Should I refinance my mortgage to consolidate debt?

If you have high-interest debt and some equity in your home, you might be able to get a cash-out mortgage refinance. This article will explain the pros and cons of doing a cash-out mortgage refinance along with some alternative options to pay off your debt.

Unemployment claims climb to 719,000; COVID-19 pandemic still forces layoffs

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose by 61,000 last week to 719,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more businesses reopen, vaccines are increasingly administered and federal aid spreads through the economy.

How a missing mortgage payment can impact your credit score

If you're not sure you can keep making your mortgage payments, make sure you understand the effects that skipping it could have.

Student loan forgiveness: Department of Education cancels debt for more than 40,000 with disabilities

The U.S. Education Department is temporarily relaxing the rules of a student loan forgiveness program that's meant to help people with disabilities but that critics say carries overly burdensome rules.

Grocery store workers, community members call on Kroger to stop closing local stores

Just a week after Los Angeles approved an ordinance mandating a temporary $5 hazard pay for grocery and drug retail workers, Kroger announced they will be closing three LA-area stores.

Masks, hand sanitizers, PPE are tax-deductible, IRS says

The Internal Revenue Service announced on Friday that personal protective equipment purchased to stop the spread of COVID-19 are considered tax-deductible.

IRS says face masks, hand sanitizer are tax-deductible medical expenses

"The purchase of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus are deductible medical expenses," the agency said in a statement.

Artichoke Joe's Casino agrees to pay record $5.3M penalty for misleading gambling regulators

A decade ago, state gambling regulators accused Artichoke Joe's of engaging in loan-sharking activities, illegal drug sales, and failing to properly report violations, according to the most recent allegations. As part of that settlement, the card room did not contest the illegal loans allegation and the state dropped its claims of illegal drug sales and the reporting failure.

Unemployment claims fall to 684,000, fewest since start of pandemic

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving.

4 ways to build credit without a credit card

Credit cards offer users a great way to build credit, but if not managed wisely can lead to overspending and long payoff periods. There are four other—and possibly better— ways to build credit worth considering.

6 common credit mistakes to avoid

These 6 credit mistakes can make it harder to get the best loan rates. See how to improve your credit and check your credit score for free.

Will selling my own home save me money?

If you're thinking about selling your home without a real estate agent, consider the costs.

Is paying off your mortgage early always the best financial decision?

Are you thinking about paying off your mortgage to get out of debt or boost your monthly disposable income? Making extra mortgage payments isn’t your only option to improve your finances.