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Feel like your Grocery Bill is out of control? Join the club!

“American households spend an average of $270.21 per week on groceries, with Hawaii residents paying the most at $334, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Since August 2020, grocery prices have risen by 20%, the steepest inflation since the 1970s, with shipping costs being the primary driver. Farming and food production-based economies have kept grocery […]

‘Tis the Season

When it comes to holiday spending projections this year, Millennials are in the lead, with an estimated 63% planning to spend the same or more compared to last year, according to a recent survey. Their younger Gen Z counterparts, however, are showing more caution, with 71% cited as expressing concerns over inflation and its impact on […]

End of an Era?

“Tupperware Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late on Tuesday, succumbing to mounting losses amid poor demand for its once-iconic food storage containers. The company’s popularity exploded in the 1950s as women of the post-war generation held ‘Tupperware parties’ at their homes to sell food storage containers as they sought empowerment and independence. However, […]

Mamma Mia!

“Buca di Beppo, the popular Italian-American restaurant chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This move comes on the heels of closing 13 underperforming locations across the United States.”

Nearly Two-thirds of Americans are Struggling Financially: Are you one of them?

According to a new poll, “a majority of middle-class Americans are experiencing financial hardship that they expect will continue for the rest of their lives. Findings published by the National True Cost of Living Coalition show that 65% of Americans whose incomes are 200% above the national poverty line – which is about $62,300 for […]

Never? It Happens All The Time!

Have you ever thought, “Oh, that will never happen to me…”? If we’re honest, we all have – and then inevitably, never happens. You lose that job that was so secure. You receive the diagnosis that you never thought you would receive – and all the bills that come with it. Someone you love dies […]

Are Viral Tik-Tok Products Draining Your Wallet?

Even casual social media users are all too familiar with the endless stream of viral products infiltrating their feeds. We are constantly encouraged to buy more – to buy faster. According to a recent Bankrate survey “Americans spend around $754 a year on spur-of-the-moment purchases made on social media platforms”. Yikes! While that may not […]

Financial Stewardship in 2024

“As the calendar flips to a new year, the desire for a fresh start echoes within us all. After a month of disruptions, from irregular sleep patterns to indulgent spending, the longing for routine and a renewed perspective is palpable,” writes Dawn Carroll. For many, the best place to start is with a financial wellness […]

The numbers for 2023 are in…

As anticipated, “U.S. bankruptcy filings surged by 18% in 2023 on the back of higher interest rates, tougher lending standards and the continued runoff of pandemic-era backstops…,” reports Dan Burns for Reuters. Top analysts anticipate the climb in consumer and commercial bankruptcy filings to continue in 2024 as well, due to “…the runoff of pandemic […]

Financial Abuse: What You Should Know

Domestic violence doesn’t always stop at physical abuse. In fact, statistics show that financial abuse is present in 99% of domestic abuse situations. So what is financial abuse, and how do you protect yourself? For starters, knowledge is power. Here are key indicators of financial abuse to look out for . If you are someone […]