NEW YORK (AP) — Americans spent more than $160 billion last year using buy now, pay later plans, according to research published by Federal Reserve economists. Experts say they’re increasingly seeing people use the plans for everyday expenses like groceries, bills, transportation and, ...
Getting author photos made to promote his first book was a meaningful experience for freelance journalist Philip Eil. The professional photographer he hired was friendly and supportive, he said, and he liked watching her work during the several hours they spent together. She shot some close-ups in her studio and then took outdoor images of Eil near the Seekonk River, one of his favorite spots in Providence, Rhode Island. “There was so much emotion wrapped up in publishing this book, which I had worked on for over a decade,” Eil said of the 2024 shoot that helped launch his ...
NEW YORK (AP) — Student loan borrowers now have until the end of 2026 to enroll in auto pay and have their interest rate reduced by 1%. The original deadline was Sept. 30, but the U.S. Department of Education extended it to give borrowers more time to enroll. The rate reduction will last through June 2028. Borrowers who currently use auto pay already receive an interest-rate discount of 0.25%, so the new reduction takes off just 0.75%. This temporary benefit is meant to support borrowers, along with those who are returning to repayment, and ensure they can stay on top of the new ...
For a lot of people, a one-size-fits-all retirement plan just doesn’t fit. Their family circumstances call for a more custom-made approach. That’s the case with couples who have one income. Christine Benz and Valentina Djeljosevic recently discussed the retirement planning needs of these couples, including emergency funding and Social Security filing decisions. Valentina Djeljosevic: For couples who get to make this choice, to forgo having two earners, I’m sure they’re wondering, “Can we make it on one income?” But what might they be missing? Christine Benz: They’re ...
Years after the risks of social media for kids first became apparent, U.S. states this summer reached an accord hailed as a turning point for child safety. Meanwhile, a new generation of children has begun engaging with an even more potent technology: artificial intelligence. While the efforts to make social media safer are still taking shape, they offer some lessons for those looking to protect children using AI — technology that is growing so quickly, the extent of its risks for young people and their development is just emerging. When Meta agreed to changes to its social media ...
Fall is typically when automakers release the majority of their models for the new year. Most will be continuations of prior designs, but there’s also a good number that are all-new or getting major redesigns. If you’re thinking about buying a new vehicle in the next six months, it can be useful to know which ones have major changes or offer notable breakthroughs. To give you an inside scoop on what’s coming down the pike in the next few months, the automotive experts at Edmunds have picked five vehicles that promise to be well worth the wait. Small SUV: 2027 Nissan Rogue ...
