30-year mortgage rates fell to 6.19%—their lowest in over a year—and 15-year rates dipped to 5.44%. Lower Treasury yields and hopes for Fed cuts are easing costs, offering slight relief for buyers and refinancers, though affordability remains tight.

Social Security benefits will rise 2.8% in 2026, giving retirees about $56 more per month starting in January. The COLA affects 75M Americans, but advocates warn it may still fall short as seniors struggle with rising living costs.

Scammers are exploiting confusion over the government shutdown with fake IRS and Social Security calls and texts. Experts warn AI-driven scams are on the rise! Stay alert, verify with official sources, and report suspicious messages to the FTC or AG.

With the federal shutdown stretching into a third week, the air travel system is under strain. Air traffic control staffing is thin, TSA officers are working without pay, and flight delays are rising. Airlines warn that a prolonged shutdown could mean more cancellations and reduced schedules.

Mortgage rates dipped to 6.30% this week, one of the lowest levels in a year, giving homebuyers a bit of relief. Freddie Mac says lower rates are boosting purchase activity, while cash buyers still dominate nearly one-third of 2025 home sales.

Amazon will pay $2.5B to settle FTC claims it tricked users into unwanted Prime memberships. Refunds avg. $51 and begin within 90 days. Watch for Amazon’s official notice—don’t fall for scams. #ConsumerProtection #AmazonPrime

A government shutdown could bring longer airport lines, national park closures, and major travel disruptions. TSA and air traffic staff must work unpaid, but delays are likely. Tourism losses may top $1B weekly. #ConsumerProtection

Junk fees on airline tickets, internet bills, and... school lunches? New CFPB report reveals payment processors for school lunch payments are hitting parents with hefty fees, especially low-income families with limited options. Three companies dominate, raking in +$100M annually. #food #schools

New report reveals only 47% of phone companies have fully implemented anti-robocall tech, despite a 2021 FCC rule requiring it. Scam calls are down 17%, but robotexts are surging. Protect yourself: sign up for the Do Not Call list & report spam! #Robocalls #ConsumerAlert

Retail execs warn new tariffs could trigger product shortages and price hikes. Manufacturing orders and shipping from China are already down, and essentials like clothes and shoes may be hit first. Everyday costs could rise by 2% or more. #Tariffs #Retail

Home prices have stayed high despite slowing sales, but signs now favor buyers. In February, 16.8% of listings saw price cuts, up from 14.6% a year ago. New listings rose 4.2%, the most since 2021. The median price dipped to $412K, partly due to smaller homes. #blueskydaily

MA supports its Housing Mediation Program, helping landlords and tenants resolve disputes amicably. The initiative reduces evictions and promotes stable housing by facilitating mutually beneficial agreements without litigation. It has been crucial in maintaining housing stability. #MA #Love

📢 In 2022, 21% of consumers used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), often with low credit scores, per the CFPB. 63% had multiple loans, and BNPL users carried higher debt on other credit. Younger borrowers (18-24) relied on BNPL for 28% of their debt. #BNPL #Debt #Money