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Articles by Ann Carrns
She Found a Long-Lost $25,000 C.D. Here’s What Happened Next. Original
This initially seems like good news: You come across a forgotten certificate of deposit in a file or safe deposit box. It seems like found money, until you learn that your bank has no record of it. When it comes to old bank accounts like C.D.s, time may not be on your side. That’s the lesson Janice Coleman, 79 and a retired librarian, learned. She had been sorting through documents during a move and found a $25,000 C.D. that she had opened decades earlier.
Here’s a look at why you should consider flood insurance
It can be easy to overlook flood insurance if you don’t live near water. But the storms that inundated the Midwest this summer are a reminder that inland areas are vulnerable to flooding, too. “Just because you don’t live on the ocean or on the banks of a river doesn’t mean you don’t need flood insurance,” said Amy Bach, executive director at United Policyholders, a consumer advocacy group focused on insurance.
Pay Advance Apps May Be Costlier Than Workers Think
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Pay Advance Apps May Be Costlier Than Workers Think The loans tide borrowers over until their next paycheck. The apps offer no-cost options, but most users end up paying high fees, a report finds. Credit...Till Lauer Oct. 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET More workers can now use pay advance apps for quick cash to cover expenses between paychecks.
Changes are coming to the FAFSA. But will it be ‘delightful’?
Filling out the FAFSA college student aid form may not yet be “delightful,” as federal officials hope. But after fixes triggered by a notorious technical meltdown three years ago, the online application may start to shed its burdensome reputation. The FAFSA update for the 2027-28 academic year has been undergoing testing and is scheduled to be made widely available to students by Oct. 1, the traditional annual opening date.
Adding a Child to Your Car Insurance? Here Are Way to Hold Down the Costs.
Adding a Child to Your Car Insurance? Here Are Way to Hold Down the Costs. Unlike health insurance, a parent’s auto policy has no age limit on when a child has to be removed. But it’s good to know the options. Credit...Thomas Fuchs Sept. 25, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET Car insurance is expensive, and insuring young adult drivers adds to the cost. But families do have options to manage the burden. Unlike health insurance, a parent’s auto insurance policy has no required age cutoff for children.
More U.S. households are struggling financially, analysis finds
A growing number of American households became financially strapped over the past year and had a harder time keeping their heads above water, a long-running analysis finds. The share of households considered vulnerable — those that have trouble saving, paying bills, repaying debts, and planning for future needs — rose to 17% from 15% last year, according to findings from the Financial Health Network, a nonprofit focused on financial stability.
Why cheap used cars are so hard to find
Affordable used cars are in tight supply, so shoppers with tight budgets may have to settle for an older model with higher mileage. The average 3-year-old car costs about $33,000, according to an analysis in August from iSeeCars, an online car search site. A 3-year-old car was often the sweet spot for buying used, auto experts say.
More U.S. Households Are Struggling Financially, Analysis Finds
More U.S. Households Are Struggling Financially, Analysis Finds Inflation and a pullback in government assistance have resulted in more people having trouble paying their bills, a nonprofit found in its annual report. Credit...Till Lauer Sept. 18, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET A growing number of American households became financially strapped over the past year and had a harder time keeping their heads above water, a long-running analysis finds.
Why Cheap Used Cars Are So Hard to Find
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Why Cheap Used Cars Are So Hard to Find A three-year-old car was the sweet spot for buying used cars, since they have passed the peak of depreciation. But they now average about $33,000. Credit...Till Lauer Sept.
The Pros and Cons of Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Homeowners who make extra payments can save thousands of dollars in interest. But, financial experts say, paying down other debt, with higher interest rates, may be a better option. Credit...Till Lauer Sept.
The Pros and Cons of Paying Off Your Mortgage Early
Homeowners can save thousands of dollars in interest on their mortgages by making at least one extra payment toward the principal annually, but only about a quarter of borrowers do that, according to a recent analysis by one of the country’s largest home lenders.
Changes are coming to the FAFSA. But will it be 'delightful'?
5 hours ago Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., engaged in a fiery debate with a group of Baby Boomers this week on the web series Surrounded, arguing that Generation Z faces economic hurdles their generation did not experience. The 29-year-old congressman appeared in the viral debate on the Jubilee YouTube channel, …
If you’re struggling to pay day-to-day bills, there’s help
More people are seeking help managing their debt — not racked up from extravagant purchases, but rather the higher costs of needs like car repairs or medical bills — nonprofit financial counselors report. Money Management International, a nonprofit credit counseling firm based in Texas, said it counseled nearly 41,000 clients in the first half of the year, an increase of about 10% over the same period in 2025.
Changes Are Coming to the FAFSA. But Will It Be ‘Delightful’?
Changes Are Coming to the FAFSA. But Will It Be ‘Delightful’? The college financial aid form has long been a stressor for high school seniors and their parents. Fixes have made it simpler and faster to complete, officials say. Credit...Till Lauer Filling out the FAFSA college student aid form may not yet be “delightful,” as federal officials hope. But after fixes triggered by a notorious technical meltdown three years ago, the online application may start to shed its burdensome reputation.
Hurricane Season Has Been Calm. Should You Have Flood Insurance?
Hurricane Season Has Been Calm. Should You Have Flood Insurance? No hurricane-strength storms have formed yet this year in the Atlantic basin, but the limiting activity isn’t certain to continue. Credit...Till Lauer Aug. 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET Flood insurance may not be top of mind for many this year because hurricane activity in the Atlantic has been unusually quiet.
Hurricane season has been calm. Should you have flood insurance?
Flood insurance may not be top of mind for many this year because hurricane activity in the Atlantic has been unusually quiet. But the traditional peak of the season is arriving, and storms that inundated the Midwest this month are a reminder that inland areas are vulnerable, too.
How to Avoid a Freezer Meltdown and Other Perils When You’re on Vacation
How to Avoid a Freezer Meltdown and Other Perils When You’re on Vacation Store food in sealed containers and fix any leaking faucets or pipes, experts told our columnist, who had her own nightmare upon returning home. Credit...Thomas Fuchs Aug. 15, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET The odor of rotting food when we opened the front door was the first sign that something had gone terribly wrong while my husband and I were away on a summer trip.
How to Avoid a Freezer Meltdown and Other Perils When You're on Vacation
(Your Money Adviser) The odor of rotting food when we opened the front door was the first sign that something had gone terribly wrong while my husband and I were away on a summer trip. The next morning, we went down to the kitchen and saw a mouse and -- shivers! -- a small snake, possibly hunting the mouse, slithering across the floor.
If You’re Struggling to Pay Day-to-Day Bills, There’s Help
If You’re Struggling to Pay Day-to-Day Bills, There’s Help - The New York Times
If You're Struggling to Pay Day-to-Day Bills, There's Help
(Your Money Adviser) More people are seeking help managing their debt -- not from extravagant purchases but rather the higher costs of needs like car repairs or medical bills -- nonprofit financial counselors report. Money Management International, a nonprofit credit counseling firm based in Texas, said it counseled nearly 41,000 clients in the first half of the year, an increase of about 10% over the same period in 2025.
If you’re in debt and being sued, there’s help
As debt collection lawsuits clog state and local courts, efforts are underway to help strapped consumers using new legal protections and, in some cases, help from artificial intelligence. Collection suits may result from old debts, but they add to the stress people are feeling today from high gas and grocery prices, said Lester Bird, senior manager of courts and communities at the Pew Charitable Trusts and a co-author of a report this month on collection lawsuits.
If You’re in Debt and Being Sued, There’s Help
As debt collection lawsuits clog state and local courts, efforts are underway to help strapped consumers using new legal protections and, in some cases, help from artificial intelligence. Collection suits may result from old debts, but they add to the stress people are feeling today from high gas and grocery prices, said Lester Bird, senior manager of courts and communities at the Pew Charitable Trusts and a co-author of a report this month on collection lawsuits.
If You're in Debt and Being Sued, There's Help
(Your Money Adviser) As debt collection lawsuits clog state and local courts, efforts are underway to help strapped consumers using new legal protections and, in some cases, help from artificial intelligence. Collection suits may result from old debts, but they add to the stress people are feeling today from high gas and grocery prices, said Lester Bird, senior manager of courts and communities at the Pew Charitable Trusts and a co-author of a report this month on collection lawsuits.
Why some banks still charge high overdraft fees
If you thought bank overdraft fees were no longer much of a problem, think again. The fees, which banks charge when you overspend your checking account but the bank covers the payment, remain stubbornly high at some banks after a rule to limit the charges was scrapped last year. The average fee among banks is $27, but charges can be as high as $42, according to Moebs Services, a financial research firm.
States Rush to Fill Graduate Loan Gap Opened by G.O.P. Budget Bill
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. States Rush to Fill Graduate Loan Gap Opened by G.O.P. Budget Bill Minnesota and Connecticut are two of the states expanding their loan options. “We see it as a substitute program,” one official said.
States Rush to Fill Graduate Loan Gap Opened by GOP Budget Bill
(Your Money Adviser) States are stepping in to help graduate students finance their studies now that federal Graduate PLUS loans have been eliminated for new borrowers. Minnesota and Connecticut are among the states that have announced expansions of their student loan programs as of July 1 to fill the financing shortfall for graduate borrowers.
Americans aren’t money savvy, and we’re only getting worse
Americans’ already poor money savvy fell even further this year, a worrisome trend, researchers said, because people with weak understanding of basic finances often make poor financial decisions. On average, adults correctly answer about half of the 28 questions in the Personal Finance Index, a survey of financial knowledge. The average has never topped 52%. This year, it was 47%, the lowest level in the 10-year history of the survey.
More renters are using tools to skip security deposits, but there’s a catch
As renters struggle to cobble together cash for the upfront costs needed to sign a lease, financial technology firms are promoting alternative tools to manage a common pain point: security deposits. These firms team up with landlords and management companies to allow tenants to pay smaller monthly or annual fees that replace the traditional lump sum that can be a stretch for many renters. It often works like a type of insurance.
Why Some Banks Still Charge High Overdraft Fees Congress scrapped a rule last year that capped how much banks could charge if you spent more than was in your account. Now, banks’ revenue from the fees is rising. Credit...Till Lauer July 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET If you thought bank overdraft fees were no longer much of a problem, think again.
Why Some Banks Still Charge High Overdraft Fees
(Your Money Adviser) If you thought bank overdraft fees were no longer much of a problem, think again. The fees, which banks charge when you overspend your checking account but the bank covers the payment, remain stubbornly high at some banks after a rule limiting the charges was scrapped last year. The average fee among banks is $27, but charges can be as high as $42, according to Moebs Services, a financial research firm.
No envíes cheques por correo. Simplemente no lo hagas.
Los expertos recomiendan revisar con frecuencia los movimientos de tu cuenta. Los cheques robados de los buzones pueden ser alterados y utilizados para cometer fraude. Una práctica que hasta hace poco era común se ha vuelto cada vez más riesgosa: enviar cheques por correo. Pero si debes enviar dinero de esta forma, revisa de inmediato tus estados de cuenta. No seguir este consejo puede dejarte vulnerable al fraude con cheques, y también puede dificultar la recuperación del dinero si lo pierdes.
No envíes cheques por correo. Simplemente no lo hagas.
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. No envíes cheques por correo. Simplemente no lo hagas. Los expertos recomiendan revisar con frecuencia los movimientos de tu cuenta. Los cheques robados de los buzones pueden ser alterados y utilizados para cometer fraude.
Why You Shouldn’t Send Checks in the Mail
Why You Shouldn’t Send Checks in the Mail If you must, keep an eye on your account statements, experts say. Thieves steal checks from mailboxes, then alter the checks with fraudulent names. Credit...Till Lauer June 26, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET A practice that was common not so long ago has become increasingly risky — sending checks in the mail. But if you must send money this way, scour your account statements promptly.
Don't Send Checks Through the Mail. Just Don't.
(Your Money Adviser) A practice that was common not so long ago has become increasingly risky -- sending checks in the mail. But if you must send money this way, scour your account statements promptly. Skipping that advice can leave you vulnerable to check fraud, and may also make it more difficult to recover the money if you lose it. Joan K. Atchinson, 63, a retiree who lives in Washington, D.C., is dealing with that right now.
Don't Send Checks Through the Mail. Just Don't.
(Your Money Adviser) A practice that was common not so long ago has become increasingly risky -- sending checks in the mail. But if you must send money this way, scour your account statements promptly. Skipping that advice can leave you vulnerable to check fraud, and may also make it more difficult to recover the money if you lose it. Joan K. Atchinson, 63, a retiree who lives in Washington, D.C., is dealing with that right now.
New Student Loans Are About to Get Pricier
New Student Loans Are About to Get Pricier Higher interest rates take effect on July 1 for the next school year. Borrowers are already dealing with rising college costs and inflation elsewhere. Credit...Till Lauer June 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET Interest rates on new federal student loans will rise for the coming school year. While the increase is not big — 6.52 percent versus 6.39 percent this year — student borrowers are already grappling with steep college costs.
New Student Loans Are About to Get Pricier
(Your Money Adviser) Interest rates on new federal student loans will rise for the coming school year. While the increase is not big -- 6.52% versus 6.39% this year -- student borrowers are already grappling with steep college costs. At the same time, borrowers are navigating stubbornly higher prices at the grocery store and gas station and a major overhaul of the federal student loan repayment program, including new limits on how much can be borrowed.
New Student Loans Are About to Get Pricier
(Your Money Adviser) Interest rates on new federal student loans will rise for the coming school year. While the increase is not big -- 6.52% versus 6.39% this year -- student borrowers are already grappling with steep college costs. At the same time, borrowers are navigating stubbornly higher prices at the grocery store and gas station and a major overhaul of the federal student loan repayment program, including new limits on how much can be borrowed.
Americans Aren't Money Savvy, and They're Only Getting Worse
(Your Money Adviser) Americans' already poor money savvy fell even further this year, a worrisome trend, researchers said, because people with weak understanding of basic finances often make poor financial decisions. On average, adults correctly answer about half of the 28 questions in the Personal Finance Index, a survey of financial knowledge. The average has never topped 52%. This year, it was 47%, the lowest level in the 10-year history of the survey.
Americans Aren’t Money Savvy, and They’re Only Getting Worse
Americans Aren’t Money Savvy, and They’re Only Getting Worse Researchers say people with poor understanding of basic finances often make bad decisions on money matters. Credit...Till Lauer June 12, 2026, 9:02 a.m. ET Americans’ already poor money savvy fell even further this year, a worrisome trend, researchers said, because people with weak understanding of basic finances often make poor financial decisions.
Americans Aren't Money Savvy, and They're Only Getting Worse
(Your Money Adviser) Americans' already poor money savvy fell even further this year, a worrisome trend, researchers said, because people with weak understanding of basic finances often make poor financial decisions. On average, adults correctly answer about half of the 28 questions in the Personal Finance Index, a survey of financial knowledge. The average has never topped 52%. This year, it was 47%, the lower level in the 10-year history of the survey.
More Renters Are Using Tools to Skip Security Deposits, but There’s a Catch Original
More Renters Are Using Tools to Skip Security Deposits, but There’s a Catch Third-party services charge fees to help renters bypass some upfront costs of signing a lease. Unlike traditional deposits, the money won’t be returned to tenants. Credit...Till Lauer June 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET As renters struggle to cobble together cash for the upfront costs needed to sign a lease, financial technology firms are promoting alternative tools to manage a common pain point: security deposits.
More Renters Are Using Tools to Skip Security Deposits, but There's a Catch
(Your Money Adviser) As renters struggle to cobble together cash for the upfront costs needed to sign a lease, financial technology firms are promoting alternative tools to manage a common pain point: security deposits. These firms team up with landlords and management companies to allow tenants to pay smaller monthly or annual fees that replace the traditional lump sum that can be a stretch for many renters. It often works like a type of insurance.
Looking for a college scholarship on social media sites? Buyer, beware
This is the season when college-bound students decide where they will study in the fall. Many, it turns out, are scouring social media sites like TikTok and Instagram for money to help them pay for it. When searching social media, however: Buyer, beware. Some scholarships promoted on those sites promise to help fund degrees, but students should make sure they are legitimate, student advisers say.
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