‘I was going to lose my Medicare’: Oklahoma man says Social Security benefits cut without warning — what you can do
James McCaffrey was blindsided when found out his Social Security benefits were suspended. The 66-year old received no warning or explanation — just a bill. “It said that I needed to pay $740 before the 25th of this month or I was going to lose my Medicare,” McCaffrey told Oklahoma KFOR. The Oklahoma City retiree, […]
‘Just ghosted’: Boston homeowners say they’re left with unfinished ADU projects after contractor took tens of thousands of dollars and abruptly halted work — 5 home renovation rules to follow
When Jeff Klein and his wife, Rachel Shuler, envisioned their new basement accessory dwelling unit (ADU), they pictured a pace that could generate rental income or comfortably accommodate their aging parents during visits. They didn’t foresee living indefinitely with open framing, exposed pipes, and a large pile of dirt Klein jokes would serve as a […]
‘Do the right thing’: Trump calls on Federal Reserve to cut interest rate ahead of tariff ‘Liberation Day’. Here’s how lending rates and tariffs can impact your spending — and your savings
High interest rates have been battering consumers for years. And there’s been a lot of pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower its benchmark interest rate, since that should result in lower consumer borrowing costs across the board. But in March, the Fed opted to keep its benchmark interest rate steady. The Fed hasn’t nudged […]
This lawmaker says US seniors ‘shouldn’t have to pay’ for Social Security overpayment errors — especially from ‘decades ago.’ Here’s what he wants so aging Americans don’t get ‘blindsided’
If you’ve ever received overpayments from Social Security — even through no fault of your own — you’re on the hook for them. Now, a pair of U.S. senators are trying to protect seniors from some of the burden of reimbursing overpayment errors made by the government. On March 14, Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and […]
‘It’s just sad’: This San Francisco restaurant is facing closing after 20 years — how high costs and shifting dining trends are impacting the restaurant industry
Rent prices in San Francisco’s Mission District have remained high above the national average for many years. On average, it costs $3,397 to rent a place to call home in San Francisco. And for business owners, rent prices have been a major strain for years. But for some businesses, a recent rash of rent hikes […]
‘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 go into effect in April. Floridians currently pay an average of $263 per month for full coverage car insurance, which is the fifth-highest rate in the nation, according to […]
Bernie Sanders calls White House allegations of Social Security fraud and waste ‘a prelude not only to cutting benefits, but to privatizing.’ How outsourced Social Security might work
Could misinformation about Social Security be paving the way for privatization? That’s how Bernie Sanders sees it. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont told CNN that lying about Social Security “is a prelude not only to cutting benefits, but to privatizing Social Security itself.” By making the system appear dysfunctional, then “why would anybody want to […]
Is homeownership still a pipe dream? Home affordability slipped further in 12 of 13 major markets, report shows
While the Bank of Canada interest rate has dipped over the past few months, home affordability slipped further in January, as rising prices raised the income needed for a mortgage in 12 of 13 major markets, according to a report by Ratehub. This marks the second month in a row where affordability declined. Prior to […]
Is $1.5 million the new ‘magic number’ for retirement savings in the US? Here are the top 4 best and worst states for making it last
Americans now believe they’ll need more money to retire comfortably than they did even a few years ago. The “magic number” for retirement savings has grown by more than 50% since 2020 to roughly $1.5 million, according to Northwestern Mutual’s Planning & Progress Study 2024. But, according to a recent analysis, how much you’ll need […]
Retirement is a balancing act — are your investments ready? A key adjustment could make all the difference. Here’s what you need to know before making changes
Many people spend years contributing to their retirement savings in the hopes of building a sizable nest egg for later in life. You may have worked hard to grow your retirement account balance, too. If you’re planning to retire next year, now is a good time to review your portfolio and ensure your assets are […]