However, before you find yourself en route to the , it’s critical to brush up on the specific coverage limitations and out-of-pocket costs you might face. Learning these rules in advance can save you financial stress later on so you can focus solely on your recovery.

At-a-Glance: Medicare Emergency Coverage and Costs

When Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?

Medicare will partially cover ground ambulance services for beneficiaries at times when other types of transportation pose health risks. This can include emergency situations when your health is suddenly in serious danger and you are unsafe to travel in another type of vehicle, as well as nonemergency situations when you have a that requires ambulance transportation.

Medicare-covered ambulance rides may be to or from medical facilities, including:

—

— Critical access hospitals

— Rural emergency hospitals

—

Whichever facility you need, the cost of the ride to the “nearest appropriate” location. If you are transported farther away, Medicare may pay for part of but not the full ride.

Medicare is also less likely to cover air ambulance transportation, such as transportation to a hospital in a helicopter or airplane, than it is to cover ground ambulance transportation. However, it may cover emergency air transport in certain circumstances, including:

— If you can’t be easily reached and picked up by a ground ambulance

— If obstacles like heavy traffic or long distances prevent you from being quickly transported to a medical facility via ground ambulance transportation

For coverage of nonemergency transportation, be prepared to have a written order from your doctor affirming that ambulance transportation is for your situation, such as:

— If you need transportation from the hospital to a

— If you are being discharged after a procedure but are no longer experiencing an emergency

— If you have and need transportation from your home to a dialysis center

[SEE: ]

Medicare Ambulance Costs: Deductibles and Coinsurance

If you have Medicare, the cost of an ambulance ride can vary based on your exact plan and how much of your you’ve already met.

Under original Medicare, ambulance rides fall under Medicare Part B, which pertains to coverage of outpatient treatments. has a yearly deductible that you need to meet before you can receive coverage for your ride. This deductible is evaluated each year and has increased over time.

After you meet the deductible, and assuming you meet the qualifying criteria to have your ambulance ride covered by Medicare, Medicare will cover 80% of the Medicare-approved cost of your ambulance ride. You will be left with the remaining 20% of the out-of-pocket fee.

While this is a pretty standard approach, Medicare notes that there are some exceptions to the rule. If you are transported by an ambulance company connected to a critical access hospital, for instance, payment amounts may vary.

[READ: ]

How Medigap plans reduce out-of-pocket ambulance costs

If you purchase a or other supplemental insurance plan, you could reduce your total fees for ambulance rides. Depending on the plan you purchase, your insurance could cover all or part of your copay and other out-of-pocket costs.

“Typically with supplemental plans, they will cover a certain amount (of the service) or there will be some sort of deductible that you have to satisfy,” says Nicole Toneatti, a Columbus, Ohio-based licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency.

But while exact coverage can vary by plan, it should be consistent across providers — meaning insurance companies such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Humana. For example, “ functions the same way on all carriers,” Toneatti explains. “That is a government regulation. The government says: Hey, if you’re going to provide Plan G plans to folks, this is how it needs to be structured.”

Medicare Advantage and ambulance coverage and costs

If you have a , the cost of your ambulance ride may differ from someone on original Medicare ( and Part B). Your Medicare Advantage plan may have a deductible to satisfy before coverage sets in and/or require you to pay a fixed copay for ambulance coverage.

Can you get a free ambulance ride?

Depending on where you live in the United States, you may be able to secure a free ride to the ER from providers in your county. Toneatti says she often recommends clients do some research on their locality’s rules and regulations regarding hospital transportation. Whether you’re on Medicare or not, free and safe rides to the hospital could save you money and about your health.

Whenever she goes through an original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan client’s summary of benefits, Toneatti says she makes sure to let people know if she is aware that their county provides free transportation for emergency care, as this could impact their decisions for or against purchasing a supplemental plan.

If you don’t have an , Toneatti suggests doing a quick online search to see if this applies in your area as well.

“In some counties, if you are a resident of that county and you paid into the taxes of that county, ground transportation is not billed to county dwellers,” she explains.

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Does Medicare Cover Emergency Room (ER) Visits?

Medicare will typically cover ER visits for beneficiaries who are injured, have fallen suddenly ill or have an illness that is rapidly worsening.

As with ambulance services, ER visits are covered under Medicare Part B. Likewise, you’ll need to meet your yearly Part B deductible before Medicare steps in to help pay for your visit. Once it’s met, you pay a copay for your ER services and 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for your treatments.

Exactly how much money that 20% amounts to will range based on what you’re being treated for — and in the ER, treatments can vary widely.

When you look for something very specific like how much an ER visit would cost, you won’t find a set number, Toneatti confirms, “because, well, what’s the emergency for? A broken toe or broken arm — or are you having a ? What are we dealing with here?”

More advanced treatments for more severe emergencies can come with higher bills.

Medicare rules when an ER visit leads to inpatient admission

If your ER visit quickly progresses to a , your ER visit will be billed differently. That’s because inpatient visits fall under Medicare Part A. Under Part A, you will no longer pay a copay for your ER services.

“If the doctor admits you to the same hospital for the same condition that day — or within three days of your ER visit — the copayment is typically waived,” says Whitney Stidom, vice president of consumer enablement at eHealth. “That doesn’t mean inpatient stays are free, of course. There are fees associated with inpatient stays under Medicare as well.”

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you have a student loan question for an expert, send it to askastudentloanexpert@usnews.com.

Dear Expert,

I just received my letter telling me I have to a new repayment plan. But I’m wondering if I should just do nothing and let them put me on the standard plan instead.

Here’s my thinking.

I have $40K in federal student loans, and I make about $55K a year. If I go on the Repayment Assistance Plan, I believe my monthly payments would be between $200 and $300. With my loans averaging an interest rate of about 7%, my monthly payment on the standard 10-year plan would be a little over $450.

One more thing: My current job qualifies me for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years. So a straight 10-year comparison makes RAP seem like a no-brainer.

But I worry that PSLF would leave me feeling stuck in my career and might prevent me from taking higher-paying jobs and increasing my income. Even if I do get raises while still eligible for PSLF, my RAP payment would just rise with it.

A $450 payment would certainly stretch my budget, but that’s where I’m leaning. Am I crazy?

— Conflicted in Columbus

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That’s the idea behind Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), which are Treasury securities with principal and interest payments that are adjusted for .

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Many investors are drawn to these bonds in an era of rising inflation. Here’s a look at what TIPS are, and whether they’re a sound investment as inflation remains stubbornly sticky:

— What are TIPS?

— How are TIPS different from other Treasury investments?

— Pros and cons of investing in TIPS.

— TIPS in today’s market climate.

— Ways to further lower risk with TIPS.

What Are TIPS?

Here’s a short rundown of TIPS’ key characteristics:

— Principal protection. When you buy a TIPS bond, you are guaranteed to receive its full face value at maturity. This means that even if there is deflation, and the decreases, the principal value of your TIPS bond at maturity won’t be reduced. Note: If deflation occurs before the bond matures, the principal value can be adjusted downward, and coupon payments (calculated as a percentage of the adjusted principal) can drop. If you sell on the secondary market before maturity, your principal value can indeed reflect the reduction.

— Interest payments. The interest payments on TIPS bonds are adjusted for inflation. The interest rate, also known as the coupon rate, is fixed at issuance, but the interest payments adjust with changes in inflation. As the CPI rises, interest payments increase, giving investors a against inflation.

— Taxation. Although TIPS bonds protect against inflation, they’re still subject to federal income tax on interest payments and any capital gains. However, investors don’t incur state or local income taxes on interest earned from TIPS.

How Are TIPS Different From Other Treasury Investments?

Unlike traditional bonds, TIPS adjust both principal and interest payments based on changes in the CPI. The idea is that TIPS can help investors maintain purchasing power when prices are rising.

That’s not an aim of other Treasury investments.

“Think of regular Treasurys as reliable but a bit predictable,” says Sean Lovison, founder and lead planner at Purpose Built Financial Services in Moorestown, New Jersey.

“They pay a set rate; inflation be damned,” Lovison says. “Conversely, TIPS offer a twist: Their principal moves with inflation, ensuring your money doesn’t lose value when prices rise.”

TIPS vs. Series I Bonds

TIPS are often compared with

because they both offer inflation protection. Series I bonds are U.S. government savings bonds that offer a fixed rate, combined with a rate adjustment for inflation.

“But there are several differences between the two,” says Dennis De Kok, founder and senior wealth advisor at FCM Financial Planning in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He notes three key differences between Series I bonds and TIPS:

— TIPS can be resold on the secondary market, while I-bonds cannot.

— TIPS can be bought in three different maturities, but I-bonds are sold in 30-year terms only.

— Investors can buy an unlimited number of TIPS on the secondary market, but I-bonds have an annual limit of $10,000 total. The IRS program that allowed you to buy up to $5,000 in paper I-bonds with a federal income tax refund ended on Jan. 1, 2025.

Pros and Cons of Investing in TIPS

Like any other investment, TIPS have both pros and cons.

On the positive side, says Lovison, “TIPS are fantastic if you’re worried about rising costs eroding your investments. They provide peace of mind that your portfolio has a built-in shield against inflation.”

However, he says, there’s a trade-off.

“TIPS tend to underperform traditional Treasurys when inflation is low or declining,” Lovison says. “Plus, just like all bonds, TIPS’ price reacts to interest rate changes and tends to underperform equity over more extended periods. It’s insurance, not a get-rich-quick scheme.”

TIPS in Today’s Market Climate

TIPS have advantages over other when it comes to offering protection against inflation. However, bonds as a broad asset class underperform stocks in the long haul. Historically, stocks have been the best investment to stay ahead of inflation.

De Kok says TIPS can be a good option for investors who are concerned about inflation and want a safe place to salt away some cash. The best time to buy TIPS, he says, is when an investor expects inflation to increase, as this would increase the principal and interest payments over that period.

With inflation and Federal Reserve monetary policy top of mind for investors, TIPS have gotten a lot of attention lately. “While appropriate as an instrument to protect wealth, TIPS are not considered a primary vehicle to build wealth,” says Robert Johnson, chairman and CEO at Economic Index Associates in New York.

Lovison has the same caution for investors, adding that as interest rates rise, prices of bonds, including TIPS, have been under short-term pressure. “However, the specter of inflation remains, and … TIPS could prove a valuable hedge in volatile times,” Lovison adds.

Ways to Further Lower Risk With TIPS

There are some steps investors can take if they want to reduce portfolio risk using TIPS.

For example, investors might consider . That ensures that a bond investor will receive the full principal value adjusted for inflation, minimizing the loss of purchasing power.

“For maximum stability, consider building a TIPS ladder,” says Lovison. “Instead of putting everything into a single issue, stagger maturities over time. This smooths out interest rate sensitivity and ensures you always have some TIPS coming due soon.”

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While building credit by paying rent can take some effort, it is simple to do with rent reporting services. Here’s how to get credit for all of those rent payments.

[Read: ]

Does Paying Rent Build Credit?

“Paying rent can if your payments are reported,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and advocacy for the credit bureau Experian. “Unfortunately, that’s not the norm, as most landlord and rent management companies don’t report rent payments.”

Unless you or your landlord have signed up for a rent reporting service, the — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — will not put rent payments on your credit report. That means your credit score and credit report aren’t affected by your rent payments.

But, Griffin says, you can change that. You’ll need help from a rent reporting service to tell the credit bureaus about your payments.

If you have a positive rental history, adding it to your record could help you establish or build credit, Griffin says, and improve your rating.

One caveat is that “Not all credit scores include rental tradeline information in their calculations,” cautions Freddie Huynh, former vice president of data optimization for Freedom Debt Relief.

Rent payments can be factored into your VantageScore and recent FICO scoring models, such as FICO 9 and 10. These are not commonly used scoring models. Still, adding rental history to your credit reports could help if you’re seeking credit from a financial institution that relies on one of them.

How to Report Your Rent to Credit Bureaus

The credit bureaus get your payment information from public records and creditors, such as banks, card issuers and debt collectors. You will need to work with a rent reporting service to inform the credit bureaus of your rent payments.

“A rent reporting service is a third party that reports your rental payment history to the credit bureaus,” Huynh says.

Rent reporting services must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a federal law that protects information collected by the credit bureaus and allows you to dispute incorrect information.

Most, but not all, rent reporting services charge a fee. You have two options:

Sign up for a rent reporting service independently. Note that the reporting service may still require your landlord to verify your lease or rent payments. You may pay any fee directly to the service. Enrollment fees vary and could be one time or each month, plus a setup charge.

Ask your landlord to sign up for a rent reporting service. The reporting service may offer an incentive to the landlord to sign up, such as automatic payment collection from tenants. You won’t pay the service directly, but your landlord may incur a cost and pass it on to you.

What Services Can Report Your Payments?

Because many rent reporting services are available today, it pays to compare the options and find the best one for you. Here is a selection available to you or your landlord:

Landlord Rent Reporting Services

Tenant Rent Reporting Services

Here are some options if your landlord doesn’t offer rent-reporting services.

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How to Choose a Rent Reporting Service

Before you choose a service, check whether your landlord is already working with one. “If so, there may be an easier path to having your rental history reported,” Huynh says.

If not, consider these questions to select the right rental reporting service:

— What does the service cost? Free rent reporting services for consumers are rare. Compare the cost and the value of features for each service.

— What do you get? Will the service provide you with a record of payments and credit reporting? Also, look at whether the service is seamless and easy to use, Griffin says.

— Is the service hard for your landlord to use? Many rent reporting services require your landlord to verify your rental agreement and payments. If your landlord isn’t willing to help, you will need a service that uses your bank account to verify your payments. In California, landlords of assisted housing developments must offer tenants the option to report rent payments to at least one credit bureau for a maximum fee of $10 per month.

— Which credit bureaus will receive your information? Ideally, a rent reporting service should report to all three credit bureaus. “Some reporting services report to all three bureaus, while others may only report to one or two,” Huynh says.

— How soon will your rent payments appear on your credit report? Credit report changes typically don’t happen overnight. Contact the service and ask when your payment history will appear on your credit report if speed is important for a major purchase.

— Can you easily cancel the service? Most rent reporting services use a subscription model and charge monthly or yearly fees. Find out how to cancel and what happens if you do: Is your rental history removed from your credit report if you are no longer paying for the service?

— Can you add a spouse or roommate? Some services allow you to include someone else who lives with you at no charge. That means your spouse wouldn’t have to pay separately for rent reporting.

— Are past payments reported? Some services include up to two years of rental history with your basic fee, while others charge an additional fee to go back.

— What’s the service’s reputation? Look for established services with good reviews, Griffin says. Check for complaints and major issues — try the and — signaling that you should use a different service.

Whichever rent reporting service you choose, it is a great tool that too few people use to establish and build credit, Griffin says. “As a consumer, you should take advantage of all the tools that are available to empower you and be in control of your credit history.”

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Nvidia Corp.’s (ticker: ) 2026 found that about 90% of over 800 financial professionals said their organizations are either actively using or assessing AI solutions or pilot projects, and 65% reported that their companies’ use of AI is already in progress. Their businesses are thriving because of it: 64% of respondents said AI has increased annual revenue by more than 5%, while 61% said it has reduced annual costs by more than 5%.

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This may not be a newsflash for you if you communicate regularly with a brokerage or advisor, or own a business yourself. But for investors, the more interesting shift is where AI is showing up. It’s not just in back-office automation. Asset managers are increasingly using it to help with research, fund management and portfolio construction.

AI is “raising the baseline by making information gathering, synthesis and analysis faster and more accessible across the industry,” says Vinit Agrawal, head of investment data insights and AI solutions for T. Rowe Price. “Activities such as reviewing earnings calls, comparing company disclosures and synthesizing large volumes of research can now be completed far more efficiently.”

But AI is not simply making faster. It may also be changing what separates top firms from the rest. “Investment edge does not come simply from processing more information,” Agrawal says. “It comes from transforming information into proprietary insight through judgment, experience, sector expertise and a willingness to challenge consensus.”

AI can process information at a scale and speed human analysts can’t match, but markets are shaped by judgment calls that don’t always fit neatly into historical data. Human judgment remains essential for interpreting nuance, evaluating management quality and making decisions when markets shift, Agrawal says. As he puts it, the future of investing is “not human versus machine,” but human judgment enhanced by AI.

Here are some of the top investment firms using AI for asset management today:

— BlackRock Inc. ()

— JPMorgan Chase & Co. ()

— T. Rowe Price Group Inc. ()

— Vanguard Group

— Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ()

— Man Group

BlackRock Inc. ()

With a record $15.3 trillion in managed assets as of the end of June, BlackRock is one of the globe’s most prominent corporate money managers, and it has not been shy about spending on AI to keep it that way. Exhibit A is the company’s proprietary technology hub Aladdin, which serves as the “brain” behind money management nervous system.

Aladdin uses AI to help investors and advisors move from insight to action more quickly by reducing manual work and expanding access to information, according to Nish Ajitsaria, Aladdin’s head of product management.

“As portfolios become increasingly complex and interconnected, we believe the combination of AI, governed data, robust analytics and institutional-grade controls can help investors see risks and opportunities more clearly, make more informed decisions and navigate markets with greater confidence,” Ajitsaria says.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. ()

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is using AI across the investment process, but not in the “robots are running the portfolio” sense. Kristian West, head of investment platform for J.P. Morgan, says AI can enhance idea generation, research, risk analysis, portfolio construction, trading and client reporting, but the best outcomes come from combining AI with the judgment of investment professionals.

A major piece of that effort is Spectrum, J.P. Morgan’s proprietary investment platform. Spectrum uses AI and data science to turn structured and unstructured research into investment intelligence, while the company says SpectrumIQ combines data, human expertise and AI to support “stronger, faster and smarter” decisions. West says the firm’s generative AI tool, called Moneyball, also uses AI to analyze past decisions, identify patterns in investment outcomes and monitor for behavioral biases, while keeping final accountability with human investment professionals.

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. ()

T. Rowe Price started investing in data science and machine learning capabilities nearly 10 years ago. Today, it’s using AI as “intelligent augmentation,” or IA, to support better investment decisions without automating them.

“AI tools are being used to summarize research and earnings materials, analyze unstructured content, compare company disclosures and improve access to relevant information across large datasets,” Agrawal says. The goal is to “help investment professionals move more quickly from information gathering to analysis.”

The firm is also exploring agent-based AI tools, Agrawal says. “For example, one application analyzes the consensus, or ‘street view,’ across different asset classes and investment themes and compares it with our own research and perspectives to help identify areas where T. Rowe Price may have a differentiated view or potential investment edge.”

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Vanguard Group

Vanguard is using AI in a very Vanguard way: not to make investing look flashier, but to make research, advice and portfolio conversations more scalable. “Investors don’t have to trade transparency for innovation,” because the firm views AI as a tool that augments human expertise rather than replaces it, according to Mani Iyer, chief AI and technology officer at Vanguard.

The firm’s in-house quantitative equity managers use proprietary AI models they manage, while investment experts evaluate model outputs before they’re incorporated into portfolios, Iyer says. Vanguard’s Expert Insights capability uses generative AI to deliver personalized portfolio analysis for advisors. The tool includes article summaries for investors to help tailor Vanguard research by financial acumen and investing life stage. Iyer says the goal is better access to personalized guidance, with strong governance, clarity and human oversight.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ()

Goldman Sachs brings a systematic angle to the AI asset management story. And with more than 35 years of experience in systematic, data-driven investing, over 15 years using AI and more than 1 trillion data points as of March 31, the firm’s quantitative investment specialists know what they’re doing.

The team uses natural language processing and advanced technology within deep learning models to analyze text and audio that can use in their decision making. Newer models can even pick up the subtleties of human speech across different languages to help portfolio managers understand management sentiment during earnings calls.

“It works because it pays to be data-driven,” Osman Ali, global co-head of quantitative investment strategies for Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said in a recent company podcast. “It pays to be dispassionate in your investing, and it pays to be dynamic because as the world changes, as markets change, as data changes, we adapt and evolve these models to help us gain an informational edge in the markets that we operate in.”

Man Group

Man Group offers one of the clearest examples of AI being used for asset management. In February, the global alternative investment manager announced a partnership with Anthropic to help “put AI at the center of investing,” with a primary focus on using AI for alpha generation. The partnership uses Anthropic’s Claude alongside Man Group’s proprietary technology platform to facilitate the transition from raw datasets to investment decisions, including code execution and integrating insights for portfolio management teams.

The firm’s Man AHL division has used machine learning for more than a decade, and it’s now building proprietary generative AI tools such as AlphaGPT. The firm describes AlphaGPT as an agentic AI research workflow that can brainstorm investment hypotheses, turn those ideas into code and evaluate potential signals against the same standards used for human-generated research. While the tool still requires human oversight and strategic direction, Man Group believes it can help researchers process more data, test more ideas and identify potential alpha signals more efficiently.

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You can find loan options that don’t require proof of income, but they can be risky and costly. Here’s what you need to know about personal loans without income verification, as well as alternatives to these loans.

[Read: ]

What Is a No-Income Loan?

A no-income loan doesn’t require proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax returns or statements from your bank.

This type of loan is probably most closely associated with mortgages. Widespread use of NIV, or no income verification, helped cause the housing crisis during the Great Recession of the early 2000s.

Because of the risks associated with no-income verification loans, many lenders are reluctant to approve them. Even if you get a loan without verifiable income, you can end up with less-than-ideal terms.

Can I Get a Personal Loan Without a Job?

A personal loan can be difficult but not impossible to get without a job. Most lenders want to see that you are earning a regular income before approving a personal loan.

However, that does not necessarily have to be job-related income. You may be able to count these alternative sources:

— Dividends and interest

— Social Security

— Unemployment

— Alimony

— Child support

— Pension or annuity income

Still, you might struggle to get a personal loan without traditional employment. Approval can even be difficult for the self-employed, says Kendall Meade, certified financial planner at SoFi.

“For self-employed people, it can be hard to show their true income,” she says. “Some may take a low salary from their business. This can make it difficult to qualify for personal loans or large amounts, in some cases.”

Self-employed people who successfully land a personal loan often have to provide additional documentation, such as copies of bank statements, tax returns and other financial records, Meade says.

Unemployed borrowers also face an uphill climb when applying for a personal loan. “It can be hard to qualify for a personal loan while unemployed because your income may be very low or even zero,” Meade says.

Types of Personal Loans for Unemployed Borrowers

If you don’t have a job and need a personal loan, you may want to consider some of these options:

— These are , creating less risk for the lender. You may be able to borrow more at a lower rate because the loan is supported by an asset, but you also risk losing that asset if you fall behind on payments.

— Loans from family members or friends. You might be able to get a great deal, but you can damage relationships if you have trouble paying back the loan. Carefully weigh the pros and cons before borrowing.

— This is a type of loan attached to your credit card that allows you to get cash quickly. But cash advances can be expensive. These loans often come with higher rates than those associated with typical credit card borrowing.

— These are generally a bad idea and should be used only as a last resort.

[Read: ]

How to Qualify for a Personal Loan With No Income

Lenders may suggest some of these approaches to help you get approved for a personal loan with no proof of income:

This may reassure the lender if you don’t have enough income on your own. The cosigner is legally responsible for repaying the loan if you do not, which means that both parties are on the hook for the duration of the loan.

You may use an asset, such as a vehicle or money in a savings account, to back the loan in case you default. The lender can seize your collateral to recover its money if you don’t repay your personal loan as agreed.

Lean on an excellent credit score. may be enough for a lender to approve a personal loan even without verifiable income, according to Lantern by SoFi, a loan marketplace site.

Note alternative income on your loan application. Sources that may help are pension and Social Security income, investment and rental income, unemployment benefits, and side-gig income. You may also want to list disability, alimony and child support. Lenders can’t require you to provide that information, but it can help you qualify.

Even if you qualify for a personal loan with no income, keep in mind that you may not want what lenders have to offer. For example, no-income loans almost always come with:

— High interest rates and fees

— Low borrowing limits

— Short repayment windows

Pros and Cons of No-Income Loans

Pros

— Offer relatively fast access to cash

— Create a potential path to loan approval without income

Cons

— Carry high interest rates and fees

— Limit how much you can borrow

— Require quick repayment

— Need a cosigner with good credit or income for approval in some situations

[READ: ]

Alternatives to No-Income Loans

If you don’t qualify for a personal loan without proof of income or what you qualify for doesn’t seem like a good option, consider one of these alternatives:

— Home equity loan or line of credit. If you have sufficient home equity, decent credit and some cash flow, you may get a better deal with a home equity loan or HELOC than with a no-income personal loan.

— Loan or withdrawal from a retirement account. You can access some of the money in a Roth IRA without penalty, for example. “With a Roth IRA, you are able to withdraw any of your contributions — just the money you contributed, no earnings — at any time without penalties or taxes,” Meade says. You may be able to borrow against your 401(k) if your employer allows it, or take a taxable hardship withdrawal.

— If you have a card with available credit, you may want to use that instead of applying for a personal loan.

Note that these options also have drawbacks. For example, if you fail to pay a home equity loan or HELOC, you risk losing your home. And if you withdraw money from a workplace retirement account, even temporarily, you can hurt your ability to save.

“Your money will no longer be invested, and if you leave your job, you may have to pay it back at an accelerated rate,” Meade says.

Still, exhaust your options before turning to a personal loan, says Catherine Valega, certified financial planner and wealth consultant with Green Bee Advisory.

“Cut back on expenses, get a side hustle, move to a smaller rental before finding yourself in the place of needing a personal loan,” Valega says.

The negative aspects of this type of borrowing can become even more pronounced during a credit crunch brought on by an economic downturn, Valega says. Personal loans are often very expensive, she says, and this type of borrowing should be a last resort.

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There are currently three approved by the Food and Drug Administration to help protect people against the virus: Arexvy by GlaxoSmithKline, Abrysvo by Pfizer and mResvia by Moderna.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for both seniors 75 and older and higher-risk populations, particularly those ages 50 to 74 with qualifying risk factors.

“Due to RSV, around 6,000 to 10,000 older adults die annually. Older persons also often have chronic conditions — such as (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and — which may worsen with severe RSV,” says Dr. Roopa Anmolsingh, a geriatrician at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Geriatric Medicine in Ohio.

Given how serious the illness can be in certain populations, it’s important to make sure people are protected from getting RSV and have access to the vaccine through their insurance.

Here’s what you need to know about Medicare coverage of the RSV vaccine.

[READ: ]

Medicare Coverage

As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Medicare and with prescription drug coverage must cover the RSV vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs.

Source:

Any vaccine administration fee at the time of service is reimbursable through Medicare. If, when you go to get the vaccine you are told otherwise, you should call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.

Note: The recently announced that Part D subsidies would be ending in 2027. This change impacts your monthly premium, but it should not affect RSV vaccine coverage, which is mandated under the IRA.

If you have a plan, find out where you can receive the vaccine within the plan’s network before you make your appointment.

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Avoiding Transmission

Like many viruses, RSV is transmitted through the air and can survive on surfaces for several hours. In addition to vaccination, you can lower your risk of contracting the virus by avoiding contact with those who are sick, frequently and being aware of what you touch while you are out in public.

[Read: ]

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Interest rates on home loans have risen since the beginning of the U.S. war in Iran in late February. The Middle East conflict put upward pressure on oil prices, which can make other items more expensive to manufacture and transport. Put simply, higher oil prices mean higher inflation — and higher inflation means higher interest rates. June’s consumer price index report showed that inflation slowed to 3.5% as energy prices declined — but the relief is likely to be temporary given the resurgence in the Middle East conflict. That’s compared with May’s reading of 4.2%, which was the highest pace of price growth in three years. On top of that, markets are reacting to a one-two punch of stubbornly high consumer prices and resilient labor data, with recent jobs reports remaining relatively stable.

Rates are slightly higher after , which concluded yesterday. Although the central bank held rates steady as widely expected, three policymakers voted for a quarter-point rate hike, compared with June’s unanimous vote to leave rates unchanged. With inflation above the Fed’s 2% target, it’s likely that the central bank will raise rates in the coming months.

“Importantly, regardless of Fed action, mortgage rates are unlikely to fall meaningfully until inflation cools and long-term yields move decisively lower.”

— Selma Hepp, chief economist for the real estate analytics provider Cotality

Most experts expect over the next few years, stuck above 6% for the 30-year fixed term. Although there’s always the chance that something unexpected could happen in the U.S. economy that could send rates tumbling lower, it’s unlikely that rates will fall below 3% or even 4% in the foreseeable future.

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Current Mortgage Purchase Rates

Here are today’s interest rates for conforming purchase mortgages by loan term:

— : 6.863%

— : 6.799%

— : 6.018%

— : 6.312%

— 7-year ARM: 6.961%

— : 6.12%

— 3-year ARM: 8.25%

And here are the current government-backed and nonconforming mortgage rates by loan type:

— : 6.543%

— : 5.99%

— : 5.99%

Current Mortgage Refinance Rates

Here are today’s mortgage refinance rates:

— 6.977%

— 20-year fixed refi: 6.933%

— 5.971%

— 10-year fixed refi: 6.183%

Mortgage refinance rates tend to follow the same trends as mortgage purchase rates, although interest rates on a mortgage refinance are often a few basis points higher than on purchase mortgages.

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Mortgage Rate Trends in 2026 So Far

collects weekly mortgage rate data, which can help provide context for mortgage borrowers on how and why mortgage rates change over time. Since the mortgage giant began collecting data in 1971, the median mortgage rate is 7.23%.

The 30-year fixed rate of 2.65% in January 2021, driving up demand for purchase and refinance mortgages. Since then, mortgage rates rose to nearly 8% in October 2023 before coming down to around 6.5% currently. Still, that’s nothing compared with the record high of 18.63% recorded in 1981.

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Mortgage Monthly Payment Calculator

Your mortgage interest rate is just one aspect of your monthly housing payment. You’ll need to carefully consider how your home’s purchase price will impact your budget so you don’t buy more house than you can comfortably afford.

The mortgage term — or the length of your loan — will also significantly influence your monthly payments. Most borrowers opt for a 30-year fixed mortgage, which can keep monthly payments affordable because they are spread over a long repayment term. But if you can afford the higher monthly payments of a 15-year mortgage, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments over time.

You’ll also need to consider property taxes, home insurance, homeowners association fees and , if applicable. You can use the calculator below to run the numbers for your financial situation.

How to Shop for a Mortgage

The mortgage rates we display on this page are national averages from lenders as provided to U.S. 91欧美激情 by Zillow, not necessarily the exact rate you’ll receive. Mortgage rates fluctuate throughout the day, and some lenders may be able to offer more favorable pricing for your situation than others.

“As rates fluctuate, aspiring buyers should remember that by shopping around for the best mortgage rate and getting multiple quotes, they can potentially save thousands,” says Sam Khater, chief economist at Freddie Mac, in a statement.

Here are a few tips to help you shop for the lowest mortgage rate possible for your financial situation:

— Get your finances in order. Collect the documents you’ll need to apply for a mortgage using . You should also check your credit score and get a copy of your credit report to see where you stand.

— Apply through three to five lenders. Be sure to consider different loan types (such as ) as well as different types of lenders (like online lenders versus credit unions). Keep your rate shopping to a two-week window to minimize the negative impact to your credit score.

— Compare loan estimates. This document will outline the loan’s costs, including origination charges, lender credits, discount points, as well as the loan’s interest rate and or APR. The APR includes the interest rate as well as any fees, making it a holistic way to compare the cost of multiple loan offers.

Check out this from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to get a better idea of what to expect when comparing loan offers.

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How Are Student Loan Payments Determined?

Student loan payments are based on your loan amount, and repayment term. The more money you borrow to pay for college, the higher your payments will be once you graduate. Lower interest rates result in lower monthly payments, and vice versa. Choosing a shorter repayment period can help you pay off your loans faster, but your monthly payments will be higher.

But the process of taking out and repaying student loans is far more nuanced than those three factors. A graduate degree can leave you with higher student loan payments, but it may help increase your lifetime earning potential. And with , it can be challenging to plan for monthly payments, even if you choose an in-state public university. Here are a few critical education decisions that can impact your student loan payments.

The Cost of the College You Attend

Public universities are typically cheaper than private colleges, particularly if you can qualify for in-state tuition. This means the average student loan payment among those who graduate from a public school is much lower than for those who attended a private college.

While the data shows that private college graduates carry more student loan debt, it’s important to consider all options for your unique circumstances. For example, a private school that offers a generous scholarship package may end up being cheaper than a public college at full tuition, resulting in lower future payments. Still, it’s a personal decision to determine whether the higher cost of one university is worth the investment.

The Type of Degree You Obtain

Obtaining a graduate degree can help advance your career and potentially increase your income over time; in many fields of study, such as or , a professional degree is a requirement. Naturally, the cost of going to college for an additional two to eight years will greatly increase the amount of student loan debt you accrue, leading to higher monthly payments once you’re in the workforce.

For some professions, it may eventually pay off to take out six figures’ worth of student debt, but you’ll need to be prepared for much higher student loan payments if you plan to go back to school for a graduate or professional degree.

One important consideration if you’re thinking about earning an advanced degree is the new federal student loan borrowing limit. The set a borrowing limit of $257,500 for all federal student loans.

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The Type of Student Loans You Borrow

There are two general types of student loans: . Most borrowers will benefit from the low interest rates and flexible repayment options offered by federal student loans. Depending on your financial need, you may also qualify for a subsidized federal loan, in which the government pays the interest on your loans while you’re in school.

Some students, particularly those who are obtaining costly professional degrees, may choose to borrow private student loans when federal aid doesn’t fully cover the cost of college. About 15% of students who earned an bachelor’s degree in 2019-20 received nonfederal loans, which includes private student loans, according to the .

It’s difficult to estimate an average private student loan payment since the borrowing terms can vary widely from one applicant to the next. Still, let’s use this example: If you need to borrow an additional $10,000 of private student loans to pay for college, the monthly payments (assuming a 10-year loan length and an 8% interest rate) would be $121. That’s in addition to your federal student loan payments.

Also, you may be required to make payments on your private student loans while you’re still in school. And after you graduate or otherwise leave school, you could end up with both federal and private student loan payments.

The Repayment Plan You Choose

Federal student loan borrowers can choose from a number of repayment plans. Here’s a rundown of your current options:

— Standard repayment plan. Payments are fixed (and stay the same) for a period of 10 years. All borrowers with loans issued before July 1, 2026 are eligible for this plan.

— Tiered standard plan. Payments are fixed for a repayment period of 10, 15, 20 or 25 years, depending on the principal loan balance. All borrowers are eligible for this plan.

— Income-driven repayment, or IDR, plans. Payments are limited to a set percentage of your discretionary income of your adjusted gross income, and any outstanding loan balance is forgiven after making payments over a predetermined period, generally between 20 and 30 years. There are several types of IDR plans, and each has its own eligibility requirements.

Private student loans aren’t eligible for federal repayment plans, and the repayment options vary from one private lender to the next. Private student loans are typically repaid at over a period of five to 20 years. Some lenders may require you to make interest-only or fixed payments while you’re still in school, while others may offer in-school deferment.

The Interest Rate and Fees You Pay

are set based on the year of origination. For example, if you took out a federal direct loan for undergraduate studies during the 2026-27 academic year, the current interest rate on that loan is 6.52% — although this rate has been as low as 2.75% in 2020-21 and as high as 6.8% in 2006-08.

Your interest rate also depends on the type of federal loan you need to borrow. Graduate students and pay a higher interest rate than undergraduates.

Federal student loan borrowers must also pay an origination fee that’s a set percentage of the loan amount and is added to the principal balance. The current federal student loan fee is 1.057% for most loans, except for PLUS loans, which come with a loan fee of 4.228%.

While federal student loan rates are the same across all borrowers during the same time period, private student loan interest rates vary from one borrower to another. Private student loan lenders determine your interest rate and eligibility based on your credit history, including credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Private student loan fixed rates average between 3.60% and 15.12%, according to a June 2026 U.S. 91欧美激情 analysis of private lenders.

– Tip: If you can’t qualify for a competitive rate on a private student loan, consider taking steps to improve your credit score or enlisting the help of a such as a trusted relative.

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How to Plan for Your Student Loan Payments

If you’re deciding where to go to college or whether you should further your education with a graduate degree, you’ll want to know how much you’ll pay toward your student loan debt each month after graduation. Here’s how you can estimate your future student loan payments.

Determine How Much You’ll Need to Borrow

Estimating the cost of college is an important yet challenging step to determining your student loan payments. You can see a college’s full cost of attendance by filling out the , or FAFSA. Completing this form is required by schools to determine whether you’re eligible for federal student loans, as well as grants and work-study programs, which can cut down on how much you need to borrow.

Additionally, colleges are required to publish a that details a comprehensive cost estimate, including commonly overlooked expenses such as transportation and school supplies.

Estimate the Interest Rate You’ll Pay

For the 2026-27 academic year, the interest rate on federal direct loans for undergraduate students is 6.52%. The current rate for graduate or professional students is 8.07%, and it’s 9.07% for .

If you need to borrow private student loans to bridge the college financing gap, it can be more difficult to estimate your interest rate since private student loan rates vary depending on the borrower. However, many private lenders let you get prequalified to check your estimated rate with a , which won’t impact your credit score.

Use a Student Loan Payment Calculator

The Department of Education offers a that allows you to calculate your monthly payments based on your projected loan amount, degree type and repayment plan. You can enter a university’s name and location to estimate how much the program might cost. The tool can also determine which repayment plan is best for you, and if you qualify for programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF.

For private student loans, you can use the to estimate your monthly payments by inputting the loan amount, repayment length and interest rate.

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“Community colleges are often overlooked by international students because most people outside of the U.S. do not understand what a community college is and what the advantage would be to study at a community college,” says Rob Robbins, director of international student services at in Utah.

Community colleges primarily offer two-year associate degrees and certificate programs. There are more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, according to the American Association of Community Colleges.

“We meet you where you are, and we get you ready for the next step of your life,” says Amit Singh, president of , a community college in Washington. “We don’t select winners, we create winners.”

The number of international students studying at community colleges in the U.S. increased 8% between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, according to the 2025 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange by the Institute of International Education. Although numbers remain lower than earlier this century amid a broader in U.S. international student enrollment, some community colleges welcome hundreds and even thousands of international students each year.

Community college offers international and domestic students many of the same advantages, including a more affordable path into higher education and the ability to build a strong academic foundation before transferring to a four-year institution.

Here are some facts about community college to keep in mind as you consider your options.

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An Affordable Pathway to a U.S. Degree

Community colleges can provide a significantly more affordable route to a U.S. degree than many four-year colleges and universities, experts say.

Although typically pay out-of-state tuition at community colleges, tuition generally is still significantly lower than at four-year institutions. This can save students money while also making it easier for them to obtain , since getting a student visa requires the student and their family to prove they can cover the cost of education.

International students “often benefit from lower tuition rates while still receiving a high-quality education and access to transfer opportunities,” says Jen Sydow-Madoski, program manager in the Center for Global Engagement at Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona.

Students at the system’s 10 locations, for example, “can complete associate degrees and transfer pathways at a fraction of the cost of many universities,” she says.

Academic Support

Community colleges often offer smaller class sizes than four-year colleges and universities. At the same time, for community college professors, teaching is the priority.

“Community colleges are designed with faculty that are 100% committed to students,” says Marielena DeSanctis, chancellor of the Colorado Community College System. “They’re not bifurcating their time between teaching and learning and research opportunities.”

Adjustment to U.S. Higher Education

Nearly all community colleges allow all qualifying students to attend, don’t specify a minimum high school GPA or don’t require international students to take an . Plus, community college can be a good introduction to the American higher education system.

Community colleges can help students “build confidence, strengthen their English-language skills and develop meaningful connections before transferring to a university or entering the workforce,” Sydow-Madoski says.

International students generally need to prove English proficiency in order to get an F-1 student visa. Most community colleges offer structured English-language support to international students, such as classes and on-campus tutoring.

Studying at a community college can also help students be more prepared and successful and ease some of the culture shock.

“We like to say that our (international) office is their home away from home,” Robbins says. “We like to have students in our space so we can get to know them and get to know what they are experiencing to help them have a more .”

Many international students work in the school’s office “and often our students will confide in their peers over college staff who also want to help,” he adds.

Transfer Opportunities to Four-Year Colleges

Depending on your community college, you may be able to earn a full bachelor’s degree without , if you desire.

“We have a growing number of students that are staying at the community college to complete their baccalaureate degree, and an international student might not realize that that’s the case,” DeSanctis says.

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A common misconception among international students is that they must complete their education at the institution where they first enroll. Transfer agreements are designed to help students move seamlessly from a community college to a four-year university.

“You come to us and you build your resume,” Singh says. “You make your background much, much stronger, and then you can jump to any big school you want.”

Because of misunderstandings about community colleges, international students overlook the opportunity to begin their education at one before transferring to a four-year institution, he adds. “We have had some of our students get accepted and transfer to schools.”

Transfer pathways “are one of the most important factors international students should evaluate before selecting a college,” Sydow-Madoski says.

When researching community colleges, she says, students should find out whether a school “has established transfer agreements, understand how credits transfer and determine whether their intended major aligns with transfer requirements at prospective universities.”

For example, although Maricopa Community Colleges offers some bachelor’s degrees, the system works closely with more than 55 university partners to create transfer pathways for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree elsewhere.

“Students who begin and work closely with advisers can often save both time and money while minimizing the risk of losing credits during the transfer process,” Sydow-Madoski says.

Some Potential Drawbacks

While community colleges can be a good option, international students should understand potential challenges, experts say. These may include no on-campus housing options, a less-traditional campus life compared to four-year universities, fewer program offerings and the need to plan carefully to transfer.

Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult, especially at times when domestic students go home for holidays and other breaks. A school’s can play a big role during these potentially isolating moments.

In fact, DeSanctis says, “the number one question they should be asking is what does the international student services office look like?” That office can help students navigate academic expectations, rules and the nuances of maintaining visa eligibility.

Although some community colleges provide housing, most don’t, meaning all of their students commute, which “can require international students to be more intentional about getting involved in campus activities, clubs, leadership opportunities and community events,” Sydow-Madoski says.

Obtaining a student visa can also pose challenges. Globally, visa rejection rates hit 35% in 2025. The U.S. federal government has from numerous countries and made to the F-1 student visa under President Donald J. Trump.

Plan early to secure your visa, and keep your school in the loop as the process progresses, Singh advises.

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Other Considerations

Look beyond cost and consider the overall student experience, experts say.

“Factors such as academic quality, transfer success rates, student support services, , location, , internship opportunities and career preparation resources can have a significant impact on a student’s success,” Sydow-Madoski says.

Consider factors such as where in the U.S. you may want to live, the academic programs a school offers and the level of support an institution appears to provide international students. You can check schools’ websites and contact them directly to get a sense of the support available.

If campus life is important to you, consider a community college with . If other students you know have attended U.S. community colleges, ask them about their experiences while being mindful of your own goals and needs.

“I really encourage students to think about, ‘What do I want five years from now, and then what’s the institution that’s best going to serve those needs?'” DeSanctis says.

Experts also advise looking for schools with an international student webpage, which can indicate how much the institution welcomes and supports students from different countries. Contacting current international students at prospective schools via online forums, such as community colleges on the College Confidential platform and on social media, could also provide helpful information.

“Community colleges are hidden gems that are a real opportunity,” Robbins says, “and often a second chance for some students that provide a caring and understanding approach to helping students develop and learn the skills they need to succeed in the .”

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But what’s at the root of the problem? Experts say it’s about more than a person’s . It could be a combination of persistent inflation that makes spending feel necessary rather than discretionary, subscription creep, an unhealthy reliance on Buy Now, Pay Later services and social-media-driven purchase behavior.

“Addressing overspending from a purely financial perspective is often insufficient. One must delve into the psychological dimensions of their spending habits to enact lasting change,” Khwan Hathai, a certified financial planner and certified financial therapist at Epiphany Financial Therapy, wrote in an email.

Why Are Americans Overspending?

Here are five common reasons experts say Americans are overspending.

1. Social Pressure

“The desire to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ can lead people to spend beyond their means,” Sherman Standberry, a CPA and managing partner at My CPA Coach, wrote in an email.

It can be tempting to buy what you see others buying to signal that you can afford it, too, whether it’s clothes, cars, homes or vacations. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest can make those comparisons even harder to ignore.

“Some may view spending as a form of social proof, associating material purchases with self-worth or status,” Hathai said.

Instead of trying to compete, focus on your own priorities and financial goals. “Having a clear financial goal in mind can help motivate you to stick to your budget,” Standberry said.

2. Lifestyle and Subscription Creep

You may, for example, shop and go out to eat more often after getting a raise. As a result, despite making more money, your discretionary income doesn’t feel like it’s increased.

Then there’s subscription creep, which slowly drains your budget through small recurring charges you forget to cancel or keep because you don’t want to miss out. To prevent this, have a financial plan in place and revisit it whenever your income increases.

“Be honest about your necessary expenses and allocate the funds accordingly,” Standberry said. The goal is to spend intentionally.

3. Emotional Impulse Spending

Many people joke about retail therapy, but emotional spending is real. Whether it’s driven by FOMO, or fear of missing out, or an attempt to feel better after a stressful day, the immediate gratification of a shopping spree may feel good in the moment but can hurt your budget later.

In a recent financial wellness study by Intuit, 45% of respondents admitted that impulse spending has derailed their financial progress in the past.

“Overspending is often more than just a lapse in financial judgment; it frequently signals underlying emotional or psychological triggers. For instance, some people may overspend as a form of escapism, temporarily distracting themselves from stress or emotional pain,” Hathai said.

She explained that by understanding the emotional triggers that prompt overspending, you can develop healthier coping mechanisms that don’t involve reaching for your wallet.

4. Not Accounting for Inflation

While inflation has cooled since its most recent peak in 2022, consumers have been subject to inflation ebbs and flows. Consumer prices rose 4.2% from May 2025 to May 2026, according to the . on select items.

There will always be external factors at play, and if you don’t adjust your budget to account for cost increases, you’ll likely find yourself overspending each month. Standberry recommended using budgeting tools or apps to monitor where your money is going.

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5. Credit and BNPL Misconceptions

You have to repay every dollar you borrow, plus interest and fees. Credit should be a financial tool, not an extension of your . Paying your balances on time also helps protect your credit score.

The same can be true of Buy Now, Pay Later. While these services can make purchases feel more affordable by spreading payments over time, they may also encourage consumers to spend more than they otherwise would. Missed payments may be reported to the credit bureaus, potentially damaging your credit score.

The bottom line is: If you’re having trouble with overspending, Standberry recommended sticking to cash and debit cards so you’ll spend only what you have.

How to Curb Overspending

To gain control over spending and , start by acknowledging your spending patterns and dig deeper to see what may be behind them. For example, if late-night shopping on your phone is your trigger, consider using apps that block shopping sites during those hours.

You can also try these strategies:

— Choose a budgeting system you’ll actually use: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting. Whether you use an app like YNAB or Monarch Money, cash envelopes or a spreadsheet, tracking your spending can reveal where your money is going and help you identify opportunities to cut back.

— Review your subscriptions regularly: Tools like Rocket Money can help identify subscriptions you no longer use and make them easier to cancel. You can also review your bank and credit card statements yourself, highlight recurring charges and decide which services are still worth the cost. Consider adopting a one-in, one-out rule: Cancel one subscription before adding another. Setting calendar reminders before free trial periods end can also help you avoid unwanted charges.

— Seek professional advice if necessary: If you’re still struggling, consider talking with a for budgeting guidance or a licensed mental health professional to address the emotional factors that may be contributing to your spending habits.

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Little or No Work Experience

Some students gain admission to an MBA program right out of college, but that’s not the norm, some MBA admissions experts say. That’s because most MBA programs prefer candidates who can bring real-world to the classroom.

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A typical MBA student has about three to six years of work experience before starting their graduate studies, according to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a global business school accreditation organization.

Some build their MBA curriculum around the case study method, in which students discuss high-stakes business scenarios in the classroom and propose solutions. Admissions officers may worry that an applicant who lacks work experience won’t be able to contribute to class, says Yael Grushka-Cockayne, dean-elect and senior associate dean for the full-time MBA program at the University of Virginia’s .

“Experience is not simply an admissions preference,” she wrote in an email. “It is part of the educational model.”

Sources of Recommendation Letters

MBA admissions committees also tend to favor from supervisors or managers over college professors, Grushka-Cockayne says.

Admissions committees “are basically looking at you as a value-risk proposition,” says Judith Silverman Hodara, co-director of the MBA admissions consulting firm Fortuna Admissions and former director of admissions at at the University of Pennsylvania.

“If you’re someone with four years of work experience, you have a track record, right?” she says. “You’ve gotten promotions, you’ve got references and you’ve got evidence that you can perform. If you’re a college senior and you’re a 21- or 22 year-old person, you’re asking that admissions committee to basically bet on your potential.”

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Advantages of Going Directly to Business School

Applying to business school straight out of college can still have advantages, experts say.

For some students, an MBA is an opportunity to further their education at a time when they are already used to the rigors of university life and may have fewer family commitments.

But admissions counselors caution applicants not to use this path to that come with entering the working world for the first time.

“A lot of college seniors gravitate toward graduate school because it feels really otherwise,” Silverman Hodara says. “If you have a clear picture of what you’re going to do with your degree, if you can get very articulate about a specific door you’re trying to open, then the timing could be terrific. But if the answer, which is not uncommon, is, ‘I want to keep my options open,’ that’s usually a pretty good indication that you want to go and work first, and then pivot to graduate school.”

College students who are serious about pursuing an MBA directly after graduation should make a detailed plan that describes how that early-career business degree will fit into their overall professional goals, she says.

This approach may work particularly well for with a startup business already in motion, or students who have already accrued substantive leadership experience — for example, by working throughout high school and college or serving in the , Grushka-Cockayne says.

For these MBA applicants, “the discipline, leadership and high-stakes decision-making typically come before college rather than after it, so by the time someone finishes their bachelor’s degree, they may already have more relevant experience than many candidates who took the conventional route.”

[Read: ]

College students can increase their odds of success in the MBA admissions process by pursuing off campus and looking for other ways to take on project management duties and leadership responsibilities at school. That could include fundraising for a student group, publishing a literary journal or being captain of a sports team, Silverman Hodara says.

“You want to be able to talk about what you owned over the summer, what went wrong in a project you were working on, what you would do differently,” she says. “Anything that requires , focus, time management and all of these different ways that you learn and grow as an individual while at college can be really important, too.”

Students can also look into graduate school business programs that are specifically geared toward early-career candidates and their professional needs. For example, some business schools require MBA students to complete a full-time business internship after their first year before returning to campus, or expect admitted students to and work full time for two or more years first.

For tips on how to get into B-school, how to it and what an MBA could mean for your career, for U.S. 91欧美激情’ twice-monthly newsletter, The Bottom Line.

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“We live in an aspirational society,” says Timothy Black, professor of sociology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. “Being middle class provides a particular type of status. You have made it into the American mainstream.”

While many Americans still identify as middle class, rising costs have made it harder for many households to achieve the financial security once associated with that status.

What Is the Middle Class?

There is no universal definition of the middle class. People may define it based on income, assets, occupation or a combination of those factors.

Income

The defines middle-income households as those that earn two-thirds to double the U.S. median income for their household size.

The take a broader approach, defining the middle class as U.S. adults who live in households with annual incomes between $50,000 and $200,000. By this measure, more than half of U.S. adults are considered middle class.

Meanwhile, the Equifax Market Plus Index finds those in the group it calls the “pivoting middle” typically earn between $65,000 and $150,000, according to Jesse Hardin, senior advisor and economist at Equifax. Equifax estimates that 70% of Americans fall into this category based on anonymized credit, debt, income and asset data.

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Assets

A steady paycheck alone may not provide financial stability when housing, healthcare and other essential costs continue to rise.

In fact, a 2026 Aspen Institute found that nearly 3 of 4 U.S. households lack “essential wealth” — the level of assets needed to withstand financial shocks, build long-term financial security and pursue goals such as , retirement and education.

Having assets can provide a financial cushion and give households more options or economic uncertainty.

“Asset level has a huge bearing on how you’re navigating this economy,” Hardin says.

Job Status

While many people associate with middle-class status, job title alone doesn’t determine where someone falls economically. Income, assets and financial security often provide a more complete picture.

The terms working class and middle class are used interchangeably by some, but among those who make a distinction, the difference may hinge on job function. Those in the working class typically report to supervisors, while members of the middle class may be those supervisors, Black notes.

[Read: ]

How the Economy Is Changing the Middle Class

The size of the middle class has changed significantly over time. The Pew Research Center also found that the share of U.S. adults living in middle-income households fell from 61% in 1971 to 51% in recent years, while the shares in both lower- and upper-income households increased.

Now, many people talk about the post-COVID-19 world as having . That refers to the fact that some people have seen their financial situations improve markedly in recent years, while others have fallen further behind. If this pattern continues, it could mean a smaller middle class in the years to come.

“I think the term middle class almost masks the struggle of the working middle class,” says Heather Black, vice president of 211 system strategy at United Way Worldwide. She says that since COVID-19, her organization has seen a shift in the number of people dialing 2-1-1 to request assistance referrals. People who had never called before were now in need of help.

Middle Class Is No Guarantee of Comfortable Living

The United Way uses the acronym ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — to describe some families who might seem to be in the middle class but do not actually make enough to cover all their basic needs.

“It’s not that people aren’t (working), but they are not able to ,” Black says. The United Way recorded 13 million interactions on its 211 line last year, which resulted in 19 million referrals. “What we find is that the top needs are the most basic of things.”

Housing, utilities and were the top requests from people calling 211. With the savings rate now half what it was in 2021, according to Hardin, families may find themselves with less money set aside to cover .

“The reality is that the middle class is rapidly shifting,” Hardin says. He sees the K-shaped economy continuing to bisect those in the middle as households begin to move either up or down in economic status.

For many families, income alone no longer reflects financial security. Households may earn too much to qualify for government assistance yet still struggle to cover essential expenses, illustrating how the definition of the middle class extends beyond a paycheck.

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While it’s impossible to match the growth potential of small-cap stocks or dynamic in fixed-income markets, by contrast there are almost never deep declines in bond markets — making bond funds crucial in offsetting risk.

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The bond market is just as varied as the stock market, however, and investors can choose from a wide range of funds. Flavors include government debt, corporate bonds, inflation-protected securities and broad investment-grade markets, allowing each investor to find the right choice based on their specific goals and .

For investors seeking dependable income and greater portfolio , Schwab’s lineup of low-cost bond ETFs offers a variety of options that can serve as core holdings or targeted allocations within a broader investment strategy. Here are five of the best Schwab bond funds to buy now:

Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF ()

SCHZ is the firm’s flagship core fixed-income offering and one of the lowest-cost ways to gain diversified exposure to the U.S. investment-grade bond market via an ETF. This holds more than 12,000 individual investments, including Treasury securities, government agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and investment-grade corporate bonds to give a full picture of the bond market. The ETF also maintains a “goldilocks” intermediate duration that is neither too short nor too long, making it suitable as a core holding for just about any portfolio. If you want to keep things simple, SCHZ offers exposure to nearly every major segment of the U.S. taxable bond market in a single fund.

Schwab Intermediate-Term U.S. Treasury ETF ()

As the name implies, this Schwab bond fund is focused on intermediate U.S. Treasury bonds. The fund has an average duration of about five years, and it holds about 100 different bonds issued directly by the U.S. government. As Uncle Sam is among the most creditworthy borrowers on the planet, that makes the risk of default effectively zero, providing incredible peace of mind. However, investors should remember the relationship between risk and reward, meaning Treasury bonds generally carry smaller yields as a result. If you don’t mind leaving a bit of yield on the table, SCHR is appropriate for investors who want higher income than short-term Treasurys without assuming the significant duration risk associated with long-term government bonds or corporate debt.

Schwab 5-10 Year Corporate Bond ETF ()

SCHI invests exclusively in investment-grade corporate bonds issued by financially strong U.S. companies — meaning no “junk” bonds from risky operators — with maturities between five and 10 years. Although investors assume modest credit risk in exchange for higher yield, the roughly 2,400 bonds are from mega-corporations like Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. () and Big Pharma icon Pfizer Inc. (). The bigger yield and relative stability make SCHI an appealing complement to a core aggregate bond fund or .

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Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF ()

First things first: The yield listed on this fund is the SEC yield as measured by a strict mathematical formula over the past 30 days. And since Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are a special class of U.S. government bonds benchmarked to a price index, steeply rising inflation has been a tailwind. However, this tactical ETF carries risk as inflation rates are not reliable — and a downswing in prices can really hurt TIPS investors. SCHP is valuable to retirees and concerned that rising inflation could erode the real value of fixed-income investments and future purchasing power, particularly in 2026. But long-term investors should think carefully about using SCHP in their portfolio despite the big near-term yield.

Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF ()

SCHO rounds out the list by providing exposure to an asset that is almost as good as cash. Short-term Treasury securities mature in one to three years and are tied to the U.S. government — meaning unless America goes bankrupt in the next 18 months or so, you’ll get paid just fine. This corner of the bond market has historically exhibited significantly lower volatility than the stock market as well as intermediate- or long-term bonds. While its yield may fluctuate as short-term interest rates move, the ETF generally doesn’t budge otherwise, and it provides a highly liquid, government-backed source of income. You won’t grow your portfolio by leaps and bounds, and in many ways SCHO should be seen as an alternative to high-yield savings accounts or . But it is especially well-suited for investors who are focused on capital preservation over growth.

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But no app offers the magic formula for investing success.

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Instead, they’re simply tools to access a brokerage’s services. In principle, it’s not so different from the technology of a few decades ago, when investors would call their broker to place a trade or get access to research about a stock.

“The best investing app is the one that turns you into a boring, consistent investor, not a bored one hunting for action,” says Stoy Hall, a certified financial planner (CFP) and CEO of Black Mammoth in Ankeny, Iowa.

“The app is just the tool; the habit is the wealth,” he adds.

Here’s a look at seven of the most popular apps for new investors:

— Fidelity

— Charles Schwab

— Robinhood

— SoFi Invest

— Webull

— Acorns

— Betterment

Fidelity

As the interface for a major brokerage company, the allows users to trade stocks, crypto, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, mutual funds and fixed income, all without a commission.

Investors can also buy fractional shares starting with as little as $1 and make recurring automated purchases.

Fidelity also offers services such as bill pay and check deposits.

“If someone asked me where to open their first account, this is usually one of the options,” says Noah Schwab, CFP and owner of Stewardship Concepts in Spokane, Washington.

“Zero-commission trades and no-minimum index funds mean a beginner can start with $50 and not get nickeled to death, and the education library is genuinely good rather than a marketing funnel,” he adds.

Charles Schwab

This app puts research and education front and center, making it great for those who want to learn about investing. Research offerings include interactive charts, option chains and AI-powered insights into portfolio performance.

In addition to trading stocks, options, ETFs and mutual funds, investors get access to the thinkorswim platform for advanced users. While a true beginner could make use of these features, it may be a little too much for some, says Taylor Price, a Gen Z personal financial expert and founder of Priceless Tay in Naples, Florida.

“For more advanced investors, I love and use Charles Schwab,” she says. For investors who want to dive into financial analysis, the offers more technical data than some rivals, she adds.

Robinhood

When people were stuck at home during the pandemic with stimulus checks and no sports to bet on, was ready to grab some of their attention and dollars.

The company had a head start in the race for , which attracted young and new investors. Robinhood understood platform stickiness, as evidenced by its confetti animations, ease of purchasing fractional shares and a sophisticated mobile user interface.

All of this combined to make investing feel approachable and fun to first-time retail investors.

“Robinhood is the simplest way on Earth to place your first trade, and that low barrier is a genuine strength,” Hall says.

The same frictionless, gamified design that makes it easy to start also makes it easy to treat investing like a slot machine, he adds.

“Perfect for buying your first index fund. Dangerous if it turns you into a day trader,” Hall says.

SoFi Invest

offers a broad range of services designed to guide consumers toward keeping all their financial accounts and transactions under one umbrella.

Besides investments, SoFi customers can take out student loans or mortgages, open a credit card, trade crypto or open a checking account. The company also offers business services.

“SoFi is especially approachable for someone who may feel intimidated by investing,” says Jon Lapp, a CFP and financial planner at Haven Financial Advisors in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

“The app is easy to navigate, and the combination of automated investing and access to financial planning can help a beginner get started without feeling like they need to understand everything first,” he adds.

However, Lapp says he’s concerned that investing apps including SoFi may conflate ease of trading with good investing.

“The best platform is the one that encourages consistent contributions, diversification and a long-term plan rather than frequent trading,” Lapp says. “SoFi does offer a broad range of financial products outside of investing, so they are often a recommendation I give to someone looking for a one-stop shop.”

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Webull

is a zero-commission trading app popular with active, tech-savvy traders. It offers stocks, ETFs, options and crypto.

Features that attract new and seasoned investors include advanced charting, extended trading hours, paper trading and AI-powered market news.

But there are some limitations: Investors who want to buy mutual funds must open an IRA account, and Webull doesn’t offer forex trading.

However, Webull’s charting capabilities are a strength, Noah Schwab says. “If someone genuinely wants to learn technical analysis, the tools are there.”

However, he says technical analysis may teach a new investor to think in days instead of a decades-long time horizon. “The skill a beginner needs most is doing nothing for long stretches, and no charting package teaches that,” he adds.

Acorns

This app’s claim to fame is that it automatically invests spare change, removing some friction from the process of investing. Acorns also offers automated retirement accounts called Acorns Later, as well as custodial accounts for kids, dubbed Acorns Early Invest. The company’s debit card funnels rewards straight into users’ portfolios.

The app builds diversified ETF portfolios based on your individual , with the idea of encouraging a consistent, low-effort habit of investing.

“I’ve been using Acorns since 2020 to invest without overthinking it,” Price says. The app is especially well suited to the “spender” personality type. For those who struggle to save intentionally, Acorns removes the decision-making.

“If you’re a beginner, this is where I’d start,” Price says.

Betterment

is best known as a platform for balanced ETF portfolios.

It also offers automated portfolio rebalancing, which means investors never have to think about what holdings to buy or sell. Betterment features include tax-loss harvesting, goal-based planning and a .

Premium users get unlimited access to CFPs as well. And the app rounds out its retirement suite with traditional and , as well as Simplified Employee Pension IRAs for self-employed investors.

Betterment, says Hall, is the top choice for someone who wants no part of picking stocks or funds.

“Answer a few questions and it builds and rebalances a diversified portfolio for you, automatically, forever,” he says.

“Yes, there’s a small management fee, but for a beginner that fee buys the single most valuable thing there is: you leaving it alone,” Hall adds. “Set it, automate it, walk away.”

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