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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 […]
When you’re on the hunt for a credit card, there are many things to consider—the rewards program, perks, fees, and perhaps most importantly, the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). If you’re carrying a balance or considering using your card for a...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
You might think delaying your financial decisions isn’t a big deal. But let me tell you, financial procrastination can cost you more than you realize. It’s time to face the truth: putting off your financial responsibilities is sabotaging your future....
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Being underwater on your car loan can feel like you’re sinking financially, but you’re not alone. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, auto loan balances increased by $10 billion to reach $1.63 trillion in the second quarter...
By MacKenzy Pierre
In the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s second quarter of 2024, household debt in the U.S. increased by $109 billion, bringing the total to a staggering $17.80 trillion. If this number doesn’t immediately hit you, let’s break it down:...
By FMC Editorial Team
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...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
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...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
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...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
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
December is sneaky. It’s the one month where three different money cultures collide: the office wants to do “something fun,” your building staff suddenly has an...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
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...
In the 1930s, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s team looked at a housing market full of short,...