Live
EconomyFed Raises Rates to 3.75–4.00%; Most Officials See Another Hike Before Year-EndMortgage & HousingFreddie Mac: 30-Year Mortgage Rate Climbs to 6.95% in Sharpest Weekly Jump in MonthsInflationGas Prices Average $4.16 a Gallon — About 30% Higher Than a Year AgoBankingCDs Now Pay Up to 4.50% and High-Yield Savings Top 4.20% After the Fed's Rate HikeRetirement2027 Social Security COLA Estimated at 3.6% as September Closes the Calculation WindowEconomyFed Raises Rates to 3.75–4.00%; Most Officials See Another Hike Before Year-EndMortgage & HousingFreddie Mac: 30-Year Mortgage Rate Climbs to 6.95% in Sharpest Weekly Jump in MonthsInflationGas Prices Average $4.16 a Gallon — About 30% Higher Than a Year AgoBankingCDs Now Pay Up to 4.50% and High-Yield Savings Top 4.20% After the Fed's Rate HikeRetirement2027 Social Security COLA Estimated at 3.6% as September Closes the Calculation Window
Wealth Builder DailyWealth Builder Daily

Personal Finance & Investing

Build the Financial Life You Actually Want.

Practical guides on budgeting, debt payoff, and beginner investing - written for real people, not finance professors.

Read the Guides →Free Financial Calculators
♥♥♥XP

💰 Money Mission

▶ Start
B
A
Sister Site

Young Bucks Club

Money skills for ages 9-25.

▶ Play Freeyoungbucks.club ↗
Today’s Lead Story
Friday, September 18

Economy

Fed Raises Rates to 3.75–4.00%; Most Officials See Another Hike Before Year-End

via Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve lifted its benchmark rate a quarter-point to 3.75–4.00% on September 16 — its first hike in more than three years. A large majority of Fed officials forecast at least one additional increase in 2026 as core inflation runs well above the central bank's 2% goal.

Why it matters

Rising rates raise borrowing costs on mortgages, car loans, and credit cards while savers can now earn more in high-yield accounts and CDs — a trade-off shaping almost every household financial decision right now.

See all today’s storiesRead source

Today in Money

Money news that matters - without the hype.

Quick, plain-language summaries of the latest stories on budgeting, debt, credit, investing, mortgages, inflation, taxes, and side income. Each one comes with a one-line note on why it actually matters for your wallet.

View the Full Daily Money Brief →

For educational purposes only. Not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always do your own research or speak with a qualified professional.

Sister Site · For Parents

Now PlayingYBC × WBD

Young Bucks Club

Money Is a Game.
Your Kids Can Win It.

The wealth-building skills you wish you'd learned at 12 - built into a free club for kids, teens & young adults (ages 9-25). XP, weekly challenges, and Buck's Money Starter Sheet on signup.

🎮
Tutorial
Ages 9-11
⚡
Normal
Ages 12-15
🚀
Expert
Ages 16-25
▶ Press Start - Freeyoungbucks.club ↗
★★★★★2,000+ families·$0 to start·Free printable on signup
● LIVES ♥♥♥Q 4/10XP 320

💰 Money Mission

10 questions · 3 lives · earn XP
Reach YBC Legend to win.

10
Qs
3
Lives
1350
Max XP
▶ Press START

YBC-001 · Buck Edition

B
A
SELECT
START

Latest Guides

View all guides →

Run the Numbers

Three free calculators. No signup.

Plan your debt payoff, project investment growth, and check if you're on track for retirement. Math that matters, in under a minute.

Open Calculators →

The Newsletter

Get the Free Budget Tracker

Join our weekly newsletter. Practical money guides, no fluff. Unsubscribe anytime.