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I. The Middle-Class Mirage Every few election cycles, the American middle class is asked to choose between its ideals and its interests. Too often, it chooses the wrong one. It rallies against unions that once secured its weekends, votes to cut unemployment benefits that could cushion its own job loss, and supports budget cuts that […]
Abstract Middle-class Americans maintain a structurally unequal relationship with the country’s largest banks. This asymmetry stems from persistent financial literacy gaps, the complexity of modern banking products, behavioral design that nudges consumers into costlier outcomes, and the scale advantages enjoyed by megabanks. Although regulators intervene episodically—most visibly in cases like Wells Fargo’s fake accounts scandal […]
Introduction Middle-class voters are the backbone of the American electorate. Their votes decide elections, and their voices shape national policy. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, middle-class suburban voters played a critical role in swinging key battleground states, underscoring their influence on electoral outcomes. Yet politicians often speak about the middle class in vague, […]
The lingering shadows of the Gilded Age stretch into the present, casting a long silhouette over America’s economic landscape. Families like the Waltons, the Mars clan, and the Cargill-MacMillans stand as pillars of enduring wealth, their fortunes built over decades and, in some cases, centuries. These dynasties have accumulated vast resources and mastered the art […]
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make big moves with your finances, this is it. The Federal Reserve just made its first interest rate cut since 2020, slashing the federal funds rate by a full half percentage point. This is no small step—it’s a loud and clear signal that the era of “cheap […]
Introduction: Why ROI Matters More Than Prestige in 2026 For middle-class families, the cost of college is no longer just a financial decision — it’s an investment decision. With tuition and fees climbing well into six figures, the question isn’t...
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Introduction No credit history? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans live in a cash-first world, or simply haven’t used credit cards or loans enough to generate a real credit file. The problem is obvious: lenders rely heavily on credit reports...
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Introduction: The Squeeze on the Middle Class There was a time when being part of the middle class in America meant more than just paying the bills. It meant owning a home, taking vacations, sending kids to camp, and enjoying...
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Losing a loved one is one of life’s hardest experiences. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when debt collectors may start calling, demanding payment on accounts left behind. If you’re grieving, the last thing you need is harassment or confusion about...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Many Americans are earning more than ever, but far too many have almost nothing to show for it beyond bills, debt, and stress. Even as wages...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
If you’re sitting on a 3% mortgage right now, congratulations — and I’m sorry. Congratulations, because you locked in one of the best deals the American...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Introduction: A Tiny Coin, a Loud Message In February 2025, President Trump told Treasury to stop making new pennies, calling the coin wasteful because it cost...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
In the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s team looked at a housing market full of short, risky mortgages and said: we’re going to redesign this so regular...
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Black and Hispanic workers who do everything right — enroll in their employer’s 401(k) or 403(b), contribute regularly and try to build for retirement — are...
By FMC Editorial Team
Introduction: The latest FICO® Score Credit Insights report shows something easy to miss if you only look at the headline number: yes, the national average score...
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There’s a quiet tax on the American middle class, and it’s not just the one you file in April — it’s the lifestyle tax. The pressure...
By MacKenzy Pierre
Too many middle-class Americans are taking care of two generations at once. You’ve got a kid in college, or one boomeranging back home, and at the...
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Too many of you are cooking for 25 when 12 RSVPed. That’s why hosting feels expensive. Not because people don’t want to bring anything — but...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
“Setting a One-Gift Rule to protect the family budget” — Financial Middle Class Too many of us are blowing past our December budget because nobody wants...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Many Americans are earning more than ever, but far too many have almost nothing to...
If you’re sitting on a 3% mortgage right now, congratulations — and I’m sorry. Congratulations,...
Introduction: A Tiny Coin, a Loud Message In February 2025, President Trump told Treasury to...