dragged on for 10 years, costing him customers and a business

    Road construction is always disruptive. But for Houston businessman Kent Edwards, years-long roadwork has cost him so much that he’s suing the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

    “This is a long-term saga going back to 2015 for me,” Edwards told Moneywise.

    Don’t miss

    Edwards has run Motorcars Limited, his restoration shop for luxury and classic cars, on Hempstead Road since the mid ’80s. As he shared with KHOU, it used to be full of cars. Now it’s nearly empty. It’s hard for customers to drive in.

    That’s because for 10 years, Hempstead Road has been under construction with repeated roadwork delays and no end date in sight. Edwards has not only lost customers but had to sell a commercial property across the street when all his tenants moved out due to the disruption.

    As for his auto body shop, “I can’t sell it. I can’t rent it. I can’t do anything with it.”

    Now he’s filed an “inverse condemnation” lawsuit against TxDOT seeking compensation for lost profits and business damages.

    Meanwhile, the road construction is also costing the state a lot of money. TxDOT has to pay for ongoing delays with tax dollars. What is TxDOT doing to recover the cost of delays?

    State charges, then refunds, road contractors for cost of delays

    KHOU reported that when a roadwork project is past due, the state is within its right to charge the contractor damages. In the case of the roadwork outside Edwards’ business, those damages amount to $1.7 million.

    But as the news outlet discovered, as soon as TxDOT charges contractors for these damages, it regularly reverses course and waives the costs, crediting money back to the same contractors.

    In the past three years, TxDOT charged roadwork contractors $88 million in damages, but credited them back $39 million. In some cases, the credits were almost equal to the damages, essentially negating the cost to contractors.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    “There ought to be consequences,” said Adrian Shelley of the government watchdog group Public Citizen. “If there’s no consequences for delays, they’re going to keep happening, right? It’s that simple."

    TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams told KHOU that contractors are not being let off the hook, but that contractors dispute the damages, claiming legitimate reasons for delays, like bad weather.

    “We work very hard to hold those contractors accountable,” he said. “We want the projects … to be done right, to be done on time, but we also are fair.”

    What can small business owners do?

    But Edwards doesn’t think TxDOT is being fair to business owners.

    “I don’t think it’s acceptable at all,” he said.

    In other parts of Texas, city councils offer financial assistance to business owners affected by construction.

    San Antonio City Council has earmarked $1.4 million for businesses in construction zones to help them with advertising and operating costs — during and after construction.

    For small businesses across the U.S., the Small Business Anti-Displacement Network offers tools and resources to help owners stay afloat, including advice on filing for tax credits and incentives and information on commercial tenant protections.

    Small business owners can also reach out to their local community organizations and business development councils for support and to organize cross-promotional activities to keep the community aware that the business is open while construction continues.

    What to read next

    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.

  • Ohio homeowners say a horrific odor has been wreaking havoc on their lives for years as sewage just sits rancid underneath their homes — and officials keep passing the buck on fixing it

    Residents in a subdivision of the city of Mentor, Ohio have been dealing with a smelly problem — and it’s taken years to get it addressed.

    “I had my family over on Easter, we’re sitting on my back porch, we had to go inside,” Shane Bergoch shared with News 5 Cleveland. “It was so bad.”

    Don’t miss

    Dennis Ryan, a long-time resident of the neighborhood, told News 5 Cleveland that he’s been dealing with the bad smell for the past four years, and his calls to the city have been routinely dismissed.

    When he initially reached out to the local sewer company, he felt that its inspection was cursory.

    “They came out for two minutes and they checked. They said, ‘oh, no, it’s flowing underneath the street. It’s fine,’” said Ryan.

    ‘It’s so bad, some days it’s like it’ll knock you over’

    Bergoch is a newcomer to the neighborhood and says the area’s rancid smell kicks in several times a week.

    “It’s disgusting,” he said. “Some days it’s worse than others. It’s so bad, some days it’s like it’ll knock you over, take your breath away.”

    It wasn’t long before Bergoch began contacting local authorities to deal with the issue. After calling the county, the city, the sewer district and even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bergoch says some officials told him they weren’t aware of the situation in Mentor. That’s when Bergoch decided to take matters into his own hands.

    “I started the petition only because when I started to call the county, they told me it’s not an issue. I’m the only person that’s ever called,” said Bergoch. “So, I knew, after having these conversations with all my neighbors, I was like, well, that’s not true.”

    Residents believe the problem lies in the old sewer infrastructure underneath their homes. There’s also a marsh behind the area and a nearby water treatment plant, but Bergoch and his neighbors don’t believe either of those are the main source of the odor.

    “They’ve built a number of new subdivisions around us that have tied to the main line. So I think it’s just overloaded,” Bergoch said of the local sewage system. “It’s not getting pumped through, it’s just gravity fed, so that sewage sits in these lines.”

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Getting to the source of the problem

    When News 5 Cleveland reached out to the city, reporters were told “something was reported to us in that area about 5 or 6 years ago,” and that the city would investigate the issue further.

    Mentor representatives added that issues of this kind are usually investigated by the Lake County General Health District. County officials, on the other hand, reportedly said the smell was an issue for the EPA to handle.

    The Lake County Department of Utilities said in a statement shared with News 5 Cleveland that the issue is receiving “urgent attention” and that it is “committed to performing any system improvements required to control odors emanating from the public sanitary sewer system within this neighborhood."

    While Bergoch, Ryan and their neighbors wait for a resolution, there are lessons that other homeowners can learn from their struggle.

    How to deal with issues like the Mentor stench

    First, if you have a similar issue in your neighborhood, be sure to document everything, including dates, times and the duration of the disturbance. Discuss the issue with your neighbors and if they’re in favor of taking action, try to convince them to join you in calling the appropriate authorities to report the issue.

    Like the residents of Mentor, you can call a number of authorities, including your municipal and county governments. Local environmental protection agencies can also help you to report and potentially resolve the issue.

    Petitions are also an excellent way to show how the problem is affecting a number of people, and issues such as the Mentor stench may also be of interest to your local news station.

    Finally, if your neighborhood’s issue — whether it be sewage smell, pollution or another environmental concern — causes physical harm to you or your neighbors, you can consider suing your municipality or the proper authority for negligence.

    What to read next

    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.

  • ‘It’s very upsetting’: Pennsylvania woman allegedly stole $50K after telling tenants she was helping her mother collect their rent — but now it’s not clear who’ll end up paying the price

    ‘It’s very upsetting’: Pennsylvania woman allegedly stole $50K after telling tenants she was helping her mother collect their rent — but now it’s not clear who’ll end up paying the price

    Annette Anderson of York County Pennsylviania is accused of theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking after allegedly scamming the tenants of the 23 rental properties into giving her their rent payments each month.

    News station 21 News reports that Anderson began assisting her elderly mother in 2024 by collecting rent payments for the 23 rental properties her mother managed. However, her mother was not the owner of the properties — she was simply overseeing them on behalf of a separate landlord.

    Don’t miss

    By October of that year, Anderson had allegedly stopped handing over the rent money to her mother, instead claiming she was keeping it safe at home. In April 2025, Anderson’s mother told the property owner that she hadn’t received payments in months. Officials said that the owner then attempted to contact Anderson directly several times before finally involving the police.

    While the police were able to contact Anderson at the time, she has allegedly gone on the run.

    Tenants outraged

    Tenants of Anderson’s mother’s units reacted with shock when they learned of Anderson’s charges.

    “Knowing a person like that took money from people like us, and, you know, us trusting her and sending out payments like that, yeah it’s upsetting, it’s very upsetting," said renter Annette Martinez, who is not related to Anderson.

    The York City Police Department found that several tenants had not only paid rent to Anderson, but also their fees for sewage and trash. They also found that she had asked them to pay their rent by Venmo or CashApp in addition to the usual cashier’s check or cash.

    The situation has many in the neighborhood worried, as some tenants say they’re now at risk of losing their homes. “People going in the street, a lot of people are going homeless because the rent is going too high,” said Gilberto Rivera in an interview with local news station 21 News.

    The police told 21 News that Anderson said she was “ashamed” of her actions when they contacted her about the investigation. She said she was involved in gambling at a local casino.

    According to the report, she assured police she would be able to pay the money by April 28, and was looking to get help for her gambling problem. However, she has been unreachable since that time, and police say her whereabouts are unknown.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Tenants may still owe rent despite paying

    It’s unclear right now how the building owner plans to deal with the theft. Martinez told 21 News that the owners of the properties Anderson’s mother managed have hired new personnel to collect rents, and have issued letters that state their intention to “work this out.”

    In a similar case in Tennessee in 2023, tenants were told by their rental company that the theft of their rent payments wasn’t their fault, but they were still expected to pay the company again for the stolen amounts. With a record of all payments, tenants can report to the police and have a strong case to retain a lawyer to contest the demand for additional rent payments.

    In the case of Anderson’s mother, she may be on the hook for the payments collected by her daughter, especially if the checks issued by tenants were not tampered with and are correctly made out to her.

    How to protect yourself from rental scams

    If you are a victim of this type of crime, you can contact your state’s rental board. Some states, like New York, have a Housing and Tenant Protection Unit (HTPU), which is a branch of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

    In cases like this, tenants are advised to ensure they have a paper trail for all rent paid. This allows the police to accurately assess how much was stolen, and also for the tenant to prove to the management company and building owner that they paid their rent in good faith.

    Law firm Kimball, Tirey and St. John advises landlords and property managers on their blog to avoid the possibility of theft by upgrading to more modern and secure methods of collecting rents, including accepting online payments, or taking payments by machine at the office during business hours. Property owners can also demand that managers only accept payments by secure means in their contract agreements, and include other provisions on how rents are collected and paid to protect their interests in the buildings they own.

    What to read next

    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 is going on?’: California residents left perplexed after packages UPS told them were lost seemingly show up for sale online — here’s how to avoid similar issues with your shipments

    ‘What is going on?’: California residents left perplexed after packages UPS told them were lost seemingly show up for sale online — here’s how to avoid similar issues with your shipments

    UPS may have a scandal on its hands after several expensive shipments reported as lost have turned up for sale online.

    The issue came to light after 7 On Your Side, a local ABC News affiliate, reported that a Hayward, California man discovered an expensive guitar he had ordered but never received listed on a resale website and two additional Bay Area residents reached out to tell their stories.

    Don’t miss

    Mike La Marca and Pam Daniels told 7 On Your Side that valuable items they shipped — a motorcycle engine supercharger and a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork — were reported lost by UPS. La Marca later found his supercharger for sale on eBay. When he contacted the seller, they said that they purchase “lost freight”.

    "I was like, ‘What, is this a ring? What is going on?" Daniels said.

    While UPS maintains no foul play is suspected, the pattern has raised serious concerns about how missing packages are handled, and how you can ensure you don’t end up in the same situation.

    ‘Too many coincidences’

    La Marca, who lives in New Jersey, shipped the supercharger to a Bay Area bike builder who was customizing a motocycle for Derek Kriebel of Ohio.

    "He explained he was building a bike for a bike show, and I had sold some superchargers that were put on bikes for that bike show previously,” La Marca said. “That’s how we struck a deal.”.

    La Marca insured the shipment through UPS. But it never arrived.

    "Ugh, my heart sank," he said. "Number one, just because of the rarity of the supercharger."

    Months later, La Marca spotted what he believed was the same part for sale on eBay. He contacted the seller, who claimed they buy lost freight from shipping companies.

    La Marca provided 7 On Your Side with photos showing markings on the eBay listing that matched his original item.

    "It’s too many coincidences," he said, referring to the earlier case of the lost guitar. He has filed a police report, but the seller told him police has not followed up.

    UPS declined to answer specific questions about whether it sells lost or damaged freight. Instead, a company spokesperson issued a general statement: "We’re committed to delivering excellent service. Issues with shipments are uncommon, but when they happen, we work with our customers to resolve them."

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    ‘Artwork is irreplaceable’

    Daniels, who recently moved to the Bay Area from Chicago, said she didn’t buy insurance for her shipment because she had never had issues with UPS in the past.

    "On a trip back to Chicago in February, I prepared it and shipped it. It never arrived," she said. "Artwork is irreplaceable. This is not something that exists in any other form.”

    Daniels said UPS gave her the same explanation it gave La Marca: "All merchandise is missing, and the carton has been discarded."

    "I don’t think it could disappear,” she said. “It’s not like it was a couple of loose bolts in the bottom of a box that fell out. I don’t know how you lose something that’s 5 feet by 7 feet big."

    What to do if your courier loses a shipment

    All reported shipments were sent between January and February this year.

    While those affected wait for more answers, there are some things you can do to protect your shipments:

    • Label your packages: Clearly write your contact information and the recipient’s on the parcel. Discreet packaging can help prevent theft, especially for high value items.
    • Use tamper-evident seals: If you’re shipping something valuable, consider using protective labels. Even better, opt for a private delivery service or one that specializes in shipping certain items like superchargers.
    • Purchase comprehensive insurance: Be sure to insure the item your shipping, including any additional coverage options available. Keep all the documentation provide and keep a full record of the transaction.
    • Label it fragile: Provide the carrier with detailed information about specific handling requirements.
    • Monitor your package’s delivery: Use the tracking number provided by the carrier and use its website to ensure it arrives at its final destination.
    • Ask for proof of delivery: If the item being shipped is valuable, make sure the recipient has to sign for it in order for it to be delivered.

    UPS’s policy for lost or stolen goods states that full reimbursement for the item, shipping costs and packaging is only available if a UPS store employee packs the item. If no declared value is listed at the time of shipping, reimbursement is capped at $100. Packing your own item also adds liability risk.

    According to ShipAid.com, sellers are usually responsible for packages until they’re delivered. That’s why insurance is important. Regardless of the carrier, know the company’s lost-package policy before you ship, especially if your item is expensive or irreplaceable.

    What to read next

    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.

  • At 55, I have enough money in the bank to retire comfortably — but I’m gripped with regret over how much more I could have saved. Does financial anxiety ever go away?

    At 55, I have enough money in the bank to retire comfortably — but I’m gripped with regret over how much more I could have saved. Does financial anxiety ever go away?

    As they often say, money doesn’t buy happiness, but what happens when your money doesn’t bring you any feeling of contentment, even when you’re financially comfortable?

    Take James, for example. While he’s not a real person, his story reflects the experience of many Canadians approaching retirement. James 55 years old and describes himself as financially responsible. He has an emergency fund that would cover three months of his family’s expenses, $250K in his RRSP and is on track to pay off his mortgage right before he hits the standard retirement age. He and his wife also own their two cars outright and have no consumer debt.

    Yet in spite of this sound financial footing, James constantly feels stressed about the money decisions his family made in the past, and the impact it is now having on their present and future. James earns a decent salary, but he often wonders if it was a mistake for his wife to become a stay-at-home mother during their children’s early years. He also knows he could have contributed more to his retirement savings, but financial pressures while his children were young kept him from saving as much as he would have liked.

    Is James’s situation unique?

    While James describes himself as “gripped with regret” over his past lifestyle choices, his worries are quite common. A study from FP Canada found that 42% of Canadians say money is their leading source of stress. Meanwhile, nearly one third (32%) of Canadian baby boomers feel that they are still unprepared for retirement, according to Spring Financial.

    James has his worries, but many of his fellow Canadians find themselves on much more precarious financial footing. For example, 60% of Canadians do not have an emergency fund according to an RBC poll.

    Moreover, according to Sun Life, the average Canadian carries $21,717 in car loans, and $13,986 in personal loans. Meanwhile, only 66.5% of Canadians own their homes, according to the a 2022 report from Statistics Canada.

    Still, James worries that it’s too late for his wife to find a decent job with a comfortable salary, and that he will struggle to provide for his family in the future.

    How to manage financial anxiety

    If you feel like financial anxiety is taking control of your life, there are several steps you can take to feel more grounded and confident with your finances.

    Consult a financial advisor

    If you’re in good shape financially but still feel worried about money, it may be helpful to have a professional review of your financial progress. Consider speaking with a fiduciary financial advisor who can give you a professional, bias-free account of your retirement plan and financial goals.

    An advisor can help you feel more confident about your financial path by reviewing your budget, emergency fund and investment portfolio while also offering advice on how you can improve.

    Whether you need to improve your financial situation or you’re on track for a healthy retirement, an advisor can help you create manageable goals that can give you a feeling of control over your money and your future.

    Create a budget

    James could help to ease his worried mind by carefully creating a budget for his household. By focusing on everyday expenses and cutting costs wherever possible, James can free up some more cash that he can then invest in his family’s future.

    If you too are worried about your financial future, creating a budget and investing what you save is a great way to help assuage your money worries. Whenever the anxiety over your future finances crops up, you can feel a little bit better knowing that you’re budgeting well and investing your savings for your golden years.

    When creating a budget, the first step should be to take a good look at your current numbers. “You have to know what you’re working with before you can start working toward anything,” wrote Kara Perez in an article for Moneywise.

    Create an emergency fund

    One very smart money move that James made was building an emergency fund that can cover three months’ worth of his family’s expenses.

    An emergency fund is a vital stash of money that can come in handy when unexpected expenditures arise, or when you lose your job and temporarily stop earning money. Life happens, and things like emergency car repairs or replacing a broken water heater can pop up at any time.

    The last thing anyone wants is an emergency expense that pushes them into debt or forces them to dip into their savings. Credit cards are great, but using them to get yourself out of an emergency can be costly, and it’s hard to save for your future when your money is tied up paying off debts.

    Start investing early

    It’s no secret that the sooner you start investing, the more well off you’re going to be when you retireme. For many Canadians, retirement may seem decades away, but saving for it as early as possible can be incredibly beneficial for your retirement finances.

    The money that you invest benefits from compounding returns, which means your money grows over time — and the longer the period that your money sits in investments, the more growth you’ll see with your portfolio.

    If young Canadians can start investing in their 20s, they’d be setting themselves up to take advantage of what’s likely the most valuable asset out there: time. Investing as early as possible is a great way to unlock the complete potential of compounding returns.

    Unfortunately, many Canadians who struggle with financial anxiety could be plagued by these worries for quite some time. Even if you consider yourself well-off, factors such as inflation and economic uncertainty due to controversial trade policies could create cause for concern. And if you’re already anxious about your future finances, these factors could greatly exacerbate your worries.

    That’s why peace of mind is so important. If you follow the tips above, you can remind yourself that you’re doing everything you can to boost your future finances whenever your money worries pop up. And while that financial anxiety may never disappear, it can be greatly reduced just by knowing that you’re putting your best foot forward today for a better tomorrow.

    Sources

    1. FP Canada: FP Canada™ 2025 Financial Stress Index reveals top financial stressors, barriers and generational differences (Mar 18, 2025)

    2. Spring Financial: Spring Clean Your Finances: How Canadians are Approaching Big Financial Goals in 2025, by Jessica Steer (May 21, 2025)

    3. RBC: “Financially paralyzed”: Higher costs have Canadians feeling unable to move forward – RBC poll (Jan 23, 2025)

    4. Sun Life: What’s the average debt in Canada and how do you compare?, by Jillian Stinson (Sept 18, 2024)

    5. Statistics Canada: To buy or to rent: The housing market continues to be reshaped by several factors as Canadians search for an affordable place to call home (Sept 9, 2022)

    6. Moneywise: How to make a budget that works, by Kara Perez (Jun 7, 2023)

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

  • This Florida retirement hot spot was just ranked America’s ‘most boring city’ — does that mean you should cross it off your list?

    This Florida retirement hot spot was just ranked America’s ‘most boring city’ — does that mean you should cross it off your list?

    Despite its beautiful climate, parks, beaches and access to some of the country’s best seafood, Jacksonville, Florida, doesn’t excite the folks at FinanceBuzz.

    The auto insurance advisory company recently conducted a study ranking the 75 most populous U.S. cities based on their excitement factor. The score considered whether a city is a popular tourist destination, the strength of its restaurants, nightlife and concert venues.

    Don’t miss

    Jacksonville earned a dismal 14.3 out of 100, scoring low for its abundance of chain restaurants and lack of nightclubs.

    So what does that mean for the city’s reputation as a retirement hub? Let’s dive in.

    The most exciting cities in the U.S.

    Jacksonville residents don’t have to go far to find more action. Other Floridian cities, including Miami, Orlando and Tampa, ranked in the top 20.

    Atlanta took the top spot overall, while more obvious picks like New York City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles ranked fifth, eighth and 19th, respectively.

    If seniors in Jacksonville are craving a better dining experience, a weekend getaway to Miami could do the trick. FinanceBuzz reported that only 35% of Miami’s restaurants are chains, and the city boasts 16 Michelin-rated establishments. It ranks No. 2 overall on the list, offering plenty of variety for retirees seeking a fresh culinary experience.

    St. Louis, Missouri, rounded out the top three. The city has the fifth-highest rate of annual events, the second-most nightclubs per capita and the eighth-most concert venues per capita. We’re tired just thinking about it!

    Jacksonville’s appeal to retirees

    While Jacksonville may lack buzz, its NFL team, long stretches of beach and abundance of golf courses make it an attractive destination for older adults seeking a blend of fun and relaxation.

    The over-65 crowd might not prioritize nightclubs and late-night concerts. Instead, they may prefer a more laid-back pace. And while Jacksonville may not top the list for trendy restaurants, it does have a thriving arts scene with several galleries and museums.

    In fact, a U.S. News & World report ranked Jacksonville the seventh-best place to retire in 2025. The report praised the “River City” for being "big enough to find something for everyone to enjoy” and rated it highly for housing affordability, health care quality, crime rates, weather and other factors that matter to seniors.

    So, should active seniors pass on Jacksonville? Not necessarily. The key is to weigh the pros and cons, and think about what matters most to you when envisioning your ideal retirement.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    How to decide where to retire

    Retirement looks different for everyone. Maybe you’re dreaming of travel and nightlife, or perhaps you’d rather tend a garden outside a cozy bungalow. Planning your next chapter involves balancing enjoyment with practical concerns. Here are some things to consider:

    • Cost of living: Your retirement lifestyle will shape the type of city you choose. If you prefer urban living, you might rent a small apartment and rely on public transit. If you’re planning to spread out, factor in not just housing costs but also utilities, transportation and how far you’ll be from health care providers.
    • Health care quality: As you age, access to quality health care becomes even more important. Consider proximity to hospitals, the availability of specialists and a city’s overall health care infrastructure. Check the reputations of local hospitals, especially for geriatric care.
    • Taxes: They can eat into your retirement income, especially if you’re moving from a low-tax to a high-tax state. Your income sources and spending habits will influence how much you owe, so do your homework before relocating.
    • Political climate: Whether your new city leans red or blue may affect your comfort level and daily life. Consider whether you’d feel at ease discussing politics with new neighbors and how local policies could impact your lifestyle.
    • Safety: Crime rates and economic stability can impact your sense of security. Research the data for your prospective city, and consider how safe you’ll feel walking around or going about your daily routine.

    Finally, don’t underestimate your own happiness. Think about the weather, ease of travel and availability of activities tailored to seniors. Whether your chosen city is “exciting” or not, what matters most is that it fits your vision for your golden years.

    Choose wisely, and you’ll be setting yourself up for comfort, contentment and maybe even a little adventure in your third act.

    What to read next

    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.

  • Fare’s fair: Facing a $213 million budget shortfall, Philadelphia transit is now cracking down on fare evaders — how what may look like a petty crime is part of a larger troubling trend

    Fare’s fair: Facing a $213 million budget shortfall, Philadelphia transit is now cracking down on fare evaders — how what may look like a petty crime is part of a larger troubling trend

    Dawn Cooper, a veteran bus driver with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA), says she’s seen a lot in 25 years, but “just when you think that’s it, you see some more.”

    Fare evaders are face-to-face with drivers, so when they refuse to pay, Cooper just lets them ride. “I don’t want any situations, any confrontation,” she says.

    And Cooper believes evasion happens “every day” on board SEPTA’s buses and by her estimate, more than half of the riders do not pay.

    Her bosses at the transit authority agree — their latest report suggests fare evasion costs their system “millions of dollars each year.” Now they’re cracking down.

    Local CBS News in Philadelphia followed the new fare evasion task force. In the hour that the reporters rode alongside officers on the metro bus route, 10 people were turned away for not paying their fare. Many others were reminded by officers to pay as they boarded.

    Don’t miss

    Fare evasion in the City of Brotherly Love

    Fare evasion could cost as much as $30 million per year according to Chief Chuck Lawson of the SEPTA Transit Police. Since spring 2024, his officers have had approval to begin issuing criminal citations for fare evasion. The efforts are already paying off: Transit Police have issued nearly 6,000 citations in that time and are authorized to issue fines up to $300. The task force also has a knock-on benefit for local police. SEPTA reports their citations have led to the arrest of 700 people with existing warrants for other crimes, also citing a 33% drop in serious crime in the transit network — the largest one-year decrease in their history.

    While the fines are returning some money to a cash-starved system, it’s unlikely to make up the $213 million budget shortfall the transit authority is projecting. As a result, fare hikes and cuts to some less popular routes will be rolling out as well.

    Fare evasion across the U.S.

    What’s happening in southeastern Pennsylvania is part of a larger trend across the country. David Leonhardt of the New York Times reported that when he was a young man in the New York of the 80s, fare evasion seemed normal. During the city’s crackdown on crime in the 90s, fare evasion began to become less and less common, but now he sees a rise again. A separate Times article similarly found that 48% of riders on the city’s buses fail to pay.

    And, the MTA reported losing an estimated $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls in 2022. They were able to force down subway fare evasion by 26% between 2022 and 2024 through a number of measures, including updating fare gates at some transit stations and adding additional enforcement officers.

    Fare evasion may seem like a simple petty crime, but it has a ripple effect on transit systems and the economy, as a whole. Strong transit systems support a healthy economy, as the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) reports. For each billion dollar investment in transit systems, 50,000 jobs are created in the U.S. and there is a 5-to-1 economic return produced by long-term investment in public transit, according to their findings.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Fare evasion and violent crime

    Fare evasion is also linked to more serious crimes. Janno Lieber, chairman and CEO of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, explained that "not every fare evader is a criminal" but virtually all criminals "evaded the fare."

    In other words, fare evasion is worth a more serious approach because of its ties to other types of crime. Kevin Scott, general manager for security at Bi-State Development in St. Louis, told CBS News that the "security gates" and 1,200 cameras his transit system recently installed are less about catching fare-skippers than improving overall safety in the system.

    "We’ve seen it time and again where something plays out on the street, then everybody runs for the MetroLink platform and that’s where the shooting happens or that’s where the stabbing happens," Scott said. "We’re really trying to impact the overall perception that the system is unsafe. We could have taken five or six steps forward with security, but if we have an incident play out, now we’re three or four steps back."

    CBS reported that assaults and homicides on public transit nearly doubled between 2011 and 2023 and there is a growing perception across the country that public transit is unsafe. This trend is especially troubling for transit systems that saw huge dips in ridership during the pandemic and are struggling to regain riders and recover from the lost revenue during those years.

    Rethinking transit policing

    While making transit safer is obviously a benefit for the whole community, many experts and critics warn that increased policing may not be the right solution for improving mass transit systems in the states.

    For example, Human Rights Watch reports that increased policing on transit systems has led to violence against transit officers, as well as shootings, injuries, deportations and deaths. They also reported that costly upgrades to fare gates don’t always deter fare evasions. New York City’s new fare gates reportedly can be opened with the swipe of a hand and Oakland’s $90 million fare gates see riders tailgating or wedging in after a paying customer.

    Fare evasion officers are also more likely to target poorer neighborhoods and issue fines to people of color. In New York, for example, police fare enforcement actions were more than twice as common in low income neighborhoods between 2017 and 2018. Ana Levy also reported in her New York Times article that Black and Latinx people made up 73% of those arrested and issued summons for fare evasion in 2022.

    Instead of increased policing, Human Rights Watch recommends full public funding for transit systems and they cite Luxembourg as an example of nationwide free public transit.

    For regular transit riders, this crackdown on fare evasion across the country can mean increased pressure on their budgets, as the cost of living in other areas also continues to rise. The APTA reports that 55% of transit riders earn less than $50,000 per year — a figure that may mean fare evasion fines could have a serious impact on wallets. For now, riders should be prepared to pay as officials look to enforcement to address concerns.

    What to read next

    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.