The Latest Breaking News from The Free Financial Advisor

RentGrow to Pay $2.25 Million to Settle FTC Allegations of Fair Credit Reporting Act and FTC Act Violations

The Federal Trade Commission announced on July 9, 2026, that RentGrow will pay $2.25 million to settle allegations that the company violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the FTC Act, according to an official FTC press release.

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 10

6 Conflict-of-Interest Disclosures Investors Should Examine Before Any Money Move

Money moves often come with excitement. Buying a fund, opening an account, rolling over retirement savings, or following a financial recommendation can feel like taking a big step toward a stronger future. But before signing anything or moving a dollar, investors should look closely at conflict-of-interest disclosures that reveal who…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 9

Mortgage Rates Are Stuck in the Mid-6s for 2026 — Should You Buy Now or Keep Waiting?

Mortgage rates are refusing to disappear from the homebuying conversation in 2026. As of early July 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.49%, reinforcing what many buyers have experienced throughout the year: rates remain well above the record lows of 2020 and 2021 but have…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 9

7 OregonSaves Rules Every New Oregon Employer Should Know Before the July 31 Deadline

OregonSaves became the nation’s first state-facilitated retirement savings program in 2017 and now has more than 120,000 participating workers and billions of dollars in retirement assets under management, giving employees without workplace retirement plans an easy way to save through payroll deductions. For many new Oregon employers, July 31 marks…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 7

White House Orders Labor and SEC to Make Private Equity and Real Estate Available in 401(k)s—What Fiduciaries Should Watch

According to the Investment Company Institute, Americans hold roughly $12 trillion in defined-contribution retirement plans, making even small changes to investment menus potentially significant for millions of workers.

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 6

New IRS Guidance Makes Direct Primary Care HSA-Eligible—But Monthly Limits Still Apply

People enrolled in qualifying direct primary care (DPC) memberships received good news from the IRS. Beginning in 2026, many DPC membership fees can now be paid tax-free using Health Savings Account funds, and participating in an eligible DPC arrangement no longer automatically prevents someone from contributing to an HSA. The…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 6

Overdraft Fee Crackdown: New Protections Target Exploitative Charges That Hit Low-Income Customers

A single overdraft fee can turn an already tight budget into an even bigger headache. New York wants to change that with new consumer protections that take aim at banking practices that have long frustrated customers, especially those with lower or moderate incomes.

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 5

Average Cardholder Could Save $220 a Year Under CFPB’s New $8 Late-Fee Rule

Missing a credit card payment has always felt like a double punch. First comes the stress of paying late, then comes a fee that can make an already tight budget feel even tighter. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to change that by cutting the typical late fee from $32…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 5

IRS Announces $15 Million Estate-Tax Exemption for 2026 and a $19,000 Annual Gift Exclusion—How to Plan Now

A new year often brings fresh tax rules, and 2026 delivers a few changes that could make estate planning a little less stressful for many families. The IRS has set the federal estate tax exemption at $15 million per individual and $30 million for married couples, while the annual gift…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 4

Saver’s Match Replaces Saver’s Credit in 2027—Eligible Workers Get a 50% Federal Match on the First $2,000

Retirement savings will look a little different starting in 2027, and for many workers, that change could bring a welcome boost. The long-running Saver’s Credit will step aside, making room for the new Saver’s Match, which sends a federal matching contribution directly into eligible retirement accounts instead of offering a…

The Free Financial Advisor · Jul 4