If you pay attention to financial news, you are probably seeing a lot of discussion about inflation, which has reared its head in the U.S. economy after being mostly dormant for the last decade. In May 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), often called headline inflation, rose at an annual rate
As your parents age, they will probably need more help from you. But it may be difficult to provide the help they need, especially if they’re experiencing financial trouble. Money can be a sensitive subject to discuss, but you’ll need to talk to your parents about it in order to get to the root of
For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage that brings them one step closer to adulthood. Unfortunately, distracted driving, drinking and driving, and not wearing a seat belt are just some of the known risks associated with teenage drivers.1 Most parents are painfully aware that automobile crashes are a leading cause
Home-improvement spending normally lags during recessions, but COVID-19 sparked an unexpected surge in do-it-yourself renovation and maintenance projects. Many households whose finances held up during the pandemic devoted time and money to making their indoor and outdoor living spaces more functional and comfortable for working, learning, and recreation. Sources: Joint Center for Housing Studies of
In general, workers seem to begin preparing for retirement almost as soon as they get their first job. However, according to the 2021 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), retirement preparations do vary a bit by age group. Retirement Preparations Nearly three-quarters (72%) of workers say that they or their spouse
After two years of decreases, interest rates on federal student loans are set to increase almost a full percentage point for the 2021-2022 school year.1 The interest rates on federal student loans are reset each year after the May auction of the 10-year Treasury note. The rates apply to new federal student loans issued on
U.S. consumers won’t soon forget the troubling shortages of personal protective equipment during the early days of the pandemic, or when the first stay-at-home orders spurred panic buying and stress-inducing shortages of toilet paper, cleaning products, and food. Now, as the economy reopens fully and all at once, consumers are again experiencing a wide array
Despite the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic, American workers and retirees remain largely optimistic about their financial prospects for retirement. In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey conducted in January 2021, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that 80% of retirees and 72% of workers were either very or somewhat confident in their ability
529 plans are tax-advantaged education savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for education today. Much like the way 401(k) plans revolutionized the world of retirement savings a few decades ago, 529 plans have changed the world of education savings. An overview of 529 plans Congress created 529 plans in 1996
In March 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6%, the largest one-month increase since August 2012. Over the previous 12 months, the increase was 2.6%, the highest year-over-year inflation rate since August 2018. (By contrast, inflation in 2020 was just 1.4%.)1 The annual increase in CPI-U — often called headline
