Note: we are an independent blog. Our content doesn't constitute financial advice. We strive for accuracy, but please always cross-check inflation numbers directly with the BLS. We may receive compensation from some services and products reviewed on this site (learn more).
Note: we are an independent nonprofit blog. Our content doesn't constitute financial advice. We strive for accuracy, but please always cross-check our numbers directly with the BLS. We may also receive compensation from some services and products reviewed on this site (learn more).
South Carolina has become one of the friendlier states in the Southeast to sell a business, and it keeps moving further in the seller’s direction. In March 2026 the governor signed a law that dropped the top income rate to 5.21% and set the state on a path to keep...
Using a 401(k) to pay off debt can sound like an easy fix. You have money sitting in a retirement account, your credit cards are charging high interest, and the idea of wiping everything clean feels tempting. I get it. After more than two decades writing about...
Paying off your mortgage in 5 years sounds almost impossible at first, but it can be done! With a clear plan, aggressive extra payments, and a willingness to make some short-term tradeoffs. I have been writing about personal finance, inflation, debt, and investing for...
Learning how to stop spending money is not really about becoming cheap, miserable, or obsessed with every dollar. It is about getting back in control. If your money keeps disappearing before the end of the month, or you keep promising yourself you will “start saving...
TLDR: Struggling with debt? Start here... Start with credit counselling. Free or low-cost, and won't hurt your credit. Can pay a little each month? A debt management plan or settlement program (with a company like Accredited Debt Relief) can cut what you owe. Nothing...
The April 2026 Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) report indicates that inflation increased by 0.6% this month, down from 0.9% in March. These data were released at 8:30 am EST on May 12, 2026, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Before seasonal...
Inflation is a general increase in the price of goods and services over time. In plain English, it means your money does not buy as much as it used to. That can sound like an economics textbook problem, but it is really a personal finance problem. Inflation affects...
If you are trying to pay off $20,000 in credit card debt, I want to start with this: it is a serious amount of debt, but it is not automatically a financial death sentence. I have covered personal finance and debt-related topics for more than two decades, and one...
If you’re thinking about selling a business in Indiana, I’d treat the process like a serious financial event, not just a listing exercise. After covering financial and investment topics for more than two decades, I’ve seen a lot of owners assume a good business will...
If you’re thinking about selling a business in Colorado, I’d approach it as a positioning exercise first and a transaction second. After writing about financial deals, private businesses, and buyer behavior for more than two decades, I can tell you this much: owners...
| Monthly | Yearly | |
|---|---|---|
| May 2026 |
0.5% 
|
4.2%
|
