Thursday, February 19, 2026

Why are consumers still in survival mode?

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The Daily Money

ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Thu Feb 19 2026

Daniel de Visé | Personal Finance Reporter

Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

Inflation eased in January, and the jobless rate fell. Why, then, do so many Americans still feel like they're in survival mode?

Retirement savers want private equity in 401(k)s

The introduction of private equity into 401(k) accounts is a controversial and much-debated initiative of the Trump administration.

A new survey suggests, however, that most rank-and-file Americans like the idea .

Should Fed staffers be 'disciplined' over tariff paper?

A recent paper from the New York Fed affirmed something many economists had predicted: American consumers and companies paid most of the costs of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

On Wednesday, a senior White House adviser publicly lambasted the report, calling it shoddy work and even suggesting its authors should be punished .

📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰

•	Wells Fargo to pay $57 million settlement. Are you eligible?
•	New lawsuit challenges Trump's rollback of emission standards
•	Look out for these gold and silver investing scams
•	Navient student loan settlement payments arrive
•	3 stocks to buy and hold forever

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA TODAY. The Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

Feel economic numbers don't reflect your experience? Here's why

Shoppers carry groceries outside Polymarket in New York City, U.S., February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

The U.S. economy is showing signs of stabilization, but Americans remain unsatisfied. Economists say a mix of factors explain the discrepancy.

BlackRock will soon introduce a 401(k) target-date retirement fund that includes private investments.

Trump wants private investments in 401(k) plans. Voters approve.

The introduction of private investments in 401(k) plans is a much-debated initiative of the Trump Administration. But voters seem to like the idea.

President Donald Trump and his critics have sparred over the economic cost of tariffs on Americans.

White House adviser: Fed tariff study authors should be 'disciplined'

The White House is not pleased with a New York Fed report that says Americans bore most of the costs of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

A customer uses an ATM at a Wells Fargo Bank on January 14, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Wells Fargo has agreed to pay a $56.85 million to resolve a class action lawsuit.

$56.85M Well Fargo settlement: Are you eligible?

The settlement comes after a class action lawsuit accused Wells Fargo of violating the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.

A gas pump on Dec. 23, 2025.

Trump sued over plan to gut federal fuel economy standards

President Donald Trump's administration is being sued over his plan to slash federal emissions regulations and fuel economy standards.

The complexity of the precious metals market can create opportunities for misleading sales tactics. Understanding common warning signs can help you protect your money.

Gold and silver investing scams: Warning signs to watch for

Learn how common gold and silver investing scams work, key red flags to watch for and steps you can take to protect yourself before investing.

What to know about Navient student loan settlement payments

Student loan borrowers are getting paid from the Navient settlement. Find out if you're eligible and what to do if you haven't received a check yet.

A clock face that's been twisted.

3 stocks to buy and hold forever: A long-term play for your portfolio

The market can be volatile, but these tech leaders could go the distance.

The 1994 Toyota MR2.

12 vehicles from the '90s that are considered classics today

The 1990s were an interesting and innovative decade for the auto industry. According to collectible car insurer Hagerty, these are the classics.

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