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This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: June mortgage rates. In other news: Some big stores are cutting prices to woo back grocery shoppers, rename your ’emergency fund’ if that suits your saving style, and first-time home buyer affordability report – Q1 2024.

June Mortgage Rates: Calm at Takeoff, Then Subject to Turbulence
Mortgage rates probably won’t vary much in the first week and a half of June. But starting June 12, it’s anyone’s guess what rates will do.

Some Big Stores Are Cutting Prices to Woo Back Grocery Shoppers
With grocery prices stabilizing, retailers like Target and Walmart are touting summer discounts on an array of items.

Rename Your ‘Emergency Fund’ if That Suits Your Saving Style
Whatever you choose to call your short-term savings account might help you use it more effectively. Here’s how experts suggest you approach it.

First-Time Home Buyer Affordability Report – Q1 2024
In the first quarter, prices didn’t rise, but they also didn’t come down.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: Debt settlement hurts your credit score. In other news: Weekly mortgage rates fall, but existing home sales sag, DOJ files antitrust suit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, and why the disconnect between economic strength and sentiment matters.

Is Debt Settlement a Good Idea?
Debt settlement hurts your credit score, and there’s no guarantee of success. Consider other debt relief options first.

Weekly Mortgage Rates Fall, But Existing Home Sales Sag
In what should be a reassuring display of good timing, mortgage rates fell for the third week in a row — right at the start of homebuying season.

DOJ Files Antitrust Suit Against Live Nation/Ticketmaster
A ticketing debacle in 2022 before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour sparked federal investigations.

Why the Disconnect Between Economic Strength and Sentiment Matters
Over the past several years, the economy has been remarkable, in a literal sense; there has been a lot to talk about.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: The hidden cost of helping friends earn more credit card rewards. In other news: 6 LGBTQ+ celebrations around the world worth a trip, how to use credit cards to save money on gas, and white house extends key student loan forgiveness deadline.

The Hidden Cost of Helping Friends Earn More Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards earned with your spending aren’t taxable, but you could owe taxes when you refer friends to a card and get a bonus.

6 LGBTQ+ Celebrations Around the World Worth a Trip
Celebrate Pride worldwide all year round, and see some sights while you’re at it.

How to Use Credit Cards to Save Money on Gas
The best cards for gas earn at least 3x back at the pump, and they don’t feature names of big oil companies or service station brands.

Act Now: White House Extends Key Student Loan Forgiveness Deadline
You now have until June 30 (instead of April 30) to consolidate certain federal student loans — and potentially get loan forgiveness in September (instead of July).

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: Home insurance companies may use aerial images to drop policies. In other news: how participating in campus protests could affect your financial aid, the worsening prescription drug shortage and how to cope with it, and balancing homebuying and summer travel.

Home Insurance Companies May Use Aerial Images to Drop Policies
Insurance companies may check photos of your home before deciding whether to renew your policy.

How Participating in Campus Protests Could Affect Your Financial Aid
Involvement in college protests could cost you your financial aid and more.

The Worsening Prescription Drug Shortage and How to Cope With It
Causes for the shortage vary but include a tornado-damaged Pfizer plant in North Carolina.

Yes, You Can Balance Homebuying and Summer Travel
Embarking on a getaway during your homebuying journey is possible — if you have a plan and don’t completely unplug.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: 7 surprising facts about credit cards. In other news: Weekly mortgage rates rise again, look to last-minute scholarships when you can’t control FAFSA delays, and best cities for freelancers and self-employed workers 2024.

7 Surprising Facts About Credit Cards
Card issuers have a lot of leeway in terms of when and how they can make changes to your account. Some changes may be unwelcome, but others can work in your favor.

Weekly Mortgage Rates Rise Again, While Home Sales Increase, Too
Mortgage rates have climbed five weeks in a row and are now at their highest levels since the week before Thanksgiving.

No Financial Aid Package Yet? Look to Last-Minute Scholarships
You can’t control FAFSA delays, but you can control whether you research and apply for scholarship awards to lower your college costs.

Best Cities for Freelancers and Self-Employed Workers 2024
These 10 metro areas have a relatively large percentage of self-employed workers, relatively low state income tax rates and more.

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: These states plan to phase out gas car sales. In other news: How to help your loved one navigate the costs of dementia care, weekly mortgage rates are up, but prices are the real villain, and new airline requirements.

These States Plan to Phase Out Gas Car Sales
California, New Jersey and Virginia are among at least a dozen states that plan to wind down gas vehicle sales over the next decade.

How to Help Your Loved One Navigate the Costs of Dementia Care
Care costs can be overwhelming for those living with dementia — here’s how you can support them.

Weekly Mortgage Rates Are Up, but Prices Are the Real Villain
Mortgage rates continued to rise for the week ending April 25.

New Airline Requirements: Cash Refunds and Transparent Fees
The Biden administration is regulating airline junk fees and refunds — here’s what it means for travelers.