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
2.6 million more borrowers were pushed into student-loan default collection early this year
About 2.5 million borrowers fell into default on federal student loans between September and December 2025, pushing the total number of defaulted borrowers to roughly...
The VA now decides disability claims in about 79 days, down from 141 a year ago
Veterans waiting on disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs are now getting decisions roughly 80 percent faster than they were at the start...
$8,600 is the new 2026 IRA contribution limit for savers 50 and older
Savers aged 50 and older can now set aside up to $8,600 in an individual retirement account starting in 2026, a combined total that reflects...
12.9% is how much beef prices have jumped in a year, one of the steepest grocery increases
American grocery shoppers are paying 12.9 percent more for beef and veal than they did a year ago, according to the May 2026 Consumer Price...
Connecticut now requires clear notice and an easy way to cancel before any subscription renews
Connecticut consumers who subscribe to streaming services, meal kits, software platforms, or gym memberships now have a direct line of defense against surprise renewal charges....
Virginia now bars hospitals from charging interest or late fees on medical debt until it is 90 days overdue
Virginians carrying unpaid hospital bills will get a 90-day grace period before any interest or late fees can be added to their balances, starting July...
Kith children’s pajamas are recalled for failing federal flammability rules, a burn risk to kids
Kith Retail is recalling its Kids Kithmas Plaid Lounge Sets after the two-piece woven pajamas failed to meet mandatory federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear,...
$2,050 is the new extra standard deduction for filers 65 and older on 2026 returns
Taxpayers who are 65 or older will be able to claim a $2,050 additional standard deduction on their 2026 federal returns, filed in 2027. The...
Most cardholders who simply call and ask get their interest rate lowered, yet almost no one with a 21% card does
Millions of Americans carry credit cards with annual percentage rates above 21 percent, paying hundreds of extra dollars in interest each year. Survey data archived...
Student debt forgiven in 2026 could be taxed again as the pandemic-era exemption expires
Borrowers who receive student loan forgiveness after December 31, 2025, face the prospect of owing federal income tax on the discharged amount. The temporary exclusion...
Social Security will waive an overpayment of $2,000 or less without a drawn-out fight
Beneficiaries who owe the Social Security Administration $2,000 or less in overpayments can have that debt wiped clean without enduring the full waiver review process,...
Medicare’s fall enrollment runs October 15 to December 7
Medicare beneficiaries face a hard deadline each year: any changes to health or prescription drug coverage must be locked in between October 15 and December...
Medicare covers Wegovy and Zepbound at $50, and BMI over 35 can qualify you
Medicare beneficiaries with a body mass index of 35 or higher can now fill prescriptions for Wegovy and Zepbound at a flat $50 monthly copay,...
Smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors sold on Amazon are recalled because they can fail to warn of a fire
Certain combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors sold exclusively through Amazon.com can fail to sound an alarm during a fire, federal and state safety officials...
SSI recipients will get two payments this month, one on July 1 and another on July 31
Supplemental Security Income recipients will see two deposits hit their accounts in July 2026, one on July 1 and another on July 31. The second...
Who qualifies for the new $6,000 senior deduction? People 65 and older with income under $75,000
Americans age 65 and older who earn less than $75,000 a year can now subtract an extra $6,000 from their taxable income, a break created...