Sheila Osterbeck threw four black composition books, 50 cents each, in her Target cart as she browsed the back-to-school aisles Wednesday to stock up on school supplies for her two children.

With lists in hand, Osterbeck and other families at Northgate Target were looking for bargains while wrangling children on shopping sprees that are likely ...Read more

Two military veterans were awarded free homes in a new Orange County community Monday, arriving in a motorcade as hundreds of onlookers waving American flags cheered for them.

”This is truly life-changing for us. It’s basically like giving a golden ticket to veterans,” said retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kaia Santana. “You’ve ...Read more

California is as car crazy as ever, with insurance rates increasing to match.

Data analyzed by the insurance comparison website Insurify showed the average annual cost of full coverage in California was $2,417 as of June, up from $1,666 the year before.

And premiums are projected to continue rising, to an estimated $2,681 for full coverage by ...Read more

Home prices hit a record high in the Orlando area this summer, but experts say 2024 has brought some stability to the housing market, with more properties for sale and more buyers securing a home.

Still, housing costs have increased more than wages in Central Florida, so many would-be buyers still struggle to find properties they can afford.

...Read more

With a fickle stock market and broader economic uncertainty around the globe, Howard and Heather Short were looking for a safe harbor for their savings and financial stability.

The San Diego couple settled on gold.

After months of hearing advertisements promoting the Oxford Gold Group on a local talk radio station, the Shorts began ...Read more

Nah’Shon and Caitlin Moore used to have a systematic approach to grocery shopping, with a large trip once a week or once every other week.

But as prices rose in recent years, the Levittown couple started taking trips to the Aldi supermarket on an as-needed basis to reduce waste and keep costs down.

“Now, it’s like, ‘Just go ahead and ...Read more

Saving isn’t always easy, but it pays off over time. It’s especially useful to have a solid savings foundation in place to protect yourself against economic uncertainty. And with the unemployment rate surging to 4.3 percent in August, the road ahead looks potentially rocky.

But how do you save more when money is tight? More than a third (34...Read more

Although annuities are not for everyone, the assurance of guaranteed income in retirement and tax-deferred growth can be very attractive for certain people looking to invest their money. Meanwhile, the high fees and mind-numbingly detailed contracts are a big drawback.

Here’s a look at whether an annuity might be a good investment for you.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Sarah Warner’s hopes were high as she approached the two-bedroom bungalow up for rent in Echo Park. The price was reasonable, the location was great, and the place had plenty of curb appeal.

When she opened the door, her heart sank. Bright white walls. Harsh, sterile lighting. And the coup de grâce: gray laminate floors.

“...Read more

CHICAGO — Stuart Handler runs a company that owns and manages 47 properties, with a total of 6,000 apartments throughout the Chicago area. For 2024, the insurance premium on his portfolio of properties increased about 150%, and his deductible climbed from $100,000 to $1 million.

The jump in insurance costs came even though Handler’s record ...Read more

ATLANTA — With consumers cautious about spending, Home Depot on Tuesday trimmed back its expectations for the coming year, while maintaining faith in the fundamentals of consumer finances.

The Vinings-based home improvement giant reported sales of $43.2 billion for the second fiscal quarter, an increase of 0.6% over the same period a year ...Read more

A dizzying start to August, which saw U.S. stocks whiplashed by economic jitters, lackluster earnings and the unwinding of the global yen carry trade, has left Wall Street searching for corners of the market that may have been unfairly punished.

Despite clawing back nearly all its losses from a 3% drop to begin last week, the S&P 500 remains ...Read more

The state insurance commissioner took action Friday to speed up reviews of rate hikes sought by home insurers after efforts to address the issue through fast-track legislation got bogged down amid opposition from a consumer group.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a bulletin outlining steps his department would take to more ...Read more

Not all debts are bad ones. But bad debts can hang heavy around your neck and create long-term financial strain.

Here’s the good news about bad debt: You can reduce it.

When you have a clear view of your outstanding accounts and amounts, you can use the following tips to get out of debt.

1. Re-examine spending habits

Your spending is ...Read more

Savers, take note: Your options for high-yielding certificates of deposit (CDs) are getting fewer by the day. What’s more, high-yield savings and money market accounts – variable rate deposit accounts that are prone to change in lock step with changes to the federal funds rate as set by the Federal Reserve – could see their yields drop ...Read more

The road to retirement is full of twists and turns. You might think you’re on the right path, but life can throw unexpected obstacles in your way that derail even the best laid plans.

Numerous variables are at play, from how long you might live to how much you’ll receive each month from Social Security. A few wrong calculations, and you run...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Brittany West had planned to put down roots and build a life with her fiancé and their new baby in Orange County, a place that's lauded as ideal for raising children.

But it's become more difficult to make ends meet, even though West and her fiancé, Ben, both have solid incomes. Modest rent hikes on their Irvine condominium, ...Read more