A major national labor union asked a federal court this week to force the Trump administration to reopen affordable student loan repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs. And the Department of Education has indicated it will take some initial steps to do so. The request, made by the American Federation of Teachers through a motion for a temporary restraining order, follows the union’s filing of a legal challenge last week after the Trump administration effectively shut down access to income-driven repayment programs. The Department of Education is mandated by federal law to offer these repayment programs to student loan borrowers,…

The Trump administration has taken a series of executive actions during the last month that have upended the federal student loan system and plunged the future of repayment and student loan forgiveness programs into uncertainty. Millions of borrowers are already being impacted. But legal experts and student loan borrower advocacy groups have questioned the Trump administration’s recent orders. And several new legal challenges have now been filed against the administration in response to these actions. These lawsuits could ultimately determine the fate of President Donald Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education and remake the federal student loan system.…

PepsiCo’s $1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi soda stands as one of the most impressive success stories in the beverage industry. This deal has brought substantial returns to its star-studded roster of investors including NBA star Russell Westbrook, musician 24KGoldn and actress Olivia Munn. The acquisition has $300 million in predicted cash tax benefits. The Breakdown You Need To Know: NBA star Russell Westbrook and recording artist 24kGoldn became Poppi investors during a $13.5 million funding round in 2021. CultureBanx reported that this investment marked a significant growth phase for the prebiotic soda brand. The brand had been bootstrapped except for…

It’s only the first quarter of the year but already layoffs are making financial headlines. Tens of thousands –and more each day–of traditionally secure government employees are finding themselves with a pending layoff. As someone who has worked with employees of varying businesses and entities for over two decades, here are my valuable tips on what to do if you’re facing a job loss. Meet DOGE: Department of Governmental Efficiency? Or Dismissals, Outsourcing, and General Exits? According to a recent Forbes article and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), government job cuts reported…

As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, it’s essential to understand the benefits and differences between Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), and Roth IRAs. Each offers unique tax advantages and contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) An HSA is a tax-advantaged account designed to help individuals save for medical expenses. To contribute, you must be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Contribution Limits for 2024: Individual: Up to $4,150. Family: Up to $8,300. Individuals aged 55 and above can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000. Tax Benefits: Triple Tax…

While high-earning parents often get a raw deal when it comes to their kids qualifying for financial aid for college, individuals who have control over their income and the ability to plan early have access to the ultimate workaround. In fact, it’s totally possible to have millions of dollars in certain non-retirement assets and see your child qualify for the maximum Pell Grant amount ($7,395) plus generous institutional aid and federal student loans to cover remaining balances. You may be wondering how high net worth individuals can set up their finances so they score maximum financial aid for their kids?…

It’s been a whirlwind month for student loan borrowers, as the Trump administration has taken a series of actions that have plunged repayment and student loan forgiveness programs into turmoil and uncertainty. Many borrowers may feel paralyzed. In February, following a new ruling by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in an ongoing legal challenge over the Biden-era SAVE plan, the Trump administration effectively shut down the entire income-driven repayment plan system. The U.S. Department of Education removed the online and paper applications for income-driven repayment, and ordered loan servicers to stop processing any pending IDR requests, including for repayment…

My previous post, Being Sad Is Expensive: How Your Money-Mindset Matters showed how emotions play a crucial role in shaping financial behavior. One potential explanation for why this is comes from the broaden and build theory of positive emotions (BBT), which argues that positive emotions tend to allow a person to grow in such a way that they develop new skills that lead towards greater financial resources. Understanding this connection between emotions and financial resources can give entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals a competitive advantage in wealth-building and long-term financial well-being. But, why, exactly, are emotions connected to financial resources?…

Dr. Jordan Peterson is controversial, with large camps of fans and detractors. He offers opinions on a wide range of topics. By accident, I ran across his opinion that equity is the same as equality of outcome. According to dictionary definitions and previous research, he’s misusing the term. Unintentionally, I would suspect, because whether you agree with him on a topic or not, Peterson does seem sincere. However, many others also misuse or misconstrue equity and its place in society, so let us start with some definitions. What Equity Means Merriam-Webster offers the following major definitions: The fair or just…

Building financial independence isn’t just about saving—it’s about growing your income and taking charge of your future by making wise decisions. For many, that means starting a business to fuel their financial freedom. In the past, launching a company—especially one in tech—came with a pricey tag. However, today, costs have dropped, making entrepreneurship attainable and more accessible than ever. For those who have hesitated due to financial concerns, now may be the right time to take the leap. Advances in technology have eliminated many of the barriers that once made starting a business expensive, allowing more people to turn their…