Austin guaranteed income pilot program: Does it work?
The city of Austin announced its guaranteed income pilot program will be making a comeback this spring. A report was recently released about how the trial run of that program went, and what we learned.
Mortgage interest rates jumped up this week, along with prices: Freddie Mac
Mortgage interest rates for 30-year mortgages rose to 6.77% this week, up from 6.64% last week.
Gas prices jolted up by 12 cents as Indiana oil refinery remains closed: AAA
A shutdown oil refinery has led to a large increase in gas prices across the country.
US Department of Education supports colleges and students amid FAFSA delays
The U.S. Department of Education is stepping in to support colleges in sending out financial aid awards sooner to students after an inflation fix to the new FAFSA form delayed the timeline.
More student loan forgiveness is on the horizon, as U.S. colleges commit to cost transparency
Over 360 colleges have committed to being more transparent about their costs, while the U.S. Department of Education offers more loan forgiveness.
Homebuyers feel good about where mortgage rates are headed: Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae survey said that homebuyers feel better about mortgage rates but still don't think now is a good time to buy a home.
Tax refunds are smaller so far this year, IRS says
As of Feb. 2, the average tax refund check is about 29% lower than last year.
Inflation rises higher than expected, further obscuring the timeline on the Fed's interest rate cuts
Inflation slowed from December to January, but remained above the sub-3% growth economists had expected, according to the Consumer Price Index.
Nearly 89 percent of U.S. homeowners with mortgages have interest rate below 6 percent: Redfin
Over 88% of home loan borrowers have mortgage rates below 6% or 5%, leaving current rates still on the high end.
Consumers bought more secondhand items in 2023, but major purchases are back for 2024
Consumers were thrifty with their spending in 2023, but major purchases like homes and vehicles are expected to rise in 2024.
Millennials are desperate to buy a home, most willing to pay a mortgage rate above 7 percent: survey
Affordability challenges aside, 78% of millennial respondents in a recent Real Estate Witch survey still believe in the dream of homeownership.
U.S. raises are trending down this year as the job market cools
Employers are planning to raise wages by 4%, on average this year, higher than 2021, but lower than 2023.
Missed student loan payments set to affect credit scores again by the end of 2024: Here’s how to prepare
Borrowers who miss student loan payments will see repercussions again by September, thankfully there are forgiveness options.
Mortgage rates stagnate, hobbling affordability as spring buying season looms: Freddie Mac
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.64% for the week ending Feb. 8, according to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
Gas and oil prices are on the rise as warm weather brings more demand
Gas prices are up from last month, but down $0.29 compared to last year.
House passes $78 billion tax bill expanding the child tax credit, its fate in the Senate remains to be seen
The child tax deduction expansion would make more of the credit refundable, helping millions of families.
2023 was the hottest year on record, driving up utility costs and homeowners insurance prices
Inflation and climate change lend to higher homeowners insurance rates, causing some homeowners to consider moving.
This is the #1 city for first-time homebuyers, and other hot US housing markets
After Toledo, Rochester, NY, Springfield, MA and Worcester all rank as some of the more affordable metro areas, particularly for first-time buyers.
FAFSA inflation fix scheduled for mid-March, delays award notification until spring
The Department of Education said an inflation fix to FAFSA won’t come until mid-March, further delaying financial aid award notifications.
12 states qualify for the IRS Direct File pilot program: Is yours one of them?
On top of a new IRS tax filing system, an adjustment to the child tax credit may qualify families for higher credits.