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James R Hood

Off to College? Read This First

Off to College? Read This First

Again this year, new and returning college students face health threats from Covid-19, raising concerns about vaccines, masks, crowded events, dorm living and so forth. But something else to be concerned about is financial health, often jeopardized by poor financial habits, scams, and super-sized student loans. Although they’re often

Student Loan Payback Deadline Extended Through January

Student Loan Payback Deadline Extended Through January

Even better than delaying final exams, the Biden administration is extending the moratorium on federal student loan payments through Jan. 31, 2022, averting a deadline that had been set for the end of this month. But like a teacher cautioning that this would be the last warning, the Education Department

Are Electric Cars Really Cheaper to Maintain than Gas?

Are Electric Cars Really Cheaper to Maintain than Gas?

President Biden would like for everyone to start the switch to electric cars, mostly because of the environmental benefits. But a big part of the appeal of electric vehicles (EVs) is that they’re cheaper to operate, or so most people seem to think. Consumers often assume that, although they’

End of Mortgage Moratorium May Bring Flood of Foreclosures

End of Mortgage Moratorium May Bring Flood of Foreclosures

The end of the eviction moratorium for renters has already raised fears that millions of consumers may become homeless. Now similar fears surround the end of the mortgage forbearance program that has provided a little breathing space for some homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners who have federally-insured mortgages have

Predatory Payday and Car Title Loans Targeted by Senate Bill

Predatory Payday and Car Title Loans Targeted by Senate Bill

Payday and car title loans trap millions of consumers in a revolving cycle of debt every year despite attempts by states and consumer activists to restrict them. That could change if a U.S. Senate bill reintroduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and others passes. The Veterans and Consumers Fair

Diabetes Type 2 Worries? Millets May be the Answer

Diabetes Type 2 Worries? Millets May be the Answer

Type 2 diabetes is sort of the curse of affluent society. It tends to afflict those who, like most of us, eat too much fatty food and spend too much time couch-surfing. Now a study finds that millets may be a partial solution. And what, you say, are millets? They’

Vaccine Scams Jab the Unwary

Vaccine Scams Jab the Unwary

Scams are almost as common as viruses and just as adaptable. The latest variant making its way through the U.S. centers on the lotteries some states and cities are using to encourage more people to roll up their sleeves. Other, more life-threatening, scams are being reported in India and