Your Money

Claudia and Jesús Fierro of Yuma, Ariz., review their medical bills. They pay $1,000 a month for health insurance yet still owed more than $7,000 after two episodes of care at the local hospital.

Hit with $7,146 for two hospital bills, a family sought health care in Mexico

5:13am April 27, 2022

by Paula Andalo

A dad's COVID-19 and a mom's fainting spell cost thousands, so when their son dislocated his shoulder, they drove him to Mexicali, where facilities rival those in the U.S., and had him treated for $5.

Economy

Fidelity will start offering bitcoin as an investment option in 401(k) accounts

12:06pm April 26, 2022

by The Associated Press

Fidelity said it has signed up one employer that will add the offering to its plan later this year. The U.S. government has warned the industry to exercise extreme care when offering cryptocurrencies.

A U.S. Postal Service truck drives in Philadelphia. The service is about to set longer delivery standards for first-class packages, in a move that its regulator says will not have a big effect on its finances.

Why your USPS mail package delivery is about to get slower

12:21pm April 21, 2022

by Bill Chappell

Starting next month, more than 30% of first-class packages will be considered on time if they arrive within four or five days, as the Postal Service eases its standards for delivery times.

College graduation cap and gown made of $100 bills

Student loan borrowers will get help after an NPR report and years of complaints

2:44pm April 19, 2022

by Cory Turner

The U.S. Department of Education unveils a plan to help millions of borrowers who have been hurt and held back by its troubled income-driven repayment plans.

The appraisals done for home sales are increasingly done remotely rather than in person.

Economy

Even home appraisers are doing their jobs remotely

10:41am April 16, 2022

by Anthony Tellez

Remote appraisals shot up during the pandemic, replacing in-person inspections by appraisers. Even as restrictions ease up, they could be the standard for how homes are valued.

Economy

How Americans are adjusting to record inflation

8:52am April 16, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Americans have cut back what they're buying at gas stations and grocery stores in response to rising prices. But their spending overall has remained fairly steady.

Marisela Orozco (foreground) is letting her sister, Marissa, live in the house she thought she would own after making almost four years of payments. But the owner disappeared, along with the title, and she worries he may return and evict them.

Millions of Americans are resorting to risky ways to buy an affordable home

4:56pm April 14, 2022

by Jennifer Ludden

Alternative financing arrangements can be the only option for low-income Americans. But they lack the same protections as a mortgage, and many end up paying for years without ever gaining ownership.

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Encore: 'Life Kit' on putting your money where your morals are with ethical investing

4:57pm April 13, 2022

by Lauren Migaki

Ethical investing is popular with many Americans. But what is it exactly? The team at NPR's Life Kit joins Morning Edition to break down how ethical investing works.

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Mortgage rates on 30-year, fixed-rate loans rose above 5% this week. That's pushing the cost of buying a home higher and making homeownership unaffordable for more people.

Mortgage rates just hit 5%. Here's how much more expensive that makes home ownership

6:12pm April 08, 2022

by Chris Arnold

Higher mortgage rates and home prices have pushed the monthly payment to buy the median-priced home in the U.S. up more than 50% since the start of last year. Many first-time buyers can't afford it.

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A rendering provided by Universal Parks & Resorts shows its planned development in Orange County, Fla., that includes affordable housing.

Disney and Universal will build affordable housing in Florida, where need is acute

1:38pm April 08, 2022

by Bill Chappell

The average rent in Orlando jumped by 21% from 2020 to 2021. Two theme parks are now devoting around 100 acres in hopes of easing the housing crisis.