This fall, long-term interest rates climbed to levels the bond market hadn't seen in more than twenty years. Here's how they got there. On October 5, the 10-year Treasury yield closed at 5.31%. [1] That was above its June 2007 peak of 5.26%, [2] and coverage described it as the highest level since 2002. [3] [4] The move was fast. The 10-year started the year at 4.19% and began September at 4.79%. It then added more than half a percentage point in five weeks. [1] In August 202

Regulators usually go after what's on the screen. This time they went after how the screen works. In late August, Meta settled claims from nearly every state attorney general in the country over how Facebook and Instagram were built for young users. [1] Florida rejected its share and is heading to trial. New Mexico had already won a separate $942 million judgment of its own. [2] The money is the least interesting part, and it is also the part most often reported wrong. Meta o

AI has moved fast. The share of Americans using AI to help manage their finances jumped from 10% in 2025 to 55% in 2026. That’s not a trend. That’s a shift. It makes sense. AI tools are available around the clock, answer questions instantly, and don’t charge by the hour. For someone trying to understand a financial concept, draft a budget, or get a general sense of their options, these tools can genuinely help. But there’s a difference between AI as a financial resource and A

Have you recently received a bonus from your employer? While bonuses can be a welcome boost to your income, they often come with questions, and surprises, at tax time. Understanding how bonuses are taxed and withheld can help you plan more effectively and avoid confusion. Why Do Bonuses Seem to Be Taxed More? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies bonuses as supplemental wages. Because of this, employers often withhold federal income tax from bonuses at a flat rate, wh