Inflation is still above target, and interest rates are climbing again. See 5 practical steps to check your debt, savings, and budget before it's too late.

The U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion in 2026. For most families, this doesn't call for dramatic action, but it's worth reviewing interest rate exposure, tax diversification, and emergency savings. According to TIME, it has more than doubled over the past decade, spanning both Republican and Democratic administrations and including extraordinary pandemic-era borrowing. It's an enormous number. But for families, I think there's a more useful question than debating who

I grew up with my grandparents in our home. I remember my mom taking care of them. Cooking for them. Driving them everywhere. Managing appointments, errands, meals, and all the little things that come with caring for aging parents. And yes, I remember her griping sometimes while she did it. As a kid, I did not fully understand why. As an adult, and now a mom myself, I do. Caregiving is an act of love. It can also require an enormous amount of time, energy, and money. When the