personal finance — older stories
Why Dental Insurance Still Caps Out Around $1,000 a Year
About 32 million insured US adults reached their dental plan's annual maximum in 2024, and nearly half stopped care as a result. The cap behind it hasn't meaningfully moved in decades.
What a 'Skip-a-Payment' Program Actually Costs You
Skipping a loan payment through your credit union's seasonal program won't hurt your credit score. It will extend your loan and add interest you won't see until later.
Escheatment, Explained: How States Take Your Forgotten Money
Escheatment is the legal process that hands your forgotten bank accounts, stocks and uncashed checks to the state after a few years of inactivity, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren says the dormancy clock is getting too short.
What Is a 401(k) True-Up, and Why Did Your Match Jump?
If your 401(k) match fell short during the year, a true-up contribution, often paid the following February, is designed to make up the difference automatically.
Escrow Shortage: Why Your Mortgage Payment Went Up
A fixed-rate loan with a payment that keeps climbing sounds like a contradiction. The culprit is the escrow account, and you have more choices than the letter suggests.
Why Your Escrow Comes Up Short Almost Every Year
Your monthly payment jumped again after an escrow analysis. The shortfall usually is not a mistake, it is built into how the account works. Here is the mechanism, and what you can do about it.
Why Your 2026 Tax Refund Is Taking So Long
More than 830,000 taxpayers got a letter saying their refund is approved but on hold. Here's what's actually driving the delays, and how to get unstuck faster.