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Author: Victoria Vesovski

  • ‘Please take me to small-claims court’: This St. Louis man’s credit score plunged from 815 to 630 after his landlord sent a $4,500 rent dispute to collections — here’s how he fought back

    ‘Please take me to small-claims court’: This St. Louis man’s credit score plunged from 815 to 630 after his landlord sent a $4,500 rent dispute to collections — here’s how he fought back

    When St. Louis resident David Murray moved out of his apartment two months early, he thought he had done everything right — giving proper notice and settling his lease. Then came the shock: a $4,500 bill for two months’ rent plus penalties.

    Murray was sure it had to be a mistake, but when his pristine 815 credit score dropped, he realized the situation was far more serious. His landlord had turned to a debt collector — not to harass or sue him, but to hit him where it hurt: his credit report.

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    “I asked them to please take me to small-claims court, and they’ve never contacted me,” Murray told The Wall Street Journal.

    Landlords are increasingly using credit reporting to collect unpaid rent. With credit scores influencing everything from loan approvals to housing applications, a single dispute can derail financial stability.

    While credit agencies have tried to include on-time rental payments in scoring models, negative marks still appear with alarming speed — leaving many renters like Murray scrambling to repair the damage.

    Calling to collect

    Rental debt is now one of the top consumer complaints in debt collection, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Nationwide, renters owe an estimated $9 billion in back rent, with approximately 4.5 million households struggling to keep up with payments. While landlords have the right to collect unpaid rent, everyday renters like Murray — who followed the terms of his lease — often bear the brunt of aggressive debt-collection tactics.

    Consumer advocates warn that landlords are using credit reports as a weapon, bypassing the legal system and leaving tenants with little recourse. In the past, rent disputes played out in small-claims court, where tenants could at least present their case.

    Landlords, however, see it differently. With small-claims judgments for unpaid rent no longer appearing on credit reports as of 2017, they argue that reporting tenants to credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax and TransUnion is one of the few ways to enforce accountability.

    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

    How it impacts renters

    A damaged credit score can have long-term consequences for renters. Many major lenders, such as Citi and Bank of America, maintain strict criteria for determining loan eligibility.

    “The practical effect of having a poor credit score is that your access to mainstream funding is limited or nonexistent,” John Ulzheimer, formerly of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) and Equifax, told CNBC Select.

    This doesn’t just make securing a loan more difficult — it also affects the interest rates borrowers receive. For instance, a borrower with a 620 credit score might face an interest rate of approximately 4.8% on a $355,328 home, resulting in annual interest payments of about $17,056.

    Meanwhile, a buyer with a score between 760 and 850 could secure a much lower 3.2% rate, bringing their annual interest down to roughly $11,370. Over time, this difference could add up to tens of thousands of dollars in additional costs. ​​Bad credit can also impact auto and homeowners insurance rates, as most U.S. states permit insurers to use credit-based scoring when determining premiums.

    Murray’s daughter also learned this the hard way. After a landlord dispute in 2019 tanked her credit score, she struggled to find another apartment until Murray stepped in to settle the debt. When he faced a similar issue in 2022, he fought back — but despite providing evidence, his dispute was rejected.

    His credit score still sits in the low 700s. For renters like Murray and his daughter, even a single disagreement can trigger a financial chain reaction — one that is rarely easy to undo.

    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.

  • ‘There’s a huge percentage of the US population that isn’t getting access to these medications’: Novo Nordisk makes game-changing $2 billion deal for new obesity drug

    ‘There’s a huge percentage of the US population that isn’t getting access to these medications’: Novo Nordisk makes game-changing $2 billion deal for new obesity drug

    Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk — best known for its blockbuster weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy — has signed a $2 billion deal to acquire the global rights to an experimental obesity treatment from China’s United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co.

    The March 24 agreement includes milestone payments of up to $1.8 billion, plus tiered royalties.

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    The new drug in question, UBT251, is a next-generation therapy designed to tackle obesity and type 2 diabetes by targeting three key hormones including, GLP-1 and GIP — which regulate appetite and blood sugar — and glucagon, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

    Roughly 15.5 million U.S. adults have already used injectables for weight loss, according to Gallup. With access to weight-loss medications still limited by patchy insurance coverage, UBT251 may face the same barriers, even as it promises new possibilities.

    Here’s what this deal means for Americans looking for alternate treatments for their diabetes or chronic obesity.

    Taking over the market

    In the past, Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) for charging American patients far more than their international peers for the same medications. However, CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen has blamed the U.S. health care system’s bureaucracy and markups for the high prices.

    But now, Novo Nordisk has changed its pricing model with the launch of NovoCare Pharmacy — a direct-to-patient service offering all doses of Wegovy at $499 per month for patients paying cash. This strategy was designed for those without insurance or whose plans don’t cover weight-loss drugs.

    Ozempic’s insurance coverage dropped 22% from 2024 to 2025, according to GoodRx, leading to 1.1 million Americans having no access to these medications.

    "If only certain patient populations get access to these medications — those primarily with private insurance, more generous health plans — then there’s a huge percentage of the U.S. population that isn’t getting access to these medications," lead author Christopher Scannell told Axios.

    When Novo unveiled its latest retail gambit, Wall Street raised a glass as the stock also surged nearly 4%. However, it remains unclear — in a system rife with co-pays and corporate contracts — whether this will translate into improved access or affordability for American consumers.

    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

    Will this make a change?

    Despite the excitement surrounding NovoCare, the company’s U.S. strategy has faced some ups and downs. Since last summer, Novo Nordisk’s stock has dropped by nearly 50% — reflecting investor concerns about pricing pressure, increased competition and lingering supply chain issues.

    Last year, the overwhelming demand for Ozempic and Wegovy led to widespread shortages in the U.S., prompting regulators to allow compounding pharmacies to replicate the drugs — often at a lower cost. That shift disrupted the market and Novo Nordisk responded with a renewed push for its own branded products. NovoCare is part of that strategy.

    "Novo Nordisk continues to advance solutions for patients that improve affordability and access to our medicines, whether they have insurance or not,” said Dave Moore, President of Novo Nordisk Inc.

    But with insurance coverage for weight-loss drugs still limited and ongoing questions about affordability, it’s too early to tell whether this latest deal — and the rollout of UBT251 — will meaningfully lower costs or intensify market competition. For now, Novo Nordisk seems determined to dominate the playing field — but the question remains: will everyday Americans be able to afford to join the game?

    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 doesn’t make any sense’: Georgia homeowners facing foreclosure demand answers from HOA after decades of unexplained fines — with no receipts to prove where their money is going

    ‘It doesn’t make any sense’: Georgia homeowners facing foreclosure demand answers from HOA after decades of unexplained fines — with no receipts to prove where their money is going

    Homeowners in Channing Cove, a subdivision in Conyers, Georgia, are pushing back — demanding answers about where their mandatory HOA fees are going.

    Michelle Bernard has lived in the neighborhood for nearly two decades, but says she still feels like she’s fighting to own her home. The business owner, wife and mother is one of five residents facing liens over unpaid fines, with charges ranging from $878 to $2,755.

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    “It doesn’t make any sense for any hardworking individual to go through these things that I have been going through and my neighbors also,” Bernard told Atlanta News First.

    The HOA has reportedly required homeowners to pay thousands of dollars in fines and fees, yet hasn’t provided any proof of where that money is going, Bernard alleges. Frustrated and out of pocket, some homeowners are fighting to keep their homes safe and accounted for.

    Small neighborhood, big fallout

    Channing Cove is a small neighborhood — around 40 homes — but the financial pressure residents are feeling is anything but small.

    Bernard told Atlanta News First that while homeowners continue to get hit with fees, the community itself doesn’t show signs of upkeep. The neighborhood has three common areas and retention ponds and for years, homeowners paid a $100 annual HOA fee — a rate Bernard called reasonable. Today, that fee has doubled to $200. But the dollar amount isn’t the issue.

    “They have forced people to pay thousands and thousands of dollars and have never provided proof they owe it,” she explained.

    Fines have reportedly been tied to things like pond maintenance or replacing garage doors without HOA permission. Homeowners allege they’ve repeatedly asked for receipts or bank statements showing where the money is going — but they’ve come up empty-handed.

    Former HOA president Orton Reynolds claims he wasn’t aware of any financial issues within the community and denies any wrongdoing or financial mismanagement.

    But the controversy isn’t going unnoticed. On May 7, 2024, Georgia state representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) announced plans to refile House Bill 1032 — the “Property Owner Rights and Accountability Act.” The bill would eliminate the ability for property associations to foreclose on homes over unpaid assessments, signaling growing political pressure to rein in unchecked HOA power.

    “The bill aims to protect property owners from losing their homes over association fees. This move seeks to address concerns about the potential abuse of assessment fees, which have, at times, been used to unfairly target homeowners,” according to a press release from last year.

    But for now, HOAs in Georgia still have the power to file liens — and if a lien exceeds $2,000, they can pursue foreclosure in court.

    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

    High fees, low trust

    Buying into a community with a homeowners association (HOA) or condominium owners association (COA) usually comes with a string attached: recurring fees meant to cover neighborhood essentials like landscaping, snow removal, security, and upkeep of shared amenities.

    In 2021, more than 2.3 million Georgians lived in communities governed by homeowners associations, collectively paying over $3.2 billion in fees, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. But despite the massive sums involved, the state provides little oversight into how these associations operate. If a homeowner falls behind, HOAs and condo associations can place a lien on the property — and once that lien tops $2,000, foreclosure becomes a real possibility.

    Still, Georgia homeowners aren’t entirely powerless. HOAs must provide financial transparency — including access to itemized receipts. Fines and fees must be “reasonable,” and late charges can’t exceed 10% of the original amount. Major changes to community rules or covenants require a member vote, and any amendments must be filed in court.

    At Channing Cove, those rules have allegedly been bent — or ignored altogether. Bernard has filed a lawsuit against the HOA, accusing it of issuing fraudulent charges and quietly altering bylaws without holding proper meetings or votes since 2011.

    She claims the HOA is now pressuring her to drop the case. Though her lien was for less than $3,000, Bernard says the association offered her a $40,000 settlement — a move she believes is less about fairness and more about making her lawsuit “go away.”

    “I told them bring the lien,” she said. “I’m bringing a lawsuit.”

    What to read next

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

  • This ‘normal’ 23-year-old survives in Martha’s Vineyard on an $85,000 salary — while still saving $18,000. Here’s how she gets by in a vacation town for millionaires

    This ‘normal’ 23-year-old survives in Martha’s Vineyard on an $85,000 salary — while still saving $18,000. Here’s how she gets by in a vacation town for millionaires

    Martha’s Vineyard may be best known as a summer escape — coffee shops with handwritten menus, boutiques selling $80 sun hats, summer romances and lobster rolls treated like currency.

    But for 23-year-old Tyla Packish, it’s not a vacation destination, it’s home. She lives year-round in Oak Bluffs, her hometown on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

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    While the tourists pack up after Labor Day, Packish sticks around to work remotely through the off-season, when even the ice cream shops go into hibernation.

    “I think one of the biggest myths about Martha’s Vineyard is that every single person that lives here is super wealthy and owns a mansion,” she told CNBC Make It. “But really it’s a bunch of normal people with rich people that visit sometimes.”

    But even though she makes about $85,000 a year, she admits: “I wouldn’t be able to live on Martha’s Vineyard with my salary.”

    Here’s how she’s been making island life work after the summer buzz fades away.

    A side hustle helps make ends meet in high-cost areas

    Packish pulls in a combined income of around $85,000 thanks to her $67,000 full-time ad agency job and an $18,000-a-year side hustle managing and consulting on social media for local businesses, something she started doing in college.

    She’s one of almost 40% of Americans with a side hustle, according to a LendingTree survey. Of those, 61% report that they had to get a side gig to make ends meet.

    On top of her side hustle, Parkish has another big advantage that helps her stay afloat in the high-cost community.

    The 23-year-old has been living with her parents and is currently living rent-free in an apartment her father owns during off-season in Martha’s Vineyard.

    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

    For those who live in a high-priced area but don’t have that kind of support, finding a roommate or relocating to a more affordable area — even temporarily — could be a smart financial move.

    Budgeting for the short-term and long-term

    Packish isn’t lounging her rent-free lifestyle away. Instead of spending her extra cash on indulgences, she’s building a financial cushion.

    “I figured, why not start early?” she says. “And then when there are years where I’m learning how to pay rent and budget and things like that, I don’t have to worry about my retirement or saving.”

    In February 2025 alone, Packish contributed $1,583 to a Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA. Last year, she maxed out her IRA at $7,000 and tucked away more than $10,000 into a 401(k).

    That’s on top of covering her everyday costs — about $705 a month on discretionary spending like travel, home goods and the occasional eye exam plus around $551 on groceries and dining out.

    This summer, she’ll be using some of her financial cushion to advance her career. In August, Packish is planning to move across the country to Los Angeles for her job.

    If you’re looking to get your finances in order like Packish, the first step is choosing a budgeting method that feels sustainable.

    The 50/30/20 rule. This method may work for people who like some structure with a side of flexibility. You divide your income into three buckets: 50% for essentials, 30% for lifestyle spending and the 20% for savings and debt repayment.

    Zero-based budgeting. This approach will appeal to people who want full control over their cash and can work a spreadsheet. In zero-based budgeting, every dollar you earn is assigned a job — whether to pay down bills, build savings or treat yourself to a night out.

    As Packish spreads her wings and heads west, she’s doing it with more than just a suitcase — she’s bringing a plan. One that’s built for change, but grounded in stability.

    “I could see myself maybe coming back here when I’m older, maybe to raise a family,” she says.

    What to read next

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

  • Fraudsters are using a $20 ‘distraction’ scam to steal thousands of dollars from victims — nearly $5,000 drained from 1 LA teacher’s bank account. Here’s how the ‘huge violation’ went down

    Fraudsters are using a $20 ‘distraction’ scam to steal thousands of dollars from victims — nearly $5,000 drained from 1 LA teacher’s bank account. Here’s how the ‘huge violation’ went down

    It’s not every day a stranger insists on handing you a $20 bill you didn’t drop. But for Sarah — whose last name has been withheld, as reported by Fox LA — that’s exactly what happened on an ordinary Wednesday afternoon at a Ralphs grocery store in Van Nuys.

    "He came much closer to me and was kind of pushing the $20 into my wallet," Sarah recalled. "I said, ‘No, I don’t think I did.’"

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    At first, it could have been a strange but harmless mix-up. That is, until Sarah noticed the man was suddenly joined by a woman — both of them following her to her car, pressing the cash on her with unsettling persistence. What felt like an awkward moment quickly turned into a coordinated scam. When Sarah checked her wallet, her cash was intact, but her debit card was gone.

    Within 30 minutes, the thieves had made multiple withdrawals from Sarah and her daughter, Jennifer’s bank account from a Chase branch.

    Unfortunately, Sarah and Jennifer aren’t alone. Distraction scams have been popping up across the country. Here’s how to spot the red flags.

    Be on the lookout

    Distraction scams don’t come with flashing red lights, they come with kindness and confusion. These types of scams are built on flustering you just enough to make you vulnerable. This involves a stranger creating a diversion — like insisting you dropped a $20 bill — while an accomplice steals something like your wallet or debit card.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before. While that includes a mix of schemes, distraction scams are rising, especially in places we least expect it like grocery store lines.

    "It’s a huge violation," Sarah said. "I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. It’s just horrible."

    Jennifer, Sarah’s daughter, filed a police report and shared the story online — and the responses came flooding in. Dozens of people chimed in with eerily similar experiences, revealing just how widespread the scam really is.

    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

    What you can do to protect yourself

    For Jennifer, a teacher with a limited income, falling victim to a scam wasn’t just an inconvenience, it had immediate financial consequences. "My money is gone, and I had just gotten paid," she told Fox LA. As living expenses continue to rise, incidents like this can disrupt far more than a day’s routine.

    And yet, that’s why scams like these are so effective, often appearing as benign interactions. “You need to understand the hallmarks of most scams: They contact you first, dangle some sort of bait in front of you and create a sense of urgency,” Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, told Nerd Wallet.

    Remaining aware of your surroundings is key. Trusting your instincts, keeping personal belongings securely fastened and not hesitating to report suspicious behavior — whether to a store manager or law enforcement — can serve as your first line of defense.

    And if you do find yourself in Sarah and Jennifer’s position, it’s important to take action. The first step is to contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze the account to prevent further transactions. Most banks offer 24/7 fraud hotlines and mobile app features to lock your card with just a tap. Next, file a fraud report with your financial institution so they can begin investigating the unauthorized charges. This also increases your chances of recovering any lost funds.

    Be sure to file a police report as well, which not only helps authorities track patterns of criminal activity but may also be required by your bank for reimbursement.

    What to read next

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

  • This 30-year-old from NYC says every job has an ‘expiration date’ — here’s how she used that mindset to scale the corporate ladder and double her income from $72K to $186K in just 4 years

    Cinneah El Amin didn’t just climb the corporate ladder, she scaled it with a toolkit in one hand and a strategy in the other.

    The 30-year-old product manager — and founder of the financial and career education platform Flynanced — managed to more than double her salary in just four years, jumping from $72,000 in 2017 to $186,000 by 2021. And after two years of running her business full time, she’s now in the public sector making around $190,000 as a senior product manager for the federal government.

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    While many Americans are watching grocery bills swell and tariff-driven price hikes hit the essentials, El Amin didn’t rely on penny-pinching her way to financial security. Instead, she focused on increasing her income.

    “I was intentional about positioning myself, even at my early career, for a career path that was going to lead to salary and career growth,” she tells CNBC.

    Here are the income-boosting strategies that helped El Amin take control of her money story, and how you can make them work for you.

    Plot your rise

    El Amin didn’t have the technical background that other product managers possess, but she was able to identify the work that was considered high value, networked with the right people and figured out which skills would translate to higher positions.

    And she didn’t just stay in her lane — she swerved across departments, collaborating with marketing, legal and engineering teams. That cross-functional hustle paid off big time as it opened doors to management opportunities she may have missed if she’d stayed on one track.

    “The easiest way to start to transition your skills into new career paths is doing it at your current company,” she says.

    According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, the wage gap between workers who stay put and those who jump ship is widening.

    As of June 2022, job stayers — folks who’ve stuck with the same role for at least three months — saw their wages rise by about 4.7%. But those who switched jobs with a new company saw an average bump of 6.4% — the biggest pay gap in two decades.

    If you’re thinking about making a move, El Amin admits the current job market isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but that doesn’t mean you should stop looking. Whether it’s within your current company or beyond, staying curious and keeping tabs on new opportunities is always a smart career move.

    “We should not stay in companies beyond our expiration date,” El Amin says. “Even in this job market, you should always be assessing your options, seeing what else is out there.”

    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

    Your 9-to-5 isn’t your only superpower

    Aside from the two years when her full-time focus was on Flynaced, El Amin has been managing her company on the side since 2020. But you don’t have to start a business to generate some extra income on the side.

    Nearly 40% of Americans are currently working a side hustle, according to a recent survey — and for 61% of them, it’s not just for extra cash. In fact, the side hustle is the only thing keeping their lifestyle afloat.

    One thing to keep in mind is to leverage the skills you already have. El Amin says there’s demand for practical talents like bookkeeping, content strategy, tutoring and even data crunching. Whether you’re freelancing, consulting or snagging part-time gigs, your expertise can potentially stretch further — and pay more — than you might think.

    Sometimes the simplest skills bring in the steadiest cash. From pet sitting to resume editing, there’s a market for just about everything. The goal isn’t to hustle yourself into burnout, but to build streams of income that fit your life.

    What to read next

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

  • Elon Musk, father of 14, warns America needs more babies — and that ‘civilization will disappear’ unless birth rates improve. But DOGE just cut billions for maternal healthcare. What gives?

    Elon Musk, father of 14, warns America needs more babies — and that ‘civilization will disappear’ unless birth rates improve. But DOGE just cut billions for maternal healthcare. What gives?

    It’s the last thing maternal advocates want to hear, but Senior Advisor to the President Elon Musk — the father of 14 — has repeatedly warned that declining birth rates around the world threaten civilization.

    Yet under Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), billions in funding for maternal health care, research and community support programs have been cut, leaving health providers scrambling and expectant mothers without critical care.

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    Sevonna Brown, a Brooklyn-based maternal health advocate and founder of Sanctuary Medicine, had to stop her work almost overnight after DOGE froze more than $2 million in federal funding tied to her initiative.

    Echoing Brown’s sentiment is Emilie Rodriguez, co-founder of The Bridge Directory. She underscored the perceived hypocrisy.

    “We can’t claim to care about birthrates while defunding the very systems that make pregnancy, birth and parenting safe,” she told Forbes.

    While critics say Musk’s policies are removing the safety net from under the very people who are growing the next generation, it can be a more costly initiative in the long run.

    Cuts without care

    On April 1, thousands of employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were laid off as part of a policy targeting 10,000 agency-wide jobs. The cuts hit agencies like the FDA, CDC and NIH — the same institutions responsible for overseeing everything from prenatal research to postpartum support.

    One former employee told Politico she had carpooled into the office that morning, only to find herself locked out.

    “We got completely blindsided this morning,” the staffer told Politico. “People were already on the way to the office when they found out.”

    The Trump administration defended the measures, describing them as necessary steps towards streamlining an inefficient bureaucracy. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that the goal is to eliminate redundant programs, which the HHS is expected to save $1.8 billion annually.

    However, the cuts are being felt nationwide, with studies on maternal health being abandoned. Columbia University’s NY-CHAMP Center of Excellence program planned to enroll 600 participants for 2025, but was only able to fund 21. That was only after they secured private funding due to government funds being frozen. It’s too soon — and the sample size is too small — to tell how much of an impact the loss of funding will have on CHAMP’s studies.

    Kennedy has acknowledged the importance of women’s health funding, stating that programs like the Women’s Health Initiative are crucial. In a sea change, the HHS said it won’t slash funding for the Women’s Health Initiative.

    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 billion-dollar question

    As DOGE cuts funding for maternal care, advocates argue the case for women’s health isn’t just moral — it’s economic.

    A study by Women’s Health Access Matters found that $300 million in research across three major diseases could generate $13 billion in economic returns. Experts say government-backed research often lays the foundation for private-sector breakthroughs. Right now, that foundation is cracking.

    “Women’s health research is not being invested in at the level of the private sector, " said Lindsey Miltenberger, the chief advocacy officer at the Society for Women’s Health Research. “Making sure that is prioritized in the federal government is really important for creating that foundational research that can then be picked up by the private sector and commercialized.”

    Dr. Uma Reddy, who led the now-underfunded NY-CHAMP study, said her team’s interventions likely saved the government money by helping women avoid serious and costly health crises.

    “We can address this,” Reddy told Politico. “We can improve maternal health by preventing these mental health conditions, complications … and improve families and children’s lives, and it’s cost-effective.”

    What to read next

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

  • ‘Trump lit the match and burned the house down’: Market chaos has fueled the rise of ‘finfluencers’ — here’s what you must keep in mind to avoid seeing your wealth go up in flames too

    Influencers are no longer just shaping Americans’ shopping habits and fashion choices — they’re also playing a role in how people manage their money. And one type of influencer has become particularly popular: the “finfluencer.”

    Short for "financial influencer," these creators break down complicated topics like investing, budgeting and wealth-building in everyday language — offering advice that feels a lot more like a chat with a friend than a seminar you have to sit through with a stale coffee in hand. They don’t just share textbook tips; they share their mistakes, their wins and their full financial roller coasters.

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    “Trump lit the match and burned the house down, then handed you the fire extinguisher,” Tori Dunlap, a 30-year-old financial influencer, shared with her 2.4 million TikTok followers, capturing the sense of chaos many feel as they navigate today’s markets.

    While it’s never been easier to swipe through financial advice, relying solely on social media for money decisions can come with real risks. Unlike certified financial planners, finfluencers aren’t held to a fiduciary standard — and their advice, however relatable, isn’t always backed by professional expertise.

    The comfort and the catch

    For Americans who feel overwhelmed by traditional financial institutions — especially as budgets get tighter — following relatable voices online can be an easy first step toward building better money habits.

    One finfluencer of note is Jeremy Schneider, known as @personalfinanceclub on Instagram. In early April, he posted about losing a quarter-million dollars in just two days after Trump’s tariff policies rattled the markets. Instead of pretending everything was fine, he got candid — showing his followers that volatility isn’t a reason to panic, it’s a reason to stay the course.

    “I wanted to put my face on my page so that people knew I’m still here, the sky’s not falling,” he told the Wall Street Journal.

    Hearing about these lived experiences online doesn’t just feel more authentic — it’s also cheaper. Traditional financial advisors often come with hefty hourly rates or ongoing retainer fees. In a time when cutting back is the norm, paying for professional advice can feel like a luxury that some can’t afford.

    Nearly one in three U.S. adults (30%) sought financial advice online in 2023, according to a recent financial survey. Younger Americans were even more likely to look to social platforms, but relying on these informal channels also comes with significant risks.

    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

    Avoiding costly mistakes

    Finfluencers have made money talk feel less intimidating, but when it comes to big financial decisions, sometimes you need more than a viral post. Certified financial planners are trained to create strategies that actually fit your goals, your risk tolerance and where you are in life — not just whatever’s trending on your For You page.

    Trusting a finfluencer is more common — and riskier — than you might think. According to a Credit Karma survey, 40% of Gen Z and 30% of millennials say they’ve made questionable money moves after acting on advice they found online. In fact, 37% of Gen Z and 25% of millennials ended up in real trouble — like getting hit with an IRS audit — after taking that advice.

    A professional financial advisor can help you build a comprehensive plan that considers factors like taxes, insurance, retirement savings and investment diversification. They’re also legally bound by a fiduciary duty, meaning they’re required to act in your best financial interest instead of just suggesting what worked for them personally.

    Instead of reacting emotionally to short-term swings, a good advisor can help you stay focused on the bigger picture and avoid mistakes that could cost you in the long run. While professional advice often comes with a fee, it can end up saving — or making — you more money over time.

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

  • This finance personality freed herself from $300K in debt — by replacing her shame with strategy. Here’s how she helps others find purpose in their finances through ‘curiosity’

    You might recognize her as @TheBudgetnista on TikTok, sharing money wisdom with warmth and wit. But Tiffany Aliche’s impact goes far beyond viral videos. Before the books, the interviews and the online following, she was on the ground teaching women, particularly women of color, how to navigate financial systems not built with them in mind.

    “You have to own something,” she recently told Glamour Magazine. That might mean owning a business, buying into an index fund or simply taking ownership of your financial boundaries. Her latest book, Get Good With Money Challenge, offers readers a step-by-step roadmap to building wealth with intention — not just adjusting your budget, but shifting your mindset.

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    And Aliche isn’t handing out hypothetical advice. She lived it. Years ago, she found herself buried under more than $300,000 in debt. Her journey back to stability wasn’t just about paying down numbers on a spreadsheet. It started with a much harder task: creating boundaries.

    Boundaries before budgets

    Aliche’s financial transformation started with a boundary. After losing her husband in 2021, she found herself saying yes to everyone and everything. But as she began to rebuild her life, she learned the value of saying no — not just to others, but to financial patterns and mindsets that no longer served her.

    “When you’ve grown up in survival mode, especially in communities where poverty is generational, it is hard to emotionally accept that you are no longer broke,” Aliche said.

    At her lowest point, Aliche was grappling with student loans, credit card debt and a mortgage she couldn’t afford. Then came a recession, a layoff and a slow-motion collapse that left her bouncing between her childhood bedroom, her sister’s couch and eventually a rented room. Her finances weren’t just strained; her identity was in crisis.

    And while much of her people-pleasing was shaped by her upbringing, research suggests these behaviors may run even deeper. A University of Michigan study found that children as young as five show emotional reactions to spending and saving that influence their real-life financial choices — reactions that aren’t always modeled by their parents. In other words, your relationship with money might not just be inherited, it might be instinctual. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be reprogrammed.

    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

    Build your way up

    Aliche didn’t let rock bottom be her final chapter. Through financial therapy, she started unpacking the emotional baggage attached to her spending and saving habits. By identifying the patterns that no longer served her, she began replacing shame with strategy.

    One of the best pieces of advice she received was simple but powerful: “Keep your overhead low” and “live within your means.” That mindset became her launchpad — allowing her to save, invest and rebuild with purpose.

    She also emphasizes that you don’t need to have all the answers to make smart choices. “Financial literacy starts with curiosity, not perfection,” says Aliche. The biggest mistake you can make is not asking questions when the stakes are still small. Sometimes the most expensive thing isn’t what’s on your credit card — it’s the lesson you didn’t learn in time.

    If you’re feeling stuck on where to begin your financial journey, working with a financial advisor might be a smart first move. An advisor can help you set clear goals, steer you away from common money mistakes and spot areas in your spending that could use a tune-up. Think of financial literacy less like a one-and-done class and more like a lifelong playlist that evolves with market swings, investment trends and your own goals. Having a professional in your corner can not only save you from costly missteps but also boost your confidence when it’s time to make a big financial decision.

    What to read next

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

  • ‘Things feel a lot tighter now’: Young Americans are turning to ChatGPT for therapy and skipping ‘sober Ubers’ to save money — why cutting costs has become an urgent matter for Gen Z

    ‘Things feel a lot tighter now’: Young Americans are turning to ChatGPT for therapy and skipping ‘sober Ubers’ to save money — why cutting costs has become an urgent matter for Gen Z

    Self-care for many Gen Zs used to mean shellac nails, oat milk lattes and a colorist on speed dial. But with prices rising and paychecks stretched, beauty routines are starting to look a lot more practical.

    Searches for “press-on nails” are up 10% since February, while “blonde to brunette hair” has surged 17%, according to Google as reported by The Wall Street Journal — a signal that more women are choosing budget-friendly beauty over high-maintenance habits.

    For Aeryn Briscoe, a 25-year-old digital marketing specialist in Chicago, that meant cutting Amazon Prime, canceling Netflix and swapping bi-weekly salon manicures for DIY polish. “Things feel a lot tighter now,” Briscoe told the Wall Street Journal.

    Briscoe lives independently and manages her finances without help from her parents — a reality that makes non-essential spending feel like a luxury. But for her and many others, self-care is evolving. It’s no longer about splurging, it’s about making thoughtful, strategic choices with their money.

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    What the shift in spending habits means

    Before President Trump’s tariff announcement stirred fresh financial anxiety, consumer confidence was already slipping. In March, the University of Michigan’s monthly survey showed sentiment had dropped to 57.9 — a notable decline, also reported by The Wall Street Journal.

    Fidelity’s 2025 Financial Resolutions Study found that 57% of women are prioritizing short-term savings, outpacing men slightly at 53%. And that shift is showing up in closets and vanities alike.

    “Women are the lion’s share of the apparel business,” Marshal Cohen, Circana’s chief retail-industry adviser said. “So when he sees women driving a downturn in apparel, he says, “that signals to me that there is a pullback in discretionary spending.”

    That doesn’t mean style is being sacrificed — it’s simply being reimagined. Miranda McClellan, for instance, told the Wall Street Journal she’s turning to DIY solutions to stretch her budget. Rather than spending on a new pair of Nike sweatpants, she revived her faded ones at home using black fabric dye. The upgrade was cost-effective, sustainable and still on-trend.

    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 new playbook

    When you’re facing down a budget crunch, even the most routine expenses can suddenly feel negotiable or downright unnecessary.

    For Briscoe, therapy sessions were one of those costs. At $200 a session, weekly appointments quickly became unsustainable. So, she got creative and a little techy, turning to ChatGPT for mental health support. While it’s no substitute for professional therapy, the chatbot’s free daily message limit offers her a space to reflect and decompress without the financial strain.

    Others are finding their own hacks. Stephanie Umeh realized her rideshare habit was draining her wallet. That’s when she introduced her own rule: “No more sober Ubers.” Unless safety or a time crunch demands otherwise, the subway’s her go-to. She’s also ditched pricey meal delivery apps.

    According to a recent survey from Circuit, Americans spend an average of $37.28 a week on food delivery — which clocks in at over $1,840 a year. That’s not just a few lattes — that’s a vacation, a student loan payment or even a decent emergency fund.

    If you’re looking to cut back, try setting your own cost rule. Choose a category — like takeout, beauty or ride shares — and ask: Is this essential, or can I replace it with something cheaper or less frequent? You don’t need to change your whole lifestyle, just find one habit to tweak and continue the momentum from there.

    What to read next

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