Finance

You’ve probably seen some eye-catching headlines lately — something about Social Security sending out a $4,000 check. Sounds exciting, right? But before you start refreshing your bank account or making big plans, let’s slow down and unpack…

So, if you woke up in May and saw two SSI payments hit your account, you’re probably thinking: “Did the government finally give us a little extra help?”Sadly... nope. It’s not a bonus. But don’t worry — it’s not a mistake either. Let’s…

If you’re thinking about retirement or just trying to plan ahead, you might’ve heard that the Social Security retirement age is shifting again. And yep, that’s true — but don’t panic. Let’s walk through what’s really going on and how it…

If you’re counting on Social Security or SSI to help pay the bills, you’re probably wondering, “When will my check show up this month?” May can be a little confusing because the payment schedule isn’t the same for everyone — but don’t…

You’d think with mortgage rates hanging around 6.7% to 6.8% — which isn’t exactly cheap — people would be holding back on buying homes. But guess what? More folks are actually jumping back into the market. So what’s up with that? Steady…

If you or someone you know depends on SNAP (that’s the food stamps program), you’ve probably heard there’s a new Republican bill that could shake things up big time. And honestly? It might hit a lot more people than you’d expect. Let me…

If you’ve been seeing UnitedHealth Group pop up in the news lately, it’s not good news. Between a criminal investigation, accusations of cutting corners on elderly care, and a major leadership shakeup, the healthcare giant is facing one of…

So you may have heard some headlines buzzing around lately—something about getting rid of Social Security taxes, or this new thing called a "senior bonus." If you're retired or getting close, you're probably wondering: “Is this real? Will I…

So, here’s the deal. If you get benefits from the VA, you might’ve heard about a pretty annoying problem: the VA keeps accidentally paying some veterans too much money. Then later, they want it back. Imagine getting a surprise extra check,…

If you get Social Security, you probably look forward to that yearly boost — the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, or COLA — which is supposed to help your money keep up with rising prices. But here’s the deal: the boost for 2026 is expected to be…

Hey, have you caught wind of this new bill Congress is pushing? It’s called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Sounds nice, right? But the truth is, it could make it way harder for a lot of people to keep their Medicaid — the health…

Okay, here’s the scoop. The House Republicans are working on a huge tax bill called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The idea? Cut taxes for a bunch of people. But, as always with taxes, the amount you actually save depends a lot on your…

Hey! If you’re on Social Security, today — May 21, 2025 — might be payday for you. That’s when folks with birthdays between the 11th and 20th usually get their monthly benefits deposited. So if that sounds like you, it’s a good day to check…

Hey! If you’ve been hearing about this $1,702 stimulus payment and wondering, “Am I getting this? Will it show up today?” — don’t worry, I got you. Let me break it down in plain talk so you can know what’s going on and how to check if that…

So, you got a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) saying you’ve been overpaid and now they want some money back. Yeah, that can be a real punch to the gut. But before you freak out, let’s break down what’s going on and what…

If you’re a veteran with a 90% disability rating, and you’ve got a spouse and a child, you’ve probably wondered, “What kind of monthly compensation can I actually count on?” It’s a fair question, especially when bills don’t wait and every…

So here’s the situation. Under President Trump’s second term, Elon Musk was put in charge of a new government department called DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency. The idea behind DOGE is pretty simple on the surface: cut wasteful…

Hey, I wanted to share something important that’s coming up and could really affect a lot of people, especially seniors who rely on Social Security. So, if you or someone you know has student loans that haven’t been paid back—like,…

If you or someone close to you uses SNAP (food stamps), there’s something important going on that might affect you. There’s a bill connected to former President Trump that’s shaking things up—and not in a good way for a lot of people.…

So, you’ve probably seen people talking about this $5,000 stimulus payment and thought, “Wow, that’d be awesome!” Who wouldn’t want an extra five grand dropped into their account, right? But before you start planning that big splurge,…

Okay, have you ever filled up your tank, looked at your receipt, and thought, “Wait, why did that cost more than I expected?” You’re not crazy. A lot of gas stations do charge you more if you use a credit card instead of cash. And while it…

If you’re on Social Security, you know about the yearly Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) — that little boost they give to help keep up with rising prices. Well, the latest news for 2026 is in, and honestly, it’s a bit different from the big…

If you’re a veteran thinking about using your Montgomery GI Bill benefits (that’s Chapter 30) to do on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, you’re probably wondering, “Okay, how much money am I actually going to get while I’m doing this?”…

Look, student loans are a pain. If you’ve ever wished there was a way to lighten that load by just giving your time to help others, you’re not alone. The good news? There are ways volunteering can actually help you chip away at your loans.…

If you or someone you love is on Medicaid, there’s a major change being talked about in Congress right now that you’ll definitely want to know about. It has to do with new work requirements — and it could mean millions of people losing…

If you get SSI (Supplemental Security Income), you might’ve noticed something odd this month — two payments in May. And naturally, your first thought might be, “Wait, is this a bonus?” Sorry to burst the bubble, but it’s not. It’s actually…

If you’re wondering whether you qualify for SNAP benefits this year, you’re not alone. A lot of folks ask, “How much can I make and still get help putting food on the table?” It’s a great question, and the answer depends on a few things —…

Waiting on your Social Security check and it didn’t arrive on May 14, 2025? Don’t stress — it might just be that your payment is scheduled for a different day. The Social Security Administration (SSA) actually splits up payments based on…

If you spent your career as a teacher, police officer, firefighter, or working in public service — and paid into a pension — you might’ve been shocked to find out your Social Security benefits were cut when you retired. It felt unfair,…

Let’s be real — raising kids isn’t easy, especially when money is tight. Between rent, food, daycare, and just trying to make sure your family stays safe and healthy, it can all feel like a lot. That’s why Sacramento County has launched a…