All articles tagged with #money
A mom of four recounts that her husband told her she wasn’t the prize because she’s nearly 40 and he earned more, but after he lost his job his stance softened, prompting reflection on self-worth and equality in a financially imbalanced marriage.
COLAs are based on third-quarter inflation. April’s CPI rise of 3.8% hints at a larger 2027 COLA than 2026, with the Senior Citizens League forecasting around 3.9% (aligned with the CPI-W used for COLAs). But the official 2027 COLA won’t be announced until October, and any increase could be offset if energy prices fall or Medicare Part B premiums rise. A bigger COLA isn’t necessarily a win for retirees, as higher benefits can come with higher costs; diversification of income or returning to work may help supplement Social Security.
The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $232 million for the May 12 drawing (cash value $103.8 million). The winning numbers are 17, 32, 35, 40, and 47, with Mega Ball 17. The next drawing is Friday, May 15. There have been two jackpot winners in 2026 so far.
The FBI warns of “banking spoof call” scams in which criminals spoof a bank’s phone number to fool people into transferring funds; victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars, including a reported $40,000 loss from a scammer posing as a Chase representative. To protect yourself, enable two-factor/multi-factor authentication, scrutinize email addresses and URLs, avoid unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate banks will never ask for your username or password—report suspected spoofing to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
In Netflix’s Hulk Hogan: Real American, Hogan reveals that after his split from Linda Hogan he was left with little money, having given Linda around 70 percent of his earnings; he describes hitting rock bottom, turning to drinking and pills, and even sitting with a gun in his mouth, as the film also covers his fentanyl use and career ups and downs, with Linda and son Nick participating.
Jamie Ding of New Jersey extended his Jeopardy! winning streak to 25 games, earning $35,000 on April 16 for a total of $702,000. His run places him fifth on the all-time consecutive-wins list and seventh on the regular-season money list, and he will advance to the Tournament of Champions at the season’s end.
A YouGov survey names Five Guys as Americans’ best fast-food burger, though its meals are among the most expensive in the sector; 2025 LendingTree data show average fast-food meals around $12, with a Philly Little Hamburger at about $8.25, and other top chains including Burger King, In‑N‑Out, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s. Five Guys’ shift to kraft paper fry bags sparked online backlash but hasn’t dampened its popularity.
BuzzFeed aggregates 30 reader-submitted, seemingly small money-saving habits that add up over time, from delaying impulse online purchases and deleting sale emails to buying off-season, using reusable bags, stocking up on sales with coupons, tracking MPG and groceries with apps, clipping coupons, leveraging library loans, and other frugal tweaks—illustrating how tiny, consistent changes can accumulate into substantial annual savings.
BuzzFeed compiles Reddit-type anecdotes about 21 jobs that pay surprisingly well, many without a degree—from poker dealers and train conductors to funeral-industry roles, MRI technologists, nursing-home administrators, UPS drivers, and plumbers—illustrating six-figure potential through skilled trades, seniority, or specialization, often with long hours and overtime.
HuffPost gathers divorced writers to share the last fight that ended their marriages, with accounts ranging from therapy stalemates and money disputes to parenting clashes and trust issues, showing how ongoing, unresolved conflicts often precipitate divorce.
Social Security benefits are paid on a schedule tied to the benefit type and birth date. For April 2026, SSA retirement/disability/survivor payments go out on April 3, 8, 15, and 22 (second/third/fourth Wednesdays depending on birth date), while SSI payments are issued on April 1 (with the date moving to the prior weekday if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday). If a payment is missing, check with your bank first, and contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if needed to report or replace a due payment.
USA TODAY reports Mega Millions’ jackpot is set at $50 million for Friday’s drawing (with a $22.6 million cash option) after back-to-back wins in Illinois and Ohio, following Illinois’ $536 million prize on March 10 and an Ohio win on St. Patrick’s Day. The Friday winning numbers were 11, 20, 51, 55, 63 with Mega Ball 4. Players can take a lump-sum payout or annual payments that rise 5% each year; the next drawing is Tuesday, March 24 at 11 p.m. ET. Mega Millions is played in 45 states plus DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Dairy Queen will give away a free small vanilla soft-serve cone at participating locations on March 19, with no purchase required and one per person; the offer excludes delivery and mobile orders. Fans can also sign up for the DQ Rewards loyalty program via the DQ App or DairyQueen.com for a chance to win free cones for a year.
A 31-year-old Arizona mother explains she carried a stranger’s baby for up to $75,000, calling surrogacy life‑changing but warning of a dark side when oversight is lax. She describes the need for rigorous screening, contracts, and medical support, and cautions about unsafe, agency‑less arrangements that can leave surrogates exposed to legal and emotional risks. The piece underscores that legitimate surrogacy is costly and demanding—not a quick payday—often involving IVF, comprehensive checks, and careful boundaries with intended parents.
A Bolivian Air Force Hercules cargo plane carrying new banknotes crashed near La Paz, damaging about a dozen vehicles on a highway and scattering money on the ground; at least 15 people were killed, with authorities suspending all flights to and from the terminal as rescue teams responded.