MoneyWatch

While many experts predicted that mortgage rates would start falling quickly in 2024, inflation has remained higher than many expected. The latest annual inflation rate for the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) came in at 3.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, amid relatively hot data like this, the Federal Reserve has continued to hold …

Credit card delinquencies have been on the rise, with recent data showing that delinquent credit card accounts climbed to nearly 9% in the first quarter of 2024. And, many cardholders are also facing issues with maxed-out credit cards — another sign that borrowers are grappling with financial difficulties in today’s economic climate. That makes sense considering the current challenges, which …

In today’s cooled but still inflationary economy, in which interest rates are at their highest point in decades, there aren’t many borrowing options worth pursuing. When it comes to saving and earning elevated interest rates, however, there are many account types to choose from, ranging from high-yield savings to money market to certificates of deposit (CD) accounts. All three accounts …

Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments. Wednesday’s urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since …

Graduating with student loan debt is an all too common reality for new college degree holders beginning their careers. But there’s another, often overlooked cohort of debtors facing their own set of challenges: Americans over the age of 55 approaching their retirement years. About 2.2 million people over the age of 55 have outstanding student loans, according to data from …

A top McDonald’s executive on Wednesday decried “poorly sourced reports” that the fast-food giant has hiked its prices faster than inflation. “I can tell you that it frustrates and worries me, and many of our franchisees, when I hear about an $18 Big Mac meal being sold — even if it was at one location in the U.S. out of …

American Airlines is cutting its financial outlook, with CEO Robert Isom acknowledging the carrier misjudged travel demand before the peak summer season. The carrier’s total revenue per available seat mile is expected to be off about 5% to 6%, versus its previous forecast calling for a decline of about 1% to 3%. “The guidance cut seems to e a combination …

Luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose isn’t afraid of a little wear and tear. Boosted by A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift and Chris Hemsworth, the Italian company has made a splash in the fashion world by selling scuffed up sneakers bearing what it describes as a “vintage finish.” And that lived-in look will cost you. Golden Goose’s leather, suede and canvas-style …

A quarter of U.S. companies will require its workers to show up at the office more often next year, even though doing so may cause some productive staff members to leave. That’s according to newfindingsfrom ResumeBuilder.com which surveyed 756 employers at companies with return-to-office policies in place since 2021. RTO mandates have been one of the most divisive issues in …

You should strongly consider purchasing long-term care insurance as you age. Long-term care services can be costly, and since most older adults will need them, it’s important to plan for that cost well in advance. Long-term care insurance can help you absorb those additional costs later in life by paying for services like nursing homes, assisted living communities, home health …