It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
President Biden's new student loan relief plan aims to assist millions of borrowers facing excessive interest rates, with potential benefits for up to 25 million people. The plan includes "canceling runaway interest" on federal student loans, reducing or eliminating accrued interest for low- and middle-income borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans. This provision is intended to lighten the financial burden and allow borrowers to pay off their loans more easily.
President Biden will soon announce his student loan forgiveness plan, which will potentially benefit millions of Americans. Despite being narrower than his initial proposal, the plan could erase up to $20,000 in interest and forgive debt for certain groups, including those with existing repayment programs, long repayment histories, questionable schools, or financial hardships. This plan aims to fulfill Biden's campaign promise and differentiate him from potential opponent Donald Trump, who opposes student debt relief.
Currently, manufacturers are reducing the size or quantity of products while maintaining or increasing prices. This practice, called shrinkflation, has drawn attention recently, with President Biden and Cookie Monster expressing their disapproval. A bill aims to empower the Federal Trade Commission to curb shrinkflation through regulations and legal actions. Consumers can combat shrinkflation by carefully observing changes in product sizes and considering alternative brands or retailers. By being mindful of their purchases, consumers can potentially reduce their grocery expenses.
Two tax plans are emerging for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Trump proposes extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including permanent cuts for individuals. Biden plans to extend these cuts for those earning less than $400,000, while increasing taxes for the wealthy and corporations. Both plans rely on the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions in 2025, which could result in higher taxes for most Americans if Congress does not act.
President Biden's proposal includes tax credits to enhance homeownership affordability for middle-class families. First-time buyers would receive $5,000 annually for two years, while families upgrading would be eligible for up to $10,000. However, experts express skepticism that these credits alone can address the underlying issues of high mortgage interest rates and insufficient affordable housing supply.
Inflation is decreasing, but wages remain low, making basic necessities unaffordable for many. Lower-income households are particularly vulnerable despite recent wage growth and consumer confidence improvements. Controlling inflation without triggering a recession proves challenging. Despite strides in combating inflation, purchasing power has declined. Reaching the Federal Reserve's 2% inflation target is difficult without jeopardizing economic growth.
The future of Social Security and Medicare is a crucial topic in the presidential election. President Biden plans to protect the programs by increasing taxes on the wealthy, while Republicans are considering a commission that could potentially reduce benefits. Democrats support higher taxes for the wealthy, whereas Republicans favor a bipartisan commission. Advocates are concerned that the commission could lead to benefit cuts. Additionally, Biden has suggested empowering the government to negotiate drug prices and enforcing minimum staff levels in nursing homes.
