N Team

It would be more than fair to say that a lot of Americans are feeling financially squeezed these days.  Inflation rose 3.3% annually in March in the wake of the Iran conflict, according to the Consumer Price Index. And while fuel oil, which rose 44.2%, was the primary driver of that increase, food costs rose […]

Gas prices above $4 a gallon tend to reshape spending priorities, and millions of Americans are reworking their budgets as a result. The consumer price index jumped to 3.3% year over year in March 2026, nearly a full percentage point above the February reading of 2.4%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on April 10. 

Diners have always turned to fast-food chains for wallet-friendly options, but as the affordability crisis continues, value menus have become increasingly important to consumers. Value menus are the top factor diners look for when deciding where to eat, a recent YouGov report found. Some 66% of diners say they’d choose a restaurant with a value

Keeping an empty building open is expensive. And with more online and app options, it might not always make sense to have a physical place to shop. That is especially true of banks, where you can do everything from opening an account to depositing a check with a simple swipe of a button.  Still, Americans

T-Mobile has been doubling down on boosting customer loyalty after several months of continued customer losses in its wireless business.  As the company works to keep customers from flocking to its competitors, it is sweetening the deal for Costco members by granting them a new freedom. Currently, a Costco membership, which costs $65 a year,

If you financed a car in the last few years, there is a strong chance you are paying significantly more each month than you expected when you first signed the paperwork at the dealership.  Average monthly payments on new vehicles reached an all-time high of $773 in the first quarter of 2026, and one in

Millions of working Americans saving and planning for retirement inevitably confront a few major questions when maximizing and calculating their post-career income. In my years of reporting on personal finance, I have frequently encountered both regular workers and financial experts who offer a wide range of answers — including when to collect Social Security and

Credit card debt in the U.S. has surged — now around $1.2 trillion — while average APRs hover near 20%. In this interview with Bankrate’s Ted Rossman we break down what’s driving higher balances and rates, who benefits from rewards, why minimum payments barely dent balances, and practical steps to escape the cycle: pay in

Warren Buffett built his fortune on a simple idea. Find sturdy businesses that print cash, leave them alone for decades, and let compound interest do the heavy lifting. That patience is why Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) became the kind of holding company that owns a railroad, an insurer, a battery maker, and one of the country’s

When you’re the best at something, there is never a shortage of challengers working to take your spot, and lately, Ford may be suffering a bit from its success. Ford F-Series trucks have been America’s best-selling truck brand for 49 consecutive years, and in 2025, it wrapped up its 44th year of being the country’s best-selling vehicle