MoneyWatch

Cracker Barrel has long been known for its combination of rustic charm and country dishes like biscuits and gravy. But its new CEO said that the old approach isn’t working any longer — and she’s planning some major changes. “We’re just not as relevant as we once were,” Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino said on a May 16 conference …

Low-income parents and caregivers in Delaware and Tennessee are getting a lifeline to help curtail one of the most common medical conditions for babies: diaper rash. Both states have received federal approval to provide free diapers through their Medicaid programs, according to federal and state officials. Under TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, parents and legal guardians can pick up as many …

The price of gold broke yet another record this week as it hit $2,439.98 per ounce on May 20. While the price has dropped slightly since, gold has seen overall sustained growth in the opening months of 2024, with no clear limit in sight. This has piqued the interest of prospective investors and given ones already invested in the precious …

In today’s high interest rate environment, credit cards, personal loans and standard lines of credit have become expensive options for borrowing money. After all, credit card rates are nearing 22% on average, personal loan rates are routinely in the double digits and other options have seen rates rise to levels that are having a significant impact on affordability. In turn, …

Inflation has been problematic for Americans for much of the last two years. Not only has it caused the prices of everyday items to surge, but it’s also resulted in a series of hikes to the federal funds rate courtesy of the Federal Reserve. And while the Fed hasn’t raised the benchmark rate since last summer, they haven’t lowered it …

Persistent inflation issues have continued to impact the nation, but recent data shows that the inflation rate improved slightly last month, dropping to 3.4% in April compared to the year prior. That’s a significant decline from what we saw from 2021 to 2023, when inflation climbed a cumulative 16.9%. However, today’s inflation rate is still higher than the Federal Reserve’s …

Retirement is an exciting time. But, it also comes with its challenges. One such challenge is the high probability that you’ll need long-term care in your golden years. That care includes services like nursing homes and home health aides, which can be expensive. That’s what makes long-term care insurance such a valuable product. These insurance policies can help cover the …

Have you heard about credit card debt forgiveness? These programs work with your lenders to cut your credit card balances in an attempt to offer you relief from overwhelming debt. And, if you owe $7,500 or more in credit card debt and you’re having a hard time making your payments, you may be a strong candidate for forgiveness. If that’s …

It’s never too early to plan for the future. But for those with parents approaching retirement or even those already enjoying their golden years, planning for what’s to come is mandatory. This is particularly true for health care and the ways that older Americans will have to pay for it as they age. Fortunately, some insurance types on the market …

Gamers who have been waiting for years for Nintendo to release a successor to its popular Switch console finally got a clue on when to expect an upgraded device. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said Tuesday in aposton X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Japanese technology giant will announce the new switch within its current fiscal year, which ends in …