Mortgage Credit Rebounds in October but Remains Below July Level
Lenders added adjustable-rate mortgage options for borrowers with more equity, while availability of conforming credit was unchanged.
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Facts first · Perspectives clearly labelledBefore Choosing a Cheap 2027 Health Plan, Check Silver’s Extra Savings
Premium credits and cost-sharing reductions do different jobs. Eligible Silver plans can reduce the cost of care, but the lowest total cost depends on your eligibility and plan terms.
Gas Could Be Cheaper in 2027. But the Government Just Cut the Expected Savings.
EIA raised its 2027 gasoline forecast by 17 cents a gallon. A transparent driving example shows what that means for a household budget.
HELOC Balances Had Their Biggest Quarterly Rise Since 2005, Fed Says. What If Rates Rise?
The New York Fed reports a $23 billion increase in HELOC balances. A simple rate stress test shows why homeowners should check more than today's payment.
Pay Rose in October. Buying Power Didn't.
New October 2026 BLS figures show hourly pay kept pace with inflation overall, while shorter hours left production and nonsupervisory workers with less inflation-adjusted weekly income.
Social Security's 2027 Raise Isn't the Only Change. Working Retirees Could Keep More of Their Benefits.
The earnings limit is rising alongside benefits. In a hypothetical $30,000 earnings example, that means $540 less withheld under the regular annual earnings test.
The IRS Raised Couples' Standard Deduction by $1,000. That Doesn't Mean $1,000 Less Tax.
The new 2027 deduction and tax brackets produce very different dollar changes depending on income. Here are the calculations, without the refund promises.
U.S. Household Debt Fell $13 Billion. A Mortgage Reporting Gap Complicates the Picture.
In Q2 2026, credit card and auto balances rose by a combined $49 billion. A temporary mortgage-reporting gap complicates the $13 billion decline in total debt.
Banks Report Better Credit Card Approval Prospects for Strong-Credit Borrowers, Worse for Subprime
Some banks became more willing to approve applicants with strong credit over the past year. For subprime applicants, the balance moved in the opposite direction. The details matter more than the headline.
The Next Inflation Report Arrives Tuesday. Here Is What the Last One Says About Bills and Pay.
The October CPI and real-earnings reports are due November 10. September's data show how inflation, gasoline and inflation-adjusted pay moved before the next release.
Americans Spent $81,905 in 2025. Here's What the Average Hides.
Average spending rose 4.3%, while housing took nearly a third of the total. The new data also come with a survey gap readers should know about.
Consumer Credit Rose $27.8 Billion as Revolving Borrowing Rebounded
Revolving balances led September’s $27.8 billion credit increase. See how interest, new purchases and payment size determine whether card debt actually falls.
October Jobs Report: U.S. Adds 165,000 as Part-Time Work Rises
Payroll gains strengthened, but weekly earnings for production and nonsupervisory workers rose just $0.79. BLS data show how paid hours change the income picture.
Treasury’s $125 Billion Debt Sale Will Raise About $28 Billion in New Cash
Most of the planned sale replaces maturing debt. FinanceFirst examines the unchanged auction schedule, the cash behind a lower borrowing estimate, and the implications for borrowers and savers.