Banking

• Another bank (Capital One) drops overdraft fees. Here is the latest on this topic. (NPR)

Economics

• December CPI was released on Wednesday and came in at 7% over the previous year. (AP) (CNBC)
• What will these inflation numbers mean for fed rate hikes? Here is the Goldman Sachs prediction. (CNBC)
• And what is the Fed’s take on inflation? Powell testified before Congress this week (CNBC), and Lael Brainard discussed inflation in her Senate confirmation hearing this week as well. (MarketWatch)
• Why are we having so many issues finding groceries again? (NPR)
• Retail sales dropped in December, but after four months of increases, maybe people just did their holiday shopping early? (CNBC)

Returns

• Ever wonder what happens to all of the merchandise purchased online that gets returned? There is an entire economy around returns. (NPR1) Read more about the people that buy that stuff sight unseen at a discount. (NPR)

Investing

• Take Two is acquiring Zynga. (Techcrunch)

Crypto

• Regulators warn that there are a large number of crypto scams out there and investors should be cautious. (CNBC)

Taxes

• If you had any crypto transactions last year, be prepared to them on your 1040 this year. (Marketwatch)
• It’s almost that time of year again—tax season! The IRS begins accepting returns on January 24, but they are still processing 2020 claims. Here is some advise for filing returns this year. (NBC) 

Student Loans and Higher Education

• A total of sixteen elite universities are being sued by five graduates who claim they
• Participated in a price-fixing cartel regarding financial aid. (Daily Mail, Inside Higher Ed)
• Navient reached a $1.85 billion settlement with 400,000 student loan borrowers. (CNN)
• The Pandemic continues to take its toll on college enrollment, and not just community colleges, but four-year colleges too. (NPR)(Chronicle of Higher Ed)

Health Insurance

• Surprise medical bills are now illegal. (CBS)
•  Health insurance companies are now supposed to reimburse you for those at-home Covid tests. (AP)

About the Author

Beth Tallman

Beth Tallman entered the working world armed with an MBA in finance and thoroughly enjoyed her first career working in manufacturing and telecommunications, including a stint overseas. She took advantage of an involuntary separation to try teaching high school math, something she had always dreamed of doing. When fate stepped in once again, Beth jumped on the opportunity to combine her passion for numbers, money, and education to develop curriculum and teach personal finance at Oberlin College. Beth now spends her time writing on personal finance and financial education, conducts student workshops, and develops finance curricula and educational content. She is also the Treasurer of Ohio Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.