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Building an emergency fund is one of the smartest ways to protect your financial stability. When the unexpected hits, like a surprise rent increase, a broken appliance, or a gap between paychecks, having money set aside can keep you from scrambling or relying on credit. Even a small cushion can make stressful moments feel more manageable.   If you’re not sure how much to save or how to get started, this guide breaks down the basics so you can begin building a safety net that fits your life.  Why an Emergency Fund Matters  An emergency fund is money set aside to…

We won’t sugarcoat it: divorce is difficult. On top of big changes in your personal life, you’re also dealing with significant financial challenges, like splitting assets, taking on new bills, and paying legal fees.  Let’s explore some strategies for managing money after divorce to help you clear these hurdles—without pulling your hair out.   5 Steps for Managing Money After Divorce  Managing money after divorce isn’t just about cutting expenses—it’s about rebuilding a stable financial foundation. These steps can help you regain clarity, control, and confidence as you move forward.  1. Create a Budget  If you didn’t have a budget before,…

Total U.S. credit card debt rose to $1.23 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, an increase of $24 billion from the previous quarter and up about 50 percent over the past five years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Household Debt and Credit report.And a report from the personal finance website WalletHub found that outstanding credit card debt is now about 1 percent below the all-time high reached last year, and that average credit card debt is currently at more than $11,000 per household.Why It MattersRising debt burdens have continued to weigh on Americans’ finances…

This week, the Trump administration announced a proposed settlement with the state of Missouri that said it would end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan — upending the repayment plans of millions of student loan borrowers across the country. Initially, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill had set the student loan repayment plan’s expiration date as July 1, 2028. However, the new deal, which is pending court approval, would end it even sooner than expected. The Department of Education said it will not enroll any new borrowers in the SAVE plan, will deny any pending SAVE applications, and…

Mortgage rates increased slightly, adding to cost pressures for buyers.

With the right approach in 2026, credit card users can start erasing their high-rate debt. Getty Images/iStockphoto If you find yourself spending your final days of 2025 compiling your financial resolutions for the new year, you’re likely not alone. With inflation rising in recent reports, unemployment at its highest level since 2021 and concerns over layoffs growing, millions of Americans may find themselves taking the same approach. And, if you have credit card debt, it’s vital that you start building a strategy right now.Credit card debt can be devastating to your financial health. And with the average balance sitting over $6,000…

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It used to be that a local news organization could stand alone. History and policy pushed these outlets into local ownership, focusing on their own communities, with their own presses. Today, however, no local news organization is an island. Local news organizations will continue to rely on each other in 2026, but it will look very different for legacy organizations compared to startups and nonprofit sites. The divide between consolidation and collaboration will only deepen. Legacy media organizations are consolidating: swallowed up by chain ownership that cuts, bleeds, and sells off everything that makes them distinctively local. In an attempt…

A new wave of consolidation is on the horizon for small- and medium-sized US shale producers, largely driven by an appetite for scale in a merger and acquisition (M&A) environment that is getting increasingly competitive. Scale and efficiency are key catalysts for exploration and production (E&P) players who are seeking favorable business valuations, with acquisitions emerging as a key calculation of shareholder value by rewarding operators who keep volumes high and costs low. To build scale and survive another consolidation wave, the smaller E&Ps have limited choices: either buy assets that larger players are looking to get rid of, or…

CALAIS, Vt. (WCAX) – Two central Vermont elementary schools are once again facing closure as the Washington Central Unified Union School District takes on education restructuring challenges head-on.It’s storytime at Calais Elementary School, a school whose future is in doubt.“We want to have equitable, consistent, and sustainable instruction for all of our students, and it’s hard in the reality that we are now also as a state,” said Washington Central Unified Union School District Board Chair Flor Diaz-Smith.The board will vote on Wednesday whether to put Calais Elementary School and the Doty Memorial School in Worcester on the chopping block.Under…