Household budgeting and everyday consumer money news

Person reviewing high-yield savings account options on a laptop

Top Savings Rates Reach 4.50% in August

High-yield savings accounts now offer up to 4.50% APY in August 2026.

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Close-up of a loan agreement document on a wooden desk

Calls Mount for Student Loan Payment Pause

Advocacy groups demand a pause as loan errors hit borrowers nationwide.

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A person reviewing tax documents on a laptop with an AI chat interface visible on screen

1 in 4 Filers Used AI for Taxes, No Disclosure Required

More Americans are using AI to file 2025 taxes, but the IRS still has no rules for it.

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Person reviewing a confusing medical bill with a laptop showing an AI chatbot interface

AI Tools for Confusing Medical Bills

AI chatbots can now help households understand and dispute medical bills.

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Person selecting a credit card installment plan on a smartphone at checkout

Credit Cards Beat BNPL at Its Own Game

Card installments now outpace standalone BNPL among US consumers 2-to-1.

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Young adult reviewing bills and loan paperwork at a laptop

Loan Payment Errors Force Reapplications

Education Dept. admits miscalculations, forcing some borrowers to start over.

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Person reviewing bank statement with overdraft charges at kitchen table

Overdraft Repeal Costs Consumers $7.5B

The rollback of federal overdraft protections has cost U.S. households billions since 2025.

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Past due notice written in red on paper next to a $100 bill

Student Loan Defaults Reach Record High

9.5 million federal borrowers are now in default, up from 5.3 million since mid-2025.

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A shopper with a partially filled grocery cart in a supermarket aisle

Grocery Slowdown: Shoppers Buying Less

Americans are putting fewer items in their carts, squeezing companies and households.

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Person using an AI financial advice chatbot on a smartphone

AI Money Tools Like ChatGPT Give Inconsistent Advice

New research finds AI financial advice tools produce inconsistent, potentially biased results.

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A stressed adult reviewing bills and student loan paperwork at a kitchen table

Loan Overhaul Forces Borrowers Into Extra Jobs

Trump's repayment overhaul sends monthly bills soaring, forcing borrowers to delay retirement

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Person reviewing credit card statements and household bills at a desk

Credit Card Debt Hits New Highs in 2026

Average American credit card balances are rising in 2026, squeezing household budgets.

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Person holding a credit card while checking a smartphone indoors

Private Credit Bets Big on BNPL Loans

Wall Street is backing buy-now-pay-later lenders as household debt stress worsens

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Person using a budgeting app on a smartphone to track bills and spending

Budgeting Apps That Help Break Paycheck-to-Paycheck

USA Today reviewed dozens of budgeting apps. Here are the top picks for tight cash flow.

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A young student looking stressed while working on a laptop at a desk

Student Loan IDR Apps Are Breaking As Changes Loom

Borrowers report 404 errors and miscalculations as the biggest student loan overhaul nears

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Household Budgeting & Consumer Money News | BudgetBadger