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Recent hurricanes highlight importance of trip protection

Recent hurricanes highlight importance of trip protection

Patrick Clarke | (TNS) TravelPulse

Two devastating hurricanes thrashed the Southeast with high winds and heavy rainfall in the past couple of weeks, reminding travelers of the importance of protecting their travel investment with a solid insurance plan.

Unlike auto, renters and other insurances, Americans aren’t forced to invest in travel insurance, but the benefits can be immense.

This peak Atlantic hurricane season only serves as a reminder.

5 ways to lower your grad school student loan bill

5 ways to lower your grad school student loan bill

By Eliza Haverstock, NerdWallet

Grad school can boost your career, but it comes at a price. Those who completed a graduate-level degree in 2020 left school with about $88,220 in student debt, on average, according to the latest data from the National Center of Education Statistics.

Even grad school loans offered by the government can be tough to repay. Federal grad PLUS loans, available to graduate and professional students for education expenses not covered by other financial aid, have a 9.08% interest rate in 2024-25, compared to 6.53% for direct loans for undergraduates.

Bills can quickly become unmanageable. A hypothetical borrower who has $88,220 in grad school debt with a 9.08% interest rate would owe more than $1,100 each month on the standard 10-year repayment plan.

Luckily, you still have loan relief and forgiveness options, especially if you work in certain professions. And with interest rates poised to fall, refinancing with a private lender may help you pay off your debt faster or lower monthly payments. If you’re struggling to pay your monthly grad school loan bill, consider these five key strategies. read more

Expect employers to get more picky about who you see for care

Expect employers to get more picky about who you see for care

By Tom Murphy, Associated Press

A health care spending surge looms in the new year, and Business Group on Health is helping employers understand it.

The nonprofit found in a recent survey that large employers expect the cost to treat patients will jump nearly 8% next year before they make coverage changes to address it. That’s the highest growth rate in a decade.