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Abstract Middle-class Americans maintain a structurally unequal relationship with the country’s largest banks. This asymmetry stems from persistent financial literacy gaps, the complexity of modern banking products, behavioral design that nudges consumers into costlier outcomes, and the scale advantages enjoyed by megabanks. Although regulators intervene episodically—most visibly in cases like Wells Fargo’s fake accounts scandal […]
Introduction Middle-class voters are the backbone of the American electorate. Their votes decide elections, and their voices shape national policy. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, middle-class suburban voters played a critical role in swinging key battleground states, underscoring their influence on electoral outcomes. Yet politicians often speak about the middle class in vague, […]
The lingering shadows of the Gilded Age stretch into the present, casting a long silhouette over America’s economic landscape. Families like the Waltons, the Mars clan, and the Cargill-MacMillans stand as pillars of enduring wealth, their fortunes built over decades and, in some cases, centuries. These dynasties have accumulated vast resources and mastered the art […]
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make big moves with your finances, this is it. The Federal Reserve just made its first interest rate cut since 2020, slashing the federal funds rate by a full half percentage point. This is no small step—it’s a loud and clear signal that the era of “cheap […]
These are Services that Middle-Class Americans Won’t Be Able to Afford by 2030 Due to Inflation and Price Gouging Taking your kids to a sporting event used to be an affordable weekend pastime for families. Seeing your favorite band whenever they were in town didn’t break the bank. But those days are quickly fading. Now, […]
As American household debt rises, credit card fixed-interest loans are becoming a significant percentage. Credit card companies are letting their cardmembers convert part or all of their credit card’s available credit limit into installment loans. Converting your revolving credit line...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Too big to fail banks and nonbank financial companies are still a problem. Moreover, many companies across new sectors and industries have become part and parcel of the U.S. economy. They have significant systematic risk, and their failure will be...
By MacKenzy Pierre
Financial literacy and education are more critical now than ever. Every day, American consumers have to navigate complex financial consumer markets. However, too few of them have the skills and knowledge to make sound financial decisions. Only one-third of adults...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
The return of fundamentals is here. So far this year, investors are behaving more like Warren Buffet than Cathie Wood. Central bank excess and fiscal policies such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, aka Trump Tax Cuts,...
By MacKenzy Pierre
The give-and-take (how premium cards actually work) Premium cards are a trade: issuers “give” perks (lounges, credits, partners), and you “give back” via the annual fee...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
The short answer Premium perks got expensive (lounges, partner reimbursements, richer credits), the “perk arms race” escalated, inflation raised every input cost, and enough cardholders happily...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
I. The $900 Question Let’s be honest: most middle-class Americans can’t wrap their heads around paying $795 to $895 a year just to own a credit...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
The simple framework Middle-class households win by maximizing certainty—low fees, clear cash-back, and guardrails that protect your budget. You don’t need status perks you’ll barely use....
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
Why Life Insurance Matters (Now More Than Ever) Most people think life insurance is for “older folks” or those with major health issues. But truthfully? It’s...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
I. The Locked Door of the American Dream If house-hunting feels harder than it was for your parents, that’s because it is. Home prices have climbed...
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
I. The Middle-Class Mirage Every few election cycles, the American middle class is asked to choose between its ideals and its interests. Too often, it chooses...
By FMC Editorial Team
Introduction: Parenting on Your Own Timeline Great parenting happens at every age. In fact, one of the most profound demographic shifts of recent decades is how...
By Ceranes Lejulus
Introduction: A National Blind Spot Every year, surveys reveal an uncomfortable truth: the majority of Americans fail basic financial literacy questions. According to FINRA’s Investor Education...
By FMC Editorial Team
Introduction: Why the Same Names Keep Coming Up When headlines break about banks mistreating customers, the names are often familiar: Wells Fargo. Bank of America. Citibank....
By Article Posted by Staff Contributor
The give-and-take (how premium cards actually work) Premium cards are a trade: issuers “give” perks...
The short answer Premium perks got expensive (lounges, partner reimbursements, richer credits), the “perk arms...
I. The $900 Question Let’s be honest: most middle-class Americans can’t wrap their heads around...