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Daniel Harper

Daniel is a finance writer covering personal finance topics including budgeting, credit, and beginner investing. He began his career contributing to his Substack, where he covered consumer finance trends and practical money topics for everyday readers. Since then, he has written for a range of personal finance blogs and fintech platforms, focusing on clear, straightforward content that helps readers make more informed financial decisions.​

Latest Articles by Daniel Harper

Social Security & Medicare

Social Security’s 2.8% COLA for 2026 adds just $56 a month: is it enough to keep up with costs

The Social Security Administration (SSA) set its 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) at 2.8%, translating to roughly $56 more per month for the average retiree starting...

Government & Policy

Trump administration orders Fannie and Freddie to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds

The Trump administration has directed housing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase up to $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, or MBS. The move...

Market Trends

Peter Thiel predicts a U.S. housing correction as national home prices grew 0% in early 2026

National home prices stalled to start 2026, a shift that is drawing attention from investors and economists who have watched the U.S. housing market climb...

Market Trends

Home prices grew 0% nationally in early 2026: is real estate still worth the investment

After several years of rapid appreciation, the U.S. housing market appears to be catching its breath. National home prices showed little to no growth in...

Cost of Living

Egg prices dropped 34% but beef is up 15%: what is actually getting cheaper at the grocery store?

Grocery shoppers received a mixed bag of relief and frustration in the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Egg prices fell roughly 34% compared with...

Government & Policy

The national debt just passed $36 trillion: what that means for interest rates and your wallet

The U.S. national debt has just crossed another major threshold, and the pace of borrowing shows little sign of slowing. After passing $36 trillion in...

Retirement Planning

What $2 million in retirement savings actually pays you each month after taxes

Reaching $2 million in retirement savings is a milestone many Americans work their entire careers to achieve. On paper, it sounds like more than enough...

Market Trends

Grant Cardone’s multifamily empire: what investors should know before following his strategy

Grant Cardone has built one of the most recognizable real estate brands in the U.S. by focusing almost entirely on large apartment complexes. The entrepreneur,...

Retirement Planning

Using a HELOC in retirement: when it helps your finances and when it can backfire

For retirees, financial surprises rarely disappear just because paychecks stop. Medical bills, home repairs, and market downturns can create sudden cash needs that traditional retirement...

Retirement Planning

The hidden costs of retirement that catch even well-prepared retirees off guard

Retirement is often imagined as a long stretch of freedom after decades of hard work. Many Americans spend years building savings and carefully planning their...

Government & Policy

Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran’s Power Grid and Bridges if Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed Past Tuesday

President Donald Trump has given Iran until Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply will trigger...

Retirement Planning

Small towns across the U.S. are offering retirees cash incentives and tax breaks to relocate

Across the U.S., many smaller cities are facing shrinking populations and aging workforces. To keep local economies strong, some towns have begun actively recruiting retirees...

Retirement Planning

European cities where retirees live well on less than $2,000 a month in 2026

Retiring in Europe is often seen as a luxury that many cannot afford. But several cities still offer a comfortable lifestyle for well under $2,000...

Renting & Leasing

Florida seniors face rent hikes over 100% with no state rent control protections

For many retirees, a move to Florida promises sunshine, lower taxes, and an affordable place to settle down. But for residents of one 55-plus community,...

Retirement Planning

Retirees are earning an extra $500 to $2,000 per month in 2026: here is how

Many retirees are discovering that a side gig can dramatically improve financial freedom. Whether it is covering rising grocery bills, travel plans, or simply adding...

Cost of Living

78% of Americans say they live paycheck to paycheck: 7 reasons the number keeps growing

A growing share of Americans say their paycheck disappears almost as soon as it arrives. Recent surveys show that roughly 78% of U.S. workers report...

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