Personal Finance
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” after multiple days of debates and minor changes. The sweeping legislation will impact nearly all facets of American life, but will specifically have major changes to higher education. The student loan provisions have some of the most significant higher education reforms we’ve seen in decades, and will impact both current borrowers and future borrowers. On the borrower side, the bill eliminates the Grad PLUS loan program, and introduces new caps on Direct Graduate Loans and Parent PLUS Loans. For future Parent PLUS loans, both repayment plan options and loan forgiveness…
Financial literacy in America has long faced a disconnect between education and application. While there has been improvement in financial education in the country, too many individuals, particularly in underserved communities, still lack the personal guidance necessary to translate knowledge into financial well-being. Recognizing this, Wells Fargo and Operation HOPE have partnered to offer free, in-person financial coaching within bank branches with the Hope Inside program. What Is Hope Inside? Hope Inside is a place-based financial coaching initiative created through a partnership between Wells Fargo and the national nonprofit Operation HOPE. Under this program, trained financial coaches are stationed directly…
A federal court in Massachusetts issued a major order on Thursday blocking President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon from dismantling the Department of Education and transferring the federal student loan portfolio to another agency. The court concluded that the administration’s unilateral actions without approval by Congress were unlawful. The ruling also instructs the department to reinstate scores of fired employees, which could have implications for thousands of federal student loan borrowers. “The Department’s role in education across the nation cannot be understated: it administers the federal student loan portfolio, provides research and technological assistance to states and their…
You’re not overspending because of your budget, you’re overspending because of your clutter. Look around, all the stuff used to be money. Clutter isn’t just a home organization problem; it is a financial issue that overwhelms families trying to stick to a budget. Disorganization leads to overspending. Buying a duplicate with 2-day shipping is easier when you can’t find something, but it perpetuates the problem. Decision fatigue is real, and a cluttered home means spending more money on dining out, takeout, and convenience purchases. Bottom line, clutter is the source of overspending. You’ll never need to organize something you did…
We are more than four months into President Trump’s term. He has proposed numerous policy changes and implemented some. Many of these changes represent fundamental departures from those of his predecessors. It is natural to be concerned about how such significant changes might affect the economy, your financial plan, and investments. It is also natural to be concerned because many of these changes reflect a worldview different from that of the previous administration and indeed from those of most recent administrations. To the extent that the administration’s worldview differs dramatically from yours, these policy changes could seem like a distressing…
Here’s What Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Means For Student Loan Forgiveness And Repayment In the early hours of May 22, House Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping package of tax breaks and spending cuts passed after an all-night session. The 1,000-page bill, which narrowly passed 215-214 at dawn, carries significant implications for student loan forgiveness and repayment. Tucked within the multitrillion-dollar legislation are dramatic changes to federal student aid: A complete overhaul of income-driven repayment plans, a new Repayment Assistance Plan, new caps on borrowing and more. GOP leaders hail these reforms as overdue…
It’s very easy to say that you want to save money, build wealth, or manage your finances better. But actually doing it and being consistent is one of the hardest things to do. As people always say about exercise, you have to build a habit and make it part of your routine to be effective. Below are discussed six simple ways you can use to help develop your savings habit and achieve your financial goals: 1. Automate You’ve probably heard the phrase “pay yourself first” —that you must set aside money before budgeting for expenses because it’s hard to save…
Early Thursday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s audacious One Big Beautiful Bill Act in a razor-thin 215 to 214 vote, setting the stage for a seismic shift in U.S. tax policy. This 1,116-page behemoth, now headed to the Senate, seeks to cement the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while rolling out bold new tax breaks for families, workers, and businesses. With a price tag topping $5 trillion, the bill promises immediate relief but ignites fierce debate over its long-term fiscal impact. Here’s what you need to know about its game-changing provisions, potential pitfalls, and…
Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed sweeping reconciliation legislation early Thursday that, among other things, would repeal several key federal student loan forgiveness and repayment programs and slash more than $300 billion in education-related spending. The bill narrowly passed by a 215 to 214 vote, mostly along party lines. The student loan reforms are part of a broader effort by Congressional Republicans to slash federal spending to help offset the costs of extending expiring tax cuts. “President Trump’s America First agenda is finally here, and we are advancing that today,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shortly after…
Which Borrowers Should Consolidate Their Student Loans? In a previous Forbes post, I warned that consolidating your federal student loans right now could erase years of hard-earned progress toward student loan forgiveness. For borrowers already on track through Public Service Loan Forgiveness or Income-Driven Repayment, hitting reset at the wrong moment can delay or destroy your debt-free future; however, consolidation isn’t always a mistake. For some borrowers, especially those with older federal loans or who are in default, consolidating may be the only way forward, or at least the best path. The challenge is figuring out which group a student…
There are plenty of ways to make money, but not every opportunity is suitable when you’re in a pinch. To make money fast, you need a side hustle that requires little to no experience, can be started immediately, and pays out instantly. How To Make Extra Money Fast This article covers seven ways to make money when you need to do so urgently. 1. Sign Up For Gig Economy Apps Gig economy applications let you find short-term jobs that typically pay per task, allowing you to receive payment instantly. Some popular examples of these apps include TaskRabbit, Fiverr, Upwork, and…
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