An American flag and a U.S. Department of Education flag fly outside the US Department of Education building in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 1, 2025. Annabelle Gordon | Reuters Federal student loan borrowers experiencing difficulties with their loans could find they have no recourse as President Donald Trump‘s cuts to staff at the Department of […]
The U.S. is getting an ‘affordability czar.’ What that means for you
President Donald Trump vowed to “make America affordable again” before a joint session of Congress Tuesday, but also noted that his steep new tariffs may cause some “disturbance.” Tariffs on Canada and Mexico took effect the same day, and economists say the taxes are bound to raise prices for consumers — which is already fueling concern among households. Taken together, Trump’s tariffs on […]
The levies push limits of presidential authority
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks with members of the media on the South Lawn before boarding Marine One at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 28, 2025. Nathan Howard | Reuters U.S. importers and their customers are about to experience the full force of President Donald Trump’s unprecedented use of […]
DOGE actions may cause Social Security benefit ‘interruption’: ex-agency head
Then Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley testifies before the Senate Committee on the Budget on Sept. 11, 2024. Anna Rose Layden | Getty Images News | Getty Images Social Security has never missed a benefit payment since the program first began sending individuals monthly benefits more than eight decades ago. But the recent actions at […]
Here’s how rent can make or break your credit, experts say
Blonde woman standing in the room while unpacking boxes. Miniseries | E+ | Getty Images Rent payments don’t typically affect your credit — but they can in a few circumstances. The consequences can be significant. Rent doesn’t show up in your credit history, experts say because landlords don’t usually report payments to credit bureaus as […]
Neodesha, Kansas offers incentives to entice people to move there
Field of wheat in central Kansas is nearly ready for harvest. Ricardo Reitmeyer | Getty Images With a population of about 2,100, Neodesha, Kansas, is roughly 100 miles from Wichita and Topeka in Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Its claim to fame is the 65-foot-tall tower that supported the drilling framework for the first commercial oil […]
Americans are suffering from ‘sticker shock’ — here’s how to adjust
A worker stocks eggs at a grocery store in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2025. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images Whether it’s a dozen eggs or a new car, Americans are having a hard time adjusting to current prices. Nearly all Americans report experiencing some form of “sticker shock,” regardless of […]
Skipping your tax return amid IRS cutbacks? Penalties can be costly
Valentinrussanov | E+ | Getty Images As the IRS faces cutbacks, some taxpayers are weighing whether to file returns this season. But skipping your federal filing can be costly, experts say. Josh Youngblood, an enrolled agent and owner of The Youngblood Group, a Dallas-based tax firm, said he’s had a few clients ask whether they […]
Average IRS tax refund is 32.4% lower so far this season. Here’s why
Bill Oxford | E+ | Getty Images The average tax refund this year is 32.4% lower than it was at around the same point in the filing season in 2024, according to early filing data from the IRS. Tax season opened Jan. 27, and the average refund amount was $2,169 as of Feb. 14, down […]
take steps amid risks to Education Dept.
Students walk through the University of Texas at Austin on February 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Gather student loan records ASAP If the Trump administration is successful in dismantling key parts of the Education Department, the Treasury Department would be the next most logical agency to administer student debt, said […]