Money Under 30

How a Serious Health Problem Can Affect Your Finances for Years

Jordan Pelletier — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:41:51 +0000

After suffering a serious injury or health crisis, your finances can take a huge hit. At first, it starts with medical bills, followed by lost income, ongoing treatment costs, and a drained savings account. Depending on the cost of your medical care, this can continue for years. That’s why it’s critical to protect your budget […]

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Rent Payment Credit Score Changes Arrive in 2027: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Jordan Pelletier — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 07:24:34 +0000

You’ve paid rent on time for years, but it’s never shown up on your credit report. A new rent-payment credit score model changes that starting January 1, 2027. FHA-approved lenders can then use it to evaluate your mortgage application. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already accept it. If you’re a renter with a thin credit […]

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401(k) Hardship Withdrawals Hit a Record 6%: What to Try Before You Tap Retirement Savings

Camille Doyle — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:58:27 +0000

401(k) hardship withdrawals hit a record high last year. Six percent of workers in Vanguard-managed retirement plans pulled money out early. That’s up from five percent the year before, marking the sixth straight annual increase. Most of these withdrawals cover real problems: a looming eviction, a medical bill, a repair that can’t wait. Here’s what’s […]

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The Average Car Payment Hit $787 a Month in 2026: What Longer Loan Terms Are Costing You

Kelley Bryson — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:29:38 +0000

You walk into a dealership ready to finance a reliable commute. The finance manager stretches your loan to 84 months to hit a payment you can stomach. That trade is becoming the norm. The average car payment for new vehicles hit $787 a month in the third quarter of 2026. More buyers are agreeing to […]

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Car Insurance Rates Under 25 Are Still the Highest in 2026

Jordan Pelletier — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:11:51 +0000

Car insurance rates under 25 are still the highest in the country. You turn 25, nothing else changes, and your bill still drops. That drop is not a coincidence. National premiums are climbing again in 2026, which makes that age gap even more expensive. Here is what the newest data shows about why younger drivers […]

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The 2027 Social Security COLA Could Be the Biggest in Years: Why It Matters Before You’re Collecting

Camille Doyle — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:48:44 +0000

You notice 6.2 percent missing from every paycheck for Social Security. You assume it won’t matter until retirement, decades away. On October 14, 2026, the Social Security Administration announces the 2027 Social Security COLA. This yearly increase adjusts benefits for inflation. Early estimates put it at 3.5 to 3.6 percent, the largest bump in years. […]

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Recent Grad Unemployment Rate Hits 5.6 Percent: What a Weak Jobs Report Means for Your Career

Kelley Bryson — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:08:31 +0000

You graduated, polished your resume, and started applying. Three months later, the recent grad unemployment rate sits at 5.6 percent. This month’s national jobs report showed the economy added only 29,000 jobs. If your job search feels unusually slow, the numbers back you up. Entry-level hiring has tightened. This slowdown isn’t just in your head. […]

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Medical Debt Can Still Show Up on Your Credit Report in 2026: Here’s What Changed

Jordan Pelletier — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:06:43 +0000

You skip the ER bill because you assume medical debt no longer touches your credit score. That assumption worked for a while. A federal court vacated the rule meant to ban medical debt from credit reports nationwide in July 2025. The protection disappeared almost as fast as it arrived. Medical debt credit reporting rules now […]

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Understanding Cryptocurrency Transfers and Network Fees

Jordan Pelletier — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:49:42 +0000

In cryptocurrency, the amount being transferred and the network fee paid to process that transaction are separate. Knowing the difference before authorizing a payment helps avoid costly surprises. Cryptocurrency presents a complex and fast-paced environment, with distinct measurements being taken constantly. Someone checking the BTC price might be looking at Bitcoin’s exchange rate, but a […]

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2027 ACA Open Enrollment Is Coming: Why Your Health Insurance Premium Already Jumped 58 Percent

Camille Doyle — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:57:55 +0000

You renew your health insurance plan every fall without much thought. This year’s bill makes you do a double take. The 2027 ACA open enrollment period opens November 1, 2026. It follows a year when average marketplace premium payments jumped 58 percent. Congress let enhanced subsidies expire, and millions of buyers, especially people under 35, […]

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