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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" > <channel> <title>Money.com</title> <atom:link href="https://money.com/money/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://content.money.com/money/feed/</link> <description>Money.com</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:09:24 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.3</generator><site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180424325</site> <item> <title>Why Now Is the Best Time to Save Money on School Supplies</title> <link>https://money.com/save-money-on-school-supplies/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[ and ]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:09:24 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Sponsored]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991754</guid> <description><![CDATA[Big-box stores are slashing prices on back-to-school gear to make room for Halloween. Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/g1c78a2a2893?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=g1c78a2a2893&type=image" /></a></p><p>School shopping comes with a steep price tag these days.</p><p>In May 2025, the cost of books and school supplies was nearly 10% higher than a year earlier, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Notebooks, index cards and other stationery supplies rose even more sharply, up 30% in the same period, <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/back-to-school-survey.html">Deloitte reports</a>.</p><p>For most school districts, the first day of the fall semester has already come and gone, but the expenses don’t stop there. All year long, parents will stretch their budgets to keep lunches packed and lockers stocked. Teachers feel the strain, too: During the 2023–2024 school year, K–12 educators spent nearly $900 of their own money on classroom supplies, research from <a href="http://adoptaclassroom.org">Adopt a Classroom</a> shows. With prices continuing to climb, the burden only grows heavier.</p><p>Still, deals are out there, and with big box stores slashing prices to clear space for Halloween and holiday stock, now’s the perfect time to scoop them up. Here’s how to get the best bang for your buck.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/s8e0b20fe8f7?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=s8e0b20fe8f7&type=image" /></a></p><h2>Time it right</h2><p>Most school shopping happens at the tail end of summer, but oftentimes, you can score the best deals by holding out a little longer.</p><p>Stores like Walmart, CVS, Target and Walgreens start <a href="https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/back-to-school-clearance">clearing shelves</a> around September to make space for Halloween decor, and all the leftover back-to-school stock gets relegated to the clearance aisle. If you play your cards right, you can save 50% off or more on the essentials — glue sticks, highlighters, notebooks, — as well as the not-so-essentials (Squishmallow keychains, bento boxes and whatever water bottle TikTok is currently obsessed with).</p><p>The same pattern holds true for clothes. Old Navy, Kohl’s, and other mall staples roll out major markdowns on kids’ clothing once the initial back-to-school rush has died down, making September a sweet spot for wardrobe upgrades.</p><p>Of course, some things really are day-one must-haves — a backpack that doesn’t fall apart by October, say, or a calculator for math class. But don’t feel pressured to buy everything up front.</p><p>And here’s a pro tip for next year: Most states host <a href="https://www.salestaxinstitute.com/resources/sales-tax-holidays">“tax-free holidays”</a> for at least one weekend in July or August, so that’s one of the best times time to grab big-ticket items like calculators, tablets, and headphones.</p><h2>Hit the thrift</h2><p>Thrift stores can be a gold mine for back-to-school shopping.</p><p>You probably won’t walk out with a new Chromebook or graphing calculator, but you’re likely to find high-quality art supplies, sturdy denim and enough T-shirts, hoodies and sneakers to see your kid through a year’s worth of growth spurts.</p><p>A quick note on that Chromebook: tech gadgets often pops up on Facebook Marketplace for a fraction of what you’d pay new. While you’re there, check out your local Buy Nothing Facebook groups — they can be a gold mine for gently used backpacks, uniforms and sports gear.</p><h2>Buy in bulk</h2><p>It pays to stock up on things your kids burn through fast, like tissues, hand sanitizer, Ziploc bags and the like. At the time of this writing, a box of 30 tissues costs $1.50 on Walmart.com (about five cents each). But if you spring for a 480-pack at $7, the cost drops to just 1.5 cents per tissue. Glue sticks, mechanical pencils and lots of other classroom staples are also smart bulk buys.</p><p>If you don’t have the space (or budget) to stock up on a year’s worth of three-ringed binders in one go, consider splitting a bulk haul with classmates, coworkers or friends. Walmart, which partnered with us for this story, is typically where you’ll find the best deals. But dollar stores and warehouse clubs like Sam’s and Costco are also good spots to score bargains.</p><h2>Crowdfund your classroom</h2><p>Rising prices have left K–12 teachers — who earn <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm">just over $60,000</a> on average — with even less wiggle room in their already stretched budgets. If you’re in this camp, first of all, bless you. Second, let’s walk through some easy ways to lighten the load.</p><p>Plenty of big-name retailers, craft stores and office supply chains offer robust rewards and cashback programs for teachers, and the National Education Association (NEA) <a href="https://www.neamb.com/shopping-discounts/teacher-discounts-dont-miss-these-top-offers-for-educators-and-education-students">website</a> is full of up-to-date tips on where to score the best deals.</p><p>It’s also worth keeping an eye on federal and state grant opportunities. Thousands roll out every year, many with flexible deadlines, and you’ll have the best luck if you focus on ones that match your exact needs — whether that’s specific materials like new books or extra art supplies, or bigger projects like after-school programs or outdoor learning initiatives. Candid, GrantWatch and the NEA Foundation are good places to start your search.</p><p>And don’t overlook the power of crowdfunding platforms. Sites like <a href="https://www.adoptaclassroom.org/ways-to-give/">Adopt a Classroom</a> and <a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/">Donors Choose</a> make it easy to share details about what supplies your classroom needs, and connect with a community of ongoing supporters.</p><h2>Don’t forget about lunches</h2><p>Packing a home-made lunch isn’t the money-saver it once was. An August 2025 <a href="https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/consumer-products/school-lunch-costs-healthy-eating.html">survey</a> from Deloitte found the average packed lunch now costs $6.15 — even a classic PB&J with apples, carrots, milk and cookies is up 6% from last year — while a cafeteria meal runs closer to $3. Still, many parents are willing to massage that extra cost into their budget if it means their kid will get a nutritious meal they’ll actually eat.</p><p>To keep costs down, buy staples in bulk — peanut butter, applesauce, chips, snacks — and skip the pricey single-serve packs. Portion them out yourself in reusable containers or bags. Another hack is knowing what to cook at home and what to outsource. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is cheap, versatile and can be easily repurposed into sandwiches, enchiladas and salads. Pre-cut fruit cups and single-serve yogurt packs, on the other hand, offer little value for the convenience.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/n769c958295c?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsave-money-on-school-supplies%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=n769c958295c&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p><a href="https://money.com/amazon-prime-invitee-sharing-ends/">Amazon Is Cutting Off This Free Shipping Benefit Next Month</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/is-retail-therapy-real/">Research Shows Retail Therapy Is More Than Just a Myth</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/how-to-shop-ethically/">How to Shop More Ethically — Without Breaking the Bank</a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991754</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Save-School-Supplies.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Save-School-Supplies.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">News-Save-School-Supplies</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>7 Best Home Warranty Companies of September 2025</title> <link>https://money.com/best-home-warranties/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:29:03 +0000</pubDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5990829</guid> <description><![CDATA[What to know about home warranties Home warranties cover system and appliance problems that occur from normal wear and tear, excluding damage from pre-existing conditions. Home warranty companies typically offer plans for home systems, appliances or a combination of both. Service call fees range between $60 to $150. Most home warranty companies have a waiting…]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/b82b1f066036?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=b82b1f066036&type=image" /></a></p><h3>What to know about home warranties</h3><ul><li>Home warranties cover system and appliance problems that occur from normal wear and tear, excluding damage from pre-existing conditions.</li><li>Home warranty companies typically offer plans for home systems, appliances or a combination of both.</li><li>Service call fees range between $60 to $150.</li><li>Most home warranty companies have a waiting period before coverage starts. The companies on our list have, at least, a 30-day waiting period.</li><li>Our selection of companies offers prices ranging from $19 to $95 per month.</li></ul><h3>How we chose our top picks</h3><p>We first began reviewing home warranty companies in 2020. Since then, we’ve spent over a thousand hours researching the top providers in the country, thoroughly vetting 22 different companies. Our methodology focuses on four key factors: transparency in services offered, claims processing, cost and quality of customer service.</p><p>Read the <a href="https://money.com/best-home-warranties/#how-we-chose">full methodology</a> to learn more.</p><h2>Our Top Picks for Best Home Warranty Companies</h2><p>The companies listed below are in alphabetical order.</p><ul><li><a href="#2-10">2-10 Home Buyers Warranty</a>: Best Enhanced Coverage</li><li><a href="#afc">AFC Home Warranty</a>: Best Premiums</li><li><a href="#american-home-shield">American Home Shield</a>: Best for HVAC</li><li><a href="#cinch">Cinch Home Services</a>: Best Systems Plan</li><li><a href="#first-american">First American Home Warranty</a>: Best Starter Plan</li><li><a href="#liberty-home-guard">Liberty Home Guard</a>: Best for Optional Add-Ons</li><li><a href="#select">Select Home Warranty</a>: Best for Roof Coverage</li></ul><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/de820cbe0e5f?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=de820cbe0e5f&type=image" /></a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/u83275d569f7?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=u83275d569f7&type=image" /></a></p><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Offers up to 65% off in Whirlpool and GE brand appliances</li><li>Color match for replaced appliances</li><li>$5 monthly discount with auto-renewal</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>No coverage for garage doors or roof leaks (both are available as add-ons)</li><li>Not available in Hawaii and Alaska</li></ul><hr><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>Starting at $32</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$65, $85, $100</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>Nationwide, except AK and HI</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>A+</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company:</strong> <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/sbd5cd78fc82">2-10 Home Buyers Warranty</a>’s premium plan covers a wide range of items most home warranty companies don’t, such as turntable platforms, rotisseries, ceramic cooktops and concrete-encased plumbing.</p><p>2-10 HBW offers three plans: Simply Kitchen, Complete Home and Pinnacle Home plan. All three plans come with 2-10 HBW’s Appliance Discounts Program with discounts up to 65% on Whirlpool and GE brands. The company will also match your appliance color during replacements and offer a $100 reimbursement if you decide to replace a broken appliance instead of requesting service.</p><p>In addition, 2-10 HBW’s Service Fee Guarantee includes a service fee refund if your request is ineligible for service. You also won’t pay another service fee if the same component fails after receiving service.</p><p><strong>Read the full<a href="https://money.com/2-10-home-buyers-warranty-review/"> 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty review</a>.</strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/h39989302a43?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=h39989302a43&type=image" /></a></p><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Array of additional benefits, from discounts to credit monitoring</li><li>Clients can choose their own technicians</li><li>Platinum Plan covers microwave ovens, ice makers and plumbing stoppages</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>One-day period for reporting issues with a system or appliance</li><li>$75 plan cancellation fee</li><li>System plan unavailable in some areas</li></ul><hr><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$43.67-$99.08</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>4</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$75, $100, $125</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>Nationwide, except HI, CA and WA</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>B</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company</strong>: AFC Home Warranty offers your choice of service contractors and affordable premiums, including two hybrid plans (that cover both systems and appliances).</p><p><a href="https://money.com/pr/nc3c62358a2e?data-trk-company=americas-first-choice-home-club-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=nc3c62358a2e&encoded_id={{encoded_id}}">AFC Home Warranty</a> (America’s First Choice) first caught our attention for its affordable premiums. AFC’s plans include a systems plan, an appliances plan and two hybrid plans covering both systems and appliances. In addition, AFC Home Warranty has one of the strongest service guarantees in the industry: both parts and labor are guaranteed for the life of the contract.</p><p>As with other home warranty companies, AFC pricing depends on the chosen service fee ($75, $100, $125). Monthly premiums for one-year contracts range from $40 for the Silver Plan up to $112 for the most comprehensive plan (depending on your location).</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/afc-home-club-home-warranty-review/">AFC Home Warranty review</a>.</strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/sbb156c28d7d?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=sbb156c28d7d&type=image" /></a></p><div><div><div><div><div><div id="embed-code-description"><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Largest home warranty service provider in the country</li><li>Offers coverage for home electronics</li><li>Highly customizable service plans</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Repairs are only guaranteed for 30 days</li><li>Plans unavailable in Alaska, Hawaii and New York City</li></ul><hr></div></div></div></div></div></div><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$30 - $90</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$100, $125</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>Nationwide, except Hawaii, Alaska and New York City</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>B</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company</strong>: American Home Shield offers free HVAC tune-ups with its premium plan and fewer restrictions in coverage than most competitors.</p><p>With <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/ufbaf743bd39?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F">American Home Shield</a>, choose from three comprehensive plans and customize them with add-ons for other systems and appliances, including home electronics and entertainment products.</p><p>Together, AHS’ comprehensive plans — ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum — cover more than 23 home appliances and systems. In addition, its premium plan, ShieldPlatinum, covers up to $1,500 for roof leak repair, HVAC tune-ups, code violations and AC refrigerant.</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/american-home-shield-review/">American Home Shield review</a>.</strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/c4afe36f5a00?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=c4afe36f5a00&type=image" /></a></p><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Available in 48 states</li><li>180-day workmanship guarantee</li><li>Plans include rust and corrosion coverage</li><li>Covers unknown pre-existing conditions</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Higher deductibles than some competitors, from $100 to $150</li><li>Additional coverage options only available while getting a quote</li></ul><hr><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$30.99 - $93.99</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$100, $125, $150</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>48 states, not available in AK, HI</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>A+</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company:</strong> <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/t8fb002ac4dd?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F">Cinch Home Services</a>’ system plan includes coverage that other home warranty companies usually offer as an add-on.</p><p>Cinch plans stand out for coverage of items other companies typically charge extra for, such as sump pumps, water dispensers and smoke detectors. Cinch’s appliance plan covers freestanding ice makers and built-in food centers, while its system plan covers sump pumps, doorbells, smoke detectors and tankless water heaters.</p><p>Cinch services are backed by a 180-day workmanship guarantee on the work performed. This is considerably longer than the 30- and 90-day guarantees most companies offer (except for AFC Home Club, which offers a service guarantee for the life of the contract).</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/cinch-home-services-home-warranty-review/">Cinch Home Warranty review.</a></strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/m8adc2b8988b?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=m8adc2b8988b&type=image" /></a></p><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Affordable basic plan options with competitive coverage</li><li>Essential and Premium plans cover improper installations and code violations</li><li>Premium plan covers all costs related to refrigerant recharging</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>No systems-only plan</li><li>Limited list of add-ons</li><li>Not available in AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MI, MN, NH, NY, ND, RI, VI, WI</li></ul><hr><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$51.24 - $86.03</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$75, $100, $125</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>35 states</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>B</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company:</strong> <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/u3a64facd294">First American Home Warranty</a>’s starter plan offers comprehensive basic coverage for major appliances and systems, at a competitive price.</p><p>With First American’s Starter Plan, you get extensive coverage for nine costly-to-repair appliances and systems starting at $42 a month. Customers can choose the Essential or Premium Plans for more coverage.</p><p>All plans cover damages caused by lack of maintenance, rust, corrosion and chemical or sedimentary build-up, which may be vital if you’re buying an older home. They also feature limited roof leak coverage, which includes leaks caused by normal wear and tear for tar and gravel, tile, shingle or composition roofs.</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/first-american-home-warranty-review/">First American Home Warranty review</a>.</strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/y1b99cf5f281?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=y1b99cf5f281&type=image" /></a></p><div class="v-group panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><div class="v-row"><div class="form-group embed-group"><div><div id="embed-code-description" class="embed-code-description"><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Over 20 items of additional coverage options</li><li>60-day workmanship guarantee on repairs</li><li>Overwhelmingly positive BBB reviews</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Relatively low payout limits</li></ul><hr></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="v-group panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><div class="v-row"><div class="form-group embed-group"><div id="embed-code-description" class="embed-code-description"><div class="v-group panel panel-default"><div class="panel-body"><div class="v-row"><div class="form-group embed-group"><div><div id="embed-code-description" class="embed-code-description"><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$50 - $70</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$75 - $125</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>50 states</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>48 hours</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>Not rated</dd></dl><hr></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><strong>Why we chose this company</strong>: Liberty Home Guard has the most extensive list of add-ons in the market, including rarely covered items such as gutter cleaning.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/uf9f12085914?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F">Liberty Home Guard</a> stands out for its list of possible add-ons. Customers can choose from over 40 items to add to their coverage — one of the most extensive lists of add-ons in the home warranty market.</p><p>The list includes items other home warranty companies cover — pools, spas, well pumps, sump pumps, central vacuums — and other, rarely covered items such as limited roof leaks, lock replacement, gutter cleaning, pest control and electronics protection.</p><p>Its per-claim service fee ranges from $75 to $`125, with a payout limit of $2,000 per covered item.</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/liberty-home-guard-home-warranty-review/">Liberty Home Guard review</a>.</strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/w75af8813479?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=w75af8813479&type=image" /></a></p><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Covers roof leaks</li><li>60-day repair guarantee</li><li>Discounts for multi-year plans</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Unavailable in NY, NV, WA and WI</li><li>Low coverage caps for many home services</li><li>Must provide 3 years of maintenance records to guarantee coverage on some systems</li></ul><hr><hr><h3>HIGHLIGHTS</h3><dl><dt>Monthly Premiums</dt><dd>$60.45 - $63.80</dd></dl><dl><dt>Available Plans</dt><dd>3</dd></dl><dl><dt>Service Fees</dt><dd>$75</dd></dl><dl><dt>State Availability</dt><dd>46 states</dd></dl><dl><dt>Response Time</dt><dd>2 days and up to 4 days during weekends</dd></dl><dl><dt>BBB Rating</dt><dd>Not rated</dd></dl><hr><p><strong>Why we chose this company:</strong> Select Home Warranty plans include roof leak coverage and multiple discount promotions throughout the year.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/c2c2b17dfffc?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F">Select Home Warranty</a> offers notable discounts, including two months of free service if you pay for a full year upfront, and special discounts when signing up for more than a year. The company also has occasional promotions that knock off between $100 and $200 for new sign-ups.</p><p>Select has three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care, which cost between $42 and $55 per month. Bronze Care covers appliances, while Gold Care focuses on systems. The most expensive plan, Platinum Care, combines both for more comprehensive coverage. The service fee is set at $75. In addition, all three plans cover roof leak repairs.</p><p><strong>Read the full <a href="https://money.com/select-home-warranty-review/">Select Home Warranty review.</a></strong></p><hr /><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/e2831c80aa10?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-home-warranties%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=e2831c80aa10&type=image" /></a></p><h3>Other home warranty companies we considered</h3><p>We looked into a wide swath of companies to find the best home warranty. The following companies didn’t make the final cut.</p><hr /><h4>Choice Home Warranty</h4><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/b8ca6be64f9f">Choice Home Warranty</a> features a handful of plans that cover most appliances and systems for a service fee ranging from $75 to $125. Choice Home Warranty prices are affordable, with plans starting at around $36.</p><p><strong>Why it didn’t make the cut:</strong> The company’s coverage caps are somewhat lower than the competition’s, and its coverage conditions lack flexibility. In addition, the company has a pending government action in Arizona for allegedly making false promises to customers and using bad-faith refusals to avoid paying for repairs.</p><p>Read the full<a href="https://money.com/choice-home-warranty-review/"> Choice Home Warranty review</a></p><hr /><h4>Elite Home Warranty</h4><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/td92c3b51eb4">Elite Home Warranty</a> is one of the few companies that lets you choose a $0 service call (although that will mean an increased annual premium). You can also increase the policy’s maximum coverage limits for an additional cost. As of this writing, Elite is available in 46 states. It doesn’t service: California, Texas or Washington.</p><p><strong>Why it didn’t make the cut:</strong> In addition to the regular 30-day waiting period, the company has a 90-day limited coverage period. During this time, the company will cover up to the amount in your agreement.</p><p>Read the full<a href="https://money.com/elite-home-warranty-review/"> Elite Home Warranty review</a></p><hr /><h4>American Residential Warranty</h4><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/c998b16d6589">American Residential Warranty</a> is available nationwide and currently offers three plans.</p><p>ARW’s Appliance Max plan covers most common kitchen appliances — like cooktops, ranges, microwaves and dishwashers — along with clothes washers and dryers. Systems Max covers common home systems such as plumbing systems, central home heating and air conditioning. ARW’s Total Max bundled plan covers all systems and appliances, as well as garage door openers, humidifiers and ceiling fans.</p><p><strong>Why it didn’t make the cut:</strong> The company’s fixed $125 service fee is higher than usual; competitors typically charge between $75 to $125</p><p>Read the full<a href="https://money.com/american-residential-warranty-review/"> American Residential Warranty review</a>.</p><h2>What You Need to Know About Home Warranty Companies</h2><p>A <a href="https://money.com/what-is-a-home-warranty/">home warranty</a> is a service contract that helps you pay for repairs if and when major household systems or appliances break down.</p><p>Unlike homeowners insurance, which provides coverage for damages caused by natural disasters, theft or accidents, home warranties help cover the cost of repairing or replacing home systems or appliances when specific parts and components fail due to normal wear and tear.</p><p>This guide covers home warranty basics, the different types of coverage plans they generally offer and how to determine whether that monthly premium is actually worth it. It also includes important factors to keep in mind as you’re choosing a plan.</p><h3>Is a home warranty worth it?</h3><p>Once a home warranty contract is in effect, you can contact your company and request a service for a covered system or appliance malfunction.</p><p>If the malfunction is listed in your policy, the company will send a qualified contractor in your area to diagnose and repair the problem. Depending on the situation, some providers may opt to replace your item instead, up to the covered amount stated in your contract.</p><p>Prior to receiving the service, you’re typically required to pay a service fee or deductible ranging from $50 to $150. The exact amount is decided when you choose a policy and should be listed in your contract.</p><p>The following list may help you determine <a href="https://money.com/are-home-warranties-worth-it/">whether purchasing a home warranty is worth it</a>:</p><hr><table border="1" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col width="40%" /><col width="40%" /></colgroup><thead><tr><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>Yes, a home warranty is worth it if:</strong></p></th><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>A home warranty might not be worth it if:</strong></p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">You're purchasing a <strong>previously</strong> built home, since systems may be approaching the end of their lifespan (usually 5-10 years)</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">You're purchasing a <strong>newly</strong> built home. <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/warranties-new-homes">New construction</a> usually comes with a warranty from the builder for systems for up to 10 years</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">The appliances in your house are currently working, but weren't purchased recently</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">Your appliances are new -- new appliances usually come with a manufacturer's warranty, and some credit cards also offer extended warranties</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">You don't know mechanics or contractors in your area, or don't have good DIY skills</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">You have established relationships with contractors or maintenance people, or are good at DIY-ing repairs</p></td></tr></tbody></table><hr><h3>How much does a home warranty cost?</h3><p>A <a href="https://money.com/how-much-does-a-home-warranty-cost/">home warranty costs</a> anywhere from $300 to $700 annually, or between $30 to $80 a month, depending on the type of plan you choose. Typically, systems and appliances-only plans cost less than all-inclusive ones.</p><p>The most cost-effective plans strike a balance between price, types of items covered, service fee and payout limits.</p><h4>Factors that influence home warranty costs</h4><p>Several factors can affect the cost of your policy, including:</p><ul><li><strong>Coverage:</strong> The more extensive the coverage, the higher the cost. Systems or appliance-only plans generally cost less than comprehensive plans that cover both major systems and appliances. Optional coverage can also increase your premium.</li><li><strong>Service call fee:</strong> A lower service call fee, or deductible, generally implies higher monthly payments, whereas plans with higher fees cost less per month.</li><li><strong>Home size:</strong> Some home warranty companies consider the type of property and size of your home — that is, the square footage or number of rooms — in their pricing. Larger homes or homes with unique features generally require more extensive (or customized) coverage, which leads to higher premiums.</li><li><strong>Location:</strong> Premium costs can vary depending on where you live, mainly due to differences in the cost of living. Companies may also factor in particular environmental conditions that affect the typical wear and tear of home systems in your region.</li></ul><h3>Home warranty vs. home insurance</h3><hr><table border="1" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col width="40%" /><col width="40%" /></colgroup><thead><tr><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>Home warranty</strong></p></th><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>Home insurance</strong></p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">A home warranty covers the cost of repairing or replacing systems and appliances after breakdowns, malfunctions and normal wear and tear.</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left"><a href="https://money.com/best-home-insurance/?ref=/best-home-warranties/">Homeowners insurance</a> covers expenses if your house or personal property are damaged by perils like fires and theft.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">A home warranty is optional and is generally paid annually or monthly.</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">Homeowners insurance is required by lenders as part of the mortgage process and is paid annually.</p></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">A home warranty can supplement your homeowners insurance policy and help you find a qualified service contractor in your area to perform repairs and installations.</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">Home insurance may provide liability coverage for accidents that occur in the property.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><hr><h3>Understanding home warranty contracts</h3><p>Before signing up with a particular provider, take the time to understand the contract. Here are three main points to review:</p><ul><li><strong>Check what items are covered:</strong> Although most home warranty companies cover similar items, there can be significant variations in their plans. It’s important you read the fine print and confirm that the company provides coverage for the items you want to protect.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Understand coverage caps:</strong> Companies generally list coverage caps for particular systems and appliances. These caps are the maximum amount the company will pay to repair or replace a covered item per contract term.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Find what isn’t covered:</strong> Keep an eye out for the components or <a href="#not">events that are not covered</a>. Most providers list specific limitations and exclusions on their contracts. For instance, some companies may cover roof repairs but exclude metal roofs and roof-mounted installations from their coverage.</li></ul><p><strong>Questions to ask your home warranty provider</strong></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Make sure to ask the provider any questions that may come up while reviewing the contract. Here are some good ones to start with:</span></p><ul><li>Is there a waiting period before coverage begins?</li></ul><ul><li>What is the service fee (or deductible)?</li></ul><ul><li>Can I choose my own service contractor or technician to perform repairs?</li></ul><ul><li>Is there a limit on how many times I can request a service?</li></ul><ul><li>Are there any cancellation fees or penalties?</li></ul><ul><li>What are the coverage caps or maximum payouts per item or contract term?</li></ul><ul><li>Do you cover pre-existing conditions?</li></ul><ul><li>Can I customize my coverage after purchase?</li></ul><ul><li>What is the policy on replacements versus repairs?</li></ul><h3>How to file a home warranty claim</h3><p>The process of <a href="https://money.com/how-to-file-a-home-warranty-claim/">filing a home warranty claim</a> can vary from company to company. However, it could generally include the following steps:</p><p><strong>1. Request a service:</strong> Most warranty companies require that you notify a malfunction as soon as it happens. You can typically do this by calling their customer service number or submitting a claim online, if the company has an online portal.</p><p><strong>2. Coordinate repairs:</strong> Once your claim is approved, the warranty provider will typically schedule an appointment with a service technician. If your contract states that you can choose your own, you may schedule a visit with an authorized contractor directly.</p><p><strong>3. Pay the service call fee:</strong> Depending on your policy, you may have to pay a service call fee or deductible upon requesting a service. This fee should already be specified in your contract.</p><h4>What to do if your home warranty claim is denied</h4><p>A <a href="https://money.com/reasons-home-warranty-companies-deny-claims-and-how-to-avoid-that/">denied claim</a> can be frustrating, but before you decide to pay for repairs out of pocket, take the time to understand the reasons for the denial. Here are some steps you can take:</p><p><strong>1. Review the denial letter:</strong> Your home warranty company should send you a written notification with the reasons for the denial. Identify them and review your contract to confirm whether your claim is indeed covered or not. If you have enough information to believe that your claim should be covered, consider making an appeal.</p><p><strong>2. Gather documentation:</strong> Home maintenance records, photos and pre-inspection documentation may be helpful to address your denial. You may also request a copy of the company’s inspection report. This way you can know the specifics of the diagnosis and look for a second opinion with an independent contractor.</p><p><strong>3.</strong> <strong>File an appeal:</strong> Once you collect all the relevant documentation, reach out to the company and discuss the denial. Ask for clarification on the reasons behind the decision and for the process to file an appeal or a new claim. During this process, keep a record of all communications with the company, including names, dates and details of the conversations.</p><p>If your efforts to resolve the issue with the company are unsuccessful and your denial appears to be in violation of the terms in your contract, consider filing a complaint with a consumer protection office in your state or consumer organizations like the Better Business Bureau.</p><h3>What can void a home warranty?</h3><p>Each provider has its own set of rules regarding the factors that could void your policy for a specific system or appliance. In some instances, a claim may be denied for the following reasons:</p><ul><li>Unauthorized repairs or modifications, whether by using an unapproved contractor (licensed or not) or attempting to do the repairs yourself</li></ul><ul><li>Improper maintenance or installation</li></ul><ul><li>Home improvement projects</li></ul><ul><li>Pre-existing conditions</li></ul><ul><li>Failing to keep your home up to building codes</li></ul><ul><li>Misplacing ownership documentation</li></ul><h4>The “proper maintenance” gray area</h4><p>Sometimes home warranty coverage is contingent on the “proper maintenance” of systems and appliances. This means repairs won’t be covered if the malfunction was caused by a failure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance specifications. However, companies often don’t provide clear guidelines as to what constitutes proper routine maintenance.</p><p>Some contracts give concrete examples such as:</p><ul><li>Changing filters</li><li>Flushing the water heater</li><li>Sanitizing your water filter</li><li>Keeping proper refrigerant levels</li><li>Cleaning coils</li></ul><p>However, coverage will ultimately depend on whether the service technicians decide there was proper maintenance.</p><p><strong>TIP:</strong> If you buy a home warranty, take pictures and document the routine maintenance of the appliances.</p><h4>How do I cancel my home warranty?</h4><p>The cancellation process can vary from one company to another, however, there are some general steps you can follow:</p><ul><li><strong>Review your contract:</strong> Check your contract’s cancellation policy and any fees that may apply. Most companies charge a cancellation fee that can range from $25 to $75 — or 10% of the fees you have yet to pay. This means you may receive a prorated refund. However, companies typically provide a full refund if you cancel within the first 30 days of purchase.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Contact the home warranty company:</strong> Call or email your provider directly and let them know you intend to cancel your policy. A company representative may be able to guide you through the specifics. In some cases, you may need to send a written notice of termination, which you should send via registered post or courier if possible, to make tracking easier.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Cancel your payment:</strong> If your payments are automatically charged to a credit card or bank account, make sure to cancel the automated payment with the corresponding institution.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Follow up:</strong> It may be a good idea to request a written confirmation of the cancellation directly from the company.</li></ul><p>Keep in mind that even though most home warranty contracts are valid for one year (unless you enroll in a multi-year plan), your plan may auto-renew if you enroll in automated payments. If that’s your case, make sure to cancel the plan and automatic payment at least two weeks before the renewal date.</p><h2>Methodology</h2><p>We carefully analyzed sample contracts from our top contenders and evaluated them on criteria such as contract terms, types of malfunctions or failures covered, payout limits, cost-efficiency and service fees. We also analyzed and compared their plans, coverage limitations and pricing. We compared them using the following factors:</p><ul><li><strong>Services offered.</strong> We compared companies’ offerings and coverage caps to find the ones that offered the best value and covered the most systems and appliances.</li><li><strong>Claims processing. </strong>We preferred companies that offered multiple ways to file a claim and quick response times. Each company we selected has typical response times of 48 hours or less and different channels to submit a claim, such as over the phone or online.</li><li><strong>Cost.</strong> We contacted companies to obtain quotes whenever prices weren’t openly disclosed on their websites, using New York and California addresses.</li><li><strong>Availability:</strong> We focused on companies offering nationwide services or that were available in at least 30 states.</li><li><strong>Legal actions:</strong> To assess their reputation and good standing, we evaluated whether the companies on our list have pending or recent regulatory or legal actions.</li><li><strong>Customer service.</strong> We checked every company’s standing with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), including their accreditation (or lack thereof), rating and reviews. In our list, we only included companies that, if they were registered with the BBB, had a rating of B or higher.</li></ul><p>Note that BBB ratings consider factors such as number of complaints, time in business, transparent business practices, licensing and any government actions against a business to determine how a particular business is “likely to interact with its customers.” A business can receive a rating from A+ to F.</p><hr><h2>Best Home Warranty Companies FAQs</h2><h3>How long do home warranties last?</h3><p>Home warranties typically last one year, although you can often choose the term length. Many home warranty companies offer annual and multi-year plans as options. </p><h3>How soon can you use a home warranty after purchase?</h3><p>In most cases, your contract won't be effective until 31 days after the date of purchase. If a system or appliance in your home were to break down during the 30-day waiting period, it's possible that you won't be able to submit a service request or that only part of the repair would be covered. If you buy your home warranty as part of a real estate transaction, your coverage should start on the day of closing.</p><h3>Do I need a home warranty if I have homeowners insurance?</h3><p>While not required, a home warranty can work in tandem with your homeowners insurance, since they cover distinct aspects of homeownership. </p><p>Homeowners insurance primarily covers structural damage caused by perils such as natural disasters, fire, theft or vandalism, whereas a home warranty covers the repair or replacement of your home's major systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear.</p><h3>Do home warranties protect brand-new systems and appliances?</h3><p>If you've just installed new appliances or bought a brand-new home, you're probably already protected by a limited manufacturer's warranty. However, since a home warranty won't cover anything that's already covered under another type of warranty, you might want to consult with a professional as to whether you actually need to purchase a separate plan.</p><h3>Can you transfer a home warranty when selling a house? </h3><p>Yes, most home warranties are transferable when selling a home. However, make sure to check the terms and conditions with your provider to know more about the specific requirements. </p><hr><h2>Summary of Money’s Best Home Warranty Companies of September 2025</h2><p>The companies listed below are in alphabetical order.</p><ul><li><a href="#2-10">2-10 Home Buyers Warranty</a>: Best Enhanced Coverage</li><li><a href="#afc">AFC Home Warranty</a>: Best Premiums</li><li><a href="#american-home-shield">American Home Shield</a>: Best for HVAC</li><li><a href="#cinch">Cinch Home Services</a>: Best Systems Plan</li><li><a href="#first-american">First American Home Warranty</a>: Best Starter Plan</li><li><a href="#liberty-home-guard">Liberty Home Guard</a>: Best for Optional Add-Ons</li><li><a href="#select">Select Home Warranty</a>: Best for Roof Coverage</li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5990829</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2023/12/Best-Home-Warranties1-mbci_fjcy3__jlwq3x.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2023/12/Best-Home-Warranties1-mbci_fjcy3__jlwq3x.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">Best-Home-Warranties1</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>Sorry, Homebuyers: A Fed Rate Cut Might Not Actually Lower Your Mortgage Rate</title> <link>https://money.com/fed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:01:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991980</guid> <description><![CDATA[Despite the headlines promising rate relief, this week's decision probably won't move the mortgage-rate needle all that much — at least, not in the way they're expecting.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For house hunters hoping for relief from the high mortgage rates that have been the trademark of the housing market over the past two years, the <a href="https://money.com/fed-rate-cut-september-experts-predict/">prospect of a Federal Reserve rate cut</a> sounds promising.</p><p>Alas, they shouldn’t get too excited. Despite the headlines promising rate relief, this week’s decision probably won’t move the mortgage-rate needle all that much — at least, not in the way they’re expecting.</p><p>Ahead of this week’s meeting, Money spoke with Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at the real estate brokerage Redfin, about how the central bank’s decision could impact rates and homebuyers moving forward. While she doesn’t anticipate mortgage rates to move very much if a cut is announced, the outcome of the meeting could determine their future path.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/cb3c129dcc04?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=cb3c129dcc04&type=image" /></a></p><p>“What could matter more than there being a rate cut is the commentary that [Fed chair Jerome] Powell gives during the press conference and the forward guidance the Fed gives,” Fairweather says. “It’s not so much the meeting. It’s the news that happens leading up to and even during the meeting.”</p><p>She’s referring to economic data on labor and rising prices that could influence the central bank’s view of the economy and its policy decisions, given that the Fed has a dual mandate to keep inflation low and employment high. Over the past two months, increasingly weak employment numbers have led to a shift in the Fed’s public stance on interest rates.</p><p>As market expectations of a rate cut solidified, mortgage lenders started pricing in a cut.</p><p>Since mid-August, <a href="https://money.com/current-mortgage-rates/">mortgage rates</a> have fallen by more than a quarter of a percentage point. They now sit at 6.35%.</p><p>Whether today’s rates are low enough to lure homebuyers back in large numbers is another question. Home sales have seen a slight jump in recent weeks as mortgage rates decreased, but Fairweather says she believes that if rates were to slip below 6% — even just to 5.99% — more buyers would take advantage of the improved affordability.</p><p>“Buyers are aware of the relationship between rates and their own purchasing power, so I would expect [them] to react right away,” Fairweather says.</p><p>The economist calculated that the increase in <a href="https://money.com/homebuyers-gain-purchasing-power/">buying power</a> since May, when mortgage rates were around 7%, to the beginning of September, when rates averaged about 6.5%, was about $20,000. If rates were to reach 6%, homebuyers would increase their purchasing budget by another $20,000.</p><p>While mortgage payments may become more manageable if rates move lower, there are still other affordability concerns. <a href="https://money.com/cost-homeowners-insurance-broke-record/">Homeowners’ insurance costs</a> continue to rise, as do property taxes and maintenance costs.</p><p>On the bright side, the housing market isn’t likely to see a pandemic-style surge in home prices. According to Fairweather, sellers who have been locked into their ultra-low mortgage rates are almost as impacted as buyers: They’ve been waiting for rates to drop so they can afford to buy a new home and move. If rates were to fall below 6%, more homeowners would feel comfortable listing their properties, pushing inventory higher and helping to keep prices stable.</p><p>As important as mortgage rates are in the affordability equation, however, Fairweather advises against trying to time the market.</p><p>Instead, buyers should focus on their own financial situation to determine when it’s the right time to buy. Can they afford the mortgage? Will they stay in the home for at least five years, long enough to build some equity? If the answer to those questions is yes, it might be the right time to buy.</p><p>“Nobody knows what’s going to happen with rates,” she says. “You know your own personal timing a lot better than you do the economy.”</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/b4e15ba2f539?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=b4e15ba2f539&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p><a href="https://money.com/mortgage-rates-could-drop-after-weak-jobs-report/">Will Mortgage Rates Finally Fall This Year?</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/housing-market-trends-2025/">What’s Next for the Housing Market? 4 Key Trends to Watch</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/more-homes-for-sale-since-pandemic/">More Houses Are For Sale Than at Any Time Since the Pandemic</a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/t39f99e0e0ab?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Ffed-rate-cut-wont-lower-mortgage-rates%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=t39f99e0e0ab&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991980</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Fed-Rate-Mortgage.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Fed-Rate-Mortgage.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">News-Fed-Rate-Mortgage</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>The Hidden Expenses to Owning a Boat</title> <link>https://money.com/hidden-boat-ownership-costs/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:51:18 +0000</pubDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991600</guid> <description><![CDATA[Don't buy a vessel without factoring in these costs. They can really add up. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/raf1524e880e?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhidden-boat-ownership-costs%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhidden-boat-ownership-costs%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=raf1524e880e&type=image" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a boat, but the process should be deliberate and careful, not least because of the financial implications. To fully anticipate those, you must go beyond the obvious costs of buying — and, as needed, financing — the boat. </span></p><p>Taking to the water in your own vessel requires outlays that some boat beginners may not know about, or at least haven’t yet quantified. You may need to buy a trailer, for example, along with safety and recreational gear for your passengers to use. Ongoing obligations can include insuring the boat, not to mention keeping it fuelled and paying its marina fees and maintenance bills.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">It’s best to think about these expenses ahead of any boat purchase, since the type of vessel you buy will affect their cost, potentially by a lot.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Let’s review some hidden costs of owning a vessel, and how they vary by the boat you decide to float.</span></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/tb7d6097ce25?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhidden-boat-ownership-costs%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhidden-boat-ownership-costs%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=tb7d6097ce25&type=image" /></a></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Storage and docking </span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Mooring costs at a marina can be expensive, especially if you own a larger boat. Many marinas charge by foot, so if you want to moor your 16-foot boat at a marina that charges $25 monthly per foot, you can expect to pay $400.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Dry slips, which store your boat in a scaffold-like structure out of the water, are generally cheaper. However, your dry slip may charge a launch fee each time you take your boat out onto the water and a haul-out fee each time you return.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Even storing your boat on your personal property isn’t without additional costs. If you live away from the water, you’ll need a way to transport your boat. Boat trailers can be expensive, starting at $700 for a single-axle trailer. You’ll also have to own a car that is powerful enough to pull a boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">You’ll also have to consider where you’re going to keep your boat in the off-season. You’ll generally want to keep your boat dry during winter to prevent ice damage and mold. Indoor storage units are considered safest, but are also costliest. Indoor storage can cost $50 monthly per foot of boat length. </span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Insurance</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Boat insurance isn’t required in most states, but you’ll have to purchase insurance to dock at most marinas. Additionally, if you’re financing a boat, your lender will require you to buy insurance. Even if neither condition applies, insuring a boat makes good sense financially. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The premiums typically run to $200 to $500 per year. The exact amount will vary based on the type of boat you have, its age and the horsepower of its engine. Insurance companies will also look at your personal profile, including your boating experience.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Registration and taxes</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Boat owners are required to register their vessel in the state where they boat. Fees will vary by boat size. For example, in Virginia, the three-year registration for a boat less than 16 feet costs $32, while boats 40 feet or longer cost $50. (In most other states, the registration is also for a few years at a time). </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Most states also charge sales tax on boat purchases, which can significantly increase your initial cost. You may even find yourself paying local sales tax in addition to state tax, depending on the state you live in. For example, California is infamous for its local tax rates on boat purchases. In some areas within the Los Angeles area, boaters can pay a total of up to 11.25% in sales tax.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">It’s important to note that sales tax also applies to used boats, and even if you purchased your boat directly from the previous owner. When you register your boat, you’ll have to bring proof of tax payment. You may also pay sales tax when registering your boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Some boaters will have to pay a use tax if they didn’t pay a sales tax at the time of purchase. Use taxes are often charged when a boat purchased in a state that doesn’t charge sales tax is transported to another state for use. Its purpose is to ensure boaters can’t dodge sales tax by moving a boat from one state to another. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">There’s more: certain states also charge an additional annual tax on boats. For example, Massachusetts charges an annual excise tax, of $10 for every $1,000 of your boat’s value.<br /></span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Maintenance and repairs</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">A rule of thumb is to set an annual maintenance budget that’s equivalent to 10% of your boat’s initial value. You’ll also want to keep an emergency fund for any significant and unexpected repairs, like replacing an engine.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Maintenance costs are higher for certain types of boats. For example, saltwater is harder on a vessel than freshwater, so saltwater boats require more care. Additionally, as with a car, a used boat may require more frequent maintenance than a brand-new boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">It’s also important to change your oil regularly. You’ll want to change your oil after every 100 hours of use or once a year, whichever occurs first. A professional oil change can start at $160.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Another annual maintenance task boaters need to familiarize themselves with is winterizing. This is the process of preparing your boat for colder temperatures during the off-season, which can be done yourself or by a professional. Costs to professionally winterize your boat will depend on its size and the type of motor you have, but you can expect to spend as much as $500.<br /></span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Fuel and operating costs</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Your fuel spending will naturally vary with the type of boat you own. Most powerboats will consume six to eight gallons of fuel per hour, while sailboats running on their motor will use one to five gallons per hour. </span><span style="font-weight: 400">Smaller boats generally require ethanol, while larger boats often require diesel. The average cost of ethanol as of September 2025 was $3.17 per gallon, while diesel cost $3.73 per gallon.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400">The bottom line: budget for fuel costs of at least $25 for each hour you plan to use your powerboat. </span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Onboard equipment</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">To use your boat legally, plan to acquire the required safety equipment. While the precise list will depend on the type and size of boat you have, the Coast Guard typically requires the following:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">A personal </span><span style="font-weight: 400">flotation</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> device for everyone on board</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">A throwable </span><span style="font-weight: 400">flotation</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> device, like a ring or cushion</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Visual distress signals (three for day-use and three for night-use)</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Fire extinguishers</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">A sound-making device</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Working running lights</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">A backfire flame arrestor (for powerboats with inboard gasoline engines)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Boats, both new or used, often come with the required items, but don’t count on that. You’ll also want to consider additional equipment that, while not required, is highly recommended, like first aid kits, paddles for emergencies and an anchor. </span>If you’re an active boater, you might add such gear as water skis and a water-ski rope, which can together cost $100 and up.</p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Depreciation<br /></span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Like any other possession you run regularly, your boat will wear down with use and its value will depreciate. The depreciation is greatest when the boat is new. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">On average, a new boat will depreciate 20% to 30% within the first five years. However, the rate at which your boat will depreciate will vary based on how often you use it, how well you take care of it and its build quality. </span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Too expensive? Boat without owning a boat</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">If a boat feels financially out of reach after you tally all of the additional costs you’d need to pay, there are alternatives to owning your own boat. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Boat clubs are a popular alternative to boat ownership. These clubs have a fleet of ships that members can use. Boat club costs vary by location and the boats in a club’s fleet, but expect to pay an initial fee, generally starting at $2,000, and ongoing membership dues, usually at least $200 per month.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">You can also consider chartering a boat each time you want to get out on the water. Per outing, this is the more expensive option, but you’re not burdened by any of the responsibilities or sunk costs of owning a boat or even a boat club membership.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991600</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/07/Explainer-Hidden-Cost-Boats.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/07/Explainer-Hidden-Cost-Boats.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">Explainer-Hidden-Cost-Boats</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>How to Buy Maxi Doge (MAXI)</title> <link>https://money.com/how-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:10:28 +0000</pubDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5992025</guid> <description><![CDATA[A step-by-step guide on how to buy maxi doge (MAXI) in presale.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/pd8c285b1780?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=pd8c285b1780&type=image" /></a></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">From </span><a href="https://money.com/how-and-where-to-buy-dogecoin-doge/"><span style="font-weight: 400">dogecoin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> to shiba inu and </span><a href="https://money.com/how-and-where-to-buy-the-meme-coin-pepe/"><span style="font-weight: 400">pepe</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, </span><a href="https://money.com/meme-coins-how-to-find-them-and-where-to-buy-them/"><span style="font-weight: 400">meme coins</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> have emerged as some of the most entertaining — yet risky — assets in the cryptocurrency market. These tokens are often driven by social media momentum and can gain huge traction, sometimes turning tiny investments into large gains almost overnight.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">One token attracting recent attention is maxi doge (MAXI), pitched as a self-described “meme-fueled token that personifies ultimate strength and the grind of the bull market.” Look up its somewhat garish page and you’ll see it’s based on a muscular variation of the original doge meme that bodybuilds and downs cans of Red Bull while executing high-value trades. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">But how do you actually buy this trending </span><a href="https://money.com/altcoins-to-buy-before-cryptos-next-bull-run/"><span style="font-weight: 400">altcoin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">? Maxi doge is only available only through </span><a href="https://money.com/how-to-find-upcoming-crypto-presales/"><span style="font-weight: 400">presale</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, where early buyers can acquire tokens on the project’s official site before MAXI launches on exchanges for broader public trading. This means you can’t simply buy MAXI on platforms like Bitcoin or Ethereum yet. Instead, you’ll need a compatible </span><a href="https://bestwallet.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400">crypto wallet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> to participate in the presale.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">This means you can’t buy the coin normally like you would bitcoin or ethereum. Thankfully, the coin’s website explains the steps you can take to get in on presale. One of those ways is by using a self-custody wallet like </span><a href="https://money.com/pr/m0c8d3d7bc2f?data-trk-company=best-wallet-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=m0c8d3d7bc2f&encoded_id={{encoded_id}}"><span style="font-weight: 400">Best Wallet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, Coinbase Wallet or MetaMask, which ensures you’re in control of your tokens from the start. Best Wallet, for example, lets you manage ethereum tokens, preview presale contracts and get alerts about risky contracts or high gas fees, making it easier and safer to buy new coins like MAXI.</span></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/vfbf722bc7e2?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=vfbf722bc7e2&type=image" /></a></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Where can you buy maxi doge?</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The single point of sale for maxi doge is on its </span><a href="https://maxidogetoken.com/#how-to-buy"><span style="font-weight: 400">official presale website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">. Because MAXI is in presale, purchases are made via a connected crypto wallet. MAXI is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, so you’ll need a wallet that supports the Ethereum network — such as those previously mentioned wallets.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">On its page, maxi doge suggests </span><a href="https://money.com/pr/m0c8d3d7bc2f?data-trk-company=best-wallet-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=m0c8d3d7bc2f&encoded_id={{encoded_id}}"><span style="font-weight: 400">Best Wallet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> as a beginner-friendly option. Best Wallet supports Ethereum tokens and presale participation via WalletConnect, with features like token detail previews, watchlists, alerts and scam filters — useful when evaluating new tokens. Best Wallet is currently mobile-only; download it from your device’s official app store. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Once your Ethereum-compatible wallet is set up, go to the MAXI site, select “Connect Wallet”, and choose your wallet (Best Wallet, MetaMask, or another via WalletConnect). You can typically swap supported assets shown on the presale interface (e.g., ETH, USDT, USDC; some presales may also support BNB via bridges or separate flows). </span><a href="https://money.com/how-to-buy-bitcoin-crypto-with-a-debit-card/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Card payments</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, when available, are handled by third-party providers and may vary by region. After the presale ends, return to the site to claim your purchased MAXI.</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br /></span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Quick guide: Buying MAXI with Best Wallet</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">If you’re using Best Wallet, here’s a quick step-by-step guide to buying maxi doge (MAXI) safely during the presale:</span></p><ol><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Install <a href="https://bestwallet.com/en/?referrer=singular_click_id%3D719bf769-b2c9-4d0d-b3da-17e62af4d655">Best Wallet</a> from your device’s official app store and complete setup.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Back up your recovery phrase securely and offline.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Fund your wallet with ETH (transfer from an exchange or buy in-app if available in your region).</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">On the official Maxi Doge site, select Connect Wallet → WalletConnect → Best Wallet.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Choose the asset to swap (e.g., ETH → MAXI). Review the rate, gas fee and any presale limits.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">Confirm the transaction in Best Wallet and wait for on-chain confirmation.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400"><span style="font-weight: 400">After the presale ends, return to the site and claim your MAXI to your Best Wallet address.</span></li></ol><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">What exactly is maxi doge?</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Maxi doge is a playful, “maximized” take on the original dogecoin — a meme-inspired cryptocurrency that uses the famous Doge meme (Kabosu the Shiba Inu) as its face and brand. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Like other dog-themed meme coins, MAXI isn’t built for deep tech innovation. Its value comes from internet buzz, community hype and speculation. Still, MAXI runs on Ethereum smart contracts and offers some familiar meme-coin features: a fixed supply, deflationary tokenomics and community-driven rewards.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Why do people buy MAXI?</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">It’s fun, highly shareable, and carries the appeal of “maybe catching the next Dogecoin.” But like all Meme coins, MAXI’s price can be volatile – moving more on hype than fundamentals. </span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Is maxi doge a good investment?</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Maxi doge exists in the same gray area as many other meme coins. On the plus side, its smart contracts have been independently audited by two industry firms, SolidProof and Coinsult. The token has a sizable online community, transparent tokenomics, and an accessible — albeit eccentric — whitepaper.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">However, buying any meme coin can be quite risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Prices can surge with social media hype, but drops are just as fast and can be severe. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">That’s why it’s so important to have the right tools to protect your investment. A self-custody wallet like Best Wallet can help by giving you alerts about suspicious token contracts, previewing token details before you buy and flagging high-risk transactions — all valuable for navigating speculative coins. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">As always, conduct your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose, especially with volatile meme coins.</span></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/b3cbb6753d14?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhow-to-buy-maxi-doge-maxi%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=b3cbb6753d14&type=image" /></a></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">More from Money:</span></h2><p><a href="https://money.com/best-crypto-wallets/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Best Crypto Wallets</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br /></span></a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/best-crypto-exchanges/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Best Crypto Exchanges</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br /></span></a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/5-best-crypto-trading-apps/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Best Crypto Trading Apps</span></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5992025</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/Crypto-MaxiDOGE-Coin.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/Crypto-MaxiDOGE-Coin.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">Crypto-MaxiDOGE-Coin</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>4 Ways a Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Money</title> <link>https://money.com/government-shutdown-affect-money/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:55:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5992037</guid> <description><![CDATA[Furloughs, bare-bones customer service and more are looming if Congress doesn't pass a spending bill ASAP.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s not déjà vu. The U.S. is again barreling toward a self-imposed financial crisis.</p><p>That’s right: It’s government shutdown season, and lawmakers are gearing up for a bitter showdown ahead of the Sept. 30 funding deadline.</p><p>If Congress does not pass a funding package (or at least a continuing resolution that would extend the deadline), the government will shut down, and critical services will halt. Republicans are currently working on a stopgap bill that would keep the government funded through Nov. 20, but Democrats are digging in their heels.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/v5b587a2322d?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=v5b587a2322d&type=image" /></a></p><p>The sticking point is expiring health care benefits for millions of Americans receiving coverage through the health insurance marketplace, aka Obamacare. By the end of the year, enhanced subsidies that reduce the cost of health insurance for many low-income Americans are set to expire unless Congress extends them or makes them permanent. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office <a href="https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/cbo-emails-re-e%26c-reconcilation-scores-may-11%2C-2025.pdf">estimated in May</a> that the expiration of these subsidies could result in over 4 million people losing their health coverage.</p><p>Democratic lawmakers are saying they won’t let that happen — even if it means risking a government shutdown.</p><p>“We have made clear that under no circumstances will we support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to rip away health care from the American people,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, said on the floor Thursday.</p><p>On Friday, President Donald Trump said during an interview on <em>Fox & Friends</em> that Republicans should forge ahead without the Democrats.</p><p>“Don’t even bother dealing with them,” Trump said. “We will get it through because the Republicans are sticking together for the first time in a long time.”</p><p>While that strategy may work in the U.S. House of Representatives, the GOP may need some Democratic votes in the Senate to break a potential filibuster and pass a continuing resolution, setting the stage for a prolonged battle that could, at least temporarily, shutter the government.</p><p>Even if the shutdown were short, experts say that the financial consequences can be disastrous.</p><p>“Any shutdown is a bad shutdown,” Andrew Lautz, a director of federal tax policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, told Money in 2023. “Even if it’s a one-day shutdown.”</p><p>That’s because many government operations and agencies rely on discretionary appropriations, which is money that Congress must approve ahead of each fiscal year. About 30% of all government spending is authorized by this appropriations process, <a href="https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/what-happens-if-the-government-shuts-down">according to the center</a>, including federal workers’ salaries, some benefits, certain lending programs and more.</p><p>Without a deal, many government functions that are not “deemed essential to the protection of lives and property” could grind to a halt during a full shutdown, Lautz says.</p><p>Here are several ways a shutdown could affect your money.<strong><br /></strong></p><h2>1. Federal workers could be furloughed or paid late</h2><p>Perhaps the most directly impacted group of people during a government shutdown are federal workers and contractors who have nothing to do with the political negotiations over spending. (Lawmakers still get paid during government shutdowns.)<strong><br /></strong></p><p>According to the Department of Labor, the federal government employs <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">almost 3 million</a> non-military workers. On top of that are “hundreds of thousands of federal contractors whose businesses in large part depend on the federal government,” Lautz says.</p><p>When the government shuts down, almost all of them are either furloughed — which means they are told to stay home without pay — or forced to work without pay because they are classified as essential workers. A 2019 law guarantees back pay for these workers when the shutdown ends, but they are forced to make do in the meantime with no clear timeline for their next payday.</p><p>“One missed paycheck can be a missed payment on your car, a missed payment on your mortgage,” Lautz says. “It can mean going into credit card debt.”</p><p>Given the size of the federal workforce, Lautz also notes that the missed paychecks could also have a ripple effect on the local economies with a high concentration of federal workers, given that they will likely have to curtail spending throughout the shutdown.</p><h2>2. Travelers could see flight delays and closed attractions</h2><p>For travelers, the good news is that air traffic control and airport security continue during a shutdown, so wide-scale cancellations and delays should largely be avoided.</p><p>“But that’s not to say there aren’t potential interruptions,” Lautz says.</p><p>According to the nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), some TSA agents and air traffic controllers did not report to work unpaid — even though they were supposed to — during the last government shutdown in 2019. That did cause some air travel delays, the <a href="https://www.crfb.org/papers/government-shutdowns-qa-everything-you-should-know#whatservicesaffected">CRFB says</a>.</p><p>Travelers should also note that there could be unstaffed or fully closed national parks during a shutdown. Museums, galleries and zoos run by the federal government, such as the Smithsonian, may also be closed. Lautz recommends calling to confirm in advance.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/ua16db941bd8?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=ua16db941bd8&type=image" /></a></p><h2>3. Government benefits might be disrupted (but not Social Security payments)</h2><p>Many federal benefits programs could be affected during a government shutdown, but Lautz wants to make one thing clear: “Social Security benefits will continue to flow.”</p><p>However, the actual administration of the program, including customer service and verification of eligibility, could be halted. The Social Security Administration’s latest shutdown plan <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/agency/shutdown/materials/contingency-plan-09-25-24.pdf">says</a> it expects to keep most of its staff on the job during the potential shutdown but will likely still furlough thousands of employees.</p><p>Social Security benefits are one example of “mandatory” government spending, meaning the government is obligated to <a href="https://money.com/social-security-cola-prediction-2026/">pay out these benefits</a> even during a shutdown. Medicare and Medicaid benefits are also mandatory.</p><p>On the other hand, food benefits through SNAP, Section 8 housing assistance and veterans benefits may be cut off during a government shutdown. New loans and grants from the Small Business Administration, which help small businesses nationwide, would also freeze.</p><h2>4. The release of economic data may be held up</h2><p>Among the long list of agencies that are hobbled by a government shutdown are ones that monitor and report on the economy, namely the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.</p><p>These agencies regularly release data related to the nation’s gross domestic product, unemployment rates, <a href="https://money.com/gas-prices-car-insurance-inflation-higher/">inflation</a> and more. Economists, businesspeople and policymakers — especially the Federal Reserve — rely heavily on this data to make decisions.</p><p>When the data is released, the stock market reacts quickly, so investors also carefully monitor this information. Under a prolonged shutdown scenario, Lautz says the release of these crucial data could be delayed — making some investing decisions more difficult.</p><p>“I can’t predict how markets would respond to a government shutdown, but one thing I can say is that markets do not like uncertainty,” Lautz says. “A government shutdown and the delay of this economic data that markets depend on could add fuel to that uncertainty fire.”</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/qb3481914764?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=qb3481914764&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p class="headline heading-content"><a href="https://money.com/no-tax-on-social-security-bill/">New Bill Aims to ‘Actually’ End Taxes on Social Security</a></p><p class="headline heading-content"><a href="https://money.com/fed-rate-cut-september-experts-predict/">Will the Fed Lower Rates in September? Experts Say Weak Jobs Report ‘Cements’ a Cut</a></p><p class="headline heading-content"><a href="https://money.com/facebook-settlement-payments-update-2025/">Facebook Settlement Payments Are Finally Going Out to Millions of Users</a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/q07b2d99abed?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fgovernment-shutdown-affect-money%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=q07b2d99abed&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5992037</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2023/09/News-Government-Shutdown.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2023/09/News-Government-Shutdown.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">News-Government-Shutdown</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>Homebuyers Are Gaining More Purchasing Power as Mortgage Rates Fall</title> <link>https://money.com/homebuyers-gain-purchasing-power/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:34:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991985</guid> <description><![CDATA[A borrower with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford a $468,000 home, about $22,000 more than in June, according to real estate brokerage Redfin.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Purchasing power — essentially, the value of a buyer’s budget in today’s market — is climbing fast for homebuyers. A borrower with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford a $468,000 home, about $22,000 more than in June, according to real estate brokerage <a href="https://www.redfin.com/news/purchasing-power-improves-rates-drop/">Redfin</a>.</p><p>The jump is tied to mortgage rates, which <a href="https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/mortgage-rates/mnd">dropped</a> to 6.29% on Friday — the lowest in nearly a year. That’s down from 6.9% on June 5, when the same buyer’s budget only stretched to about $446,000. Last week’s dip in rates alone gave buyers roughly $7,500 more room in their budgets.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/cb3c129dcc04?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=cb3c129dcc04&type=image" /></a></p><p>For a sense of what this means in real dollars, consider the monthly payment on a typical U.S. home: The median-priced home, roughly $444,000, now carries a monthly payment of about $2,480 with the average rate of 6.29%. Three months ago, with rates at 6.9%, the same home would have cost $2,624 a month — about $150 more.</p><p>Still, lower <a href="https://money.com/current-mortgage-rates/">mortgage rates</a> haven’t solved the bigger challenge that home prices remain elevated, limiting how far new purchasing power can stretch. Nationwide, home prices are up 1.2% from last summer.</p><p>But in some cities, prices are climbing even faster. In Milwaukee, the median sale price jumped a record 20% year over year in February — the sharpest increase among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas. Detroit followed with a 12.5% gain alongside double-digit increases in markers like New York’s Nassau County, California’s San Jose and Cleveland.</p><p>Even with the recent boost, homebuyers still have less purchasing power than a few years ago. Since 2019, a typical buyer has lost about $27,000 in spending power, according to Realtor.com. That’s yet another reminder that affordability is still strained compared to prepandemic levels.</p><h2>How a Fed rate cut may affect homebuyers</h2><p>Mortgage rates fell sharply from 6.85% a month ago to 6.29% last week after a weaker-than-expected <a href="https://money.com/fed-rate-cut-september-experts-predict/">August jobs report</a>, which experts say points to a probable 25-basis-point rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s meeting Tuesday and Wednesday. The Department of Labor reported that the economy added 22,000 jobs last month, well below forecasts, while unemployment rose to 4.3% — all factors that have pushed mortgage rates down.</p><p>Still, even if the Fed lowers its benchmark rate, mortgage rates may not drop much further. That’s because lenders have already adjusted in anticipation of a quarter-point cut, leaving today’s 6.29% average close to the lowest buyers are likely to see for now.</p><p>“The mortgage market is already pricing in the Fed’s expected interest-rate cut, and rates are unlikely to fall more,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economics research, in a news release.</p><p>Still, that makes this a rare opening. “There have been very few opportunities to lock in a rate as low as 6.3% in the last three years — and now buyers have one,” Zhao said.</p><p>But the question remains whether buyers will jump in. <a href="https://money.com/more-homes-for-sale-since-pandemic/">More homes are for sale</a> than at any point since the pandemic, but inventory is still limited in many markets. Increased demand could push prices higher, potentially eroding some of the recent gains in affordability.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/b4e15ba2f539?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=b4e15ba2f539&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p><a href="https://money.com/fed-rate-cut-september-experts-predict/">Will the Fed Lower Rates in September? Experts Say Weak Jobs Report ‘Cements’ a Cut</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/more-homes-for-sale-since-pandemic/">More Houses Are For Sale Than at Any Time Since the Pandemic</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/housing-market-trends-2025/">What’s Next for the Housing Market? 4 Key Trends to Watch</a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/t39f99e0e0ab?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fhomebuyers-gain-purchasing-power%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=t39f99e0e0ab&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991985</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Homebuyers-Purchasing-Power.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Homebuyers-Purchasing-Power.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">News-Homebuyers-Purchasing-Power</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>Dollar Scholar Asks: What’s the Difference Between Cost and Price, and Does It Even Matter?</title> <link>https://money.com/dollar-scholar-price-vs-cost/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:16:54 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[dollar scholar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5982486</guid> <description><![CDATA[Cost and price are so intertwined that, in some cases, which word is correct to use is simply a matter of perspective.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is an excerpt from Dollar Scholar, the Money newsletter where managing editor Julia Glum teaches you the modern money lessons you NEED to know. Don’t miss the next issue! Sign up at<strong> <a href="https://money.com/subscribe/dollar-scholar/">money.com/subscribe</a> </strong>and join our community of 160,000+ Scholars.</em></p><hr /><p>I went through a phase as a teen (as one does) in which I was obsessed with inappropriate quotation marks (as none does). I giggled every time I saw a restaurant sign proclaiming “we are ‘happy’ to serve you” or “no ‘chicken’ available today.” I became a regular on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/suspiciousquotes/">r/suspiciousquotes</a>. In typical 2008 fashion, I even maintained a Facebook album of my favorites.</p><p>At a young age, I realized that punctuation has power. Words do, too — there’s a reason, after all, people say the pen is mightier than the sword.</p><p>I always try to be precise in what I say, but I had a wake-up call recently when, amid the chatter about <a href="https://money.com/tariffs-impact-higher-prices/">President Donald Trump’s tariffs</a> and their impact on everyday Americans’ budgets, I realized I’ve been throwing around the words “price” and “cost” indiscriminately. That’s not very Scholarly of me.</p><p>Let’s drill down.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/x7313ba21720?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=x7313ba21720&type=image" /></a></p><h2>What’s the difference between cost and price? Does it matter which word I use?</h2><p>I called David Mayer, author of the book <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Economics-in-Plain-English/David-A-Mayer/Financial-Literacy-Guide-Series/9781507223901"><em>Economics in Plain English</em></a>, to parse the terms. He tells me costs generally fall upon a supplier, seller or producer and include resources like labor costs, raw materials, buildings and machines.</p><p>The word cost dates back to Old French and the Middle English period of the 1300s. Price also comes from Old French, but it refers to the dollar amount a person pays for a good or service. It’s “an agreed-upon amount paid by a consumer, received by a producer,” respectively, Mayer says.</p><p>My confusion is understandable. Cost and price are so intertwined that, in some cases, which word is correct to use is simply a matter of perspective.</p><p>Take an employee’s wage, for instance. The wage can be both a price (for a unit of work) and a cost (to an employer).</p><p>Another example, courtesy of Mayer: Imagine I’m at a car dealership. If I ask, “What is the <a href="https://money.com/unaffordable-new-car-ownership-costs/">price of that car</a>?” what I really want to know is “What dollar amount can I pay to have that car come home with me?” If I were to ask about the cost, I’d technically be asking what the dealer had to pay behind the scenes in order to acquire that car, turn around and sell it to me.</p><p>Prices often reflect costs, but they’re not 1:1, since businesses tend to make their prices exceed their costs in order to generate a profit margin.</p><p>“The words are used interchangeably all the time,” Mayer adds. “If you were to ask me how much something costs, it would be rude of me to say, ‘Actually, you’re asking what price did you pay?'”</p><p>In everyday life, which word I choose to talk about my purchases doesn’t really matter. But then there’s a wild card: value.</p><p>Adam Davis, Capital One’s vice president of financial health and customer liquidity, tells me in an email that value — the monetary worth of an item — is subjective, whereas price and cost tend to be objective.</p><p>To determine value, Davis says I should ask myself three questions:</p><ul><li><strong>How much does this mean to me</strong>? A whole host of individualized factors can influence how important a good or service is to me.</li><li><strong>Is this something that will appreciate (or depreciate)?</strong> Some items — think: works of art, homes, stocks — can increase (or decrease) in value over time.</li><li><strong>Can I find this item at a lower price elsewhere?</strong> Being able to purchase something on sale can create more value for a consumer like me.</li></ul><p>To untangle these terms, I like to think about my copy of the Jonas Brothers’ first album.</p><p>It probably <em>cost</em> the manufacturer between $1 and $2.50 to make. I paid a <em>price</em> of $15 back in 2006 to purchase it. Because it has appreciated over time and I have beloved memories of getting it autographed at my first Jonas Brothers concert, I <em>value</em> that CD a whole lot more than $15.</p><p>While some people are selling their signed copies of <em>It’s About Time</em> on eBay for $215 — and others are buying them at that price — I probably wouldn’t give up mine for that amount.</p><p>See what I mean about subjectivity?</p><p>“When making a purchasing decision, it’s important to consider all three [cost, price and value],” Davis adds. “A common mistake consumers make when evaluating a purchase [is] conflating personal value with price.”</p><h2>The bottom line</h2><p>Broadly speaking, cost is the amount of money needed to produce something, while price is the amount of money a person pays for it. Although the terms are largely fine to mix and match, I should be careful when bringing value — the amount of money something is worth — into the conversation.</p><p>These may be basic terms, but the way they blend and impact my shopping decisions matters.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/qb3481914764?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=qb3481914764&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p><a href="https://money.com/good-idea-autopay-bills/">Is It a Good Idea to Put My Bills on Autopay?</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/dollar-scholar-millionaire/">Could I Realistically Become a Millionaire?</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/dollar-scholar-outdated-money-advice/">What Outdated Money Advice Should I Ignore?</a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/q07b2d99abed?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fdollar-scholar-price-vs-cost%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=q07b2d99abed&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5982486</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/08/Dollar-scholar-price-cost-value.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/08/Dollar-scholar-price-cost-value.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">Dollar-scholar-price-cost-value</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>How Big Will the COLA Be? Social Security on Track for Above-Average Raise in 2026</title> <link>https://money.com/social-security-cola-prediction-2026/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:15:53 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991870</guid> <description><![CDATA[With one month to go until the announcement of the 2026 COLA, analysts predict Social Security benefits will rise by 2.7% — at minimum.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Social Security recipients are likely getting an above-average boost to their benefits for 2026.</p><p>On Thursday, a hot August inflation report increased the odds of a larger cost-of-living adjustment, or <a href="https://money.com/2026-social-security-cola-begins-with-july-inflation-data/">COLA</a>, to next year’s Social Security payments. While the headline inflation rate was 2.9% in August, the gauge used for Social Security calculations showed annual inflation of 2.8%, up from 2.5% in July.</p><p>The COLA is <a href="https://money.com/retiree-fears-tariffs-inflation-cola/">intended to</a> help Social Security payments keep pace with rising costs. Inflation reports for July, August and September determine the adjustment, which is typically announced in October. The COLA is calculated using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, a measure called the CPI-W.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/s978d3010185?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=s978d3010185&type=image" /></a><!-- notionvc: b7fabf2b-6dcb-4895-8367-cb2fe14c0149 --></p><p>Based on the new inflation data, Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, is now forecasting a 2.8% Social Security COLA for 2026. That’s up up slightly from her call of 2.7% a month ago.</p><p>If that prediction shakes out, it would sandwich the 2026 COLA between the 2025 adjustment of 2.5% and the larger bump for 2024 of 3.2%.</p><p>In a statement Wednesday, Johnson said it’s unlikely the 2026 COLA will be any lower than 2.7%. (The average COLA over the past 20 years is 2.6%.)</p><p>“Based on data going back 25 years, there’s an 88% chance that inflation will push the COLA to 2.8% with the September data,” Johnson said. “There’s only a 12% chance it could go as low as 2.6%.”</p><p>The Senior Citizens League, an advocacy group for older adults, is <a href="https://seniorsleague.org/tscl-cola-projection-8-25-2/">projecting</a> a 2.7% increase, according to a Wednesday briefing. This projection is identical to the group’s estimate from last month.</p><p>If these forecasts play out, retired workers would get average monthly benefit increases of about $55. The average monthly benefit would rise from $1,955 to $2,009.70 with a 2.8% COLA, according to Johnson, while the TSCL report said a 2.7% COLA would bump up the average benefit from $2,008 to $2,062.</p><p>Nothing is finalized yet. But with Wednesday’s inflation report being the second of three that really matter, COLA watchers now have a strong sense of where the calculation will land — and what beneficiaries’ 2026 raise might look like.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/o358bf0cec30?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=o358bf0cec30&type=image" /></a></p><h2>More from Money:</h2><p><a href="https://money.com/social-security-check-this-month/">When Social Security Recipients Will Get Their Checks in September</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/social-security-ends-paper-checks-sept-30/">Social Security to Stop Sending Paper Checks This Month</a></p><p><a href="https://money.com/social-security-state-taxes-2025/">9 States That Still Tax Social Security Benefits</a></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/ed1a928f8683?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fsocial-security-cola-prediction-2026%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=ed1a928f8683&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991870</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Cola-Estimate-Higher.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2025/09/News-Cola-Estimate-Higher.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">News-Cola-Estimate-Higher</media:title> </media:content> </item> <item> <title>Aura Identity Theft Protection Review</title> <link>https://money.com/aura-identity-theft-protection-review/?xid=moneyrss</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:13:43 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Guiding]]></category> <category><![CDATA[identity theft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[identity theft protection]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://money.com/?post_type=money_article&p=5991914</guid> <description><![CDATA[We review Aura identity theft protection including pricing, plans, customer experience and accessibility.]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<hr /><p>One of the leading brands in the identity theft protection space, <a href="https://money.com/pr/maded81fb0a0?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%252F">Aura</a> stands out in a crowded market by offering one all-inclusive plan for individuals, couples or families — a model that eliminates feature paywalls and simplifies coverage. This means its core identity monitoring and restoration features are present in all of its standard plans, regardless of user count.</p><p>Read on to learn more about Aura, including what sets it apart, its plans and the service’s company information.</p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/c7bc67ccd8d4?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=c7bc67ccd8d4&type=image" /></a></p><div><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Identity Theft Protection pros and cons</span></h2><div><hr><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Comprehensive monitoring for the whole family</li><li>3-bureau credit monitoring on all plans</li><li>Extensive suite of cybersecurity tools</li><li>Lengthy money-back guarantee</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>No social media monitoring</li><li>Plans lacking in flexibility</li></ul><hr></div></div><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">What sets Aura apart</span></h2><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Comprehensive monitoring for the whole family</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura keeps an eye on a wide scope of information and documents, from account breach and Social Security Number monitoring, to more targeted types of monitoring such as auto title, bank fraud, court record and investment account monitoring. These identity monitoring services are present across all three of the company’s standard plan options.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Extensive suite of cybersecurity tools</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Each Aura plan comes with a VPN, antivirus software, password manager, email alias generator ad blocker and safe browsing tools. The Family plan extends this protection for up to 50 devices. Although not a part of traditional identity theft protection, cybersecurity tools have become increasingly important to safeguard your identity and information online.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">3-bureau credit monitoring on all plans</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Most identity theft protection companies only include credit monitoring from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian on their highest service tiers (and at a hefty cost). Because all Aura plans come with the same main features, you can get this highly sought-after feature regardless of your chosen plan.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Lengthy money-back guarantee</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura’s regular money-back guarantee is 14 days — a reasonable policy in the context of monthly plan payments. However, those who pay for annual billing net a much longer 60-day money-back guarantee. It’s one of the longest in the industry, which gives you ample time to figure out whether to stick with the service or not.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Where Aura falls short</span></h2><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">No social media monitoring</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">While Aura scans for threats across the dark web and financial records, it doesn’t monitor your social media accounts — a notable omission in the company’s otherwise thorough identity monitoring service (especially for adult users). The company’s Family plan does have cyberbullying alerts, but this only applies to children while they are gaming.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Plans lacking in flexibility</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura advertises plans with a large number of features, but you may not actually need everything being offered. In fact, the company’s all-in-one model means you may end up paying for services you don’t need. In that case, Aura can turn out much more expensive than the competition since you can’t pick and choose features or opt for a more affordable plan tier.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Identity Theft Protection plans and pricing</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Unlike competitors that scale features across pricing tiers, Aura’s plans primarily differ by the number of users covered (one, two or up to five adults) and the scale of certain benefits like insurance limits and the size of encrypted storage. The only exception to this is the Kids plan, which focuses solely on features and tools to protect children.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Individual</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Aura Individual plan provides one adult with the following:</span></p><ul><li>Identity theft protection (monitoring for account breaches, SSN and personal information, home and auto titles, identity verification, criminal and court records, 401k and investment accounts, financial transactions and bank fraud)</li><li>$1M identity theft insurance policy</li><li>3-Bureau credit monitoring</li><li>Instant credit lock</li><li>Financial transaction alerts</li><li>Antivirus, VPN and safe browsing tools for up to ten devices</li><li>Password manager, encrypted online storage and email aliases</li><li>Anti-track and ad blocker</li><li>People search sites and spam lists removal</li><li>24/7 customer support</li><li>U.S.-based expert fraud and lost wallet remediation</li><li>Your monthly credit score and annual credit reports</li></ul><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Couple</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Couple plan offers all the features from the Individual plan but for two adults instead of one. The $1M identity theft insurance policy goes up to $2M, accordingly, and users on the plan may download the antivirus, VPN and safe browsing tools on up to 20 devices instead of 10.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Family</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Family plan not only expands coverage to up to five adults and an unlimited number of children, but it also comes with a host of additional features. These include:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Spam call and message protection (also available as an add-on for other plans)</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Online trend and routine tracker for children (for iOS devices only)</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Parental controls</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Safe gaming and cyberbullying alerts</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Family fraud alerts sharing</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Child SSN monitoring</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Child 3-bureau credit freeze</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400">Child sex offender geo-alerts</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Each adult in the plan gets up to $1M in identity theft insurance, meaning the plan offers a total $5M in insurance. It also allows you to download the antivirus, VPN and safe browsing tools on an unlimited number of devices.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Kids</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Kids plan differs from all other Aura plans in that it does not offer any identity theft protection for adults. Instead, it comes with some of the device tools and monitoring services in the family plan, specifically those that safeguard the identity and digital footprint of children. This includes the online trend and routine tracker for iOS devices, safe gaming and cyberbullying alerts, parental controls and child sex offender geo-alerts.</span></p><p>Below is a quick breakdown of the cost of each Aura plan:</p><hr><table border="1" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="0"><colgroup><col class="first-col" width="20%" /><col width="40%" /><col width="40%" /></colgroup><thead><tr><th class="first-col"><p>Aura plans</p></th><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>Billed monthly</strong></p></th><th><p style="text-align: left"><strong>Billed yearly</strong></p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><th align="left" class="first-col"><p style="text-align: left">Aura Individual</p></th><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$15/month</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$144.00/yr (=$12/mo)</p></td></tr><tr><th align="left" class="first-col"><p style="text-align: left">Aura Couple</p></th><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$29/month</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$264.00/yr (=$22/mo)</p></td></tr><tr><th align="left" class="first-col"><p style="text-align: left">Aura Family</p></th><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$50/month</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$384.00/yr (=$32/mo)</p></td></tr><tr><th align="left" class="first-col"><p>Aura Kids</p></th><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$13/month</p></td><td align="center"><p style="text-align: left">$120.00/yr (=$10/mo)</p></td></tr></tbody></table><hr><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Identity Theft Protection financial stability</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura is a subsidiary of Aura Sub, LLC, the parent company of Identity Guard, another id theft protection service. It was formed as a result of the merger between Intersections Inc. and a joint venture entity composed of iSubscribed, WndrCo and General Catalyst. The combined businesses rebranded under the name Aura to create a unified digital threat protection platform.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">There is little-to-no public information regarding the company’s financials, and it does not appear to be rated by any of the major credit rating agencies as of August 15. However, we also did not find any pending government or regulatory actions involving Aura.</span></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/f85f8aba7e84?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=f85f8aba7e84&type=image" /></a></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura’s Accessibility</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Customers can access Aura’s services through its desktop and mobile apps. Plans may be bought directly online or over the phone.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Availability</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura’s plans are available across all U.S. states and territories. The company provides 24/7 customer support by phone number, email and live chat.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura also offers “white glove” fraud resolution, a service that provides personalized assistance to victims of identity theft or financial fraud. Should you need it, Aura will assign you a dedicated case manager to contact credit agencies and government institutions to help you resolve the issue.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Contact information</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Customers can call +1-833-552-2123 or email </span><a href="mailto:support@aura.com"><span style="font-weight: 400">support@aura.com</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> to get in touch with Aura’s customer support team. The site also has a pop-up web chat feature on the </span><a href="https://www.aura.com/digital-security-101"><span style="font-weight: 400">Digital Security 101</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> page. On this page, customers can learn more about </span><a href="https://money.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-identity-theft/"><span style="font-weight: 400">preventing identity theft</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">.</span></p><h3><span style="font-weight: 400">User experience</span></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Aura website is easy to use and provides detailed service and pricing information. It hosts a help center with answers to frequently asked questions and information on how to get started with the service, data breaches, credit, family protection and more.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">As of August 15, Aura’s iOS app is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 68,678 ratings, while the Android app is rated 4.5 out of 5 based on 22,463 reviews on the Google Play Store. The Aura app can send you alerts for suspicious activity and display your credit information, plus it provides easy access to many of the service’s tools, such as the instant credit lock, VPN and transaction tracker.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura Identity Theft Protection customer satisfaction</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura gets mostly positive reviews online. Consumer complaints are mostly related to billing issues and how some services worked, specifically the password manager and antivirus. Other complaints mention issues with the iOS and Android applications.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and currently shows an A+ grade on the site. Reviews on the BBB, where it has received 164 complaints in the last 3 years and closed 64 of them in the last 12 months, add up to a total rating of 1.06 out of 5 based on 64 customer reviews.</span></p><div><div id="embed-code-description"><hr><h2>Aura FAQ</h2><h3>Is Aura identity theft protection worth it?</h3><p>Many online reviewers (including ourselves) consider Aura a strong option for those seeking comprehensive digital and identity security. This is especially true for large families or anyone looking for an all-in-one digital security suite with identity theft monitoring. On the other hand, it may not be worth it if you want a more limited or affordable solution to identity theft protection.</p><h3>Is it safe to give my SSN to Aura?</h3><p>Aura requires sensitive data like your Social Security Number to monitor it for signs of misuse or exposure, including scanning the dark web, data brokers and public records. Experts in privacy and online security have not raised concerns about Aura mishandling their data, nor do customer reviews online indicate that this is a problem.</p><h3>Is Aura better than LifeLock?</h3><p>Both Aura and LifeLock are well-regarded identity theft protection services, but we believe the former edges out the latter for several reasons. Aura leans towards simplicity, with clearer pricing and the same set of base features in all plans -- unlike LifeLock, whose better features often require paying for expensive bundles. However, if you're looking for a plan with strictly the essentials, you may find better deals with LifeLock.</p><h3>How effective is Aura at preventing identity theft?</h3><p>Aura doesn't actively prevent identity theft; it offers proactive monitoring, boasting a fast response time for detecting suspicious activity and sending alerts. When it comes to limiting the impact of identity theft, Aura is highly effective thanks to the wide scope of its monitoring, experienced fraud resolution team and high insurance numbers.</p><hr></div></div><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">How we evaluated Aura identity theft protection</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">To evaluate Aura’s identity theft protection service, we first compiled a list with each of its plans and the included features. Then, we compared them to those of the </span><a href="https://money.com/best-identity-theft-protection/"><span style="font-weight: 400">best identity theft protection services</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">, evaluating them side by side. Finally, we considered online opinions to measure satisfaction with the service, as well as its software and apps.</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400">Summary of Money’s Aura identity theft protection review</span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400">Aura is a strong option for individuals and families seeking comprehensive identity protection and online security. Its long list of tools and monitoring, simplified pricing model and strong refund policy make it stand out from the competition. However, one of its greatest strengths can serve as a drawback: it may not be the best option if you are looking for an affordable service without all the bells and whistles.</span></p><p><a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/ce5c60e9ca63?type=image&xid&ca_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F&ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Faura-identity-theft-protection-review%2F" target="_blank" rel="sponsored"><img src="https://secure.money.com/embeds/v1?pcuid=ce5c60e9ca63&type=image" /></a></p>]]></content:encoded> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5991914</post-id> <media:thumbnail url="https://img.money.com/2022/07/Identity-Theft-ICR-Aura.jpg?quality=85" /> <media:content url="https://img.money.com/2022/07/Identity-Theft-ICR-Aura.jpg?quality=85" medium="image"> <media:title type="html">Identity-Theft-ICR-Aura</media:title> </media:content> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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