Search

Why the latest interest rate hike is likely more bad news for homebuyers 07/26/2023 09:10pm • The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate Wednesday for the 11th time in 17 months, a streak of hikes that are intended to curb inflation but that also carry the risk of going too far and triggering a recession. One of the key questions about what comes next relates directly to the housing Should you pay off student loans or invest for retirement? 07/20/2023 08:00pm • If you have student debt, you may be struggling to decide whether you should pay off your student loans or invest your money for retirement. How you should approach this question depends on your financial picture, but it is possible to work to pay off student debt while also getting on track for The inside scoop on selecting your next credit card 07/20/2023 04:58pm • This is the third article in our series, Money Matters. When it comes to choosing a credit card, it���s easy to think you should go with the one that has the lowest interest rate, right? ���That���s what everyone leads with,��� said Jeff Bentley, president and CEO of Northwest Federal Cred Prince George's Co. votes to incentivize restaurants to add healthy meals�� 07/19/2023 12:22am • Burgers and fries and fried chicken are popular fast-food meals; in Prince George's County, there's an effort to encourage restaurants to offer healthier food choices. The county council passed the Healthy Restaurant Bill on Tuesday in a 9-0-1 vote. It would provide incentives to restaurants, suc How to build wealth in your 20s and 30s 07/17/2023 08:00pm • It may feel challenging to build wealth in your 20s and 30s when you're starting your first job and paying your first bills. But the decisions you make and the habits you form when you're starting out can make a big difference in your financial future. Even if you don't have a lot of money to sav Nonconforming mortgage rates reach 12-year high 07/17/2023 10:00am • The average rate for a jumbo mortgage loan has climbed to 7.04%, which is the country's highest in at least 12 years. Nonconforming loans are those that exceed limits for mortgages backed by federal companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the D.C. metro area and other high-cost areas, that cutof 1 in 3 DC consumers say their debt is highest ever (How not to deal with it) 07/17/2023 09:50am • Borrowing costs are at record highs and for consumers carrying debt, that adds to the burden, especially when they're carrying more than ever. A Northwestern Mutual survey found that 32% of D.C.-area consumers said they are carrying close to their highest level of debt ever right now, with credit 'It's thrilling': Bowie State University reaches financial milestone to help relieve student loan debt 07/13/2023 10:02am • Some students at Bowie State University in Maryland may soon be eligible for more money and scholarships ��� thanks to a $50 million fundraising effort. It's part of the BSU Bold: The Campaign for Excellence, according to the university's website. "It's thrilling to get to this point," univers Borrowers advised to plan now for student loan payments to resume in October 07/13/2023 06:16am • For borrowers with federal student loan debt, repayments begin Oct. 1, and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General is advising consumers to gather the latest information on the status of their loans to prepare for that first payment date. The federal government paused student loan payments during Financial risk areas to watch before a possible recession 07/11/2023 08:00pm • The high rate of inflation and skyrocketing interest rates have caused many Americans to fear a recession is around the corner. While we haven't entered that period yet, it's always a good idea to make sure you are financially secure in times of uncertainty. Recessions are accompanied by specific How to prepare for the resumption of federal student loan payments 07/05/2023 06:24pm • For more than three years, borrowers had relief from federal student loan payments, but the pandemic-related pause is ending in October. The Department of Education says you'll get your first bill in September or October, and you'll have 21 days to make your first payment. Financial adviser Ba 'Disappointed but not particularly surprised': DC area reacts to Supreme Court's student loan ruling 06/30/2023 03:56pm • D.C. residents, balancing their education expenses with the city's high cost of living, said Friday they have been bracing for the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Joe Biden's $400 billion plan to cancel or reduce federal student loan debts for millions of Americans. While n JPMorgan Chase commits $7.7M to DC affordable housing 06/29/2023 11:00am • Three D.C. nonprofits that support affordable housing efforts for underserved households in the District will share grants from JPMorgan Chase, totaling $7.65 million. Chase Home Lending has also expanded a separate homebuyer grant program in D.C. Chase said the largest share of grant money, $ How to negotiate with debt collectors 06/28/2023 10:35am • Whether you owe a debt or not, getting a phone call from a debt collector is never a pleasant experience. And it's one that may be happening more frequently in recent months. The hiatus that some states and companies put on debt collection activities at the height of the pandemic has largely ende Blueprint board could approve 'majority' of Md. school system plans next month 06/23/2023 12:38pm • The Blueprint for Maryland���s Future Accountability and Implementation Board is scheduled to begin approval of local school system���s education plans next month, but how many of the 24 plans will be ready��remains unclear. Rachel Hise, executive director of the board, said during an online meet