A married couple in Florida says they lost all of their savings after an online car purchase gone wrong. The husband told WKMG News 6 he was looking to replace his 2002 Chevy Avalanche with a newer model (1). He found what appeared to be a great deal on Facebook Marketplace. Must Read “The guy called me back,” he told the broadcaster in a clip posted Dec. 29. “He’s telling me how nice the truck is. Pristine.” The seller sent him a Carfax report and a purchase agreement that appeared to be signed by th ...

Core Points - President Trump claimed victory over inflation, stating that the U.S. has "virtually no inflation" and that consumer prices are decreasing rapidly [2] - Federal data contradicts Trump's claims, indicating that inflation remains elevated, with the consumer price index at a 2.7% annual rate as of December 2025 [3] - Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is at 2.6%, indicating persistent inflation concerns for policymakers [4] Inflation and Tariffs - Trump's tariff policy is contributing to upward pressure on inflation, complicating claims of victory over inflation [5] - The average effective tariff rate in the U.S. is 17.5%, the highest since 1932, significantly up from around 2% at the beginning of 2025 [6] - Consumers are expected to pay an additional $1,300 to $1,700 in 2026 due to current tariff rates compared to pre-2025 levels [7] Consumer Price Trends - Mortgage rates have decreased to an average of 6.21%, down from over 7% in January 2025, translating to approximately $1,800 in annual savings on a $300,000 loan [10][11] - National rent index fell by 0.8% in December, with an overall decline of 1.3% year-over-year, now averaging $1,356 [12] - Car payments have increased, with the average monthly payment for new vehicles reaching $772, up from $754 at the end of 2024 [14][15] Energy and Grocery Prices - Gasoline prices have decreased by nearly 10% to an average of $2.81 per gallon since Trump took office [16] - Electricity prices have surged nearly 7% over the past year, driven by increased demand from data centers [18] - Grocery prices have risen by 2.4% year-over-year, with specific items like beef and coffee seeing significant price increases of 16% and 20%, respectively [19][20] Airfare Trends - Airline fares have declined by more than 3% year-over-year, supported by lower jet fuel prices [21][22] - The price data does not account for ancillary fees, which can significantly impact travelers' budgets [23]

Core Insights - Qinghai Province is set to further optimize its consumer goods trade-in policy by 2026, aiming to boost consumption and economic development [1] Group 1: Investment and Economic Impact - In 2025, Qinghai Province invested a total of 1.69 billion yuan, benefiting over 1.52 million people and stimulating consumption worth 19.7 billion yuan [1] - The province achieved significant results in vehicle and appliance upgrades, with 92,000 new cars, 496,000 home appliances, 615,000 digital products, and 31,900 home decor items purchased through the trade-in program [1] Group 2: Policy Adjustments - The central government will continue to allocate long-term special treasury bond funds to support the trade-in policy, with local governments providing matching funds [1] - In 2026, Qinghai will implement further optimizations to the trade-in policies for automobiles, home appliances, and digital products [1] Group 3: Specific Subsidy Standards - The subsidy for old car trade-ins will be adjusted to a percentage of the vehicle price, with new energy vehicles receiving 12% of the price (up to 20,000 yuan) and fuel vehicles receiving 10% (up to 15,000 yuan) [2] - For home appliances, consumers will receive a 15% subsidy on qualifying products, with a maximum of 1,500 yuan [2] - The subsidy for digital products will also be set at 15% for items priced under 6,000 yuan, with a maximum of 500 yuan [2]

Core Insights - A couple faced financial difficulties after selling their home for a profit and mismanaging the proceeds by purchasing cars instead of addressing existing debts [1][2]. Financial Situation - The couple bought a home for $315,000 and sold it for $415,000, resulting in a gain of approximately $100,000 [1]. - After fees, they received about $77,000 but had $10,000 in credit card debt from home updates [2][4]. - They had no down payment and a mortgage with a 6.25% interest rate, leading to a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle [3]. Tax Implications - The profit from the home sale does not qualify for capital gains treatment due to the short holding period, and it is considered ordinary income [5]. - The estimated tax bill from the sale could be around $20,000 after accounting for sales expenses and allowable improvements [5]. Financial Advice - Financial expert Dave Ramsey advised the couple to refrain from making significant financial decisions until they consult a tax professional [6]. - Ramsey criticized the decision to purchase a car before settling tax obligations, emphasizing the need for better financial management [6][7].

Core Insights - The article discusses a case where an individual, Rachel, seeks financial advice after ending a five-year relationship that left her with multiple joint debts [1][3]. Financial Situation - Rachel has five shared financial obligations, including a house valued at approximately $130,000 with about $90,000 remaining on the mortgage, two vehicles with outstanding loans of around $30,000 and a similar balance for a car valued at $20,000, and personal loans totaling about $8,000 [4][5][6]. - Both parties are legally responsible for the debts, as they are tied to shared assets and loans [6]. Income and Living Changes - Rachel's income has recently shifted from an annual range of $60,000 to $65,000 to an expected increase of $80,000 to $85,000 [7]. - Following the breakup, Rachel moved out of the shared house to allow her former partner and his children to remain there, and both parties have discussed addressing their debts in the future [7].

These Are The Best Deals On The Best Days Of The Year To Buy A New Car https://t.co/YMul90EANp ...

A car buyer recently shared on Reddit that they walked into a dealership planning to buy a new car with cash. But the sales manager dangled a tempting offer: take out a 72-month loan, get $1,500 off the price, and just pay it off in the first month. The interest would be around $100, so they’d still come out ahead. Dealership Discounts Come With A Catch This strategy isn’t unusual. Dealerships often push financing because they receive incentives from lenders when loans are kept open for a few months. Ma ...

Core Insights - American households collectively carry $1.66 trillion in auto loan balances as of Q3 2025, indicating a significant level of auto debt in the country [1] - The average new car price has surpassed $50,000 for the first time, reaching $50,080 in September 2025, which contributes to the financial strain on families [3] - The average auto loan interest rate for new cars is 6.90% as of October 2025, further exacerbating the cost of vehicle ownership [3] Auto Loan Crisis - The combination of rising car prices and increasing interest rates has created a challenging financial environment for American families, leading to unsustainable debt levels [3][2] - Families are also facing higher service costs associated with vehicle ownership, with the average annual car insurance cost reaching $2,320 as of October 2025 [4] - There are potential solutions for families burdened by high insurance costs, such as comparing auto insurance quotes to find lower rates [4][5]

Core Insights - The e-commerce giant aims to demonstrate that its customers are willing to purchase high-value items alongside regular purchases [1] Group 1 - The company is focusing on increasing the sale of big-ticket items in its product offerings [1] - The strategy is part of a broader initiative to enhance customer shopping experiences and increase average order values [1]

Borrowing Against Your Tesla Stock to Buy a Car Is the Future of DeFi: Robert Leshner► https://t.co/y677TjsOMM https://t.co/y677TjsOMM ...