Your Money

A 30-percent-off Black Friday sale on a cruise aboard a yacht meant off-season sailing and being prepared for the unexpected.

For many financial professionals, investing is just a tool to help people achieve their meaningful life goals.

Even with more fast-charging stations available, having a smooth electric vehicle experience still takes planning, our columnist found.

Two new laws target surprise charges like resort fees, cleaning fees and service fees, forcing companies to tell you about them before you book, even if you live elsewhere. Here’s what you need to know.

The I.R.S.’s Taxpayer Advocate Service found that many of those affected were lower-income people who depended on refunds to cover living costs. The wait is “ridiculous,” the head of the service said.

American travelers going abroad this summer will find their money buys more in some unexpected countries, including Japan and Australia.

We compiled shortcuts and links for every big U.S. carrier — and some little-known tips that should make it easier to get your money back.

Premiums for big dogs and purebreds are generally higher. But as one expert put it, “Every dog can get sick.” Here’s what to know about coverage.

Last year, JPMorgan Chase wanted to pay Mansoor Shams a low-six-figure salary to work in a marketing role. Then it reviewed his account activity.

A prominent lawyer was recently sentenced to home confinement for falsely claiming hardship to withdraw funds. How desperate must you be to take money out?

New research shows that people who develop dementia often begin falling behind on bills years earlier.

The rate for undergraduate loans is up from 5.5 percent this past school year and higher than it has been in more than a decade.

You may feel richer as you pay your mortgage down and home values go up. Using that equity is another matter entirely.

The earlier you begin trying to save, the easier you’ll make things for your future self.

Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts both have tax benefits, but both may also have drawbacks, two reports found.

How to make a plan for tackling your debt, improving your credit score and feel like the money you owe isn’t controlling you.

How to think about budgeting — without all the shame and blame.

Whether you’re still in school, looking for a job or already working, we have some tips for you.

Advice, explainers and exercises on taking advantage of job benefits, creating a budget, paying off debt and thinking about your future.

Forget about endowments and their holdings and divestment for a minute. What do you stand for, and how can you make your portfolio reflect that?

The Education Department has temporarily stopped processing applications and other forms as it updates its systems and deals with problems plaguing the program.

Assumable mortgages — or low-rate mortgages that home buyers can take over from home sellers — are making a comeback. The process can be challenging.

But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said 15 million people still had medical bills in their files, which can make it hard to qualify for loans.

Experts say high school seniors are more likely to go to college if they complete the financial aid form, but the state sees privacy issues with mandating it.

More investment professionals will be required to act in their customers’ best interest when providing advice about their retirement money.

Firms like Experian and TransUnion say it is time for “buy now, pay later” loans to appear on consumer credit reports. The lenders aren’t ready to sign on.

Some people may consider donating embryos to researchers in light of Alabama’s I.V.F. ruling and in advance of other state actions. Would it be considered a charitable gift?

The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their returns for that year are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

A dozen red roses is timeless. But its price tag is not. At Ditmars Flower Shop in Queens, where costs have soared in recent years, a bouquet is $72, up from $60 in 2019.

The income-driven plan known as SAVE has reduced payments for millions of borrowers. Lawsuits by Republican-led states are seeking to upend it.

The share of those paying the full advertised cost has declined over the last couple of decades, a new report found. Yet many don’t understand how much they’ll really pay.

A nonprofit group called R.I.P. Medical Debt has relieved Americans of $11 billion in hospital bills. But that did not improve their mental health or their credit scores, a study found.

Some Vanderbilt students will have $100,000 in total expenses for the 2024-25 school year. The school doesn’t really want to talk about it.

Should you fold or roll your clothes? Is a duffel bag better than a backpack or a bag with wheels? How to pack light and avoid checked-bag fees (not to mention lost luggage).

Charles Schwab stopped offering a 2 percent card years ago, and most banks don’t hand over more than 2 percent either.

A new agreement by Visa and Mastercard to reduce fees charged to merchants may drain the lucrative rewards that grant free travel to many credit card users.

The deal could save merchants $30 billion over five years. It would also allow them to adjust prices based on the costs of accepting different credit cards.

The Labor Department’s latest push for a new fiduciary rule would protect investors’ retirement savings and require financial services providers to change.

A financial firm told an account owner that it had turned over her money to the state. When she filed a claim, something strange happened.

Inflation is driving up the cost of materials and labor to repair roofs and cars. Adding to insurers’ costs is increased development in areas affected by severe storms.

The incremental relief brings the canceled total to $143.6 billion for nearly four million Americans.

A Minnesota couple’s vacation fell apart after a jet bridge accident and a code-share snafu led to two nights of failed connections.

Taxes. Tuition. Cryptocurrency trading. Since 2008, Ron Lieber has answered hard-hitting questions about personal finance as the Your Money columnist.

Thousands of people receiving Social Security benefits have had their money diverted into criminal accounts. Here’s what to know.

It has become harder for some borrowers to get affordable car loans as banks and dealerships face a rising number of delinquencies.

The internet has turned us all into our own travel planners, but for complicated itineraries or milestone trips, an adviser can save you money and headaches.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said its new restriction would save households $10 billion a year in “junk fees.”

There are tax breaks for electric car purchases, SALT workarounds, benefits for retirees and a new system for eligible taxpayers to file their returns.

At a high school in California, students help run a tax-return clinic. They get academic credit, breakfast burritos and life lessons.

The analysis found that former students at most colleges had an annual income higher than high school graduates a decade after enrollment.

Costlier vehicles and repairs are pushing premiums higher even as the increase in U.S. consumer prices is tapering overall.

Comparison sites often emphasize the big banks’ offerings even though smaller banks and credit unions typically charge significantly less.

Hitting the open road can be a memorable way to explore a country, but it comes with potentially expensive hazards. Here’s how to navigate some of them.

Even amid the botched rollout of the new financial aid form, a rule change will let some grandparents help pay for college without compromising aid eligibility.

New York magazine’s money columnist wrote about being conned out of $50,000 by crooks pretending to be from Amazon and government agencies. We asked the company and agencies for comment.

But there are caveats to moving the money into Roth I.R.A.s, and the government still has to issue guidelines about the option.

But many companies are spurning the “clunky” legal requirements for accounts linked to retirement plans. Instead, some have stand-alone rainy day offerings.

The federal financial aid formula used to give a break to families with two or more children in college at a time. That’s gone now, and some schools may not fill the gap.

The agency said an “undercover phone sweep” of more than 250 homes found that 38 failed to provide prices or supplied inconsistent prices in separate calls.

Legislation that went into effect this year makes it easier for student loan borrowers to save for retirement while paying down their debt.

Frugal strategies — like traveling where the dollar is strong and sampling unsung destinations — help make the most of your budget.

Experts are already encouraging students and parents to exchange usernames and passwords to expedite aid applications. One problem: It’s not legal.

Policymakers view the reporting of an on-time pattern as a way to reduce disparities in homeownership.

Want a prime spot to watch 10,000 athletes float by on the Seine or to catch beach volleyball in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower? Get ready for sticker shock.

Federal regulators have made it easier for everyday investors to buy funds that track the price of Bitcoin, using traditional brokerage accounts. Most financial advisers remain skeptical.

“Direct admission” is increasingly being offered to high school seniors who meet minimum academic qualifications. The participating schools are eager for more applicants.

As artificial intelligence improves and expands its reach, expect new ways to book online, fewer snags at the airport and, possibly, more expensive tickets.

Residents of 12 states are eligible to participate if they meet certain criteria. But the agency’s plans have already met resistance from tax preparation companies.

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of any trip abroad. How you can use maps, social media and more without racking up international roaming fees.

The new, simplified version of the college student aid form was supposed to become available in December. It was, kind of, for some people.