Senior Finance Writer
James O'Brien covers macroeconomics, mortgages, and retirement planning for WealthWire Daily. His work focuses on translating Federal Reserve policy, interest rate decisions, and tax rule changes into practical guidance for American households.
Coverage Areas
April payrolls grew and unemployment held steady, but part-time work and short jobless spells also rose. Here is how to protect your budget before a layoff or hours cut.
Social Security's 2026 earnings test can temporarily reduce benefits for some early claimers who keep working. Here is how to plan before a part-time job or consulting income surprises you.
The Federal Reserve's latest household survey says generative AI is already part of work for many Americans. Here is how to turn that trend into better job security and income.
The Federal Reserve's 2025 household survey shows emergency savings are still thin for many adults. Here is how to build a practical cash buffer in 2026.
Industrial production rose in April, with manufacturing, consumer goods, business equipment, and motor vehicles all improving. Here is how shoppers should read the signal before making a big purchase.
Weekly unemployment claims are still low by historical standards, but the latest increase is a good reminder to prepare before income is interrupted. Here is a practical layoff-readiness plan.
The Social Security Administration says my Social Security accounts have topped 100 million. Here is how workers and retirees can use the portal to catch costly mistakes.
The personal saving rate was 3.6% in March while spending rose faster than income. Here is how to rebuild cash before summer bills and price shocks arrive.
Average hourly pay rose in dollars, but inflation erased the gain in April. Here is how workers can adjust budgets, raises, and debt payoff when real wages slip.
New residential building permits dropped in March even as housing starts rose. Here is how homebuyers and renters can read the construction pipeline before making a major housing decision.
The April jobs report showed more Americans working part time because their hours were cut or they could not find full-time work. Here is how to adjust your budget before a smaller paycheck becomes credit card debt.
Import prices rose in April, with fuel and several goods categories under pressure. Here is how shoppers can prepare without panic-buying or overpaying.
Producer prices rose sharply in April, with pressure in services, goods, energy, and freight-sensitive categories. Here is how to read the PPI report before those business costs hit household budgets.
April CPI data showed food-at-home prices rising again, led by meat, produce, beverages, and dairy. Here is how to reset your grocery budget without turning every meal into a spreadsheet.
The 2027 Social Security COLA will not be official until the fall, but April inflation data gives retirees a reason to review their 2026 budget now.
The April CPI report showed another hot month for household prices, with airline fares among the categories moving higher. Here is how to plan summer travel without letting one trip turn into credit card debt.
April home sales barely moved, but inventory improved and mortgage rates remain above 6%. Here is how buyers can use a slower market to negotiate without stretching the monthly payment.
EIA expects U.S. summer electricity demand to rise in 2026, with residential demand up as cooling season begins. Here is how households can prepare before air conditioning drives bills higher.
EIA expects gasoline prices to stay elevated in 2026, with summer driving season arriving while many household budgets are already tight. Here is how to estimate, cap, and cut fuel costs before trips begin.
Treasury bills can compete with savings accounts for short-term cash, but they are not a perfect substitute. Here is how a T-bill ladder works and when it fits.
The latest PCE report showed prices rising faster while the personal saving rate slipped to 3.6%. Here is how to adjust your budget before summer travel, utilities, and debt payments crowd out cash.
New BLS data show productivity increased in early 2026 while real hourly compensation fell. Workers should use that gap carefully in raise talks, job searches, and household planning.
The latest JOLTS report shows a labor market that is still hiring, but no longer feels easy for job seekers. Here is how to protect your income, raise leverage, and prepare before a layoff hits.
Series I savings bonds bought from May through October 2026 now earn 4.26% for the first six months. Here is when I Bonds beat a HYSA, when they do not, and how to decide where your cash belongs.
The average 30-year mortgage rate is hovering near 6.30% as spring buyers face higher rates, more inventory, and still-expensive home prices. Here is how to decide whether to buy, wait, or keep renting.
Meta announced it will lay off approximately 8,000 employees - 10% of its workforce - effective May 20, 2026, while closing 6,000 additional open roles. The reason: a $115 billion AI spending surge that's reshaping how the company views human labor. Here's what it means across the board.
The Biden-era SAVE plan has been ruled unlawful and is being shut down. If you're one of the 7.5 million borrowers on SAVE, you have until October 2026 to switch repayment plans - or your servicer will do it for you. Here's exactly what's changing and what you need to do.
Capital One just agreed to a massive $425 million class-action settlement. Here is exactly who qualifies, how to claim your payout, and when to expect it.
The Congressional Budget Office just moved up the Social Security trust fund depletion date - again. If Congress doesn't act, benefits could be automatically cut by 24% in 2031. Here's what the numbers actually say, who gets hurt most, and how to plan around the uncertainty.
Economists aren't calling a recession yet, but warning signs are multiplying in 2026. Here's the financial preparation checklist that will keep you standing regardless of what the economy does next.
Building an emergency fund feels impossible when money is tight. Here's a step-by-step system that actually works, even if you can only save $25 a week.
Your savings are losing value in a low-interest account. Here are the best HYSAs available right now, what each one does well, and how to choose based on your actual situation.
With 39% of working Americans running a side hustle and the average earner bringing in $530 to $1,100 extra per month, here's how to pick the right one for your situation and avoid the ones that waste your time.
Monthly maintenance fees, low savings rates, and ATM fee traps are quietly draining American bank accounts. Here are the best online banks in 2026 and a clear-eyed look at when switching makes financial sense.
The Federal Reserve held rates steady at 3.50–3.75% through early 2026. For savers, that's both good news and a ticking clock - here's how to position your savings while rates are still this high.
Trade tariffs are quietly acting as a tax on everyday Americans, adding up to $2,500 to annual household costs. Here's what's getting more expensive and the practical moves that will actually offset the damage.