Investors received a big boost on January 15 with a December, 2024 Consumer Price Index report showing core inflation rose less than expected. This reassured Wall Street the Federal Reserve could continue to lower interest rates in 2025. The Fed had curbed its benchmark Federal Funds rate three consecutive times in the second half of 2024 but had signaled a halt – or even rate hikes – for 2025 as the US economy kept growing.

Sean Karaman, a freshman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, hadn’t always paid close attention to his credit card spending. But after taking a personal finance course on campus last fall, he said, he is much more likely to pay as he goes.

Looking for a job can be a grueling marathon of resumes, cover letters, and HR acronyms—and that’s before you ever get into the room with your would-be future employer. Once you’ve managed to secure an interview, the finish line may feel tantalizingly close, but the race is far from over. Before you get the chance to wow them with your articulate and highly considered insights into your personal strengths, weaknesses, career goals, and salary expectations, however, you’ve got to make a good first impression, and that starts with what you wear. So what, exactly, should one wear to a job interview in 2024?

Remember the toilet paper crisis in April 2020? Not only was toilet paper hard to find, but even if you did find a few rolls, the price probably had quadrupled. While busy contemplating how to do our daily business without toilet paper, the entire nation also felt bewildered. How could this have happened?

As revolving credit card debt and high financing costs persist, experts are raising doubts about whether credit can keep bridging the gap between growing, but not momentous, income growth and aspirational spending.

When my kids were little, we would occasionally give them a few dollars as a reward. They would put the money in their pocket, then take it out and stare at it, then put it back into the pocket, and repeat. They clutched the money so tight for so long, it became a crumpled paper ball. They imagined the candies and toys they could buy and couldn’t wait to spend the money. Money burned a hole in their pocket. Most kids are like that. But many adults are like that, too! Why is saving money is so hard? How come the desire to spend is so unquenchable?

Now is the time to master your money, April is Financial Literacy Month, underscoring the value of financial education in a rapidly evolving economy. Whether you just started earning money or have been earning money for a long time, there is always an opportunity to reflect upon your spending and gradually improve your financial health. It starts with what you know.

Now is the time to master your money, April is Financial Literacy Month, underscoring the value of financial education in a rapidly evolving economy. Whether you just started earning money or have been earning money for a long time, there is always an opportunity to reflect upon your spending and gradually improve your financial health. It starts with what you know.