Nearly 25% of Americans are ‘functionally unemployed’ — and that’s a big problem. Are you one of them?
A low unemployment rate typically signals that an economy is generally healthy. The unemployment rate in the U.S. remained near a 50-year-low in April 2025 at 4.2% — plus, American employers added 177,000 jobs in April despite the uncertainty of Trump’s tariffs and trade wars. This all sounds good, right? Not so fast. Don’t miss […]
I’m 54 with zero savings, $90K in debt and my business is struggling — now my kid wants to go to university and I’m scared to tell her that I can’t afford to help. What are my options
Imagine a scenario where Sarah, 54, runs a struggling business, is $90,000 in debt and has zero savings — and now her daughter is starting to look at universities. Sarah has managed to hide her dire financial situation from her daughter, who is blissfully unaware that her mom is deeply in debt. While Sarah doesn’t […]
Do you need a 6-figure income to retire early? No — here are 5 money-growing moves for the under-$100K set
Think retiring early is out of reach because you don’t make a six-figure salary? It takes careful planning and discipline, but it is still possible. About 60% of American retirees entered their golden years before they turned 65, with a median retirement age of 62, according to the 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Retirement Confidence Survey. Don’t […]
Your credit card rewards are slowly becoming way less rewarding — here’s what’s behind that distressing trend
Credit cards are popular with Americans — and so are the points, rewards and perks that come with them. That’s why some Americans devote time and energy (and spending) to optimize multiple rewards programs and claim rewards they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford, such as flying business class. The number of credit card accounts […]
I’m 31, inherited $100,000 from my grandma, and my fiancée says I’m ‘stingy’ for refusing to spend it on a ‘dream’ wedding — but I want to use it for a house, kids. Am I wrong for saying no?
When Jim’s grandmother passed away, he didn’t just inherit her favorite teacups or photo albums — he inherited $100,000, and with it, a dream she always had for him: building a future, buying a home and starting a family. Not long ago, Jim proposed to his girlfriend of three years. They’d been planning a small, […]
I’m 59 years old, single and dreaming of retirement — but I’m still carrying an $81,000 mortgage balance. Do I have to wait to leave the workforce until it’s fully paid off?
Imagine this scenario: Brenda is 59, single, has no children and is eyeing retirement. The hitch? She still has $81,000 outstanding on her mortgage, so she’s wondering if it makes sense to remain in the workforce until it’s paid off. If she retires with a mortgage, she’d join a growing share of older Americans who’ve […]
‘Mind boggling’: Some Californians making six figures now qualify for low-income housing, as report reveals 41% of households there are ‘cost burdened’ — making it the highest rate in the US
California is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. And whether you are renting or buying, “the salaries that people once strived for often are no longer enough,” reporter Steve Large with CBS News Sacramento said. Household income levels — based on the latest data from California’s Department of Housing and Community Development — […]
New Texas state law allows fracking wastewater to be used for crops amid a looming ‘severe shortage of water’ — but it’s got some farmers and ranchers on edge
Texas is facing a major water shortage. The state’s population is projected to grow 73% by 2070, while its water supply is expected to shrink by 18%. Already, aging infrastructure is leaking over 570,000 acre-feet of water each year, and officials warn that by 2030, Texas could face a severe shortage. The state’s two main […]
‘The house is on fire, darling’: Canadian man sitting on a shocking $1.8M debt — with a second child on the way. What Dave Ramsey says to do ASAP before everything goes up in flames
While homeownership was once viewed as a path to wealth and financial stability, some homeowners are feeling trapped by homes they can no longer afford. Take Mendy, for example. This 35-year-old from Canada has a total of $1.8 million in debt, which includes his family home and a triplex he was renting out in Montreal. […]
I’m 56 and my wife died suddenly a few weeks ago. I’m finally ready to think about the future, but she made 65% of our income and I won’t be able to afford our bills on my own — what do I do?
Consider this scenario: Paul’s wife unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago. Aside from the shock of losing the love of his life, he has a new source of stress he wasn’t prepared for: His wife made 65% of their household income. And he can’t afford the mortgage on his own. Don’t miss I’m 49 […]