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Author: Rebecca Holland

  • ‘You’re imposing this on her’: Dave Ramsey gives Florida man a reality check — Ramsey says his struggles with his spendy wife aren’t really about money (plus what’s missing from their plan)

    It’s not uncommon for a marriage to experience financial issues, but sometimes the money problems are just the tip of the iceberg.

    Dave Ramsey recently explained this to a Florida man, Hayden, who called in to the financial guru’s show. Hayden and his wife are deeply in debt, with a $19,300 balance on their credit cards and $64,000 in car loans, including a $37,000 loan for a new Tesla. The two have created a budget to navigate their financial woes, but Hayden’s wife feels the couple hasn’t budgeted for one important part of life: fun.

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    Hayden shared that in spite of their lavish spending, the couple is struggling to afford things like attending baby showers and dining out with friends. Hayden’s wife, who is pregnant with their second child, has to clear her spending with him, asking for $50 to spend on these types of activities, which Hayden routinely denies.

    “My wife started to feel very controlled,” Hayden admitted.

    As Hayden continued to explain the situation, the conversation quickly shifted from “how do I get my wife on board?” to “how can we make budgeting decisions as a couple?” That’s when Ramsey’s advice veered away from discussing finances.

    ‘Ultimately, you two probably need marriage counselling’

    Ramsey and co-host Jade Warshaw were visibly shocked when Hayden outlined the couple’s debts, as well as the issues Hayden’s wife has with their budget. “You’re imposing this on her, and she’s not got any adult ownership in the sacrifice that needs to occur for you all to swim.”

    Since Hayden and his wife don’t appear to be on the same page with their financial goals, Ramsey suggested another remedy that might help the couple get to the bottom of their issues.

    “Ultimately, you two probably need marriage counselling,” said Ramsey. “She’s not involved in this at all, emotionally, and so you’ve become her parent and she doesn’t like it when you tell her ‘no.’ And you’re getting tired of being the parent.”

    Warshaw also pushed for the couple to attend counseling, noting that for most new parents, the arrival of a child tends to change their relationship with money. If Hayden’s wife still has a desire to spend recklessly, there is likely an underlying factor leading to this behavior.

    “My guess is there’s something behind this,” said Warshaw. “You go to counseling, you’re going to figure out what that is, because there is something stopping her from wanting to go all in on this.”

    While Ramsey was sympathetic to Hayden’s potential marital issues, he refused to let Hayden off the hook for the terrible financial decisions he and his wife have made. For example, buying a brand new Tesla when Hayden and his wife were already drowning in debt.

    “It’s asinine, and you knew it when you did it,” said Ramsey. “But you went along with it, trying to make someone happy by buying them stuff. And it doesn’t work.”

    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

    Making money decisions as a couple

    Budgeting as a couple should be a joint activity that not only takes into account what’s possible today, but also what’s possible for the future — what retirement will look like, when you both plan to retire, and how you will invest to live comfortably when you reach retirement age.

    According to Fidelity’s 2024 Couples & Money Study, nearly 25% of couples said money is the greatest challenge in their relationship. Survey respondents also reported that more than half “do not agree on how much money they need to have saved in order to retire,” and more than one in four partners reported that they resent when their significant other leaves them out of financial decisions.

    While money issues are a common theme in marital discord — and even the biggest predictor of divorce, according to a 2012 study — it is possible to get on the same page about financial goals, even if one partner is a saver and the other is a spender. On the Ramsey blog, Rachel Cruze discusses how couples can get on the same page about money.

    “When it comes to money fights in marriage, there’s often a surface issue and an underlying issue. And the only way to find the root cause of the argument is to stop and talk about it,” she wrote.

    Cruze also detailed that savers and spenders are equally valid in their decisions as long as they’re maintaining a reasonable approach to their budget. “Neither is right or wrong — they’re just different.”

    For Hayden and his wife, it’s important for them to discuss money as equals and understand each other’s perspective.

    Making money decisions as a couple

    When couples approach budgeting without alignment on goals and what they want the future to look like, one person often takes on the role of the ‘manager’ while the other is taking orders, rather than the budget being a joint project for the pair.

    Ramsey notes that getting alignment on money is not just about looking at daily and monthly spending, but seeing the big picture: a plan for your marriage that includes financial stability as one piece of a happy life.

    “You’ve been talking about ‘what’ way too much, but not ‘why’,” he told Hayden. “And you’ve got to work on that. Then she’s going to have to take an adult position in this relationship where we sacrifice together for the greater good of our overall family.”

    Ultimately, Ramsey advocated for much stricter budgeting for the couple, which may include a “beans and rice” diet until they can get rid of their debt. Ramsey also had some blunt advice on what to do about that Tesla.

    “You need to sell her car yesterday, it should have never been purchased,” said Ramsey, but his tough-love approach to Hayden’s troubles didn’t end there. “Don’t talk to me about baby showers when you’ve got debt up around your neck and you’ve got a one-year-old. And don’t talk to me about your instagram life, I couldn’t give a crap less about your instagram life.”

    “That’s me being mean, and forceful, because that’s what I see in your lives,” admitted Ramsey. “You’ve got to want a bright future more than you want a false present.”

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    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.

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    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: 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

    ‘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

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

  • ‘It’s not safe’: This Houston couple says their brand-new home in a gated community has become a mold-ridden uninhabitable nightmare — now they’re left in an ‘unfathomable’ position

    ‘It’s not safe’: This Houston couple says their brand-new home in a gated community has become a mold-ridden uninhabitable nightmare — now they’re left in an ‘unfathomable’ position

    When Angela and Terry Taylor of Houston moved into a four-story home in a gated community in 2020, they thought it would be a safe, low-maintenance environment where they could ease into retirement.

    Instead, things started to go wrong almost immediately. The Taylors noticed condensation on the windows and doors. Angela began to feel ill.

    They soon identified the problem: mold. A doctor discovered mold in Angela’s sinuses and told her it was the highest level he had seen in 32 years.

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    Then they checked out the house. Hundreds of thousands of mold spores per cubic meter, on the walls, beneath stucco finishes — even their furniture.

    "It’s not safe for anybody to be there," their attorney Ernest Freeman told KHOU 11.

    The Taylors have moved into an apartment, carrying the costs of the apartment and their new home at the same time.

    "We’re trying to retire one of these days and these are some of the most expensive days of our lives," said Terry Taylor. "It’s unfathomable that we’re in the position we’re in."

    Now they’re suing the home builder, Pelican Builders, and sharing their story to alert other people to the dangers.

    Mold takes a physical and financial toll

    "We worked hard, raised our kids and this is our time, and I’ve gotten sick," Angela said. "It’s just a nightmare."

    The couple said they initially tried to work with the builder on a solution.

    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

    Pelican Builders’ lawyer Ben Westcott said that the company offered to repair the Taylors’ home at no cost in 2022. He said the Taylors’ decision not to take the offer led to further degradation of the property.

    But Freeman and his clients note that the builders’ offer did address underlying structural issues that caused the mold growth in the first place.

    Mold grows when houses aren’t properly sealed. Warm air fills the inside of the walls, forced down from the attic. Cooler air from the other side of the wall makes condensation form, causing mold to grow rapidly.

    What you can do if your new home has serious structural issues

    If you, like the Taylors, find structural problems in a new-build home, there are several avenues you can pursue to get help.

    First, review your contract and the builder’s warranty. This type of warranty is standard for new homes, and is also enforced when any extensive remodels to your existing home take place. It covers permanent parts of your home, including concrete floors, plumbing, electrical work and the like.

    You may also have a home warranty, which covers replacements or repairs. This can include appliances or air conditioning systems, and servicing for these items.

    If your warranty covers the repairs you need, you should have no trouble enforcing the terms of your agreement with your builder.

    If the issues are not part of the warranty, but are so significant that the property is uninhabitable, your builder should also make a good faith agreement to repair the damage and underlying issues with the home.

    If your builder refuses to cooperate, you can file a complaint with your state’s contractors licensing board. The specific rules and regulations vary by state, but each board can pursue disciplinary action against a contractor who fails to uphold a reasonable standard for their work.

    Finally, you can consider hiring a lawyer. Look for a representative who has handled similar cases in the past, and can help you understand the laws in place in your state to protect homeowners.

    What to read next

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

  • ‘What in Galloping Gale is this?’: Several Massachusetts utility customers say they missed payments as bills suddenly went paperless — how to fight back when you owe on a bill you didn’t get

    ‘What in Galloping Gale is this?’: Several Massachusetts utility customers say they missed payments as bills suddenly went paperless — how to fight back when you owe on a bill you didn’t get

    Massachusetts utilities company National Grid is once again the target of criticisms from customers over billing practices. Just a few weeks ago it was revealed that it failed to bill thousands of gas customers for most of the previous winter.

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    Now WCVB Channel 5 Boston reports that a quarter million customers were switched to paperless billing since August, but several are coming forward to claim they didn’t opt in or know about the change. They say they only learned of the switch after they received a disconnection notice demanding hundreds of dollars in missed payments be made.

    In March, state regulators called the company’s billing issues "systemic" and "inexcusable,” and they recently announced relief for customers who did not see their paperless bills.

    Here’s what you can do if you’re facing a similar issue with a utilities or service provider.

    ‘I got no phone call. Nothing. It just stopped.’

    Albert Mercado, a National Grid customer, received a final disconnection notice by mail in May — his first letter from the company in months.

    At first, Mercado didn’t understand. “Out of the blue. And I’m like, ‘What’s going on? What in Galloping Gale is this?’” he said in an interview with WCVB.

    He called National Grid and learned he had been switched to paperless bills some months before. The company was sending the bills to an outdated email address.

    "My first email account. Hotmail," Mercado explained. He also told WCVB that there was no notice included on any of his previous paper bills.

    Similarly, Matt Ricciuti also received a disconnection notice in late May with a bill for $800.

    "I didn’t choose it, and I didn’t even have an option," Ricciuti said to WCVB. "I got no notice of [the switch]. I got no phone call. Nothing. It just stopped.”

    His bills were also going to an old email.

    "She said it was going to my original email that I had established back when MSN was just starting up," explained Ricciuti.

    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

    The news station reports 266,000 people have been moved to paperless billing since last August, and the company automatically enrolled customers who had any email address listed on their account. The company confirmed that they only notified customers of the switch through email, and no notice was sent with bills or other letters. They only reenrolled customers in paper bills if an emailed bill bounced back.

    "I think they should have notified people a lot better than they did," Ricciuti said.

    "I said, ‘Your implementation sucks. For the number of years I’ve had an account with you guys. Always pay the bills on time. Never got a call, text message, nothing. This just doesn’t make sense,’” Mercado said.

    How you can avoid missed bills and disconnected utilities

    For their part, National Grid said in a statement, "We have made efforts to communicate with all customers enrolled in paperless billing over the last two years and will continue reaching out to those we have not reached using available contact information. Customers who prefer to receive printed bills can easily update their preferences by logging into their National Grid account via our website or mobile app, or by calling 1-800-233-5325 to speak with a Customer Service Specialist."

    However, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities told WCVB they have received dozens of complaints about the paperless transition from National Grid customers.

    They also confirmed any customer who did not receive their bills is not responsible for charges older than 60 days. This includes paperless bills that were sent to the wrong email address. They advised National Grid customers eligible for this relief to call the company.

    If you are with another service provider or living in another state, you can reach out to your state’s public utilities department to file a complaint involving a gas, electric, or water company.

    You can also contact municipal, county or state government offices to find more information on how to file these complaints, and if there are any additional watchdog or community organizations in your area that will register your issue and help you with your missed bills. They can also inform you of the regulations in your state concerning bills you did not receive.

    In the meantime, to avoid any disconnection of your essential home services, be sure to log in to any accounts you have with your utilities providers and check your preferences to ensure your bills are delivered to the right address. You can also call your provider’s helplines to check this information.

    What to read next

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    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.

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    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: 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

    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

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

  • I’m 45 with 5 children to support and my breadwinning husband died unexpectedly. I only get $1.5K/month from disability and still have a $220K mortgage — how do I secure our financial future?

    I’m 45 with 5 children to support and my breadwinning husband died unexpectedly. I only get $1.5K/month from disability and still have a $220K mortgage — how do I secure our financial future?

    The death of a spouse is devastating under any circumstances. But, what happens if your spouse who passed away was also the breadwinner for your family of seven, including five children?

    When this type of tragic incident occurs, survivors left behind can find their whole life changed.

    Now, imagine that you are the surviving spouse. You have a disability, with a $1,500 monthly benefit and you own a home that you owe $220,000 on. And, your basic monthly bills (not including expenses like food, transportation and health care) are $3,320.

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    You’d probably be panicking about your financial future in this situation, and rightly so. The big question is, what can you do to ensure that you and your children are provided for and the bills get paid?

    Take stock of your situation

    The first thing to do in this situation is to determine what your finances look like based on what your spouse left behind.

    Look to see if your husband has a will, and take account of any assets you may have, such as your spouse’s workplace 401(k), life insurance policies, bank accounts and investment accounts.

    Hopefully, you and your spouse communicated about these issues, and you know where to look. If not, you may have to contact financial institutions, look at your spouse’s computer history and email to see if you can find statements and use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) life insurance policy locator.

    In most cases, the estate will need to go through probate to officially transfer certain property and assets. A legal aid attorney may be able to help you through this process if you can’t afford a lawyer otherwise. If you were a joint owner on any assets, though, you should be able to access those right away.

    With luck, your spouse left something behind that can help you to make ends meet in this difficult situation. Depending on the equity in your home, you may also be able to downsize to something less expensive while freeing up cash you can invest to produce income to live on.

    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

    Claim available benefits

    If your spouse left behind limited resources, the next step is to try to claim any benefits that may be available to you.

    This can include survivor benefits from Social Security. These benefits are available to surviving spouses who are raising minor children, as well as to kids under the age of 17 or kids under the age of 19 if they are still in school. If any of the children have a disability, these benefits can be available at any age.

    With your limited financial resources, you will likely be eligible for other government benefits as well. These can include:

    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
    • Medicaid health insurance coverage.

    Other benefits, such as utility assistance programs and reduced property taxes, may also be on offer. Check Benefits.gov and search your state’s assistance programs to see what is available. These benefits can help you to make ends meet.

    Consider working in some capacity

    After the death of a breadwinning spouse, it normally would make sense for you to go back to work. However, that may not be the case if you have a disability, because earning too much money could affect your eligibility for disability and other benefits.

    Of course, if you could earn enough to support yourself and your family despite your disability, doing so would be a good idea. If your condition prevents you from doing that, though, then you could end up worse off if you earn too much to get benefits but not enough to meet your needs.

    Still, you can check with the benefits programs you participate in to see how much you are allowed to earn before losing benefits, and check out programs that help with job training and searches for people with a disability.

    Take care of yourself in all aspects of your life

    Finally, you need to think about creating more stability for yourself in your future — including emotional and financial stability.

    Taking steps to become more financially stable, like trying to build an emergency fund and savings, can be a good first step.

    You should also make sure to get the emotional support you need after a devastating loss. Check with your local community center, health center, faith group or hospital for support groups that may be available for you and your kids.

    What to read next

    Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

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

  • Missouri mom of 12 says her family may be left homeless after a deadly tornado tore their roof right off — now she wants changes so families don’t fall through the cracks after a disaster

    Missouri mom of 12 says her family may be left homeless after a deadly tornado tore their roof right off — now she wants changes so families don’t fall through the cracks after a disaster

    The historic, deadly tornado that hit St. Louis on May 16 destroyed the Williams family home, which was then condemned by the city.

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    Selena Williams, a mom to 12 children ranging from ages 11 to 24, spoke to local news station Fox 2 in early June to say her family is in urgent need of long-term recovery assistance.

    The report says the family stayed in a car for weeks and was then placed in an extended-stay hotel, but that help was to end on June 15.

    “I’m hoping to go from here to a place we can rent,” said Williams, who mentioned that her husband kept working as a truck driver during this ordeal.

    She was also afraid of people looting the few possessions that might be recoverable from their home.

    The family have set up a Go Fund Me that has raised over $20,000.

    “The front of our home is damaged, the roof was completely ripped off and destroyed,” says the page, which also mentions water damage on the second floor. “There are not many large affordable homes in St. Louis of 6+ bedrooms and majority of the large homes have been lived in for generations. So for my family to leave this home would be more devastating and stressful than asking for help to rebuild.”

    Williams said community groups are trying to help, but many families are falling through the cracks, hers included.

    “Everyone says they have resources, resources,” she told Fox 2. “But the resources they’re offering is not what I need. I need a place for us to be at home.”

    She said she has not heard anything from the city but officials arrived to place bright orange stickers on the house that said entry was prohibited due to the structure being in poor condition.

    The couple hopes that their story will spark change. Perhaps Missouri lawmakers need to create better protections for citizens who lose their homes to natural disasters.

    Resources after your home is destroyed

    If you find yourself homeless after a disaster, you can apply for relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you get back on your feet. If you have insurance, you need to file a claim and submit the insurance settlement or denial letter to determine your eligibility for some forms of assistance.

    You can also apply for help through the D-SNAP disaster food relief program, and even find government help for paying your bills.

    Unfortunately, you will still owe your lender mortgage payments even if your house was condemned. You can apply for federal mortgage help or funds to cover repairs if your home is in a presidentially declared disaster area.

    In addition to these federal programs, there may be state or local recovery agencies in your area that can assist you with food, housing, and other forms of support.

    If your home is condemned after a natural disaster like a tornado, that means it has been deemed unsafe to live in, and may have major structural damage that could see it collapse, even if it is still standing at the time of condemnation.

    Your home insurance plan should include additional living expenses coverage or ALE, which can help you secure temporary housing while you decide what to do with your home.

    You retain the right to sell your house in most cases, but will have to fully disclose the nature of the damage to the buyer.

    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

    Preparing for disasters

    Swiss Re reports that global insured losses from natural catastrophes in 2024 totaled $137 billion, and are projected to approach $145 billion in 2025.

    The National Centers for Environmental Information also reports that 2024 is the 14th-consecutive year in which 10 or more separate billion-dollar disaster events impacted the U.S. The annual average for the last five years is 23 events.

    While homeowners insurance is a must, you may want to review it to see if coverage for certain natural disasters is excluded. Standard policies usually don’t offer coverage for flood damage and earthquakes.

    If you live in a disaster-prone area, you may want to consider creating an additional emergency fund and keeping all important documents in a safe place. The federal government has a website with financial preparedness tips for rebuilding after a disaster or other emergency.

    The Williams family’s experience with natural disasters is a strong reminder of the importance of being prepared with an emergency fund and comprehensive insurance:

    “The first was the ice storm years ago. It broke every pipe in the house. My husband repaired that. Then there was the windstorm a few years ago. That damaged the outside of the house. We literally just got all that done in the summer of 2024, and there here we go. We get hit with this.”

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

  • Are recession fears keeping you up at night? Here are 3 strategic moves to protect your finances as Trump’s trade wars escalate

    Are recession fears keeping you up at night? Here are 3 strategic moves to protect your finances as Trump’s trade wars escalate

    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.

    Recession fears have dogged Americans since the Covid years, and they’re showing no signs of stopping.

    In March, J.P. Morgan’s chief economist said there’s a 40% chance the U.S. will face a recession in 2025. Veronica Willis, global investment strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, says that whether a recession is coming or not, the economy is already in a “slow patch.”

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    Now, with a rocky stock market, President Donald Trump’s tariffs and weakened tourism, the U.S. may be on the verge of an economic downturn.

    And while many Americans may find this concerning, there are ways to protect yourself and your investments from volatility. Below are three strategies for keeping your bank balance in the black and ensuring your investments are stable.

    Adjusting your investment strategy

    Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure your portfolio is properly diversified.

    Too much exposure to the stock market could mean significant losses, a thing you especially want to avoid if you’re nearing retirement. Even in times of economic prosperity, retirees should look to trade in the bulk of their stock options for safer investments such as bonds, high-yield savings accounts and inflation-protected securities.

    Seth Mullikin, a certified financial planner in Charlotte, North Carolina, told USA Today that retirees “do not want to be withdrawing from an aggressive portfolio during a recession.”

    Meanwhile, if you have decades before you retire, you may want to ride out the storm.

    “The fact that the stock market is down 7% or 10% now isn’t so concerning,” Sean Higgins, an associate professor of finance at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, shared with USA Today on April 3.

    In fact, this might be an opportunity to buy up stocks that are selling low but have growth potential for the future. It’s “a great time to buy stocks because you’re getting them at a discount,” says Willis.

    Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

    Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in low-cost ETFs with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to your investment.

    In the meantime, make sure you’re also diversified with commodities like gold, which has been a strong player in these last few years of economic volatility.

    Consider opening a gold IRA to take advantage of the tax benefits of this “safe haven” investment.

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

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

    Even better, you can often roll over existing 401(k) or IRA accounts into a gold IRA without tax-related penalties. To learn more, get your free 2025 information guide on investing in precious metals.

    Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $20,000 in free silver.

    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

    Reducing debt and expenses

    According to LendingTree, the average interest rate for a credit card in the U.S. is 24.2%. If you are carrying a balance on any of your credit cards, now is the time to put a plan in place for paying off those debts.

    During a recession, paying down debt and reducing expenses is essential. If you don’t already have a budget and a spending tracker, now is an excellent time to put these measures in place.

    If you’re struggling with multiple credit cards and high-interest debts, one way to start regaining control is by tapping into your home’s equity through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).

    A HELOC is a secured line of credit that leverages your home as collateral. Depending on the value of your home and the remaining balance on your mortgage, you may be able to borrow funds at a lower interest rate from a lender as a form of revolving credit.

    Rather than juggling multiple bills with varying due dates and interest rates, you can consolidate them into one easy-to-manage payment. The results? Less stress, generally reduced fees, and the potential for significant savings over time.

    LendingTree’s marketplace connects you with top lenders offering competitive HELOC rates. Instead of going through the hassle of shopping for loans at individual banks or credit unions, LendingTree lets you compare multiple offers in one place. This helps you find the best HELOC for your situation.

    While you’re in the process of budgeting, don’t forget to review your fixed expenses like monthly bills, insurance and car loans. Set aside the time to call providers, like your cell phone and internet companies, and ask for ways to reduce your monthly bill. You might also shop around for better insurance coverage for your home and auto.

    One option for finding cheaper coverage is OfficialHomeInsurance.com, where you can find the lowest rates on your home insurance for free.

    In under 2 minutes, OfficialHomeInsurance makes it easy and convenient to browse offers tailored to your needs from a list of over 200 reputable insurance companies.

    Simply fill in a bit of information and quickly find the coverage you need for the lowest possible cost. You could save roughly $482 a year!

    You can also use OfficialCarInsurance.com to ensure that you’re cutting your insurance costs down to size, and keeping them within the scope of your budget.

    Getting started with a quote is easy: When you enter your age, your home state, the type of vehicle you drive and your driving record, OfficialCarInsurance.com will sort through the leading insurance companies in your area, including top providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO.

    The process is 100% free and won’t affect your credit score — guaranteed.

    Finally, it’s a good time to question whether you can opt for a cheaper car. The average loan for a new car is $735 per month, according to data from Experian. If you can opt for a second-hand car or lease a less-expensive model, you could trim thousands of dollars from your budget.

    Building an emergency fund

    Lastly, whether you have a large portfolio of investments or you’re living modestly, it’s important to set aside funds for a rainy day.

    An emergency fund is crucial for financial health, as it prevents you from going into debt when unexpected expenses arise. The popular wisdom is that you should have six months’ of expenses saved, but even a couple thousand dollars is a good start and can prevent headaches down the line.

    If you don’t have an emergency fund, one of the best ways to begin saving is to set a monthly goal and put the funds in a high-yield savings account, where the money can grow and keep up with the rate of inflation.

    For example, you can open a high-yield checking and savings account with SoFi and earn up to 3.80% APY Plus, SoFi charges no account, monthly or overdraft fees.

    The best part? You can get up to $300 when you sign up with SoFi and set up a direct deposit.

    According to a report from Bankrate, 27% of Americans don’t have an emergency fund. Today is a great time to begin to get your financial health back on track.

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

  • ‘Why is something not being done?’: This 1 building in Texas has 20 separate trucking companies registered to its address, investigation finds — why that’s illegal and a huge safety concern

    ‘Why is something not being done?’: This 1 building in Texas has 20 separate trucking companies registered to its address, investigation finds — why that’s illegal and a huge safety concern

    Dale Prax, owner Freight Validate, a company that monitors the trucking industry for fraud and identity theft, is sounding the alarm on a rising number of companies registered to false addresses.

    A recent investigation by Dallas news station WFAA into the practice of registering trucking companies to virtual addresses and P.O. boxes found that hundreds of companies across the country were using addresses other than their real headquarters as the location of their business when registering with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

    Prax says the practice is illegal.

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    When a company registers with the FMCSA, the address it gives must be a physical location. Inspectors from the administration must be able to inspect the location, and be able to review safety and driver records there. The WFAA investigation found that in many cases, no one from the registered businesses were on-site at their listed addresses.

    These companies allegedly operating outside the law may seem shady, but you may be wondering what it has to do with you. The truth is that while not all companies that use a virtual address are fraudulent, Prax and other experts say that it’s a red flag as many bad actors access the system in this way.

    As WFAA reports, federal data shows that “fraudulent carriers have crash rates 80% higher than those who follow the rules.”

    “When you’re driving down the road with your kids in your car, and there’s some guy next to you that maybe got his authority illegally … are you really safe next to that guy?” Prax told WFAA.

    Why trucking businesses dodge FMCSA rules

    Prax told WFAA that these carriers often use virtual addresses or P.O. boxes to avoid regulators’ scrutiny.

    He detailed his company’s investigation into one address in California that had nearly 700 trucking companies registered to that location. Prax said there’s a sign out front that says, “No Trucks Allowed.”

    Federal records also show that about 500 of the companies listed at this address use the same phone number and email. When WFAA reporters phoned, they found the number always went to a voicemail system that asked for a code, and they were unable to leave a message at all. Prax said that he flagged this to federal regulators two years ago, but nothing appears to have happened since then.

    The FMCSA said in a statement to the news station that it was “familiar with complaints related to the Signal Hill … address.”

    “If we all know about it, and we reported it, why is something not being done?” Prax said.

    “The Agency has confirmed that the address is a legitimate business address for a motor carrier consultant who represents many small motor carriers based in California,” the FMCSA statement said.

    However, this is in contradiction to their own rules: “A motor carrier may not designate the office of a consultant … as the motor carrier’s principal place of business if the motor carrier is not engaged in operations related to the transportation of persons or property at that location.”

    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

    The scope of the problem

    Prax told WFFA that in 2023, he caught a massive surge in carriers registering with either a virtual address or P.O. box.

    “We built the robot to kind of find those, and we would notify FMCSA that says, ‘hey, this guy should not be issued his authority,’” he said.

    Prax found as many as 200 registrants per month with these types of illegal addresses, and reported them to the FMCSA. Prax said the agency did flag those applications and issue warning letters, but he feels it wasn’t enough.

    The issue is certainly on the minds of the leadership within the FMCSA, however. WFFA reports that on an industry podcast last year, Director of FMCSA Registration Ken Riddle said, “How do we prevent bad actors from getting into the system? … How do we prevent them from falsifying registration?”

    The current solution is facial recognition technology, designed to verify new applicants to the FMCSA. However, it’s only a requirement for new applicants right now.

    “From a registration perspective, we want to be able to verify the identity of the individual registering,” Riddle said.

    Prax says it’s not enough.

    “We don’t need to know who’s behind the webcam. We need to know who’s behind the operation of that company.”

    A growing industry

    Prax’s regulatory concerns may just be the tip of the iceberg for an industry that requires federal oversight. The FMCSA is responsible for a number of safety and licensing programs for commercial drivers. These include a program to record all drug and alcohol violations by drivers, so that new employers can screen potential employees.

    They also offer hazardous materials regulation training to ensure the safe transport of dangerous products, and have established national standards for testing, licensing and disqualifying commercial drivers who fail to meet the required training and licensing protocols.

    Companies unwilling to comply with business practices like registering a proper address with the FMCSA may also be lax about maintaining standards and education for drivers.

    With the FMCSA reporting a 43% projected increase in truck freight in the country between 2012 and 2040, on top of the existing 5 million commercial drivers already registered, strict protocols for the industry helps to keep American roads safe.

    The National Safety Council reports that in 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash. This represents an 8.4% decrease from 2022 — but is part of a larger trend of increasing fatalities, with a 43% increase reported in the last 10 years.

    If driver and safety records aren’t properly checked, the consequences may lead to worse outcomes for drivers and their families.

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

  • Trump signs order to ‘restore accountability’ at Veterans Affairs and create LA center for 6,000 homeless veterans — with the funding to come from cash meant to house undocumented immigrants

    Trump signs order to ‘restore accountability’ at Veterans Affairs and create LA center for 6,000 homeless veterans — with the funding to come from cash meant to house undocumented immigrants

    On May 9, President Donald Trump signed his 150th executive order of 2025, directing Veterans Affairs (VA) to create a center for homeless veterans in Los Angeles on the VA’s West L.A. campus.

    This site has been subject to legal troubles recently. Last fall, a federal judge ruled the VA failed veterans in its fiduciary duty to provide them with housing. The judge ordered additional housing and invalidated leases of portions of the land given to civilian entities, including UCLA and a private school. The decision has been appealed.

    The executive order instructs VA chief Doug Collins to prepare a plan within 120 days to house 6,000 homeless veterans on the campus by 2028, and take action to “restore accountability” at the department.

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    Trump also ordered that “funds that may have been spent on housing or other services for illegal aliens are redirected to construct, establish and maintain” the new facility, which will be called the National Center for Warrior Independence.

    It has not been made clear which programs for housing and undocumented immigrants will be required to give up their funding, or how these funds will be reallocated to the project.

    Veteran services in LA

    The White House acknowledged that L.A. is the city with the largest share of unhoused veterans nationwide.

    “Los Angeles has approximately 3,000 homeless veterans — more than any other city in the country and accounting for about 10% of all homeless veterans in America," The White House said in a statement released May 9.

    The existing Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH) seems to be ineffective in helping veterans secure stable housing. In 2024, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System reported that while there were 8,453 HUD-VASH housing vouchers available for housing veterans in the greater Los Angeles area, only 62% were in use. A report in the Los Angeles Times attributed this middling figure to delays in processing and resistance from landlords to accept them.

    Reaction from veterans

    A number of veterans viewed Trump’s executive order as a positive sign.

    The Veterans Collective, which has a contract with the VA to construct approximately 1,200 housing units on the campus, issued a statement saying it “enthusiastically applauds President Trump’s plan for a national center for homeless veterans,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

    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

    Others, however, took a cautiously optimistic approach.

    “The President’s Executive Order is a right thing but not yet the right thing,” Anthony Allman of Vets Advocacy told the news publication. "We look forward to working with the administration to make the right things — housing, community, workforce development — available to veterans.”

    Trump’s cuts to the VA

    The executive order comes in the midst of substantial cuts to staffing for Veterans Affairs. The White House statement on the executive order notes that the president signed legislation to “remove thousands of VA workers who failed to give our vets the care they so richly deserve.”

    The Trump administration aims to cut the VA’s workforce by 15% under DOGE, according to NPR. Approximately 470,000 people are employed by the VA, the vast majority of them medical professionals. The broadcaster reported on May 10 that 11,273 VA employees across the country had applied for a deferred resignation. About 1,300 of these applications were from nurses, 800 from medical support assistants and 300 from social workers.

    The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America organization conducted a poll in which more than 80% of veterans said they are concerned about the recent federal cuts and their impact on veteran benefits and health care.

    "A lot of veterans are calling us, and they’re worried because they’re afraid that this is going to affect their health care, this is going to affect the benefits," Dan Clare of Disabled American Veterans told NPR.

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