K-shaped economy ‘alive and well,’ expert says. What new research shows

The so-called K-shaped economy is becoming more pronounced, new data shows. In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the K has been used to illustrate Americans’ diverging economic experiences: Higher-income households are increasingly better off, while lower-income households are falling further behind. A new report by credit reporting bureau TransUnion found that while credit conditions have improved…

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How to handle a high health insurance deductible

A still from Netflix’s ‘Beef.’ Courtesy: Netflix In the new season of the Netflix comedy-drama, “Beef,” Ashley, played by Cailee Spaeny, lands in the hospital due to an ovarian cyst. The waiting area is bleak, with gray decor and patients who look like they’ve been stranded there for years. Ashley’s partner, Austin, played by Charles…

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What that means for consumer loans

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at the conclusion of its policy meeting on Wednesday.  In what could be Jerome Powell’s last as chair before President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-confirmed nominee Kevin Warsh takes the helm, central bankers maintained the federal funds rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.  Inflation has surged since the war with Iran…

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How that impacts consumer costs

A shopper carries a Hollister bag at a shopping mall in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2025. Kyle Grillot | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Federal Reserve is on the cusp of a “regime change” after the Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, eliminating a potential obstacle to confirming President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh,…

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College graduates face federal student loan changes

Paul Bradbury | Ojo Images | Getty Images College graduates in the Class of 2026 are stepping into a radically different student loan landscape, one with fewer repayment options and stricter rules on debt forgiveness compared to previous years. The revisions to the federal lending system follow the passage of President Donald Trump‘s “big beautiful bill”…

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How Gen Z investors can cope with stock market volatility

Specker/vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images Amid the U.S. war with Iran, some young investors have gotten their first taste of market volatility. “An early decline can make the market feel unusually dangerous when volatility is a normal part of long-term investing,” said certified financial planner Douglas Boneparth, president and founder of Bone Fide Wealth, a…

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