Between hosting dinners, buying gifts and travel, the holidays can get pretty expensive. And if you’re finding that your paycheck just doesn’t go as far as it once did, credit cards or personal loans may seem like the easiest way to extend your income to afford everything the holiday season demands. But come January 1, … Read more
Mixmike | E+ | Getty Images Many student loan borrowers have hit a repayment obstacle: the U.S. Department of Education denied their application to switch into a new payment plan. The department rejected 327,955 borrower requests to be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan in August alone, according to a Dec. 15 court filing. The … Read more
Bob Newhart and Will Ferrell star in “Elf.” Warner Bros. In the 2003 movie “Elf,” the lead character Buddy discovers he is human, though he has spent his life raised by elves. He travels to New York City to find his real family, including his father who shares an Upper West Side apartment with his … Read more
If you’re *this close* to paying off your credit card balance and want to walk into the new year debt-free, there are a handful of small, but helpful, steps you can take in these last couple weeks you have left. Apart from winning the lottery or receiving a surprise inheritance, you may have to get … Read more
Man planning home budget and using calculator Rockaa | E+ | Getty Images Many student loan borrowers could soon have access to lower monthly payments, as the U.S. Department of Education finishes implementing changes to one of its repayment plans. Previously, borrowers needed to prove a “partial financial hardship” — or income below a certain … Read more
Yellow Dog Productions | The Image Bank | Getty Images If you plan to donate money on Giving Tuesday, you could score a tax break. But recent changes enacted via President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” could affect your savings, financial experts say. Some 36.1 million U.S. adults participated in Giving Tuesday for 2024, with … Read more
Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty Images Recent legislation and policy changes under the Trump administration have upended federal student loans. For some borrowers, the shifts may affect their tax situation — how much they owe the IRS, or whether they actually get an expected tax refund. More than 40 million Americans hold student loans, and the outstanding … Read more
Many people saving in 401(k) accounts get a company match from their employer. But that money may not yet belong to them. A person may have to remain employed with a company for up to six years — nearly twice as long as the typical private-sector worker stays in a job — to take full … Read more
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. As you go about your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, you might be drawn to store cards. These credit cards frequently come with enticing offers and immediate discounts, which can be tempting if you’re looking to save on your purchases. After … Read more
Scott Bessent, US treasury secretary, arrives to speak during a site expansion groundbreaking ceremony at the Boeing South Carolina (BSC) manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, US, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Sean Rayford | Bloomberg | Getty Images Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday the U.S. was not at risk of entering … Read more