Americans Prioritize Financial Stability for 2025, Study Finds A recent study from Allianz Life Insurance Company reveals a growing trend among Americans—financial stability is becoming a top New Year’s resolution. With rising living costs and increasing financial pressures, this shift highlights the urgent need for better money management strategies. The study, titled the 2025 New Year’s Resolutions Study, examined financial attitudes and habits across various demographics, uncovering critical insights into how Americans are adapting to economic challenges. Financial Stability Tops the List Financial stability stood out as the No. 1…
Read MoreTag: Economic Challenges
How the 2.5% Social Security Increase Impacts Retirees
Social Security’s Cost-of-Living Adjustments: What Do the Numbers Tell Us? The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security is an essential mechanism designed to ensure that benefits keep pace with inflation. Over the past decade, these adjustments have varied significantly, reflecting the economic climate and inflation rates. Notably, in 2023, beneficiaries experienced an 8.7% increase, the largest in nearly 40 years, driven by soaring inflation. In contrast, the 2024 adjustment was more subdued at 3.2%. Historically, the COLA has averaged around 2.6% over the last 20 years, indicating that this year’s…
Read MoreMortgage Mayhem: How a 50% Home Insurance Rate Jump is Stressing Finances
Are You One of the 50%? Understanding Your Essential Escrow Account Escrow accounts are pivotal in managing the financial responsibilities associated with homeownership. Despite their importance, a survey by LERETA reveals that only about half of the homeowners with an escrow account completely understand how it functions. This lack of comprehension is concerning, especially since these accounts are essential for paying property taxes and insurance premiums. Escrow accounts are commonly required for mortgage holders with less than 20% equity in their homes and are mandatory for federally-backed FHA loan borrowers.…
Read MoreUSAA insurance company is profitable again after a bad 2022
That year was the first time in the insurer’s 102 years that it failed to bring in a profit The USAA insurance company has announced that it brought in a net income of $1.2 billion in 2023, following a rough 2022, in which it posted a net loss of $1.3 billion. The figures were released this month Even though the insurance company faced similar challenges that caused it to post a loss in 2022, it still managed to turn a profit. The 2022 losses were the first time in the…
Read More