Money & Finance

Harlingen, Texas – October 01, 2026 -- Homeowners in South Texas could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket after a hurricane, depending on how their insurance deductible is calculated. A HelloNation article breaks down why hurricane deductibles differ sharply from standard homeowner policies and what that means for storm recovery budgets.

Percentage-based deductibles can cost far more than fixed dollar amounts

Unlike typical home insurance deductibles, which are set dollar figures, hurricane deductibles in South Texas are often calculated as a percentage of a home's insured value. A common rate is two percent, meaning a home insured for two hundred thousand dollars would carry a four thousand dollar deductible. Coastal properties facing higher storm risk often see even steeper percentages.

Clarksdale – October 01, 2026 -- Taxpayers waiting weeks longer than expected for a refund may find answers in a new breakdown from Dr. LaTonya Perryman of Divine Dynasty Solutions in Clarksdale, Mississippi, published by HelloNation.

Mismatched records trigger extra IRS review

The IRS cross-checks tax returns against data from employers and financial institutions. If names, Social Security numbers, or income figures don't match those records, the return may be flagged for additional review before a refund is released.

Small errors can cause big delays

A simple math mistake, a mistyped Social Security number, or an incorrect bank account number can all slow processing. Some errors get corrected automatically, while others require manual verification that pushes back the refund timeline.

Mesa, Arizona – October 01, 2026 -- Gordon Newton, founder and CEO of Newton Group, is pushing for tighter regulation of how timeshare exit companies advertise attorney involvement, arguing consumers often can't tell whether a lawyer actually represents them before they pay.

Newton says marketing terms like "attorney-backed" don't answer who the lawyer actually represents.

In an op-ed published Sept. 15 in The National Law Review, titled "Attorney Involvement Is Not Attorney Representation," Newton argues that phrases such as "attorney-led," "in-house attorneys" or "attorneys on retainer" may be accurate but still leave the central question unanswered: who is the client?

Flower Mound, Texas – October 01, 2026 -- GDS Wealth Management has been named to D Magazine's Top Wealth Managers list for the fourth consecutive year, with the recognition appearing in the publication's October 2026 issue.

Peer nominations, not payments, decide the list

The honor is determined through peer nomination among CFP® professionals in the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Financial Planning Association, based on nominations submitted between May 5 and June 5, 2026. GDS paid nothing to be considered or included, beyond a logo licensing fee, and the firm says compensation does not influence the selection.

Founder credits clients and fiduciary standard

"To be recognized by our peers year after year is something we never take for granted," said Glen Smith, Founder and CIO of GDS Wealth Management. He added that the honor reflects the trust clients have placed in the firm's team.

Tampa – October 01, 2026 -- Branch, a provider of embedded financial services, has launched High Yield Savings, letting Uber drivers and couriers earn up to 3.25% APY on money they set aside directly within the Uber Pro Card app.

Workers earn the top rate by keeping a $500 average daily balance

Unlike many high-yield savings products that require monthly direct deposits or card-spending minimums, Branch's tool only asks users to maintain an average daily balance of $500 or more to access the top rate. There are no fees and no minimum balance required to open an account, so savings start accruing immediately.

Denver – September 30, 2026 -- Life insurance is not a set-it-and-forget-it purchase, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Denver-based Insurance Expert Jack Sughrue, which argues that coverage should be reviewed and adjusted at every major life stage.

Young adults typically start with low-cost term policies

In early adulthood, before dependents or major debt enter the picture, the article notes that term life insurance is the common choice because it delivers coverage for a fixed period at a lower premium, letting people lock in protection without committing to higher long-term costs.

Ridgefield, Conn. – September 30, 2026 -- A new concierge-style evaluation service in Fairfield County is helping homeowners find out if the coins and jewelry gathering dust in their attics are actually worth a fortune.

A client's inherited coins turned out to be worth $60,000

Liberty Ridge Coins & Bullion, founded in 2025 by Ridgefield resident Jay Goodman, recently evaluated a customer's inherited coin collection and identified two rarities: a 1907 High Relief Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coin, one of only 12,367 struck, and a rare 1801 $10 Draped Bust gold coin. Graded by PCGS at the ANA coin show in Pittsburgh at MS64 and AU53 respectively, the pair is worth roughly $60,000 in certified condition. Goodman noted that exceptional examples of these same coins can fetch more than $1.2 million combined.

Greenville, Texas – September 29, 2026 -- Choosing the right checking account comes down to six factors: direct deposit, debit card access, mobile banking, fees, ATM access, and bill payment capabilities, according to a HelloNation article featuring Brad Bailey, CEO of Red River Credit Union (RRCU).

The article frames a checking account as the foundation of daily money management, covering everything from receiving income to paying bills and tracking spending. Bailey encourages consumers to evaluate accounts based on their actual banking habits rather than convenience alone.

Direct deposit speeds up access to income

The article identifies direct deposit as one of the most important features for account holders. It provides faster access to funds than paper checks and can create a more consistent flow of money that makes budgeting easier.

Vero Beach – September 29, 2026 -- Florida voters will decide on November 3 whether to approve Amendment 3, a constitutional change that would raise the non-school homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, while cutting the non-homestead assessment cap from 10% to 5%. The measure, HJR 1F, passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature on June 2, 2026, and needs 60% voter approval to take effect.

For property owners on the Vero Beach barrier island and throughout Indian River County, the amendment's fine print carries more weight than its headline number.

Washington – September 29, 2026 -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2027 Life Insurance Companies Awards, naming Nationwide as Best Life Insurance Company Overall for scoring highest across key evaluation metrics.

Five insurers win category-specific honors

MassMutual earns Best Life Insurance Company for Whole Life based on its permanent policy offerings, while Protective takes Best Life Insurance Company for Term Life for its flexible term options. USAA wins Best Life Insurance Company for Seniors for its specialized coverage, and Mutual of Omaha earns Best Life Insurance Company for Customer Service based on policyholder feedback collected in U.S. News' annual survey.