All Posts By

Tarra Jackson

Car Insurance Rates Jump 22% As Coverage Costs Climb

By Money Management No Comments

 Understand what affects your rate so you can shop smarter and cut costs. 

Unhappy driver
Dusan Petkovic / Shutterstock.com

Car insurance premiums are climbing sharply, squeezing drivers even as inflation cools in other areas. According to the Associated Press (AP), rates rose 2.6% in March and are up 22% from a year ago. While food and energy prices have stabilized, rising coverage costs continue to burden consumers — and fuel inflation. Here’s what’s driving the surge — and what you can do to better understand…

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Kroger to Close 60 Stores and Invest in Customer Experience

By Money Management No Comments

 Learn what’s driving the cuts. 

Kroger storefront
Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com

Kroger, the country’s largest supermarket operator by revenue, plans to close 60 of its grocery stores across the U.S. over the next year and a half, CBS News reports. The closures represent roughly 5% of the Cincinnati-based retailer’s 1,239 Kroger-branded stores spanning 16 states. Although shoppers may soon see “Closing” signs on local doors, the company has not disclosed which…

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Are You Saving Enough? See How Your 401(K) Stack up Against National Averages

By Money Management No Comments

 Retirement savings are hitting record highs — but averages alone won’t tell you if you’re on track. 

Piggy bank with 401k on the side, next to stacks of coins
DD Images / Shutterstock.com

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Today’s workers are contributing more to their 401(k) accounts than ever before, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all on track for a secure retirement. According to data from Vanguard cited by CNBC…

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12 Proven Ways to Cut Your Cooling Costs — Even During a Summer Like This One

By Money Management No Comments

 Beat the heat this summer without burning a hole in your pocket. 

Woman programming thermostat
Lopolo / Shutterstock.com

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Using an air conditioner to stay cool can take a big bite out of household budgets. Fortunately, there are other ways to help cool your home that also will cut your costs. Additionally, there are steps you can take to…

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Starbucks Just Changed Add-on Pricing: Here’s What It’ll Cost You Now

By Money Management No Comments

 Some customers will save. Others might rethink their morning ritual. Here’s why. 

Starbucks sign
Sergey Kohl / Shutterstock.com

Your daily Starbucks run might start looking a little different at the register. The coffee giant is rolling out a new system for drink add-ins like syrups, sauces, matcha, and more, according to CBS News. The goal is to streamline charges and make pricing more consistent across stores. If you’re among the many who personalize your coffee, here’s how the changes could affect your order total.

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$2 Water, $1,100 Gone: How Street Vendors Are Scamming Drivers

By Money Management No Comments

 This scam started in Atlanta, but it could hit your city next. Learn how it works — and how to protect yourself. 

Woman with empty wallet
Sellwell / Shutterstock.com

A growing scam in Atlanta is targeting generous drivers through mobile payment apps. What is intended to be a small purchase can quickly escalate into hundreds stolen in seconds, according to Moneywise. Typically involving teens selling bottled water at intersections, these encounters are drawing increased scrutiny from Fox 5 Atlanta as more victims come forward. The setup seems innocent.

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