Tarra Jackson

[[{“value”:”It feels like every time I hit the store, I’m paying more than I did the day before. My grocery bills are creeping upwards, utilities are too, and don’t even get me started on my car insurance renewal — ouch!Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. The latest inflation report for May 2025 shows the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% over last year. That’s a slight bump from April’s 2.3%. Core inflation (which excludes food and energy) is holding steady at 2.8%.Those numbers might not sound scary on paper, but they’re starting to show up in everyday life. And experts are warning that prices could climb even more this year, especially with new tariffs kicking in.So here’s what I’m doing to get ready — and how you can prepare, too.1. Build a bigger buffer with a high-yield savings accountThe first and easiest move to prepare for higher future prices is to start padding your short-term savings account.It’s not just about peace of mind with more cash on hand. It’s also about protecting your money from losing value.A standard checking account may earn you just 0.01% interest (mine does). It means all the money I keep in there loses value month after month, because inflation is higher than my interest rate.But many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) pay 4.00% APY or more. My HYSA actually pays 4.50% right now. So I keep as much cash as I can in that account, because it’s not only keeping up with inflation — it’s growing faster currently.You don’t need to be a big saver. Even parking $1,000 in a better savings account could earn you $40 or more in interest each year. May not seem like much, but when your car insurance renewal pops up and it’s $100 higher than last year, you’ll have a few more bucks to cover it.Looking for a good account to start with? Compare top-rated high-yield savings accounts and start earning 4.00%+ APY today.2. Make smart purchases before prices riseIf you’ve been waiting to replace your fridge or finally upgrade your phone, you might want to move sooner rather than later.New tariffs, especially on electronics and appliances, could drive up prices later this year. And supply chains are still shaky, meaning fewer deals and more delays.Of course, don’t go buying stuff just for the sake of it. But if there’s something you were planning to get this year, now might be your best window.Pro tip: If you don’t have the cash for a large purchase, using a 0% intro APR credit card can be a smart move. It lets you buy now and pay over time with no interest. The best 0% intro APR cards offer 12 to 21 months of no interest.3. Prepare a flexible, dial-it-down budgetThe most powerful way to prep for rising prices is to know your budget inside and out.Knowing exactly where your money is going makes it way easier to dial back spending if costs jump unexpectedly.Some simple tactics:Clearly define your needs vs. wants: Knowing what’s essential and what’s discretionary makes it way easier to cut back quickly if prices jump.Review subscriptions: Comb through several months’ worth of credit card statements in search of sneaky subscriptions and other expenses you may have forgotten about. Cancel the ones you don’t use.Give yourself a “wiggle room” category: $50-$100 a month that can shift between gas, groceries, or fun.And if you do score a raise or bonus this year? Funnel part of it into savings or a short-term CD that pays a competitive rate. These can help your cash grow while staying semi-accessible.Stay ready, not reactiveInflation may rise slowly or suddenly, but prepping now means you won’t have to scramble later.You don’t need to overhaul your entire budget. But a few proactive moves today can go a long way in keeping your wallet protected tomorrow.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

It feels like every time I hit the store, I’m paying more than I did the day before. My grocery bills are creeping upwards, utilities are too, and don’t even get me started on my car insurance renewal — ouch!

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

The latest inflation report for May 2025 shows the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% over last year. That’s a slight bump from April’s 2.3%. Core inflation (which excludes food and energy) is holding steady at 2.8%.

Those numbers might not sound scary on paper, but they’re starting to show up in everyday life. And experts are warning that prices could climb even more this year, especially with new tariffs kicking in.

So here’s what I’m doing to get ready — and how you can prepare, too.

1. Build a bigger buffer with a high-yield savings account

The first and easiest move to prepare for higher future prices is to start padding your short-term savings account.

It’s not just about peace of mind with more cash on hand. It’s also about protecting your money from losing value.

A standard checking account may earn you just 0.01% interest (mine does). It means all the money I keep in there loses value month after month, because inflation is higher than my interest rate.

But many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) pay 4.00% APY or more. My HYSA actually pays 4.50% right now. So I keep as much cash as I can in that account, because it’s not only keeping up with inflation — it’s growing faster currently.

You don’t need to be a big saver. Even parking $1,000 in a better savings account could earn you $40 or more in interest each year. May not seem like much, but when your car insurance renewal pops up and it’s $100 higher than last year, you’ll have a few more bucks to cover it.

2. Make smart purchases before prices rise

If you’ve been waiting to replace your fridge or finally upgrade your phone, you might want to move sooner rather than later.

New tariffs, especially on electronics and appliances, could drive up prices later this year. And supply chains are still shaky, meaning fewer deals and more delays.

Of course, don’t go buying stuff just for the sake of it. But if there’s something you were planning to get this year, now might be your best window.

Pro tip: If you don’t have the cash for a large purchase, using a 0% intro APR credit card can be a smart move. It lets you buy now and pay over time with no interest. The best 0% intro APR cards offer 12 to 21 months of no interest.

3. Prepare a flexible, dial-it-down budget

The most powerful way to prep for rising prices is to know your budget inside and out.

Knowing exactly where your money is going makes it way easier to dial back spending if costs jump unexpectedly.

Some simple tactics:

1. Clearly define your needs vs. wants: Knowing what’s essential and what’s discretionary makes it way easier to cut back quickly if prices jump.
2. Review subscriptions: Comb through several months’ worth of credit card statements in search of sneaky subscriptions and other expenses you may have forgotten about. Cancel the ones you don’t use.
3. Give yourself a “wiggle room” category: $50-$100 a month that can shift between gas, groceries, or fun.

And if you do score a raise or bonus this year? Funnel part of it into savings or a short-term CD that pays a competitive rate. These can help your cash grow while staying semi-accessible.

Stay ready, not reactive

Inflation may rise slowly or suddenly, but prepping now means you won’t have to scramble later.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire budget. But a few proactive moves today can go a long way in keeping your wallet protected tomorrow.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”If you’ve been holding off on opening a certificate of deposit (CD), this may be your last window to lock in a rate around 4.50% on a short term (those of a year or less).Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. CD yields have been unusually high for more than a year now, thanks to the Fed’s aggressive fight against inflation. But the economy is shifting fast. And once the Fed starts cutting rates, CD yields will almost certainly follow.I’ve covered personal finance and savings products for years, and we’ve seen this exact pattern before. When rates fall, they fall quickly — and the best CD deals disappear with them.Rate cuts are on the horizonThe Federal Reserve cut rates three times in 2024, and the market now expects at least one rate cut by the end of 2025.Once that happens, banks won’t need to offer eye-popping CD rates to stay competitive. It’s hard to know exactly when the Fed will make a move, but it’s crucial to act before then.Why 4.50% is still a solid dealA 4.50% APY may not sound as flashy as the 5.50% rates we saw in late 2023 — but let’s be honest, those were unicorns.Right now, 4.50% is still beating inflation and outpaces some of the best high-yield savings accounts. And unlike a high-yield savings account, a CD rate is locked in for the full term. No surprises, no fluctuations.That can be a big plus if you’re setting aside money for a short-term goal — like a home down payment, a wedding, or even just building a stable emergency fund.Now could be one of the last chances to lock in a yield this high before rates start to fall. Check out our expert-curated list of some of the top CD rates available now to lock one in before they drop.Where to find the best CD deals todayYou don’t need to walk into a brick-and-mortar bank to get a great CD rate. Many of the top-paying options right now are online banks or credit unions.Some are still offering 1-year CDs and beyond around 4.00%, but you’ll need to shop around. The quickest way to find today’s best rates at top banks is through our best CD rates roundup.We make it easy to find the right fit, providing a variety of term lengths, required minimum deposit amounts, and institution types.Don’t wait for rates to drop furtherYou don’t need to be a market timer to win with CDs. But you do need to act before the best rates disappear.If you have extra cash sitting in a savings account, it might be time to lock in a high, guaranteed CD rate while you still can. Even if the Fed doesn’t cut rates at the conclusion of their meeting today, they’re likely coming soon — and the CD market will move ahead of them.It’s not about squeezing every last basis point. It’s about locking in a great rate before it’s gone.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you’ve been holding off on opening a certificate of deposit (CD), this may be your last window to lock in a rate around 4.50% on a short term (those of a year or less).

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

CD yields have been unusually high for more than a year now, thanks to the Fed’s aggressive fight against inflation. But the economy is shifting fast. And once the Fed starts cutting rates, CD yields will almost certainly follow.

I’ve covered personal finance and savings products for years, and we’ve seen this exact pattern before. When rates fall, they fall quickly — and the best CD deals disappear with them.

Rate cuts are on the horizon

The Federal Reserve cut rates three times in 2024, and the market now expects at least one rate cut by the end of 2025.

Once that happens, banks won’t need to offer eye-popping CD rates to stay competitive. It’s hard to know exactly when the Fed will make a move, but it’s crucial to act before then.

Why 4.50% is still a solid deal

A 4.50% APY may not sound as flashy as the 5.50% rates we saw in late 2023 — but let’s be honest, those were unicorns.

Right now, 4.50% is still beating inflation and outpaces some of the best high-yield savings accounts. And unlike a high-yield savings account, a CD rate is locked in for the full term. No surprises, no fluctuations.

That can be a big plus if you’re setting aside money for a short-term goal — like a home down payment, a wedding, or even just building a stable emergency fund.

Where to find the best CD deals today

You don’t need to walk into a brick-and-mortar bank to get a great CD rate. Many of the top-paying options right now are online banks or credit unions.

Some are still offering 1-year CDs and beyond around 4.00%, but you’ll need to shop around. The quickest way to find today’s best rates at top banks is through our best CD rates roundup.

We make it easy to find the right fit, providing a variety of term lengths, required minimum deposit amounts, and institution types.

Don’t wait for rates to drop further

You don’t need to be a market timer to win with CDs. But you do need to act before the best rates disappear.

If you have extra cash sitting in a savings account, it might be time to lock in a high, guaranteed CD rate while you still can. Even if the Fed doesn’t cut rates at the conclusion of their meeting today, they’re likely coming soon — and the CD market will move ahead of them.

It’s not about squeezing every last basis point. It’s about locking in a great rate before it’s gone.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More