While the rise of pocket listings — when a residential property is put up for sale without being placed on the Multiple Listing Service — are tough to track, one local broker said it should concern anyone who is looking to buy or sell a home in the near future.

Multiple studies estimate pocket listings make up small portions of the overall sales volume across the country (well under 10 percent) though local observers note an upward trend. These pocket listings have divided the residential real estate world and its major power brokers, including Zillow and Compass, which has led to multiple lawsuits. Some tout their benefits — such as privacy and testing the market before publicly listing — while others say they lack transparency and can skew market statistics.

Tim Kelly Kiernan, managing broker with Realty One Group’s Summerlin office, noted that in 2020 the National Association of Realtors, introduced the Clear Cooperation Policy. The new requirement from the country’s largest trade orgnaization for real estate agents says listing agents should submit a property to the MLS within one business day of marketing it to the public. This means once a home is shared outside the agent’s office, through a public flyer, email blast, social media post, or word of mouth, it usually must be listed on the MLS.

Zillow sued Compass for breaking from NAR rules by using a phased marketing strategy that starts with a property not being publicly listed. In a recent judgment in Zillow’s favor, the company called it “a clear victory not just for Zillow, but for consumers, agents, brokerages and the real estate industry at large. Zillow believes everyone deserves equal access to the same real estate information at the same time.

Redfin recently launched an early access program for buyers with homes that are only listed on their site as well as pre-market listings from Compass, which is billed as “helping sellers test pricing and demand before a broader market debut.”

Kiernan spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about this contentious issue and where the overall residential real estate market is headed, including people selling homes without licensed real estate agents and if a mortgage rate drop is on the horizon. This conversation has been edited for clarity.

Q: What are pocket listings, and why do you think they’re on the rise?

A: There are several definitions depending on who you ask. To keep it simple it is a property that is “for sale” but not publicly marketing on the MLS system or any outside portals. There are valid reasons for a pocket listing such as the sellers are a celebrity, law enforcement or a public figure.

What this rise means is that buyers will not be aware of certain homes that are for sale. It removes transparency of certain important factors like days on market and price reductions. It reduces the buyer’s negotiating power and limits the buyer being able to compare to other similar homes that are on MLS. But the pocket listing is not on MLS.

Q: Could we see a big shift in how homes are bought and sold in the next few years?

A: My advice to buyers is to be careful. Some buyers are wanting to represent themselves in the real estate transaction. I feel that is a big mistake. Kind of like representing yourself in a divorce. The buyers need an experienced, competent and knowledgeble agent more than ever now to negotiate price, terms, contingencies, oversee the mortgage process and so much more.

Q: What is the biggest misconception out there right now regarding the residential real estate market?

A: Buyers are waiting on [mortgage] rates to drop. But rates have been in the 6 percent for almost four years now. I don’t see a major rate drop anytime soon. The misconception for buyers when rates drop, they celebrate, but in reality that opens up more competition for the house they want and all those buyers on the sidelines jump back into the market. In some cases it can cause an increase in the price of the house. An other misconception is that if inventory increases, that means sellers will lower their asking price. That is not the case typically.

©2026 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Visit reviewjournal.com.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

We found one food you won’t have to worry about adding to your grocery list this weekend: doughnuts.

There’s a best time to buy just about anything, and food is no exception. National Doughnut Day is the first Friday in June, and restaurants are celebrating by giving away the sweet treats.

We rounded up eight deals and freebie offerings. These promotions are valid at participating locations June 5.

1. 7-Eleven: Rewards members can get classic glazed doughnuts for 50 cents each.
2. Duck Donuts: Stop by for a free classic doughnut. You can also get a free rubber duck with any purchase of a dozen doughnuts.
3. Dunkin: Get a free doughnut when you buy a beverage.
4. Krispy Kreme: Come in-store and walk away with a free doughnut of your choosing — no purchase necessary.
5. Paris Baugette: Rewards members can get a free sugar mochi or small twisted doughnut with any purchase.
6. Parlor Doughnuts: In-shop only, snag a free French toast layered doughnut with any purchase.
7. Shipley Donuts: Get a free original glazed doughnut with any purchase every Friday in June. Use the code “DonutMonth26” if you order online.
8. The Salvation Army: The organization will distribute doughnuts to veterans at multiple locations across the country.

Check each business for full redemption details and any exclusions.

Other shops and local businesses might be offering free doughnuts, too. Social media is one of the best places to check for promotions near you. Search “National Doughnut Day” to find relevant offers.

Courtney Neidel writes for NerdWallet. Email: courtney@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @CourtneyNerd.

The article 8 Free (or Cheap) Doughnut Deals for June 5 originally appeared on NerdWallet.

For buyers struggling to afford a starter home, manufactured homes offer modern layouts at a much lower price. They cost about 40% less per month than traditionally built houses, according to Fannie Mae.

In December 2025, the median price for a manufactured home purchased along with land using a conventional mortgage was $245,000, per federal data. That’s a steep discount from the median price of all existing homes, which rose to $417,700 in April 2026, reports the National Association of Realtors.

I did the math with today’s mortgage rates: At a 6.4% APR on a 30-year mortgage with 20% down, you’re looking at about $1,226 a month in principal and interest for a manufactured home versus $2,090 for an existing home. Manufactured homes are an affordable solution worth a second look. Here are three myths holding buyers back — and one piece of legislation that could turn the tide.

Myth No. 1: Manufactured homes are just cheap trailers.

The reality: Modern manufactured homes are built to federal quality standards and come in a range of styles.

When my husband and I started house hunting, we toured a charming ranch: open concept, modern kitchen, big basement. I had no idea it was manufactured until our agent said so.

If you’re picturing a single-wide trailer, you haven’t seen a new manufactured home. Pitched roofs, porches and spacious layouts can make them hard to distinguish from site-built houses.

Manufactured homes aren’t campers or RVs, even if some still use the outdated term “mobile home.” Part of the confusion comes from a federal rule requiring them to be built on a steel chassis, or a towable frame that can attach to wheels. In most cases, the chassis is only used once to transport the home to the building site.

Lawmakers are now considering removing the chassis requirement. That could blur the line between manufactured and modular homes, which are factory-built without a chassis. It could also lower costs and open the door to more styles and floor plans.

The takeaway: The biggest constraint isn’t design anymore — it’s policy. If the rules change, manufactured homes could get even more flexible and more common.

Myth No. 2: Manufactured homes lose value over time.

The reality: Manufactured homes on owned land can appreciate much like site-built homes.

Owning the land beneath your manufactured home is a major factor in its long-term value. Existing manufactured homes on owned land are listed for sale on real estate sites, just like traditional houses. (If you don’t already own a parcel, note that buying vacant land for a new home can take more legwork — you’ll need to consider details like zoning, site prep and utility hookups.)

A Realtor.com report found that manufactured homes on owned land gained about 70% in value from 2019 to 2026, outpacing roughly 59% for single-family homes and 51% for those on leased lots. Growth was strongest in Sun Belt markets, where manufactured homes are popular among retirees.

That said, there are downsides when you want to sell. Manufactured homes spend about 18 days longer on the market and are more likely to need price cuts, the report notes.

The takeaway: Buying a manufactured home on land you own can help you build home equity over time, even if resale is trickier.

Myth No. 3: You can’t get a mortgage for a manufactured home.

The reality: Buyers have plenty of options, including conventional and government-backed mortgages.

To qualify for a traditional mortgage, your manufactured home needs to be titled as “real property” — in other words, it’s permanently attached to a foundation on land you own. If it’s not — say, it sits on leased land in a manufactured home community — the home is typically classified as “personal property” instead, similar to a car or boat.

In that case, you’d pay cash or use a chattel loan, a type of personal property loan that typically comes with shorter terms but higher interest rates.

For some buyers, using a chattel loan to buy a home in a land-lease community can still offer more stability than renting — especially in rural areas where affordable housing can be scarce. But a traditional mortgage generally offers lower costs and stronger consumer protections, like clearer rules and more safeguards if you fall behind on payments.

The takeaway: No matter which loan type you choose, take time to understand the terms, risks and tradeoffs before signing. With a mortgage, it pays to compare at least three different lenders — and you don’t have to go with the builder’s preferred option. Rates and terms can vary widely, so you’ll save money when you shop around.

What to watch: A rule that could reshape manufactured housing

Old assumptions aren’t the only thing holding buyers back — outdated housing policy isn’t helping, either.

But that could change as Congress debates the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bill aimed at boosting housing supply and modernizing rules like the chassis requirement.

Today, most manufactured homes are in rural areas. Without a chassis, manufactured homes could better fit urban neighborhoods that need multistory designs to accommodate tight lots.

The Niskanen Center, a policy think tank, estimates that eliminating the chassis could cut $5,000 to $10,000 from the cost of a typical single-section manufactured home. For budget-conscious buyers, those savings matter — if they’re actually passed along and not absorbed as profit.

Emma Waters, a senior housing policy analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, called the chassis requirement “outdated,” especially as starter homes become harder to find and afford.

“Manufactured housing is an essential part of the solution to the acute shortage of homes driving today’s high housing costs,” she said in an email.

Today’s “mobile” homes rarely move, anyway — fewer than 10% are ever relocated, according to the Pew Research Center. Most buyers aren’t looking for a home they can tow someday. They’re looking for a place they can afford to stay.

The practical appeal is becoming harder to dismiss. As housing costs keep climbing, manufactured homes are looking less like yesterday’s niche option and more like the future of affordable homeownership.

The article Locked Out: 3 Outdated Myths About Manufactured Homes originally appeared on NerdWallet.

On a scale of one to Demogorgon, how uneasy does your mortgage make you feel? If it’s close to the flower-faced monster, you’re not alone. For many people, a mortgage is more than just a number — it’s the most money they will ever borrow, and it’s for a basic human need: shelter.

No surprise we can feel anxious, uncertain or even fearful when it comes to managing a home loan. But it’s important to keep those feelings in perspective.

Problems come when homeowners don’t think about the emotional reasons they’re making a decision, as well as the actual math, says Christine Hargrove, certified financial therapist and assistant director of the Love and Money Center at the University of Georgia. “That’s when people really get stuck … not being fully honest, even with themselves, about why they’re making the choices they’re making with the mortgage.”

Getting to the root of why you think a certain way about your mortgage can unlock a more objective mindset — one that frames your home loan as a workable financial tool that serves you, not the other way around.

Mindset 1: “Once bitten, twice shy”

During the Great Recession (2007-2009), home prices plummeted and the unemployment rate doubled, leaving many homeowners upside down on their mortgages and unable to make payments. No, this isn’t another Stranger Things reference — the term “upside down” means your home’s value is less than the total amount owed.

In the years that followed the housing crisis, millions of Americans had no choice but to foreclose. And when the market fails, you lose more than just your home.

“You lose your trust in the system; you lose trust in your own judgment; you lose that ability to relax,” Hargrove says. “Suddenly, what you thought was a form of safety has actually become a major risk for you and a source of pain.”

While these lived experiences are a valuable resource — and shouldn’t be dismissed — the fear may not be your most reliable decision-maker.

If you see your mortgage as one big financial liability that needs paying off as fast as your paycheck allows, you may be closing yourself off to more fruitful paths.

Instead of pouring available cash into paying off your mortgage early, for example, you could invest it in a savings account with a high interest rate. This may add a cushion to an emergency fund or help you reach other goals.

Alternatively, reducing your monthly payment with a mortgage refinance can help you weather financial storms in the future. If you find yourself between jobs for example, a lower payment can give your budget some breathing room when you need it most.

The bottom line? There are other ways to create financial security besides clearing your mortgage.

Mindset 2: “Because I said so”

“Financial trauma can sort of ripple down through the generations,” Hargrove says.

Perhaps your parents think owning a home free and clear is the ultimate sign of success, and a mortgage balance is a sign of failure. This mindset may no longer be applicable to the current economy or your personal homeownership journey.

The housing market was very different 40-plus years ago. In the early 1980s, the country had officially entered into a recession, and mortgage rates reached as high as 17%. Since 1986, the median house price has increased by over 350% ($86,800 to $403,200), but the minimum hourly wage has risen by only about 115% ($3.35 to $7.25). Needless to say, buying a house back then required different math.

Homebuying timelines also looked a little different back then. In 1985, the median age of first-time home buyers was 29, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Today, it’s 40. With the average American living to 79, it could feel like you’re racing your 30-year mortgage to the grave.

While this sounds a little macabre, it’s a reminder that mortgages are not a one-size-fits-all product. Your homeownership goals are not going to look like your parents’, and neither should your mindset.

If you bought a home later in life, it may benefit you to think of it less as a means to an end and more of an end in itself.

“The idea of the ‘forever mortgage’ is gaining traction with homeowners who see their loans as a reasonable debt to carry,” says Kate Wood, lending expert at NerdWallet. “Instead of focusing on mortgage payoff, they’re looking to maximize their money in other ways.”

Mindset 3: “I can’t die with debts”

Many homeowners fear dying with a mortgage, which can fuel some aggressive payoff strategies that may not be necessary.

In general, people won’t inherit debt if it’s not theirs. So, if you don’t pay off your mortgage, and your heirs are not co-signers or co-borrowers on the loan, they have options: They can accept the inheritance and sell the home, or they can refuse the inheritance and the debt will be settled by your estate. This typically means the bank sells the house to cover the loan. If there’s not enough money to pay it off, next steps vary by state, but heirs aren’t responsible for any remaining debt, and it will go unpaid.

If your heirs accept the inheritance, they can also continue making payments on the same loan. In general, lenders must transfer the loan to the heir without conditions, which means an heir with minimal credit or little savings can get access to a powerful credit-building tool. Plus, by keeping your mortgage payments low and your other investments thriving, you may set up heirs with a cushion for unexpected costs along the way.

A mortgage isn’t the only cost associated with homeownership. Property tax, homeowners insurance, utilities and maintenance costs don’t disappear with your last payment.

“You need to estimate at least about two to three percent of your home’s value every year in just straight-up maintenance costs,” Hargrove says.

Talk to a financial advisor about estate planning options before you assume your mortgage is a problem for your legacy.

Mindset 4: “My home is the only asset that matters”

Regardless of how you see your mortgage, being hyper-focused on your home and its value doesn’t leave room for much else.

A lot of homeowners can become so fixated on their home that it can affect their quality of life, Hargrove says. They pile on loans to pay for new bathrooms and new kitchens, labeling them as investments, but have never stopped to run the math — a new bathroom may end up costing you more than the value it adds to your home, for example. Take a look at all of your long-term investment opportunities — stocks, education, career development — before you assume your home is the only way to generate wealth.

“You’ve got to keep it in perspective,” Hargrove says. “Make sure that you’re going to have enough money to go do things that you love to do.”

Next step? Sever your connection to the home loans Mind Flayer. Having a healthy mortgage mindset means acknowledging your leanings, not shaming yourself for having fears, and being open to new ways of thinking about homeownership.

“A mortgage should never mean that your home now owns you,” Hargrove says.

The article 4 Mortgage Mindsets That Might Be Holding You Back originally appeared on NerdWallet.

A new summer travel report from Skyscanner found that price is a major planning challenge for those looking to book summer travel, with 38% of travelers in the U.S. lingering on making their travel plans even as the world heats up and summer gets closer.

Skyscanner’s 2026 Smarter Summer report uses data from research conducted among 2,000 travelers in March, 2026. It found that 20% of Americans consider price the major challenge for booking summer travel.

“Summer vacations are special, but for many travelers still looking to book, the planning side requires more thought than ever,” explained Lourdes Losada, Director of Americas at Skyscanner. “That’s why this year’s Smarter Summer Report is designed to help people make more confident choices on when and where to travel, using Skyscanner’s proprietary data to highlight smarter timings, better-value options and alternative destinations.

“In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value. More importantly, travelers should stay informed and check the latest travel advice before booking.”

Flexibility is key to saving this summer

American travelers expect to spend $331 on flights for their summer vacation abroad, with 61% trying to be more flexible to get the best deal. Skyscanner encourages money-conscious travelers to consider cheaper travel weeks, cheaper alternative destinations and checking live fares.

The week for the best value for flights is the week of Aug. 10, when travelers can snag over $200 in savings on flights to Rome. The week of Aug. 31 is also particularly good for flights heading to Tokyo, when travelers can save just under $150.

Unlikely destinations take precedence

Additionally, 73% of Americans are visiting places that none of their social group had been to before, with Gen Z dominating this new trend, at 77%. These second- or third-city destinations are less obvious travel choices, but might actually save them money.

These destinations include Aberdeen, U.K., where flights can be as little as $413 one-way; Redmond, Oregon; Asuncion, Paraguay; Trieste, Italy; Bastia, France; Liverpool, U.K.; Hilo, Hawaii and more.

Group travel

While over half of Americans believe planning group travel is more stressful than planning a wedding, with 29% reporting that finding the best accommodation being the hardest part and 30% reporting that determining a budget is the worst, Skyscanner believes choosing a less popular destination with relatively low airfare and rental car prices, like San Diego, Asheville or Madison can help make the group trip easier and more cost effective.

©2026 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and businesses are helping make the weekend a little more memorable — and a little less expensive — for moms.

We’re here to help you scope out the discounts. After all, for the Nerds, saving money is one of the best gifts of all.

We rounded up 10 places you can get a deal ahead of May 10.

1. Ace Hardware: Score Mother’s Day weekend deals beginning on May 8. Offers include a free mini bucket to the first 48 in-store shoppers.
2. Applebee’s: Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus card for free. The deal is available in restaurants and online.
3. Bath and Body Works: Purchase a Mother’s Day gift set — including body cream, a candle and more — for $35 with a $35 purchase. The set retails for $94.95.
4. Best Buy: Shop an assortment of tech deals, including up to $100 off select Apple Watches and up to $60 off select Amazon e-readers.
5. Cozy Earth: Save 15% sitewide, or 20% off your entire order when you buy three or more items.
6. Denny’s: Get a $5 bonus coupon with purchase of a $25 gift card.
7. DoorDash: Shop exclusive Mother’s Day deals in the app, including 20% off orders of $50 or more at Ulta Beauty.
8. Dyson: Save $150 on select Dyson multi-styler hair products.
9. Edible Arrangements: Save 15% on select Mother’s Day gifts, including fruit arrangements and bouquets.
10. Pizza Hut: Order a limited-edition pizza in the shape of a heart. It’s a medium pie with one topping.

Check each business for full redemption details, participating locations and any exclusions.

Other businesses might be offering free or discounted stuff, too, so keep an eye on social media. We’ve seen local zoos and botanical gardens offering free admission to moms this weekend.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Courtney Neidel writes for NerdWallet. Email: courtney@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @CourtneyNerd.

The article 10 Places With Cheap (or Free) Mother’s Day Deals originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Spirit Airlines abruptly ceased operations before dawn on Saturday, leaving many of the airline’s customers holding tickets for canceled flights.

Budget airlines, which traditionally operate on thin profit margins, have been hit especially hard by the sudden rise in fuel prices caused by the Iran war.

For Spirit, the end came quickly. The Wall Street Journal was first to report on Friday that a hoped-for $500 million bailout from the federal government would not materialize. The airline shut down the next day.

Spirit had been planning to emerge from bankruptcy this summer, but skyrocketing fuel prices caused by the Iran war scuttled those plans.

The article below was originally published on April 30. Some sections were updated as the story developed.

The war in Iran is stress-testing budget airlines, highlighting weaknesses in the model itself and raising fresh concerns for investors, travelers and policymakers.

Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, and the pressure on airlines hasn’t been evenly felt. Airlines with more pricing power can just pass higher costs on to customers. Ultra-low-cost carriers — built on rock-bottom fares and razor-thin margins — don’t have that luxury.

Fuel costs continue to spike after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — a key chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global oil supply. The impact is hitting Europe hardest due to its reliance on Middle East jet fuel — in mid-April, the International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said Europe may only have six weeks of jet fuel remaining. U.S. airlines are also bracing for higher costs: Last week, the U.S.-based carrier United said it may need to increase airfares by 15% – 20% to offset jet fuel spikes.

The most visible casualty in the budget space is Spirit Airlines. It filed for bankruptcy twice in the past 18 months, and the fuel surge has piled hundreds of millions in unexpected costs.

What’s not clear is if this is a Spirit Airlines issue, or a larger warning sign about the limits of the ultra-budget model. Airlines across the board have started cutting routes, shrinking fleets, adding fuel surcharges, and raising fares — with airfare costs already up roughly 15% year-over-year. Meanwhile, investors are reassessing carriers like Frontier (ULCC) and Ryanair (RYAAY). Shares of both are down more than 15% so far in 2026.

For travelers, it raises a practical question: What happens to cheap flights if airlines can’t survive fuel spikes?

To break it down, three NerdWallet writers weigh in:

• Anna Helhoski, economic news
• Craig Joseph, travel
• Sam Taube, investing

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Anna Helhoski: Sam, I’m wondering if you can start by walking us through the economics of the situation, how the oil price has been affected by the war in the Middle East this year, and what does that have to do with airlines?

Sam Taube: In the first couple of months of this year, the market price of a barrel of oil, as measured by the Brent crude benchmark, was generally less than $70. And within a couple of weeks of this war starting, it jumped up to more than $100. Even when there’s been brief bits of good news about a ceasefire or about the Strait of Hormuz temporarily reopening, it generally hasn’t gone below $90, which is still a pretty large increase from where it was before all this went down.

There was a recent report from the Energy Information Administration that said that even after this war ends, it’s going to take a few months for oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz to go back to normal, and so prices are going to stay high for a while. So industries like airlines that are heavily exposed to the price of oil are not going to get quick relief anytime soon.

AH: Let’s talk about how this affects airline passengers.  Are there historical examples of what happens to airline loyalty programs and their members when an airline gets in deep financial trouble like this?

Craig Joseph: Unfortunately, airlines filing for bankruptcy is nothing new. The three major airlines in the U.S. have declared bankruptcy under Chapter 11 over the last 25 years. All of this leads to industry consolidation, which at the end of the day is bad for consumers, who are left with less choice.

In the case of loyalty programs, those bankruptcies didn’t have much of an impact on the ability to earn or redeem miles or flight vouchers, or benefits offered to passengers with elite status.

In the case of Spirit, it first filed for Chapter 11 in November of 2024 and the court-approved restructuring process actually kept the airline’s loyalty program — called Free Spirit — completely intact.

From a loyalty program perspective, you wouldn’t know that the airline was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings if you didn’t pay attention to the flight schedule, in which Spirit has removed about a third of their flights while they sell aircraft and do whatever they can to decrease their operational costs.

Most modern airline loyalty programs are structured as individual entities separate from the airline itself. And that’s largely so they can’t be touched in these bankruptcy restructurings. Those programs basically operate as banks that represent the most profitable part of nearly every airline. So it makes sense that bankruptcy courts would want to keep that intact because it acts as sort of a carrot for creditors or for potential merger partners or for investors to point to and say , OK, this thing has value.

AH: What’s the worst case for consumers if Spirit is forced to cease operations?

CJ: Liquidation is the worst thing that could happen to consumers right now. Because the loyalty program is structured independently of the airline, it would still exist, but there would be nowhere to redeem your miles or flight vouchers or credits and things that have value only on Spirit Airlines. So effectively, the loyalty program would become worthless with nowhere to redeem miles and flight vouchers.

AH: Let’s dig into what this economic situation could mean for other budget airlines. Sam, how’s the stock market treating other budget carriers lately?

ST: They’re not doing well. Shares of Frontier, which is another big ultra-budget carrier, are down near 20% as of this conversation, and Ryanair, which is one of Europe’s biggest budget carriers, is down almost 25% this year. This increase in costs really squeezes airline profit margins, and a regular airline that isn’t in this budget category probably has more room to absorb that by increasing ticket prices. But the whole point of budget airlines is that they’re supposed to be cheap. And so the prospect of passing on higher fuel costs to consumers in the form of ticket prices really threatens their entire value proposition, and it’s a real threat to this business model.

There was a report in the Wall Street Journal last week that a consortium of domestic budget airlines, including Frontier, is preemptively seeking a bailout. So although Spirit’s competitors may not be quite in as dire of a situation as Spirit was, they’re definitely hurting as well.

AH: From an investing perspective, what does this crisis mean for shareholders of budget airlines or those considering trading these stocks?

ST: It’s hard to say. These other airlines, as we said, don’t seem to be in quite as deep trouble as Spirit, at least not yet. There’s a possibility that they could make a comeback, and if they do, then in retrospect people might see this period as a time when these stocks were on sale. You could make an argument that they might be a value play.

But on the other hand, there are past examples of distressed airline stocks that have done so poorly that they got delisted from the stock exchange and in those cases investors lost more or less everything.

Spirit Airlines used to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SAVE. But during its first bankruptcy in 2024, Spirit stock did so poorly that it fell under the minimum price to stay listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It was delisted at the end of that year, and it now trades off-exchange as a penny stock.

This kind of situation illustrates the risk of investing heavily in individual stocks and it’s why a lot of advisors recommend building an investment portfolio primarily out of things like index funds and other diversified investments. One common rule of thumb here is to limit individual stocks to 10% or less of your overall portfolio.

AH: Craig, what might this industry-wide strain mean for passengers? Have you heard any rumblings about service cutbacks or perks cutbacks from any other budget airlines?

CJ: Cutbacks are happening across the board. It’s not just budget airlines, it’s the entire industry. And you can probably guess that increased operational costs due to high fuel prices lead to increased prices for consumers.

International airlines like Air France and Japan Airlines have already announced an increase in fuel surcharges on their tickets. Most of the domestic airlines, including budget carriers like Frontier and JetBlue, have dramatically increased their checked bag fees.

Since jet fuel is one of the largest expenses for an airline, I can only envision a world in which sustained high fuel prices lead to increased route cutting, potential consolidation and to less choice for consumers. And unfortunately, scarcity usually leads to higher prices.

AH: Craig, what can flyers do to stay ahead of this situation? There’s been some concern that there won’t be enough jet fuel to meet demand in Europe several weeks from now if the Iran war continues, and we’re already seeing some summer flight cancellations. Personally, I have a flight already booked on Ryanair from Amsterdam to Dublin in June. What are my options?

CJ: So the best thing that you can do is remain flexible. If you’ve already locked in your ticket, there’s not a whole lot that you do. If you’re looking at a flight and a budget carrier like Ryanair is your best option, then the best thing you can really do is book with the right credit card that offers you travel protections through its card benefits. Just be aware of exclusions. While you may be eligible for compensation due to a cancellation by the airline, the coverage on most cards excludes financial insolvency.

If you are looking to decrease costs, you can use an airline card that gives you perks like free checked bags or airline incidental credits. You can also look for refundable airfare. If you don’t have a problem with booking multiple tickets, you could do that just to have an extra option. It might cost a little bit more out of pocket upfront, but as long as it’s refundable, generally you’ll get your money back if you cancel within 24 hours before takeoff.

Take your Ryanair flight, for example. There should be a few different airlines that compete on that route, and you can protect yourself by booking a refundable flight on a non-budget carrier just in case. It may not save you money in the long run, but it would give you another option and not leave you freaking out at the airport if Ryanair cancels the route the day before your flight.

AH: Yeah, I’d like to avoid freaking out just in general, but especially while traveling alone. Is there anything else that consumers should know about to kind of stay ahead?

CJ: I advocate for focusing on what you can control. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. From a personal finance standpoint, airline miles are there to be used. It’s monopoly money. It’s not redeemable for cash. Flight prices are going up. Use your miles. Use your points. Use them to stick cash back in your pocket because that has a lot more flexibility than the airline and credit card currencies.

Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski.

The article Spirit Airlines Collapse Exposes Cracks in the Budget Airline Model originally appeared on NerdWallet.

In addition to the points you can earn on your spending, airline credit cards offer another valuable benefit: free checked bags, which can potentially save you hundreds of dollars annually (especially as most major U.S. airlines elected to hike their bag fees this year).

But just because you have the right airline card doesn’t mean you’ll always get the checked-bag freebie, thanks to a plethora of gotcha exceptions found in the fine print of cardholder agreements.

For example, two major airlines — United Airlines and JetBlue Airways — require you to book airfare with their co-branded airline cards to be eligible for free checked bags on that flight. And sometimes the travel booking website you used might disqualify you from checking a bag for free.

Airlines made more than $7 billion from bag fees in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, so maybe it’s not surprising that they limit their baggage-fee waivers.

Most of the time you’ll get the free baggage benefit without hassle and when you expect it. But it’s important to know about exceptions.

“You don’t want to use the wrong credit card, and spend a lot of money on your airfare, only to find out that doing so makes you ineligible for that benefit from your credit card,” says Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, a market research and advisory firm serving the global travel industry.

Here’s what you need to know if you have a co-branded airline card that offers free checked bags, plus 10 gotchas to be aware of.

How bag-fee waivers work with many airlines

Usually, using a credit card’s checked-bag fee waiver is pretty easy. You simply won’t be charged if your card account is in good standing. How many fellow travelers on your reservation also get a free checked bag depends on your card. It may range from no additional passengers getting the benefit to eight others.

With most U.S. airlines, your checked-bag perk stems from being a credit cardholder, but the perk is tied to your frequent flyer account. That’s why it’s important to link your frequent flyer number to your reservation before checking in. This often happens automatically if you book at the airline website while logged in to your account, or you can enter your frequent flyer number when you book or add it to your reservation later. Because of that link, many carriers allow you to pay for airfare with any credit card because the airline already knows you’re also a holder of its co-branded credit card.

At the airport, whether tagging your own bags at a kiosk or using an agent at a ticket counter, if you follow the rules, you won’t be charged for a standard first checked bag and usually don’t need to have the card with you.

But, of course, rules for airlines differ, and most have a lengthy list of exceptions.

Nerdy Tip: The bag-fee waiver benefit of a co-branded airline credit card typically applies to domestic flights. Most international flights allow a checked bag for no extra charge. (Flights to Canada or the Caribbean may be exceptions.) The card often does not entitle you to an additional free checked bag.

10 gotchas for free checked bags

Checking your cardholder agreement is the best way to uncover details about the checked-bag fee waiver, but here are examples of exceptions from U.S carriers that you might find in the fine print.

1. Using the wrong credit card for airfare. Maybe the most notable exception involves airlines such as United, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, which require you to pay for the airfare with their co-branded credit card to qualify for the fee waiver. If you’re flying on a “free” award ticket you paid for with miles on United, you must pay the taxes and fees with a MileagePlus card.
2. Booking on ineligible websites. United specifically says “unpublished fares, such as those purchased on priceline.com and Hotwire, are not eligible.” Alaska Airlines states that reservations made through third parties, including travel agencies and wholesale clubs, may not be eligible for the free checked bag benefit.
3. Excluding a frequent flyer number. With many airlines, the key to getting free checked bags is linking your frequent flyer number to your reservation. So you need to have a frequent flyer account and number and include it on every booking when you want to use the bag benefit.
4. Bringing big bags. The bag benefit usually doesn’t apply to overweight or oversized bags.
5. Adding extra bags. Typically, the benefit is for the first standard checked bag per person. Some cards may allow two bags each, including upper-tier United cards.
6. Elite status stacking. Frequent flyer elite status usually gets you a free checked bag, too. But typically you can’t “stack” the benefits of elite status and cardholder status to get two checked bags. Delta is a notable exception. Flyers with its lowest elite level, Silver Medallion, can get an extra bag free if they have a co-branded credit card with a checked-bag benefit. Higher elite levels on Delta already get more than one checked bag free.
7. Checking pets as luggage. Checked-bag waivers don’t apply to pets checked as baggage. Separate pet fees apply.
8. Flying airline partners. While your bag benefit is good on regional carriers the airline uses as subcontractors — typically between small airports and hubs — it often doesn’t apply to codeshare flights. Codeshares are when two or more airlines sell seats on the same flight. The baggage policy of the airline operating the flight typically applies.
9. Being only an authorized user. Typically, the primary cardholder must be on the travel itinerary to get the baggage-fee waiver. Being an authorized user is not good enough unless you’re traveling with the primary cardholder on the same reservation.
10. Being a new cardholder. Some airlines warn that your credit card account must be open so many days before travel to get the benefit. JetBlue requires your card be open for seven days, while Southwest requires up to 14 days for the benefit to become available. Meanwhile, Delta says it’s available after you receive your physical card.

Nerdy Tip: Certain “gotchas” also apply to airline lounge access via your credit card. Read about those exceptions here.

Other ways to get free checked bags

If you’re caught in one of the airline card exceptions and don’t have frequent flyer elite status, you can avoid shelling out cash for checked bags if you have other travel cards that might cover the expense.

Some luxury travel cards come with an annual travel credit that can be used toward checked-bag fees. And some general travel cards allow you to essentially erase travel expenditures like checked-bag fees by applying accumulated points to get a statement credit.

Also, some airlines waive bag fees for active military.

Check your airline

Rules about free checked bags vary by airline and can change over time. A quick online search should turn up the right page with an airline’s baggage rules and its co-branded card rules. Here are links to policies for some U.S. airlines:

• American Airlines.
• Delta Air Lines.
• United Airlines.
• Southwest Airlines.
• JetBlue Airways.
• Alaska Airlines.

While the airline card checked-bag fee waiver is valuable and generally easy to use, it doesn’t apply in all situations. So it’s worth a few minutes to examine the limitations of your bag benefit.

The article Got Free Checked Bags Via Your Credit Card? You Sure About That? originally appeared on NerdWallet.

“For all of human history, people have used ‘You owe me’ as a way to control groups of people, and now it’s just the way we do life. It’s crazy,” said John Delony, a mental health expert with Ramsey Solutions in Nashville.

Delony and co-hosts Ken Coleman and Jade Warshaw came to the Lakewood Cultural Center to field questions from a local audience and dispense advice on debt and savings strategies.

Their visit was part of a multi-city road tour that fielded questions live rather than via phone calls. Much of their effort was spent trying to resolve financial disputes between couples.

Clifton and Cheryl Wiggins of Johnstown created a blended family with nine children when they married two years ago. Cheryl, however, was not happy staying in the home where Clifton’s ex-wife once held sway. She wanted a fresh start.

But Clifton had more practical considerations in mind. Homes large enough for a family of 11 aren’t easy to find or afford. His plan of action was to wait a few more years until two of the older kids moved out, allowing for more options without uprooting the family.

“You are bringing data to a feelings fight,” Delony said. Coleman worked the math and figured out they could afford a larger home payment.

The trio urged Clifton to understand what his wife was saying, not just listen. And then they questioned what Dave would advise in this situation.

Dave Ramsey is known for his tough-love, some might say brutal, approach to eliminating debt through “baby steps.”

The first step is to create a starter emergency fund of $1,000 to handle unexpected expenses. The second step involves listing all debts, besides the mortgage, from smallest to largest, and tackling the smallest one first.

Other debts are put on minimum payments, and any extra money in the budget is thrown at that targeted debt. Work side hustles, sell unnecessary items, avoid all extras, especially eating out, Ramsey urges.

In one of his more controversial recommendations, he advises temporarily stopping all retirement contributions. If a newer vehicle is dragging down the budget, sell it and drive a “beater” until the debts are gone.

Ramsey recommends “plastic surgery” — cutting up credit cards. Every dollar must be assigned a use before the month begins. Once the first debt is eliminated, that payment amount is rolled over to the next smallest debt, and so on.

Once debts are paid off, the focus shifts to building up an emergency fund with enough to cover 3 to 6 months of living expenses. Later steps include setting aside 15% of income for retirement in tax-advantaged accounts, then saving for children’s college expenses, followed by paying off the home mortgage.

Another couple, with the equivalent of a graduate degree in the baby steps, came forward with a different question. They had managed to save $5 million for retirement.

The husband wanted a splurge on a new Corvette costing around $130,000. The wife felt it was a bad move and would threaten their financial security.

Per Federal Reserve estimates, they rank in the top 0.1% of all households for retirement savings. Delony, with a doctorate in counseling, probed to try to understand what made the wife anxious.

The three ruled in favor of buying the Corvette.

The Ramsey method doesn’t advocate savings for savings’ sake, but as a path to peace of mind and financial freedom, which is celebrated in a “debt-free scream.” The final baby step is to build wealth, to enjoy life, and to “give outrageously.”

For Warshaw, her moment of reckoning came during the Great Financial Crisis. She and her husband were carrying debts that left them feeling vulnerable and exposed. When she heard Dave Ramsey on the radio, she initially resented his advice.

But rather than whining or trying to poke holes in his approach, they decided to listen to it, and it transformed their lives.

“It starts with those simple actions of I don’t borrow money anymore, and I am now a person who budgets my money, and now I’m a person who pays off debt,” she said.

The U.S. is the wealthiest nation in the world, yet many Americans are stressed out by their finances, according to a survey from real estate firm Clever.

Eight in 10 with debt say their obligations have caused them to delay or avoid major milestones, such as saving for retirement or buying a home. And 46% say debt worries have impacted their day-to-day lives, with 42% worried they will carry debts to their grave.

“When a human body understands it doesn’t have agency, that it is not in the driver’s seat of its own life, it will respond in any number of ways — anxiety, depression — it will just slow everything down,” Delony said.

Ramsey Solutions, which conducts its own survey called the State of Personal Finance, found that nearly half of respondents in the first quarter reported a negative impact on their mental health from their personal finances.

Around 36% of adults said the stress was so severe it had triggered an anxiety attack, which rose to about half for Gen Z respondents.

Nearly 85% of those surveyed agreed that “there is an affordability crisis in America,” with 55% saying that the crisis had personally impacted their ability to buy a house. A similar share said they couldn’t get ahead financially, which is up from 44% five years earlier.

And anxiety is leading to paralysis. So many decisions, from living independently to marrying and having children, to buying a home, are getting pushed back.

The National Association of Realtors puts the average age of a first-time homebuyer in the U.S. at 40. In the 1990s through the early 2000s, it was 32.

“If I can’t see a way to do it, then I just delay everything. I don’t do anything,” Coleman said.

Those delays can cost young adults future wealth, such as in home equity. But when it comes to avoiding excessive debt, delaying can be the right choice.

Delony said the path to becoming debt-free is hard, but so is living with debts that rob peace of mind and restrict financial freedom.

“Since both paths are hard — choose the hard that’s going to get you to the place you want to be,” he said.

The Lakewood episode will be made available on May 12. It will be one of the last ones with Coleman as co-host. He left the Ramsey organization for another job opportunity.

Get more business news by signing up for our Economy Now newsletter.

Millions of kids are playing organized sports in the U.S. About 27 million participated in 2022 and 2023 combined, according to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play survey.

Roughly 1 in 5 of those kids is competing in travel sports, where the commitment — and the cost — goes well beyond a Saturday morning game across town.

What starts as a way to support a child’s passion can quickly become a financial strain. In 2024, the average family spent $1,016 on one child’s primary sport — a 46% increase from 2019, says Tom Farrey, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program.

As costs rise, many parents are finding that keeping their kids in the game can mean reshaping their budgets and making tough financial decisions along the way.

Breaking down the cost of youth travel sports

Many families underestimate travel sports costs when they build their budgets, says Douglas Boneparth, a New York-based certified financial planner who focuses on millennials.

“We’re talking registration fees, equipment, coaching, hotels, flights and meals, and it adds up fast,” Boneparth says.

Families with more than one child playing a competitive sport are likely to see costs compound.

Joy Simmons, a senior project manager in Cerritos, California, says her family spent well beyond the average when her oldest daughter played travel softball.

Simmons says they spent $10,000 to $13,000 each year — just on travel. That didn’t include the costs for individual batting lessons, gear and registration fees.

Most families don’t see this level of expense coming when they sign up for the first season, Boneparth says.

“Families are suddenly looking at costs that rival a second mortgage payment.”

How travel sports are squeezing family budgets

For many families, budgets are already tight. With rising costs, it can be hard to find the extra cash to make travel sports work.

A 2025 New York Life survey found that 76% of parents have taken some kind of action to help manage the costs of travel sports. A quarter of parents (25%) said they had to pull from their savings or emergency fund to pay for sports costs.

The tradeoffs are concerning, Boneparth says.

“I see families cutting back on retirement contributions, pausing debt payoff, and in some cases, taking on credit card debt to cover travel weekends,” Boneparth says. “Vacation budgets get cannibalized. Emergency funds get raided, or never get built in the first place.”

Simmons says her family made similar sacrifices to keep up with the demands of travel softball.

“I hate to say this out loud, but we were living beyond our means because of the travel ball,” Simmons says, adding that they put most of the expenses on credit cards.

“There was a point where I was laid off,” Simmons says.

She took a pay cut with her new job and added a second job to help make ends meet.

“I didn’t want to disrupt my daughter’s routine, and her schedule, because she loved it so much,” she says. “So I actually worked at Home Depot for my second job, just to help supplement that.”

Do travel sports actually lead to college scholarships?

Many parents aren’t just paying for youth sports — they’re investing in what they hope is a pathway to help cover the costs of higher education.

About 83% of parents in the New York Life survey say they believe their child has the ability to play at the college level. And 49% say they’re confident their child will get an athletic scholarship.

“I do think there’s a subconscious logic at play here: Parents see travel sports as an investment in their child’s future, and a potential scholarship feels like the return,” Boneparth says. “But the numbers don’t support it.”

The NCAA reports that only 2% of high school athletes get a college scholarship. Simmons was one of those parents who hoped the investment would pay off.

“We weren’t spending that just for fun,” Simmons says.

Playing softball in college was always part of the conversation. For a moment, everything seemed to be on track, she says.

Her daughter was offered a scholarship during her freshman year of high school, but decided to wait until she was older to commit.

Then, she quit softball altogether during her junior year.

“It was gut-wrenching,” Simmons says. “I definitely felt like I was mourning the loss of not only the thought of her moving on, but the amount of money, the community, you know, just having to look forward to games.”

Simmons said it took her three years to pay off the remaining debt from her daughter’s softball career.

“Looking back, I don’t think I would have changed anything,” Simmons says.

Her daughter is thriving, and she believes that the years playing competitive sports gave her grit and showed her the value of commitment.

Sports are expensive — here’s how to stay in control

If making the travel sports math work for your family is a priority, “the goal is to be strategic rather than reactive,” Boneparth says.

Here are some things to try:

Price it all out — not just the obvious stuff

Before the season starts, estimate the full cost — not just registration fees and uniforms. Travel sports also include hotels, gas or flights, meals and extra gear.

“Most families underestimate by 30 to 40% because they only price the obvious stuff,” Boneparth says. “Once you have the real number, you can make an informed decision rather than getting surprised mid-season.”

Create a sinking fund for sports expenses

A sinking fund is money you set aside regularly for future expenses — like sports costs. Consider opening a high-yield savings account if you don’t have one. You can automatically deposit or transfer a set amount into your sports sinking fund and draw from that.

“When the money’s gone, it’s gone,” Boneparth says. “It creates a natural ceiling and keeps sports spending from bleeding into other budget categories.”

Use rewards strategically

Travel credit card rewards can offset travel costs, but only if you pay the balance in full every month.

“Using a rewards card while carrying a balance is just paying interest to feel like you’re being smart,” Boneparth says. “The math doesn’t work.”

Mix and match creative ways to save

Smaller strategies can add up to bigger savings over time:

• If upfront costs are too high, ask about monthly payment options to spread out expenses.
• Organize fundraising events for long-distance travel, like a team garage sale, bake sale or raffle. Put the proceeds toward team costs.
• Consider carpooling with another teammate to split gas costs. Download one of these top gas apps to look for savings.
• Buy used gear and sell what your child has outgrown on Facebook Marketplace or at Play It Again Sports. Put the earnings toward your next purchase.
• Volunteer to offset costs. Working the concession stand, doing administrative tasks or helping coordinate events are possible options.

Cut where you can

Sit down and review all your expenses — you’ll probably find some wiggle room, like the subscription you keep forgetting to cancel, or the gym membership you won’t be using because you’ll be traveling for your kid’s games every weekend.

Redirect the money to your sports sinking fund, so it doesn’t get lost to lifestyle creep or impulse purchases.

Amanda Barroso writes for NerdWallet. Email: abarroso@nerdwallet.com.

The article What Travel Sports Really Cost Families — and How to Budget for It originally appeared on NerdWallet.