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Mortgage rates increased this week following news of a new war in the Middle East. In the week ending March 6, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate went up seven basis points from the week prior to 5.94%, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. (A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.)APRs for 30-year fixed mortgages averaged 5.92% in February, down seven basis points from January’s average and down 84 basis points from February 2025. How conflict in Iran affects mortgage ratesAs the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), Iran’s…

Zwicker is a collection law firm found throughout the country. The accounts placed with them for collection are typically unsecured credit cards and personal loans. Like most collection law firms, they sue. You have options to resolve a debt with Zwicker and Associates. The most appropriate approach to deal with Zwicker can depend on a number of things that I will cover below. Who is the original creditor? What is the balance owed? Has Zwicker sued yet? If they have sued, have you defended the suit? Did Zwicker already get a judgment? How much money do you have available to…

The ideal investment tracking app makes managing investments a breeze. Investment apps can track not only the portfolio’s performance, but also its fees, asset allocation and projected future growth. What follows are some of the best investment tracking apps based on numerous factors, including cost, features and ease of use. Note that I have used all of these options for years. I typically use several at one time just to keep up with new features. Empower and Kubera are my two favorites, but that may change as other apps introduce new tools, particularly if they include AI in some interesting…

Even with insurance, a trip to the emergency room or an unexpected ambulance ride can leave you with an intimidating medical bill. Fortunately, many lower-income consumers may qualify for some form of medical debt forgiveness.  That said, there are many different types of relief available, with the options depending significantly on your healthcare coverage, medical provider, and location. If you’re struggling to navigate them, this guide will help you figure out a path forward.   What Medical Debt Forgiveness Is  Medical debt is extremely common in the U.S. Reports from federal consumer agencies have found tens of billions of dollars tied to medical debt on credit records. While many…

The jobs report that dropped today sent shockwaves through the markets, the US lost 92,000 jobs in February, completely defying expectations of a 60,000 job gain. How do we make sense of data that seems to contradict itself? In this First Friday episode, I break down the confusing signals coming from different employment reports (BLS vs ADP vs JOLTS), explore what’s really happening in the labor market, and explain why productivity growth might be both good news and concerning news at the same time. I also dive into the three layers of the economy: the household economy (jobs, wages, housing),…

If you never spend your investment gains, what exactly are you investing for? This question hit me hard after a year of nonstop financial management, market volatility, and real estate turnover in 2025. I had done everything “right” from an investing perspective, yet I felt deprived. So I made a new financial rule for myself: once a year, I allow one luxury expense that directly improves my quality of life. Not a reckless splurge. A deliberate reward. Perhaps you should too if you’ve spent decades sacrificing to achieve financial freedom and still can’t seem to stop once you’ve gotten there.…

Your house isn’t just a place to hang your hat — it’s also one of your most valuable financial assets. That’s why homeowners without enough insurance can face financial ruin when disaster strikes and they find themselves suddenly homeless and unable to rebuild.The problem is widespread. Emily Rogan, senior program officer for United Policyholders, says underinsurance has been a problem in every disaster the nonprofit consumer advocacy group has worked on. “People are surprised to find out that what they’ve been paying for isn’t enough to rebuild their home after a major loss.” For example, a stunning 74% of those…

Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich talks to John and Victoria, a couple in their thirties with three children who own a home they adore in the suburbs of New York. Despite a beautiful house and growing family, their financial reality is grim. They are facing a structural financial problem, with 97% of their take-home pay consumed by fixed costs and less than a week’s worth of savings. Ramit helps them confront the deep-seated issues that are keeping them in a constant state of financial precarity, from their avoidance of tough money conversations to inherited…

Just the Tip: Sharing your vacation plans or location on public social media while you’re away is an open invitation to burglars. Keep travel off your feed until you’re back home, and strip geolocation data from photos before posting anything. Your security is worth more than the likes. Subscribe for more tips like this in your inbox daily. Your home is most vulnerable when it’s empty and everyone knows it’s empty. Posting real-time travel updates on a public profile tells anyone watching exactly when to show up. This isn’t hypothetical. In October 2024, Patrick Mahomes’ and Travis Kelce’s homes were…

When money is tight and bills can’t wait, many people look for ways to access cash quickly. One option that often comes up is a cash advance. But what is a cash advance, really, and where do people get one?  What Is a Cash Advance?  A cash advance is a way to get money upfront, typically before you would normally receive it or without going through a traditional loan process. A cash advance gives you access to cash quickly, often with fewer steps than a standard personal loan.  Cash advances are often used in short-term or emergency situations, such as unexpected car repairs, medical bills, or covering essential expenses…