Economy

Surviving in a moment of rental hikes and inflation

4:32pm July 04, 2022

Rents are up 15% nationwide and as much as 30% in some cities. Inflation and rising interest rates are also pricing many buyers out of the housing market — increasing the pressure to rent.

Economy

How much more will your July 4 barbecue cost this year?

8:12am July 03, 2022

by Shannon Bond

NPR's Shannon Bond talks with David Branch, co-author of a new report about why that July 4 barbecue is going to cost a lot more this year.

Johnny Navarro sits on the hood of his recently purchased 2014 Lexus.

Economy

Monthly car payments have crossed a record $700. What that means

9:18am July 02, 2022

by Brittany Cronin

The average cost of a new car is also at the highest on record, topping $47,000 a pop. At this rate, an essential household purchase is starting to feel like a luxury in America.

Queue Listen Now

It's Bobby Bonilla Day, the day each year the Mets pay the former player $1.2 million

4:42pm July 01, 2022

Each year on July 1, the New York Mets must send a $1.2 million check to an All Star player named Bobby Bonilla. The strange thing is: Bonilla hasn't played baseball in over 20 years.

How Americans are rethinking their spending habits

4:42pm July 01, 2022

Inflation has affected the price of just about everything, from gas prices, to food, to housing. Across the country, Americans are rethinking their spending habits.

Fourth of July food costs more this year: Hot dogs: +6.3% since last year. Produce: +7%. Shrimp: +8.2%. Buns: +10%. Ground beef: +11.8%. Soda: +13%. Chicken breast: +24%. Beer: +25%. Wings: +38%.

Economy

Fourth of July parties will cost more this year but you can save with a bit of math

10:27am July 01, 2022

by Jacqueline GaNun

Hosting a July 4th barbeque is 11 percent more expensive than last year, thanks to inflation. The prices of chicken wings, ground beef and beer have all skyrocketed. Still, there are ways to save.

Patients and the consumer advocates say there are things people should do to try to avoid, or navigate, the medical debt trap. Financial assistance is available, but it all requires self-advocacy.

How to get rid of medical debt — or avoid it in the first place

9:46am July 01, 2022

by Yuki Noguchi

Bills can add up fast when you're dealing with a health crisis. And if you can't pay them, they can wreak havoc on your finances. Here's how to stay out of medical debt — or make it go away.

41% of adults in the U.S. have medical debt. Here are some ways to try to avoid it

5:07pm June 30, 2022

by Yuki Noguchi

High deductibles, copays and health care costs are fueling a massive debt crisis in the U.S. In our ongoing investigation into medical debt, we look at ways to stay out of the health care debt trap.

President Joe Biden delivered remarks at an event in the Port of Los Angeles, touching on inflated gas prices.

What's causing inflation? One expert walks through some of the factors

10:49am June 29, 2022

As many Americans continue to struggle financially because of inflation, we set out to clear the air on some common claims about what's going on.

Queue Listen Now

Ari and TR Brooks stood on the land where their new home would be built the day they agreed to buy it back in February of 2021. But the home is still not completed and mortgage rates have risen dramatically.

Economy

The pain of rising mortgage rates when you're waiting for your home to be built

7:01am June 29, 2022

by Chris Arnold

Many Americans put down deposits of $20,000 or more with builders to put up new homes. But with mortgage rates rising, some can no longer afford the homes. And they could lose their deposits.