NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that students eligible for free or reduced price school meals cannot be charged processing fees beginning in 2027.

School districts currently work with processing companies to offer cashless payment systems for families. But the companies can charge "processing fees" for each transaction. By law, students who are eligible for reduced price meals cannot be charged more than 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. With processing fees, however, families can end up paying 10 times that amount. Processing companies charge as much as $3.25 or 4% to 5% per transaction, according to a recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

2. How to protect yourself from scammers offering fake jobs - Friday, November 1, 2024

Between finding openings, sending out your resume and interviewing, looking for a job is tough. Now a growing trend of scammers impersonating recruiters is making it even harder.

In the last year, job scams have been on the rise, according to Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit that helps consumers when their identities are compromised.

3. Wall Street falls from its records as oil prices tumble, tech stocks drop - Friday, October 11, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street pulled back from its records on Tuesday after the price of crude oil tumbled and technology stocks faltered.

The S&P 500 fell 0.8%, a day after setting an all-time high for the 46th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 324 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1%.

4. What to know about this year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment - Friday, October 11, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see an increase in benefits this January when a new cost-of-living adjustment is added to Social Security payments.

The 2.5% raise is intended to help meet higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of about $50 per month, according to agency officials. Social Security recipients received a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, and some retirees are concerned that this year's increase is not big enough to meet their needs.

5. The grace period for student loan payments is over. Here's what you need to know - Friday, September 27, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The 12-month grace period for student loan borrowers ended on Sept. 30. The "on-ramp" period helped borrowers who are struggling to make payments avoid the risk of defaulting and hurting their credit score.

6. The Federal Reserve is finally lowering rates. Here's what consumers should know - Friday, September 13, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate from its 23-year high, with consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses.

7. Oracle settles suit over tracking your data. How to file a claim - Friday, September 13, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Tech behemoth Oracle has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $115 million over allegations that it tracked consumer activity both on and offline.

The suit alleges Oracle captured, compiled, and sold individuals' data to third parties without their consent. Oracle maintains its practices were lawful, that it disclosed its activities, and it admitted no wrongdoing.

8. US consumer watchdog finds that school lunch fees are taking a toll on parents - Friday, September 6, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Single mother Rebecca Wood, 45, was already dealing with high medical bills in 2020 when she noticed she was being charged a $2.49 "program fee" each time she loaded money onto her daughter's school lunch account.

9. Why you should consider a prenuptial agreement - Friday, September 6, 2024

Longtime celebrity watchers may not have been shocked when Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, but what was surprising was that Lopez’s divorce petition did not include any mention of a prenuptial agreement.

10. How to prepare for the Fed's forthcoming interest rate cuts - Friday, August 23, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve is poised to cut its benchmark interest rate next month from its 23-year high, with consequences for consumers when it comes to debt, savings, auto loans and mortgages. Right now, most experts envision three quarter-point Fed cuts — in September, November and December — though even steeper rate cuts are possible.

11. Groceries are expensive, but they don't have to break the bank. Here are some tips to save - Friday, August 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — If you've noticed that you're paying more than before for the same amount of groceries, you're not the only one. Inflation is easing, but grocery prices are still high — up 21%, on average, since inflation started to surge more than three years ago.

12. How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills - Friday, August 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Unexpectedly high medical bills are common in the United States, but there are ways to get relief. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one in five Americans are affected by outstanding medical debt, for a total cost of $88 billion.

13. What investors should do when there is more volatility in the market - Friday, August 2, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are bouncing back after the market experienced its worst day in two years on Monday, but the average investor may still be understandably spooked. Over a three day losing streak, the S&P 500 dipped more than 6% before rallying again Tuesday, up 1.6% in midday trading.

14. Stores lure back-to-school shoppers with deals and 'buy now, pay later' plans - Friday, July 26, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Mass market retailers in the U.S. are plying shoppers with offers for computers, clothes and other back-to-school essentials at affordable prices. To seal the deal, they are marketing "buy now, pay later" services as a way for customers to spread out the cost of going back to class in style.

15. US agency says apps that let workers access paychecks before payday are providing loans - Friday, July 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday that apps that allow workers to access their paychecks in advance, often for a fee, are providing loans and therefore subject to the Truth in Lending Act, a 1968 law that requires lenders disclose all loan costs and fees.

16. Amazon Prime Day deals are almost here. Should you take advantage? - Friday, July 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — It's summertime, and the bargains seem easy at a time when many consumer prices are high.

July sales events have become a seasonal revenue driver for the retail industry since Amazon launched its first Prime Day back in 2015. While consumers may be enticed by the advertised can't-miss savings on some products, personal finance experts say shoppers should be careful not to fall for potentially misleading marketing or give in to impulse buys.

17. Starting your first post-graduation job? Here's how to organize your finances - Friday, June 28, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — With graduation season over, many college grads are embarking on summer internships or their first full-time jobs. Navigating your finances when you start adult life can be challenging, from understanding your health insurance and benefits to managing a budget.

18. Vols complete historic run, likely sending 9 on to draft - Friday, June 28, 2024

The resurrection was a long time coming, yet remarkably swift. After years of apathy, losing and empty stands, the University of Tennessee baseball program began a climb back to respectability once head coach Tony Vitello was hired in 2017.

19. Vols' run at 'unbreakable' HR mark impresses Bertman, whose teams were faces of 1990s 'gorilla ball' - Friday, June 21, 2024

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Until he saw messages flying back and forth on the 1990s-era LSU players' group text thread late this season, Skip Bertman didn't realize the Tennessee team of 2024 was making a serious run at the Holy Grail of the college baseball record book.

20. Majority of Americans favor forgiving medical debt, AP-NORC poll finds - Friday, June 14, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Janille Williams wants to buy a house someday — but first, he has to pay down tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt.

"I was hospitalized for a blood infection for three months more than ten years ago, and the bill was for more than $300,000," said Williams, 38, a Fairbanks, Alaska, resident who works as a retail sales manager for AT&T. "I was in the middle of changing jobs, the only time in my life I haven't had health insurance."

21. Breaking down the teams playing for national championship at the College World Series - Friday, June 7, 2024

A look at the eight teams competing in the College World Series, which starts Friday at Charles Schwab Field. (Capsules in order of CWS opening games. Coaches' records through super regionals):

22. More people make 'no-buy year' pledges as overspending or climate worries catch up with them - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A 35-year-old Brooklyn resident gave up buying new clothes. A 22-year old in San Diego swore off retail therapy at Target. A 26-year old in England banned carbonated drinks from her shopping list.

23. Tempted to try a no-buy year? Here are tips from people doing it - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The rules of a no-buy challenge are self-imposed and simple: Make a list of the non-essential items you won't spend money on for a set period of time and stick to it. Easier said than done.

24. Buy now, pay later companies must adhere to credit card standards, consumer agency says - Friday, May 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Buy now, pay later companies must provide consumers with the same legal rights and protections as credit card lenders do, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Wednesday in a new rule.

25. How sustained high interest rates impact us - Friday, May 10, 2024

Mortgage rates, credit card rates, auto loan rates, and business loans with variable rates will all likely maintain their highs, with consequences for consumer spending, after the Federal Reserve indicated Wednesday that it doesn’t plan to cut interest rates until it has “greater confidence” that price increases at the consumer level are slowing to its 2% target.

26. The deadline to consolidate some student loans to receive forgiveness is here. Here's what to know - Friday, April 26, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Borrowers with some types of federal student loans have until today to consolidate their loans to qualify for full student loan cancellation or credit toward cancellation. The Education Department is expected to conduct a one-time adjustment in the summer but borrowers who want to be considered for the adjustment have to submit a request to consolidate their loans by Tuesday.

27. These apps allow workers to get paid between paychecks. Experts say there are steep costs - Friday, April 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — When Anna Branch, 37, had her hours at work reduced at the start of the pandemic in 2020, she suddenly noticed ads for an app called EarnIn.

"You know how they get you — the algorithms — like they're reading your mind," Branch said. "The ad said I could get up to $100 this week and repay it in my next pay period."

28. Here's how to reduce stress and get your taxes done - Friday, April 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — For many people, tax season isn't only about gathering W-2 forms or calling an accountant. It can also bring intense feelings of stress or anxiety about dealing with finances.

Financial stress during tax season can manifest in different ways, whether that's procrastinating on your tax return until the last minute or experiencing intense stress about filing incorrectly. If you're dealing with financial stress right now, you're not alone.

29. Here's how to protect yourself from common scams this tax season - Friday, March 29, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Tax season can come with several headaches, from gathering documents to finding the time to sit down and file. But one pain that you want to avoid is falling for a tax scam.

Year-round, scammers look for ways to trick people into giving them money or personal information. There are several common types of scams during tax season, so people should be on the lookout for red flags, said Amy Nofziger, director of victim support at the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

30. How freelancers can prepare for changing tax requirements - Friday, March 22, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Workers across different industries are increasingly receiving some or all of their income via apps. They include tutors, graphic designers, hair stylists, and all kinds of independent and self-employed workers, along with merchants who sell products online through Etsy, eBay, Amazon and other sites. But tax law is still catching up when it comes to how best to report this income.

31. IRS launches free online tax filing system in Tennessee, 11 other states - Friday, March 8, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — After weeks of testing, an electronic system for filing returns directly to the IRS is now available for taxpayers from 12 selected states.

The new system, called Direct File, is a free online tool. Taxpayers in the selected states who have very simple W-2s and claim a standard deduction may be eligible to use it this tax season to file their federal income taxes. The program will also offer a Spanish version, which will be available starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday.

32. What to know about the SAVE plan, the income-driven plan to repay student loans - Friday, March 8, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 75 million student loan borrowers have enrolled in the U.S. government's newest repayment plan since it launched in August.

President Joe Biden recently announced that he was canceling federal student loans for nearly 153,000 borrowers enrolled in the plan, known as the SAVE plan. Forgiveness was granted to borrowers who had made payments for at least 10 years and originally borrowed $12,000 or less.

33. Tax season is underway. Here are some tips to navigate it - Friday, March 8, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — It's tax season in the U.S., and for many people, filing tax returns can be a daunting task that's often left until the last minute. But if you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as soon as possible.

34. Students, parents frustrated by delays in hearing about federal financial aid for college - Friday, February 16, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — For many students, the excitement of being accepted into their first-choice college is being tempered this year by a troublesome uncertainty over whether they'll get the financial aid they need to attend.

35. Tax season is under way. Here are some tips to navigate it - Friday, January 26, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Tax season began Monday and for many people filing U.S. tax returns — especially those doing it for their first time — it can be a daunting task that's often left to the last minute. But if you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as soon as possible.

36. What to know about changes to this year's FAFSA application for college students - Friday, January 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is now available to all college applicants for the 2024-2025 school year.

The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid was designed to make it easier for students and parents to apply and to make more of them eligible for funding.

37. What to do if you're concerned you might be laid off — or if you've lost your job - Friday, January 19, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Recent mass layoffs from technology and media companies, including eBay, Riot Games and the Los Angeles Times, might have you thinking about your job security.

If you're worried you could be laid off — or if you've lost your job — personal finance professionals and career advisers have recommendations for how to cope. They range from preparing an emergency fund to understanding your severance package.

38. What to know about overdraft fees as the White House cracks down on them - Friday, January 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new rules that would lower overdraft fees, with President Joe Biden calling the charges "exploitative." Currently, the fee for overdrawing a bank account averages more than $26.

39. Advocacy groups are petitioning for the end of SNAP interview requirements - Friday, January 12, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Student and legal advocacy groups are petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lift the interview requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants to receive food aid.

40. What to know about changes to this year's FAFSA application for college students - Friday, January 5, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 school year, but only on a limited basis as the U.S. Department of Education works on a redesign meant to make it easier to apply.

41. The new FAFSA is meant to make applying for college aid easier, but not everyone can access it yet - Friday, January 5, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — A new online application designed to make applying for federal student aid easier went live this week, but not everyone has been able to access it.

That's led to worry and frustration for students like Simea Turner of Arlington, Texas, who will be a college freshman in the fall. Turner has been trying to access the application known as the FAFSA since Sunday, but she hasn't been able to get past the first question.

42. What to know about changes to this year's FAFSA application for college students - Friday, December 29, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 school year, but only on a limited basis as the U.S. Department of Education works on a redesign meant to make it easier to apply.

43. More Americans expected to 'buy now, pay later' for holidays. Analysts see growing risk - Friday, November 24, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers are expected to use "buy now, pay later" payment plans heavily this holiday season, a forecast that bodes well for retailers but that has credit experts again sounding alarm bells.

44. White House has proposed cracking down on junk fees. Here's how to avoid them - Friday, November 3, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — "Junk fees" are just what they sound like: hidden or misleading charges that increase the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms, utility bills and other goods and services.

45. What to know about the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment - Friday, October 13, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see a modest increase in benefits this January when a new cost-of-living adjustment is added to Social Security payments.

The 3.2% raise is intended to help meet higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of about $54 per month, according to government estimates. That's a smaller percentage than last year, because consumer prices have eased, and the COLA is tied to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.

46. Federal student loan payments are starting again. Here's what you need to know - Friday, September 29, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal student loan borrowers will need to start making payments again this month after a three-year-plus pause due to the pandemic.

You should expect a bill that lays out how much you have to pay each month at least 21 days before your due date. It's likely that most borrowers have received their bill already but if you have not, visit your loan servicer account. Interest started accruing again in September.

47. 804,000 long-term borrowers are having their student loans forgiven before payments resume this fall - Friday, September 29, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Karin Engstrom thought she'd be paying off her federal student loans for the rest of her life. The 82-year-old was shocked when she logged on to check her balance ahead of payments resuming in October and found that more than $175,000 in debt had been erased.

48. Why retirees may want to buy an immediate annuity now - Friday, September 22, 2023

An immediate annuity is an insurance product that provides guaranteed income: You give an insurer a chunk of money, and the company gives you a stream of payments that can last for life. The payments begin within 12 months of purchase.

49. Federal student loan interest has started accruing again. Here's what you need to know - Friday, September 1, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Interest on federal student loans has started accumulating again after a three-year pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You still have at least another month before you'll need to start paying back your loans, so don't panic.

50. Investment scams are everywhere on social media. Here's how to spot one - Friday, August 18, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Social media is full of scammers promising guaranteed returns on investment, and consumers lost billions of dollars to them last year.

Troy Gochenour, 50, of Columbus, Ohio, was conned out of $25,800, including $15,800 in borrowed money, in a crypto-mining scam that began with a WhatsApp message from a beautiful stranger.

51. Car buyers bear a heavy burden as Fed keeps raising rates; auto-loan rejections up - Friday, July 21, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve's expected move Wednesday to raise interest rates for the 11th time could once again send ripple effects across the economy.

Mortgage rates, which have surged since the Fed began lifting rates in March 2022, could rise further. So could rates on credit cards and some business loans.

52. Your paycheck could clear faster now that the FedNow instant payment service for banks has launched - Friday, July 21, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve launched a new instant payment service Thursday. FedNow allows banks and credit unions to sign up to send real-time payments so they can offer customers a quicker way to send money between banks.

53. Wall Street's AI frenzy and strong bank profits send stocks higher - Friday, July 14, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street's growing frenzy around artificial intelligence pushed stocks to their best level in more than 15 months. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Tuesday to its highest finish since early April 2022. The Dow added 366 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. Microsoft was the biggest force pushing the S&P 500 higher by far with a 4% gain after announcing the pricing for some artificial-intelligence services. Financial industry stocks also drove the market higher after reporting stronger profits for the spring than expected. Charles Schwab rallied 12.6% and Bank of America rose 4.4%.

54. How the Supreme Court student loan decision affects you - Friday, June 30, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Supreme Court has ruled the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loan debt, effectively killing the $400 billion plan, which would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million people. Of those, 20 million would have had their remaining student debt erased completely.

55. College World Series' slugging squads know the long ball only goes so far in Omaha - Friday, June 16, 2023

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The batting statistics for the eight College World Series teams suggest there will be home runs aplenty at Charles Schwab Field over the next 10 days.

Five of the top 10 home run-hitting squads are in Omaha, and so are individual national leaders Jac Caglianone of Florida and Wake Forest's Brock Wilken.

56. What you should know as the Fed gets closer to the peak of its rate-hiking cycle - Friday, June 9, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve's decision Wednesday to leave interest rates alone for the first time in 11 meetings raises hopes that it may be at least nearing the end of its rate-hiking campaign to cool inflation.

57. It might seem tempting to not pay your student loans. Here's why that's a bad idea - Friday, June 9, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — After three years, the pandemic-era freeze on student loan payments will end in late August.

It might seem tempting to just keep not making payments, but the consequences can be severe, including a hit to your credit score and exclusion from future aid and benefits.

58. Breaking down the teams playing for national championship at College World Series - Friday, June 9, 2023

A look at the eight teams competing in the College World Series, which starts Friday at Charles Schwab Field. (Capsules in order of CWS opening games. Coaches' records through super regionals):

ORAL ROBERTS (51-12)

59. Regulators take aim at AI to protect consumers and workers - Friday, May 26, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — As concerns grow over increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, the nation's financial watchdog says it's working to ensure that companies follow the law when they're using AI.

60. What to know about public service student loan forgiveness - Friday, May 5, 2023

The U.S. has approved more than $42 billion in federal student loan debt forgiveness for more than 615,000 borrowers in the past 18 months as part of a program aimed at getting more people to work in public service jobs, the U.S. Department of Education said this week.

61. How a Fed increase could affect credit card debt, auto loans - Friday, April 28, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rate yet again in its drive to cool inflation, a move that will directly affect most Americans.

On Wednesday, the central bank boosted its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to 5.1%. Rates on credit cards, mortgages and auto loans, which have been surging since the Fed began raising rates last year, all stand to rise even more. The result will be more burdensome loan costs for both consumers and businesses.

62. Bank rates are up. How to avoid leaving money on the table - Friday, April 21, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Moving your savings around by opening a new account and closing an old one can seem like a hassle. But it's a use of time that can pay off.

After years of paying low rates for savers, banks are finally offering better interest on deposits. Though the increases may seem small, compounding interest adds up over the years, and you don't want to miss the moment.

63. Banks are paying savers again after many years of low rates - Friday, April 21, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are finally reaping some benefit from keeping their money in the bank.

Banks are paying up for savers' deposits in a much bigger way than they have in more than a decade, based on recent earnings reports from the nation's biggest banks.

64. Your tax refund could be smaller than last year. Here's why - Friday, April 7, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Expecting a tax refund? It could be smaller than last year. And with inflation still high, that money won't go as far as it did a year ago.

The 90 million taxpayers who have filed as of March 31 got refunds that were an average of nearly 10% less than last year, in part due to pandemic relief programs expiring. The filing deadline for most taxpayers is Tuesday.

65. Apple rolls out buy now, pay later service, with guardrails - Friday, March 24, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple is getting into the buy now, pay later space with a few tweaks to the existing model — including no option to pay with a credit card. The company will roll out the product to some consumers this spring, and will begin reporting the loans to credit bureaus in the fall.

66. Debt, expenses stress lower income households: AP-NORC poll - Friday, March 24, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Personal finances are a major source of stress for about half of the lower income households in the U.S., a new poll shows, illustrating the toll of high inflation and economic uncertainty on those who can least afford it.

67. What the Fed rate increase means for your credit card bill - Friday, March 17, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve raised its key rate by another quarter point Wednesday, bringing it to the highest level in 15 years as part of an ongoing effort to ease inflation by making borrowing more expensive.

68. Credit card debt is at record high as Fed raises rates again - Friday, March 17, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates again, credit card debt is already at a record high, and more people are carrying debt month to month.

The Fed's interest rate increases are meant to fight inflation, but they've also led to higher annual percentage rates (APRs) for people with credit card debt, which means they pay more in interest. The Fed announced Wednesday that it would increase rates another quarter of a point.

69. Pay transparency is spreading. Here's what you need to know - Friday, March 17, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. employers are increasingly posting salary ranges for job openings, even in states where it's not required by law, according to analysts with several major job search websites.

Following new legislation in New York City, California, Washington, Colorado, and elsewhere, employers across the country are becoming more transparent about pay in order to stay competitive with companies in states that require employers to post salary ranges, experts say. A tight labor market and significant increase in remote work have also contributed to the rise.

70. Wall Street climbs as some beaten-down bank stocks recover - Friday, March 10, 2023

Stocks ended broadly higher on Wall Street Tuesday, as some of the most breathtaking moves from a manic Monday reversed course.

The S&P 500 rose 1.7% after a report showed inflation is still high but heading lower. Stocks of smaller and mid-sized banks recovered some of their prior plunges caused by worries that customers could yank out all their cash. Treasury yields soared to trim their historic drops.

71. Is my money safe? What you need to know about bank failures - Friday, March 10, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which catered mostly to the tech industry, may have you worried about your money. They were the second- and third-biggest bank failures in U.S. history.

72. Government races to reassure US that banking system is safe - Friday, March 10, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Depositors withdrew savings and investors broadly sold off bank shares Monday as the federal government raced to reassure Americans that the banking system was secure after two bank failures fed fears that more financial institutions could fall.

73. Stocks tumble as Wall Street wonders what will break next - Friday, March 10, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Fear rattled Wall Street, and stocks tumbled Friday on worries about what's next to break under the weight of rising interest rates following the biggest U.S. bank failure in nearly 15 years.

74. Supreme Court student loan hearing: What you need to know - Friday, February 24, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — The Supreme Court is meeting Tuesday to hear two cases challenging President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. At stake: forgiveness of up to $20,000 in debt for more than 40 million Americans. Nearly half of those people could have their federal student debt wiped out entirely.

75. Wall Street slips in 2023 open after ending dismal year - Friday, December 30, 2022

Stocks gave up an early gain and ended lower Tuesday, a lackluster first trading day of 2023 for Wall Street just days after it closed the books on its worst year since 2008.

The S&P 500 shed a 1% gain and finished 0.4% lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped less than 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.8%. Small-company stocks also lost ground, pulling the Russell 2000 index 0.6% lower.

76. Inflation is slowing, but still high. What you need to know - Friday, December 9, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — After reaching 40-year highs over the summer, price increases in the U.S. are now steadily easing.

Consumer inflation slowed to 7.1% in November from a year earlier and to 0.1% from October, the government said Tuesday. Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, so-called core inflation rose 6% over the past 12 months and 0.2% from October.

77. Stocks rise on Wall Street, but remain lower for the week - Friday, December 9, 2022

Technology companies helped lift stocks Thursday, ending a five-day losing streak for the S&P 500, though the major indexes remain on pace for a weekly loss.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite closed 1.1% higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.5%.

78. US stocks rise, strong earnings send retailers higher - Friday, November 18, 2022

Stocks on Wall Street closed broadly higher Tuesday, as solid company earnings helped lift several retailers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

The S&P 500 rose 1.4%, more than making up for its losses last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2% and the Nasdaq composite gained 1.4%.

79. What to know if you've applied for student loan forgiveness - Friday, November 18, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden's plan to provide up to $20,000 in federal student loan forgiveness has been blocked by two federal courts, leaving millions of borrowers wondering what happens next. The Justice Department on Friday asked the Supreme Court to reverse one of the lower court decisions, warning that many Americans will face financial hardship if the plan remains blocked.

80. How steep fed rate hikes affect your finances - Friday, October 28, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Mortgage rates continue to jump, home sales slump and credit cards and auto loans increase. Savings rates are slightly juicier, though.

As the Federal Reserve steadily increases interest rates, many economists say they fear that a recession remains inevitable in the coming months — and with it, job losses that could cause hardship for households already hurt worst by inflation.

81. EXPLAINER: How to navigate Affordable Care Act enrollment - Friday, October 28, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — The vast majority of Americans will find multiple options for health insurance coverage for 2023 on HealthCare.gov after open enrollment began Tuesday under the Affordable Care Act.

82. Salary transparency laws aim to combat pay disparities - Friday, October 28, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Starting this week, job-seekers in New York City will have access to a key piece of information: how much money they can expect to earn for an advertised opening.

New York will require employers as of Nov. 1 to disclose "a good faith salary range for every job, promotion, and transfer opportunity advertised," according to the city's Commission on Human Rights.

83. How Social Security works and what to know about its future - Friday, October 14, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans will see a major increase in benefits this January when a new cost-of-living adjustment (or COLA) is added to Social Security payments.

The 8.7% raise is meant to help them with higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of more than $140 per month, according to government estimates.

84. Hot inflation slows 3Q earnings growth forecasts - Friday, October 7, 2022

Wall Street expects the latest round of quarterly profits to show burn marks from the hottest inflation in four decades, and the damage could linger into 2023.

Analysts have been trimming their forecasts, especially in the retail and communications sectors, as inflation drives up costs and saps consumer spending on everything from food to clothing. Companies within the broad S&P 500 index are expected to notch earnings growth of roughly 2.6%, down from June projections of 9.5% growth. That would be the S&P's slowest growth since the third quarter of 2020, according to an analysis from FactSet.

85. Stocks rally, bonds soar in relief after UK calms markets - Friday, September 23, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks on Wall Street soared to their first gain in more than a week as some calm returns to financial markets around the world. The S&P 500 jumped 2% Wednesday for its best day in seven weeks. That snapped Wall Street's longest losing streak since the coronavirus crash in February 2020. Bond markets globally also relaxed after the Bank of England moved forcefully to get a budding financial crisis there under control. Treasury yields fell sharply, easing some of the pressure that has sent stocks down more than 20% on Wall Street this year.

86. How steep Fed rate hikes affect your finances - Friday, September 16, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Mortgage rates have jumped, home sales have slumped and credit cards and auto loans have gotten pricier. Savings rates are slightly juicier, though.

As the Federal Reserve has rapidly increased interest rates, many economists say they fear that a recession is inevitable in the coming months — and with it, job losses that could cause hardship for households already hurt worst by inflation.

87. How to get a student loan refund if you paid during pandemic - Friday, September 16, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — When President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive student loan debt, many borrowers who kept making payments during the pandemic wondered if they'd made the right choice.

Borrowers who paid down their debt during a pandemic freeze that started in March 2020 can in fact get a refund — and then apply for forgiveness – but the process for doing that hasn't always been clear.

88. EXPLAINER: What to know about 'buy now, pay later' - Friday, September 16, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Since the start of the pandemic, the option to "buy now, pay later" has skyrocketed in popularity, especially among young and low-income consumers who may not have ready access to traditional credit.

89. Stocks charge higher on Wall Street, erasing weekly losses - Friday, September 2, 2022

Stock indexes on Wall Street closed solidly higher Wednesday, placing the market on pace to break a 3-week losing streak.

The S&P 500 rose 1.8% Wednesday, its biggest single-day gain in four weeks, with roughly 95% of the stocks in the benchmark index closing higher.

90. 5 tips to make the search for a new apartment easier - Friday, September 2, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Finding a new place can be challenging, and skyrocketing rents have made it especially hard this year. But there are things you can do to make the process easier.

Whether it's your first or 10th time renting, here are five things to think about when looking for a new place to call home:

91. Rents are starting to come down, but the trend may not hold - Friday, September 2, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Rents are starting to come down after spiking to record levels this past summer, but experts are uncertain if the slowdown will continue.

Christopher Mayer, professor of real estate at Columbia Business School, said people looking for an apartment now might have a better experience than they did in May or June.

92. Stocks sink after Fed's Powell says rates will stay high - Friday, August 26, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are ending sharply lower after the head of the Federal Reserve dashed Wall Street's hopes that it may soon ease up on rate hikes in its effort to tame inflation. The S&P 500 lost 3.4% Friday, its biggest drop in two months, after Jerome Powell said the Fed will likely need to keep interest rates high enough to slow the economy for some time in order to beat back the high inflation sweeping the country. Tech stocks led the way lower, pulling the Nasdaq composite down even more. Higher rates help corral inflation, but they also hurt asset prices.

93. What's a Pell grant? How it affects student loan forgiveness - Friday, August 26, 2022

New York (AP) — President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness program announced on Wednesday aims to provide $10,000 in student debt cancellation for millions of Americans.

But for federal Pell grant recipients, that amount is even higher: $20,000

94. Tips for saving on your commute amid high inflation - Friday, August 12, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Gas prices are falling but still higher than they were a year ago. And inflation has made most everything else more expensive. If you're looking to save money on your commute, here are some tips:

95. EXPLAINER: How is inflation affecting commuting costs? - Friday, August 12, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — Gas prices have fallen from the record highs they reached earlier this summer, but they're still much higher than a year ago. And with inflation driving up the cost of pretty much everything else, finding the funds to cover your commute may be increasingly tricky.

96. Hourly workers still have leverage as US hiring booms - Friday, August 5, 2022

New York (AP) — Chelsie Church was working as a manager at a Colorado Taco Bell when she found out workers at a nearby Pizza Hut were earning more than $1 an hour more than she was.

Her attempts to negotiate a raise were unsuccessful, so she kept hunting for another job, eventually finding one at Laredo's Tacos, a chain connected to 7-Eleven.

97. How the Federal Reserve's rate hikes affect your finances - Friday, July 22, 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — Higher mortgage rates have sent home sales tumbling. Credit card rates have grown more burdensome, and so have auto loans. Savers are finally receiving yields that are actually visible, while crypto assets are reeling.

98. Work at a school or nonprofit? You could erase student loans - Friday, July 1, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — When Melissa Martinez applied to have her student loan debt forgiven more than a decade ago, the U.S. Department of Education told her she was ineligible.

99. What to know about public service loan forgiveness - Friday, July 1, 2022

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 145,000 U.S. borrowers have had the remainder of their student loan debt canceled through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and officials say many more likely qualify.

100. Stocks rally, driving Wall Street to a rare winning week - Friday, June 24, 2022

Stocks racked up more gains on Wall Street Friday, as the S&P 500 had its best day in two years and just its second winning week in the last 12 to provide a bit of relief from the market's brutal sell-off this year.