All statesResearchEvery budget
The Average Household Pays $219 a Month in Subscriptions — and Guesses $133
Surveys keep finding the same gap: people underestimate their subscription spending by about $80 a month — nearly $1,000 a year. The research, and a 20-minute fix.
August 17, 2026 · 6 min read
All statesTaxesSide income
Sold Things Online This Year? The 1099-K Tax Rule, Explained Simply
Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo and eBay send tax forms only above certain amounts — Congress moved the line back to $20,000. But every dollar of profit is taxable either way. What side sellers need to know.
August 17, 2026 · 5 min read
All statesFeesEveryone
Hotel and Ticket Sites Must Now Show the Full Price Upfront
A federal rule now forces hotels, vacation rentals and ticket sellers to show the total price — including resort and service fees — before you click buy. Here is how to use it.
August 17, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesPaychecksWorking householdsPay and Benefits Rose 3.4% - but Private Wages Lost Ground to Inflation
Wages rose 3.2% and benefits rose 3.8% over the year. After inflation, private-industry wages were down 0.4%.
August 2, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesU.S. economyAll incomesU.S. Economy Grew 1.5% in Spring While Private Demand Stayed Strong
Headline growth slowed, but consumer spending and private investment together grew at a 3.9% annual pace.
August 2, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesPricesAll incomesInflation Eased in June, but Prices Were Still 3.7% Higher Than a Year Ago
Income rose 0.2%, spending rose 0.3%, and the personal saving rate was 2.7%.
August 2, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesInterest ratesAll incomes
Fed Holds Rates at 3.50%-3.75% as Three Officials Vote to Raise Them
The Fed held its benchmark range in a 9-3 vote. Three officials preferred a quarter-point increase because inflation remains elevated.
July 29, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesPricesLower & middle income
Prices Are Up 3.5% in One Year. Here Is What Got More Expensive
The June report shows gas up 26.7% and plane tickets up 26.5% from last year. Food and rent rose more slowly. See where your money goes.
July 15, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesTaxesUnder $150,000
New Tax Break: Tips and Overtime Pay Can Be Tax-Free Now
Workers can now subtract up to $25,000 in tips and up to $12,500 in overtime pay from their taxable income. Here is how it works and who can use it.
July 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Alaska · Oregon · D.C.PaychecksLower income
Minimum Wage Went Up on July 1 in These States and Cities
Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C. raised their minimum wage this month, along with big cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Over 361,000 workers get more pay.
July 2, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesMortgage & homesMiddle income
Home Prices Hit a Record While Mortgage Rates Sit Near 6.6%
The typical US home now sells for $440,600 — the highest ever. Mortgage rates average 6.58%. We show what that means for a monthly payment.
July 24, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesCredit cardsLower & middle income
Credit Card Debt Hits $1.25 Trillion. Here Is How to Fight Back
Americans owe more on credit cards than ever, and the average interest rate is about 21%. Small changes in how you pay can save you thousands of dollars.
July 23, 2026 · 5 min read
All statesSocial SecurityRetired & fixed income
Social Security Checks Could Grow About 3.8% Next Year
A new forecast says the 2027 cost-of-living raise could be 3.8% — about $79 more per month for the average retiree. The official number comes in October.
July 26, 2026 · 4 min read
All statesStudent loansMiddle income
On the SAVE Student Loan Plan? You Must Pick a New Plan Soon
About 7.5 million people are being moved off the SAVE plan. Notices started going out July 1, and you get about 90 days to choose. Here are your options.
July 27, 2026 · 5 min read
CaliforniaGas pricesAll incomes
California Gas Hits $5.57 a Gallon — $1.48 Above the US Average
Gas in California costs about $1.07 more than a year ago. Oil prices and refinery closures are pushing prices up. Here is what is happening and what you can do.
July 25, 2026 · 4 min read
TexasProperty taxHomeowners
Texas Homeowners Get Bigger Tax Breaks — and More May Come
Texas voters approved larger homestead exemptions, so school taxes now skip the first $140,000 of your home’s value. Leaders are already promising more cuts.
July 22, 2026 · 4 min read