Smart Money Moves for Everyday Americans

The July 29 decision was a fifth straight hold, but the vote was 9-3 and all three dissenters wanted a hike. That's the most hawkish FOMC split since 2016, and it changes what you should do with savings and debt.

Francis Akol·9 min read

Delinquency rates, lending standards, and savings rates are published free every quarter, and they tell you when credit is tightening months before you feel it. Here's how to read them and act early.

Francis Akol·11 min read

The CPI headline almost never describes your actual cost of living. Here's how to read the report the way an economist does, find the categories that affect your budget, and ignore the rest.

Francis Akol·11 min read

The unemployment rate can fall while the job market gets worse. Here's how to read employment data for the signals that actually predict your job security, your raise, and when to build cash.

Francis Akol·11 min read

The Federal Reserve is expected to leave rates at 3.50%-3.75% on July 29, the fifth consecutive hold of 2026. That freeze is quietly costing borrowers and rewarding savers who act on it.

Francis Akol·8 min read

Pump prices dropped roughly 50 cents in a month after peaking at $4.56 in May. That's a real raise for driving households, and it will quietly disappear into everyday spending unless you capture it deliberately.

Francis Akol·7 min read