The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate eased this week from its highest level in nine months, welcome relief for prospective homebuyers. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.48% from 6.53% last week. The average rate remains below 6.85%, where it was a year ago. When mortgage rates decline they give homebuyers more purchasing power. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors' expectations for the economy and inflation.

The Trump administration has agreed to resume student loan forgiveness for an estimated 2.5 million borrowers who are enrolled in certain in certain federal repayment plans following a lawsuit from the American Federation of Teachers. Under the agreement reached Friday between the teachers union and the administration, the Education Department will provide loan forgiveness for those eligible in certain repayment plans that offer lower monthly payments based on a borrower's earnings. The government had stopped providing forgiveness under those plans based on its interpretation of a different court decision.

A new poll finds the vast majority of U.S. adults are feeling some stress about the cost of groceries, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs remain widespread. Only 14% say it's not a source of stress, underscoring the pervasive anxiety most Americans continue to feel about the cost of everyday essentials. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds about 4 in 10 Americans under age 45 say they've used what are known as "buy now, pay later" services to make small purchases on entertainment or restaurant meals or to pay for essentials like groceries or medical care.