UNCOVERED: 9 | History Defined

Social Security Corrects Error in New Cardiovascular Disability Rules — What Claimants Should Know

The Social Security Administration has issued a technical correction to its recently revised rules for evaluating cardiovascular disorders in disability claims, but people applying for benefits shouldn’t interpret the update as another change in eligibility requirements.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 17

A 4% Savings Account Sounds Great. What Does It Actually Pay on $5K, $10K and $25K?

A 4% savings account sounds pretty attractive, but the percentage becomes much more useful when it gets translated into actual dollars. Put $5,000 in an account paying a 4% APY and leave it there for a full year, and the account would earn about $200 in interest, assuming the rate…

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 17

What Happens to an Unused Credit Card If You Never Close It?

An unused credit card does not simply sit in a drawer forever, quietly waiting for retirement. If you leave the account open, the issuer may continue reporting it, and that available credit can affect your credit profile even when you never swipe the card.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 17

Bond Yields Are Surging Again — What That Means for Savings Accounts, Loans and 401(k)s

Bond yields are surging again, and that movement reaches far beyond Wall Street. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed above 5% on September 15, reaching about 5.04%, its highest level since 2007, as investors reacted to inflation concerns, higher oil prices and worries about government borrowing.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

Treasury Opens $5 Billion New Markets Tax Credit Round to Drive Investment in Low-Income Communities

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is opening a new $5 billion round of a federal tax-credit program designed to attract private investment into economically distressed communities.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

A $500 Monthly Debt Payment Sounds Good — Until You See How Long It Takes to Pay Off $25,000

A $500 monthly debt payment sounds like a solid plan for a $25,000 balance. Then interest walks into the room, pulls up a chair and starts taking a cut of that $500 before the debt gets much smaller. The payment itself matters, but the interest rate, the balance and whether…

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

FTC Freezes Civil Penalty Amounts for 2026 After Government Shutdown Disrupted Inflation Data

The Federal Trade Commission will keep its civil penalty amounts at 2025 levels for the remainder of 2026 after a government shutdown prevented federal officials from producing inflation data required to calculate this year’s increase.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

Is 0% Really Free? The Math Behind a $10,000 Balance Transfer

A 0% balance transfer can make a $10,000 credit card balance look dramatically less expensive, but “0%” does not automatically mean free. The interest rate may drop to zero during the promotional period while a balance-transfer fee still adds money to the debt. That distinction matters because a few hundred…

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

Can a Bank Take Money From Your Checking Account to Pay Your Credit Card?

A bank generally cannot simply reach into your checking account and grab money to cover an unpaid credit card balance, even if the bank issued both accounts. Federal law specifically limits a credit card issuer’s ability to offset credit card debt against money sitting in a consumer’s deposit account.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16

Should You Pay Off a 3% Loan Early? The Answer Has Changed

A 3% loan used to look like something worth attacking with every spare dollar. Today, the decision deserves a closer look because keeping a cheap loan can sometimes make more financial sense than rushing to eliminate it.

The Free Financial Advisor · Sep 16