‘I was like, whoa’: LA County shoppers stunned by sales tax hike as some now pay over 11% — here’s how to protect your budget and avoid getting overcharged
If you live in LA County, you could pay more at the check out. Starting April 1, the sales tax rate in unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County — and in cities without their own special tax measures — increased from 9.5% to 9.75%. But that’s just the baseline. Many cities across the county — […]
I’m 54, earning $70,000 and carrying $41,000 in credit card debt. With a recession on the horizon, should I focus on padding my emergency savings or eliminating my debt?
If you’re in your 50s and carrying credit card debt, you’re far from alone. Experian says that, as of 2024, Gen Xers owed an average of $9,255 on their credit cards. Let’s say you’re 54 years old, roughly a decade away from retirement, and owe $41,000 on a handful of credit cards. That debt may […]
My doctor ordered blood work, biopsy without telling me the cost. Now I’m staring at a $3,100 bill — and I’m not sure if insurance will cover it all. What do I do if I’m being overcharged?
When you visit the doctor, you trust their expertise — and their intentions. But sometimes, a simple checkup can turn into a financial nightmare, with unexpected tests and sky-high bills that leave you drowning in debt. Medical debt is a crisis in the U.S., with Americans owing a staggering $220 billion as of 2024, according […]
Many South Carolina restaurants, bars have closed because of skyrocketing insurance rates — here’s the 2017 liquor law behind the spike in costs and how a new senator is pushing to amend it
The familiar refrain from Semisonic’s hit “Closing Time” has long been a last-call anthem for bars, but in South Carolina, many establishments fear they’ll be closing for good. Skyrocketing liquor liability insurance premiums, driven by a 2017 requiring businesses serving alcohol after 5 p.m. to carry $1 million in liability coverage are forcing some bars […]
The CEO of Walgreens admits anti-theft measures like putting toothpaste, baby food formula under lock and key are backfiring on sales — customer says, ‘You could wait 10 to 20 minutes’
Retail theft is on the rise, leaving retailers grappling with how to protect their inventory without alienating customers. The problem has reached a tipping point. According to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting incidents increased by 93% between 2019 and 2023, leading to more than $100 billion in losses. Don’t miss I’m 49 years old and […]
NFL legend Steve Young still drives a broken down 2011 Toyota Sienna with 132,000 miles — made over $49M in football but Dad told him to ‘get the most’ out of cars. Here’s what you can learn
Legendary 49ers quarterback Steve Young earned nearly $49 million playing football, according to Spotrac, but you’d never guess it from the beaten-up 2011 Toyota Sienna he drives. In a recent interview with journalist Graham Bensinger, the two-time NFL MVP admitted he could easily afford a replacement for the car, which has 132,000 miles on it. […]
‘Premiums will have to increase accordingly’: Trump’s tariffs could drive up car insurance costs by 13%. Here’s how trade policies affect premiums and what you can do to save on car insurance
Florida drivers already pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the U.S., and those rates could go even higher if President Trump’s automotive tariffs remain in effect. On April 9, Trump put a pause on most of his global tariffs, but tariffs on cars and car parts were reportedly not included in the […]
‘My whole account is messed up’: Student loan chaos ensues, borrowers face soaring payments, uncertainty as repayment system unravels
Student loan borrowers face steep increases in their monthly payments as court rulings and Department of Education staff cuts disrupt the repayment system. A February ruling from a federal appeals court expanded an existing injunction, blocking the Biden administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, which was one of four income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. […]
Degrees aren’t enough: Why educated professionals are now juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in today’s economy
In February 2025, nearly 9 million Americans held multiple jobs. What’s more surprising? Many of these moonlighters aren’t just scraping by — they have college degrees and stable careers. A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis highlights this striking shift, revealing that even educated professionals now juggle multiple gigs just to […]
‘Be very wary’: Bank manager saves Ohio couple from losing $17,000 in scam — how to recognize the warning signs of financial fraud
One Ohio couple was nearly tricked out of $17,000 — before a Chase Bank manager in Westlake stepped in and foiled the scammer’s plan. The bank manager became suspicious and alerted police when the couple tried to withdraw the cash to pay for what they thought was a warrant from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. […]