As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, mortgage rates across the United States have surged to their highest levels in more than half a year, signaling growing challenges for homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance. The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage now stands at 6.61%, with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 6.67%, while…
New Jersey’s Stay NJ property tax relief program application process has been revised quietly but significantly. The state Treasury Department updated the application form after many homeowners were wrongly refused benefits when they moved inside the state. Eligible residents should find it easier to secure tax relief after the adjustment. The Stay NJ PAS-1 application…
A Burlington County liquor store sold a Powerball ticket to a New Jersey lottery player who won big. Officials said the ticket matched enough numbers in Saturday’s Powerball drawing to win a $50,000 third-tier jackpot, thrilling Florence residents. The winner bought the ticket at Florence Wine & Liquor on Broad Street. Officials confirmed that the…
Technology is making scammers’ attempts to steal money even more perilous, according to a recent analysis. Consumer groups believe artificial intelligence is giving criminals new tools to make schemes tougher to spot. Phishing and spoofing scams have escalated, according to the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org Top Ten Scams of 2025 study. These scams increased 85.6%…
One lottery winner won a life-changing windfall at a Cape May County convenience store. A Wawa store in Villas, Lower Township, sold a $1 million New Jersey Lottery “100X” scratch-off ticket, officials said. Lottery officials said the winning ticket was bought at Bayshore Road’s Wawa on Thursday. One of the top $20 scratch-off winners was…
The Internal Revenue Service reported higher tax refund checks for millions of Americans this filing season. Early data show a rise in average refunds compared to last year, providing financial respite to many households as spring approaches. In the week ending February 20, the average federal tax refund was $3,804. The weekly refund average was…
When a significant winter storm is coming, buyers rush to buy snow shovels, rock salt, generators, and other emergency goods. Prices often rise during these periods. Many shoppers fear illegal price gouging. That’s not always the case under New Jersey law. A declaration of emergency is needed to enforce price gouging in New Jersey. State…
The termination of COVID-19-era federal premium tax subsidies has thousands of New Jersey residents evaluating their health insurance choices this year. State officials claim the loss of that additional financial aid has already reduced enrollment and changed people’s coverage choices through GetCoveredNJ. According to Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration, 4,000 fewer people signed up for state…
First-time homebuying is exciting and scary. Make a budget, apply for a loan, collect checks, and sign closing paperwork. Beginners often make costly, distressing, or avoidable house-buying blunders. Prepare for these hazards to simplify the trip and make good financial decisions. First-time homebuyers generally underestimate property ownership costs. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, repairs, utilities, and…
New 2024 Census Bureau data shows how much New Jersey families make and how income levels vary by community. The figures demonstrate that despite the state is one of the highest-income, not all households benefit. The 2024 American Community Survey median household income in New Jersey was $104,294. Median income indicates half the families earn…
