Adriana Morga, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - A Groomsman takes a break after finishing bridal party photos at a wedding on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Newtown, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)

Wedding etiquette includes being mindful of how much it costs guests to attend

October 23, 2025

Weddings are meant to be celebrations of love. They also may require invited guests to make a financial commitment that brings them stress. Whether it’s paying for hotels and flights to attend a destination wedding or different outfits and gifts for multiple pre-wedding events, friends and extended family often feel pressure to spend a large amount of money before the couple gets married. A sense of obligation and budget constraints can create resentment, hurt feelings and misunderstandings among friends and family. Experts say there are ways engaged couples can reduce costs for their wedding guests and guests can participate without going into debt.

FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, on Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

The 2026-27 FAFSA application is live. Here’s what to know

October 15, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2026-27 school year has officially opened. Jill Desjean from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators advises students to fill it out as soon as possible. Despite the government shutdown, the Education Department will continue processing applications. The form known as the FAFSA determines eligibility for federal financial aid, including work-study and loans. It also helps with state and school aid, and some private scholarships. Students should gather necessary documents and create an account on studentaid.gov to begin.

FILE - A shopper shops at a retail store in Arlington Heights, Ill., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

How ‘The Great Lock In’ can help achieve your financial and wellness goals

October 8, 2025

A viral TikTok trend called “The Great Lock In” is helping people achieve their wellness goals. It encourages participants to focus on their life goals from September 1 through December 31. There are no set rules, and the trend can be applied to various goals, including exercise, healthier eating, or financial objectives. Participants like Julissa Mercedes are using it to build savings and improve personal habits. Experts suggest reviewing finances, setting attainable goals and finding community support to succeed.

FILE - A woman walks past a personal finance loan office Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

Gen Z’s credit scores are dropping. Here’s what to do if yours is too

September 19, 2025

Gen Z has seen its credit score drop more than any other generation over the past year, largely because of student loan debt. That’s according to a new report out this week. The report from credit scoring company FICO found that the total national average credit score dropped two points this year to 715. But Gen Z’s average score dropped three points to 676. That’s the largest year-over-year decrease among any age group since 2020. A credit score is a mathematical formula that helps lenders determine how likely you are to pay back a loan.

FILE - FAFSA website is seen on Adjovi Golo's laptop at DePaul University in Chicago, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

FAFSA application is open for early testing. Here’s what to know.

August 8, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2026-27 school year has opened for a limited number of students as part of a beta test, according to the Department of Education. The department is rolling out two beta testing phases before the application becomes fully available to everyone in October. Initially, the FAFSA form will be available for a small number of students and families, chosen through existing partnerships with community organizations and schools. In September, students can request participation in the second phase of beta testing, but participation will be limited. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal financial aid for college.

FILE - In this, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, photo a woman types on her laptop, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

If you’ve lost your job, here’s how you can take care of yourself and your finances

June 23, 2025

Mass layoffs are currently affecting thousands of Americans both in the private and public sectors. Losing your job is not an easy thing to process and you might feel the impact of this change in several aspects of your life. But, there are a few actions you can make to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety of a job loss.If you’re currently experiencing a layoff, experts recommend that you first take a moment to process, approach your job search with a plan, stick through a routine and lean on community resources.

Adriana Morga.