Whether it's a busted refrigerator, car trouble or medical issues, unexpected costs are a part of life. But even such routine curveballs often spell serious financial trouble for many Americans.

Consumer inflation is declining, but business costs are a different story, challenging many companies. A little relief is in the cards, but not enough to compensate for smaller increases in product ...

Six months' worth of expenses is four times what the average household has saved in checking or savings accounts Adrian Nesta is a Senior Data Reporter on the Data Journalism team at Investopedia. His ...

Planning for the unexpected is crucial since life doesn't always go as planned. But only 44% of Americans are prepared for a $1,000 emergency expense, according to a survey from financial analysis ...