Rising prices, slow wage growth, and shifting expectations about what a “normal” lifestyle looks like have reshaped what the middle class can realistically afford. Many comforts that once felt standard, and even some basic needs, now demand a far larger share of a family’s budget. Exploring where this squeeze is most visible helps reveal how … Read more

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Monster. As conversations about burnout and work-life balance continue, long hours remain common across the workforce. Monster’s Workaholics Report finds that for many full-time employees, working beyond 40 hours per week is not the exception but the norm. In fact, most workers now describe themselves as at least … Read more

Early retirement promises freedom, flexibility, and the chance to reclaim your time but stepping away from work sooner than planned comes with real financial and personal hurdles. Leaving the workforce early means relying on your savings longer, adjusting to a new daily routine, and ensuring you’re emotionally ready for a life without the structure a … Read more

I thought our family budget was airtight. We tracked our spending, cooked at home, and rarely splurged. Yet, every month, our checking account felt like it had a slow leak. Out of sheer frustration, I uploaded a raw spreadsheet of our monthly statements to a free AI chatbot and asked it a simple question: “Where … Read more

Baby Boomers came of age during a period when housing, education, and career opportunities were far more accessible, allowing many to build stability with less financial strain than people face today. Comparing that era with the current economic landscape reveals how rising costs, tighter job markets, and shifting societal expectations have made financial security harder … Read more

Paramount Skydance just beat out Netflix in a $111 billion bidding war to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. Yes, the company that owns CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Showtime and Pluto TV is swallowing the company that owns HBO Max, CNN, TNT, TBS, Batman and Harry Potter. A massive corporate merger like this might sound like … Read more

If you think paying a few thousand dollars out of pocket for medical care is painful, brace yourself. A proposed rule from the Trump administration could push that number to a staggering $31,000 for families. According to a recent report by The New York Times, we’re seeing a massive shift in how health insurance might … Read more

You look at the headlines, and the stock market seems to be setting new records every other week. Yet, when you log into your brokerage account, your balances tell a different story. It’s a frustrating feeling. If the market is up but your wealth isn’t following suit, you might be tempted to blame the economy, … Read more

Many people try to live more frugally, hoping to save money and simplify their routines, but not every “money‑saving” habit actually delivers on its promise. Some long‑standing tips end up wasting time, energy, or cash, even though they’re still passed around as smart advice. When one user asked an online community which frugal rules have … Read more

If you think true love means tossing every single dollar you earn into a single joint checking account, you might be stuck in the past. It turns out modern couples are throwing that old financial rule book out the window. A recent survey from Bankrate shows that a whopping 62% of American couples who are … Read more