Undoubtedly, being laid off from your job is one of life’s surprises. But take comfort in knowing there are accessible ways to get back on your feet and regain control of your finances.

Your purchasing power changes as the economy changes, influenced by various economic factors. Inflation and purchasing power are inversely related.

President Trump entered office with a desire to do things differently than his predecessor. He is certainly doing that. He has been aggressive in implementing some of his priorities. Better trade deals, lower government spending, tax reform, and deregulation could be beneficial to Wall Street and Main Street over the long term. It remains to be seen how successful the president will be in implementing his ideas, but here is what we know today and how it could affect you.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce regulation. In theory, this is a good thing—eliminating unnecessary costs can benefit both taxpayers and the economy. But as always, details matter. What one person sees as wasteful spending, another person may see as a necessary program. Understanding how these changes are implemented is key.

As you advance in your career and hold jobs at various companies, you may discover at some point that you’ve left behind valuable cookie crumbs: a trail of employer-sponsored retirement accounts. One major benefit of consolidating your retirement accounts into one account is that there’s less information to track.

At the start of the summer driving season, the average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. reached an all-time high, surpassing $4.50 per gallon. Inflationary pressures, including strong demand, supply chain disruptions, and low inventories, have caused price spikes for many consumer goods. As the cost of filling your tank rises, you’re likely wondering which market factors caused the spike in gasoline prices.