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Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Your Car Loan Just Got Cheaper as New Bill Allows Tax Write-offs on Interest
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed President Trump's sweeping tax bill, nicknamed the "Big Beautiful Bill," which includes an above-the-line deduction of up to $10,000 in car loan interest. In other words, taxpayers who itemize deductions or claim the standard deduction wouldn't pay tax on auto loan interest up to $10,000. However, your income and the vehicle type you purchase determine your eligibility. The deduction would be phased out by $200 for every $1,000 of modified adjusted gross income above $100,000 for single filers and $200,000 for joint filers, according to the Tax Foundation. Single filers earning above $149,000 and joint filers making over $249,000 wouldn't qualify for an auto loan interest write-off. Qualifying individuals or joint filers could receive the deduction for auto loans taken out in 2025 through 2028 each year until the temporary write-off expires, the Detroit Free Press reports. Additionally, the deduction only applies to cars with their final assembly in the United States. Qualifying vehicle types include SUVs, cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, all-terrain models, and RVs. If the proposed legislation passes through the Senate and becomes law, drivers can expect to receive the highest deduction during a loan's first year since most monthly payments cover interest rather than principal. The average new car loan for May carries a 4.77% average interest rate for those with a FICO credit score ranging from 781 to 850, according to Bankrate. A credit score between 661 and 780 incurs a 6.40% rate, and the next-lowest tier, 601 to 660, jumps to 9.59%. Credit scores between 501 and 600 carry a 13.08% average interest rate on a new car loan, while 300 to 500 ratings incur a 15.75% rate. If the average driver pays $2,000 on auto loan interest in a year, they'd save $400 on their taxes. Leases, commercial vehicles, and salvage titles would not qualify for auto loan interest deductions. Whether the bill includes interest deductions for used vehicles or only new ones is unclear. While all Americans would welcome auto loan interest write-offs, Trump's bill also proposes that hybrid owners pay $100 more yearly to register their car, and electric vehicle (EV) owners pay a $250 annual registration fee. The fees are projected to generate around $40 billion over the next decade for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which pays for various transportation infrastructure projects. While many Americans would welcome auto loan interest tax write-offs, a deduction that hasn't been available since Ronald Reagan's presidency, the proposed legislation's impact appears relatively minimal. "I don't know of many people who would decide that they can buy a car because they're going to cut their taxes by $400. So, we don't think it's as exciting a proposition for driving more vehicle sales," Cox Automotive chief economist Jonathan Smoke said, according to Bankrate. Additionally, the expected sharp rise in already-high vehicle prices due to Trump's auto import tariffs would further offset any savings. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How to navigate the awkwardness of a wealth gap summer with your rich friends
Summer is here, bringing with it sun, sea, sand, and good times — if you can afford it. The pressure is on more than ever in the summer to say 'yes' to that group vacation at a glamorous overseas location, the festival that will set you back hundreds of dollars, or a weekend in whatever is your town's nearest version of the Hamptons. Many Americans are struggling with the cost of living. This year, about a quarter of Americans (24 percent) will not have a vacation because of the cost, according to a recent survey. Of those who are planning to travel this summer, 29 percent said they will take on debt as a result, the survey by financial-comparison website Bankrate found. The latter is 'terrifying' to former Wall Street trader-turned personal finance guru Vivian Tu, better known as YourRichBff, who advises her millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. 'It might be amazing to go on that trip today, and you might have so much fun,' 31-year-old Tu told The Independent. 'But how are you going to feel when you spend the next two years paying for a vacation that lasted seven days? I think that's a pretty sobering question.' Navigating the wealth gap with rich friends when you are not making anywhere near the same salary is awkward, uncomfortable, and seems to only be getting harder thanks to social media. Sam, 28, is originally from East Texas and now lives in Los Angeles. 'I'm a first generation college student, low income and trans,' Sam, who attended an elite college on a diversity scholarship and asked to only be identified with their first name, told The Independent. 'In just about all of my friendships, there's a wealth gap and that pretty much started in undergrad.' They make approximately $48,000 after taxes working as a guidance counselor at a California university and feel 'isolated' by the wealth gap in their friendship group. 'I'm coming into this elite college straight off of food stamps and all that stuff,' Sam said. 'Most people's families [at college] were upper-middle class to rich. One of the people I know, his family owns a fleet of private jets. So coming from a rural area, and then being put into that was kind of weird.' Sam said summers were particularly bad, and that trend has continued post-college. 'Everyone I know was going on these big vacations and all these concerts,' they said. 'I wasn't even able to go to a concert until my first year of undergrad. I've never even left the United States for a trip.' Sam doesn't get invited on vacations by their wealthier friends. 'It's probably because they know that I can't afford it,' Sam said. 'Not once have I ever been invited on any of these trips. I always get the photos. I always see the Instagram posts.' 'It does make me feel left out,' Sam added. Personal finance expert Tu says that social media also has a lot to answer for. 'It just starts to set an incredibly unrealistic expectation of how often we should be traveling, how much we should be spending, and how frequently we should be doing all of that,' she told The Independent. Sam relates and said that social media has become a space for people to 'get Instagram likes' and 'show off their experiences' to others. 'I think that's just a really dangerous situation for people who are financially vulnerable,' Sam said. 'We're so desperate to be a part of culture, to be a part of the big moment. You want to have that story that everyone else has…and you're literally borrowing thousands of dollars to sit in an uncomfortable stadium to do it because your friends are doing it, or because you're missing out.' That feeling of disconnect is similar for 32-year-old Michelle, who lives in Nashville and works as a communications and events manager for a non-profit. Michelle, who makes around $65,000, and her boyfriend had a baby boy in December and can no longer keep up with the spending habits of their wealthier friends. 'They just so frivolously spend money — like, they'll randomly buy a new car, or jet skis or a brand new boat,' Michelle told The Independent. 'It's just really mentally tapped to try to appear like I can keep up with them.' Before she had the baby, Michelle said the group went on a $2,000 trip to Disney World that she couldn't afford. 'When I first started being exposed to this friend group, I would push my bank account, and I would really push my limits just so that I could hang out,' she said. 'And it really kind of messed me up. It maxed out one of my credit cards.' Since having a baby, priorities have changed. 'I am trying to figure out how to make sure I can get formula for my baby, and make food at home. I don't want to go out to eat every single time that we hang out,' she said. 'Every single month our bank account, it's just like we're at like the bottom. So it's very much like paycheck to paycheck,' she added. Her boyfriend was once a high earner but he lost his job in the last year. He is now getting back on his feet and working again, but money has occasionally become a source of tension in the relationship, Michelle said. 'We've had a lot of fights this year about money, and that has limited what we're going to do this summer.' The expense of weddings has also become a bone of contention, particularly if the nuptials involve travel. In 2024, 18 percent of couples hosting a destination ceremony abroad, according to The Knot's 2025 wedding survey. Michelle was recently a bridesmaid for two close friends, with one wedding in Florida's Key West and another in upstate New York, setting her back at least $3,000 per wedding, including travel and accommodation. 'I would do it a million times over for those girls, but it really does push your budget.' The new mom says that financial stress has been impacting her mental health, a trend more therapists are noticing with patients. 'People may not come to see me based on these feelings, but they most certainly come up in conversation,' said Aja Evans, a therapist who specializes in financial therapy. 'Comparison and pressure to keep up with friends is very common and unfortunately tends to skew how people look at themselves and their finances.' Evans advocates being honest with friends about your financial situation, which can be a way of 'breaking up the shame and isolation' that comes with hiding it away. 'Being honest with yourself around what you can and can't do, remembering that you are still a valuable and worthy friend despite how much money you have is very important,' Evans said. 'Attempting to disconnect your self worth from your net worth can also be helpful. Then, have a conversation with your friend.' 'Letting them know how you feel, what you are doing in terms of your financial health and how you two can navigate the differences,' Evans added. 'Now, this is very hard, being vulnerable is complicated and nuanced, so go easy on yourself.' Tu, who heads up her own financial education and advice company, says it is essential to consider what is 'truly going to bring you value' and not hurt you in the future at the same time. She has a handy tip that can help visualize whether that summer impulse purchase – be it new clothes, a night out or a trip – is worth it. 'I call it 'YourRichBFF is it Worth it? Equation,' Tu said. 'Figure out how much your hourly take-home pay is, and that hourly take-home pay, essentially, is how many hours you'll need to sit at your desk to afford something.' 'Say your hourly take-home pay is $20, you go to a fancy store and you want to buy a pair of designer leggings for $100,' Tu explained. 'You have to sit at your desk for five hours. Ask yourself, are you willing to sit at your desk for five hours so that you can afford those leggings? And in some cases, the answer is yes. In some cases, the answer is no.' 'You need to be honest with your friends about your financial situation, but also you need to provide an alternative,' Tu said. 'Because what's going to happen is if you continuously keep telling your friends, 'no, I can't come, I can't afford it,' suddenly they're going to stop inviting you to stuff. 'Once they stop inviting you to stuff, you are going to feel incredibly isolated,' she added. Tu doesn't knock hard-pressed families who have to put basic necessities like food on a credit card. But she advises others to resist the temptation to splurge on 'the fun stuff' if it's not affordable it right now. 'There are certainly folks in our country who are putting basic necessities like food on a credit card, not because they want to, but because they need to feed their families,' Tu said. 'This is not that. What I'm saying is, the visits to the nail salon, the drinks out with girlfriends, the fun stuff, if you are not in a position to be spending on going to keep you broke,' she said. 'We all have to know our limits, and it's not fair,' Tu added. 'But some people out there have parents who are paying their rent.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How to pay off a debt in collections
Before paying a debt in collections, verify it's legitimate and collectible to avoid scams or zombie debt. You have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that protect you from harassment and abuse. Negotiating a payment or settlement plan, especially in writing, can help you resolve debt while minimizing credit damage. Always document all communication and payments to avoid future disputes. No one wants to receive a call from a debt collector. But if you've fallen behind on paying your credit cards, loans or bills, your account may be sent to collections. Dealing with these debt collection companies can be stressful and embarrassing, but it's more common than you think. In the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. hit $18.20 trillion in household debt, and the average delinquency rate went up 0.7 percentage point from the previous quarter to 4.3 percent. Paying off your outstanding debts is important, but you want to do it the right way. A misstep here and there can result in you paying more debt than you owe, reopening zombie debt or exposing yourself to a scam. Bankrate insight As you move through this process, document everything. Keep copies of letters, emails, payment receipts and any agreements you make with the collector. Also note the dates of phone calls and what was said in the call. If you live in a one-party state, you could consider recording your phone conversations. Before taking any action to pay off a debt in collections, verify the debt belongs to you. Gather all relevant information about the debt, including the amount owed, the original creditor and any other account facts. If, after reviewing this information, you find that the debt is not yours, take steps to protect your credit and finances in case your identity has been stolen. You can dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus. If the debt doesn't appear on your credit reports, you might have been targeted by a debt collection scam. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors must follow strict rules: No calls between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. No calls at work if you've requested they stop No excessive calls — no more than seven in a week or within seven days of last speaking to you about the debt No contacting you via email, text or social media if you've opted out No disclosure of your debt to others Debt collectors are also strictly prohibited from harassing, threatening or verbally abusing you. If a debt collector breaches these regulations, you can contact your state's attorney general's office to find out your rights under state law. They can help you identify if you are protected under state-level collection regulations and laws like the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL) and the Debt Collection Licensing Act (DCLA). Each state has a statute of limitations determining the legal time limit within which creditors or debt collectors can sue you for an unpaid debt. Statutes for different types of debt range from as little as two years up to 10 years or more. Once the statute is up, you can't be sued for the unpaid debt. However, it's important to know that you can reset the statute clock on old debt if you: Agree to pay Get a bankruptcy discharge revoked Make a new charge on the account Make a payment Understanding how these statutes work is essential as it impacts your legal obligations and rights regarding the debt. Research the statute of limitations in your state to know your rights. Not all debts are collectible. For instance: Medical debt under $500 or less than a year old can't appear on credit reports. Soon, medical debt will be completely barred from appearing on credit reports. Zombie debt — or very old debt — may no longer be legally enforceable. This debt is often past the statutes of limitations and may be too old to legally appear on your credit reports. You need to be especially careful to avoid resetting the clock on zombie debts. In addition to verifying the debt is collectible, you should contact the collection company and request a debt validation letter to ensure it has a legal right to collect on your debt. You may have more debt than you can pay off in a reasonable timeframe. In that case, you may be able to negotiate with your creditors about how much and when you pay. But first, you have to calculate how much money you can afford to commit to paying down your debts. Start by reviewing your budget and seeing how much cash you can free up. Determine how much money you could contribute to a lump sum payment or monthly installment. Be realistic and don't put yourself in a position where you need to take on more debt to pay off your existing debt. Once you're informed and have an idea of how much you can realistically pay, it's time to contact the collector. Be prepared to discuss your financial situation honestly and weigh different repayment plans. Effective negotiation can often lead to a reduced amount or favorable payment terms, especially if you pay a lump sum up front. Bankrate tip: For medical debt, contact the provider's billing office directly. They may offer hardship assistance or flexible plans. As a part of negotiating a payment plan, during your repayment period or after the collection has been settled, you may be able to request pay-for-delete agreement. This means the collection agency will remove the collection account from your credit report once repayment is complete. Get any pay-for-delete agreements in writing, and follow up with the creditor or collector to ensure the deletion request is processed. Be aware that changes to your credit reports can take 30 days or more to appear. Very few creditors will not offer a pay-for-delete agreement, but you can still ask. Once you've agreed on repayment terms, formalize the agreement in writing. Include: Payment amount Payment schedule Any additional terms or conditions. A clear plan reduces misunderstandings and ensures both parties follow the agreement accurately. Stick to the schedule and send payments promptly. This demonstrates good faith and prevents further collection efforts. For added security, consider: Mailing a check via USPS with a return receipt ($4.10) or using email confirmation ($2.62) Requesting a 'Certificate of Mailing' for proof of payment date To pay online, first confirm the debt and request instructions from the collection agency. Most have secure portals where you can log in to make payments. Always: Verify the site's legitimacy before entering payment info Save digital receipts and confirmation numbers Monitor your credit to ensure updates are reflected Debt in collections can take a toll on your finances and peace of mind — but you're not powerless. By verifying the debt, knowing your rights and negotiating smartly, you can pay off collections while protecting your credit and avoiding scams. How does debt in collections affect your credit score? Debt in collections has a huge impact on your credit score, especially if the debt also had late payments or a charge-off associated with it. It can take up to seven years for your credit to fully recover from one collection account. As time goes on, however, if you use good credit-building habits, negative marks will have less impact over time as newer things on your credit score have the most influence. If you need help fighting a collection account error or fraud, you can contact a reputable credit repair company. What's the safest way to pay a debt collector? Use payment methods that offer proof of payment — such as mailing a check with return receipt or using a secure online portal provided by the agency. Do collections go away once paid? No. Typically, paid collections will remain on your credit reports for up to seven years from the date of the original delinquency. However, lenders view paid collections more favorably than unpaid ones. What happens if you never pay collections? If you ignore or refuse to pay collections, the debt collector may escalate efforts to recover the debt. These could include: Take legal action Garnish wages (portion of paycheck withheld to pay off debt) Continue reporting the debt Unpaid collections that pass the statute of limitations can still severely impact your credit score and make it harder to secure loans or credit in the future. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New lawsuits accuse insurance companies of secret scheme to drive up prices for homeowners: 'Conspiracy and collusion'
Two lawsuits filed in Los Angeles say insurance companies colluded to force homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas onto California's FAIR insurance plans. According to the Associated Press, the lawsuits want to hold 25 major insurance companies responsible for the "illegal scheme" that has limited coverage for homeowners. The filings say their practices are "in violation of California's unfair competition and antitrust laws." The lawsuits allege that the insurance companies, including State Farm, worked together in 2023 to deny high-risk policies, making the FAIR Plan many homeowners' only option. The FAIR Plan is California's insurer of last resort. It's a program that gives high-risk homeowners access to insurance policies if they're denied through traditional avenues. These high-premium policies offer basic and limited coverage capped at $3 million. These policies are not enough to cover damage caused by severe disasters. And disaster struck in January, with extreme wildfires that destroyed almost 17,000 structures. Countless homeowners were left underinsured on the FAIR Plan. Many people can't get a traditional policy because the insurance companies don't want to be financially responsible for these natural disasters. Wildfires, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. By denying coverage in areas prone to climate instability, they're prioritizing profits. Furthermore, over $500 billion of U.S. insurance companies' investments are in the oil and gas industry, per the Center for International Environmental Law. Burning oil and gas creates harmful emissions that destabilize climate conditions. This leads to extreme weather events that destroy homes and leave people in financial ruin. Michael J. Bidart, who represents the homeowners, said in a statement, per AP: The insurance companies "have reaped the benefits of high premiums while depriving homeowners of coverage that they were ready, willing, and able to purchase to ensure that they could recover after a disaster like January's wildfires." Insurance companies are denying coverage to boost profits while making money off the very practices that are causing climate instability. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Bankrate advises homeowners to save claims for major losses, check dwelling coverage, and be proactive about caring for their property. But people are hopeful these lawsuits will help reinstate fair premiums and policies. According to Bankrate, Stephen G. Larson, another lawyer representing the homeowners, said: "California's antitrust and unfair competition laws exist to address the very kind of conspiracy and collusion that the complaints allege the defendants engaged in." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Survey: More than two-thirds of Americans aren't reviewing their budgets. Here's why you should and how you can save more
Budgeting is the financial equivalent of eating your vegetables. It may seem unpleasant, even grueling, but it's ultimately good for your financial health. Budgeting is also unpopular. Bankrate's latest Money and Mental Health Survey shows that less than one-third (29 percent) of Americans reviewed their budget during a 30-day period between mid-February and mid-March. 'Few people like tracking their spending, and itemizing every dollar spent can be tedious and (time-consuming),' says Stephen Kates, CFP, financial analyst at Bankrate. When it comes to using a system to budget, Kates suggests that the simpler, the better. Here's why making a simple budget, and reviewing it, is worth your time. And here's how to develop one that will work for your financial needs. Bankrate's Money and Mental Health Survey found that Americans with higher levels of education were more likely to have reviewed their budgets. Nearly four in 10 post-graduates (38 percent) and people with a four-year college degree (38 percent) said they reviewed their budget in the 30 days prior to Bankrate's survey, which was conducted in mid-March. This percentage was lower for those with some college or a two-year degree (30 percent). Respondents who have, at best, a high school degree (23 percent), was the group that budgeted the least. Although budgeting is the act of tracking how much money you have, there's also the unpopular task of tracking your spending. According to Bankrate's survey, about one-third of survey respondents (34 percent) tracked their spending between mid-February and mid-March. Saving money doesn't just happen, says Lauren Zangardi Haynes, CFP, CIMA at Spark Financial Advisors. 'Most people do better managing their spending if they don't see a lot of money in their bank account. In other words, if your plan is to transfer what's left in your checking account at the end of the month to savings, you're setting yourself up for failure,' Zangardi Haynes says. Budgeting helps you determine precisely how much you should be saving each month so you can save more. Knowing what you're spending your money on, and how you're spending it, can help you determine how much you need to save to achieve your financial goals. The lesson here: Pay yourself first and pocket it in your savings account. Budgeting need not be a daunting task. It comes down to three things: Directing your direct deposits into different accounts Identify spending limits Being aware of your spending and savings habits Budgeting helps you plan where you want your money to go ahead of time. This helps you to spend your money intentionally, whether it's for helping you get closer to achieving your financial goals or putting your money towards purchasing future goods and services that you value. Zangardi Haynes says one of the underrated benefits of budgeting is the way it can help you shift the way you view yourself. She says frequently when people are focused on budgeting they focus on what they're doing wrong. 'When you build savings into your budget or spending plan, you can start to shift the way you think of yourself from a spender, or someone who doesn't manage money well, to someone who is responsible with money and capable of creating financial security for themselves,' Zangardi Haynes says. On the other hand, not budgeting is akin to getting in your car and just driving to a new place without directions, with the hope of getting to your destination in a new place. Bankrate insight Three great reasons to budget: It can show you where your money will be spent. It can help you change your spending habits. An efficient budget will help you pay yourself first so that you're saving before spending money. Budgeting is a financial activity more people should be doing, Kates says. 'Structure your income and spending in such a way where you understand where the money's going, which is essential, but you don't have to do every little dollar and cents transaction on what you bought for coffee this morning,' Kates says. Creating a simple budget takes just three steps: Determine your income. Make a list of your expenses. Don't forget those recurring monthly debits in your expenses. Set your goal to have cash remaining after subtracting your expenses from your income. This way, you know how much money can be saved and how much money should be applied to other financial goals. Once you determine your budget, consider automating your savings to help you save more – because, for many, it's easy to forget to save. Also, using a budgeting app can automatically aggregate your spending all in one place so you can see where your money is going when the expenses post to your credit card or bank account. Reviewing and following your budget is likely to increase your chances of achieving your financial goals. The unemployment rate in the U.S. held at a relatively low 4.2 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who are employed should have, or be adding to, an emergency fund that contains three to six months' worth of expenses. You need to start somewhere, so start by budgeting for a small amount from your paycheck to automatically go into a high-yield savings account and the rest into your checking account. This is called split-direct deposit – and it's a great way to start or add to an emergency fund, automatically. Sticking with this plan, and not withdrawing that money, will enable your emergency savings to grow. And in the current interest rate environment, it's easy to find a competitive online-only bank offering a yield that's outpacing inflation. Just make sure the bank is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) bank, so you know your money is protected in case of a bank failure, as long as your deposits are within FDIC limits and guidelines. But an emergency fund isn't only meant to replace income due to being unemployed. It also helps you when something you own inevitably breaks or needs to be repaired, such as an automobile or home appliance. Bankrate tip In addition to depositing your emergency savings in a high-yield savings account, consider a federally insured money market account, which combines the features of savings and checking accounts, offering competitive interest rates with greater flexibility than traditional savings accounts. You can't go back in time to your youth to build a big retirement nest egg, but that shouldn't discourage you from starting one now, even if you're a few years away from retirement. Every little bit helps. Budgeting can also help you to stretch your retirement savings, even if you're already retired. While younger people have time on their side for their money to grow, eligible workers ages 50 or older have some perks that their younger counterparts don't. One such perk is how much they can contribute to their retirement plans. This year, those ages 50 and older are able to contribute up to $31,000 to a 401(k), 403(b), 457 or a salary reduction simplified employee pension, or SARSEP, plan. (Eligible people under 50 are limited to $23,500.) And those between the ages of 60-63 are able to contribute an additional $11,250 to the $31,000 cap. Younger workers might have more competing priorities and financial goals, especially if they're earning less. At the very least, try to contribute up to your employer's retirement plan contribution match, especially if you're fortunate enough to work for an employer that does this. Splitting your direct deposit into different savings accounts can help you save for different goals, provided that your employer allows this. For instance, some people might want to have a high-yield savings account for an emergency fund and then another high-yield savings account to save for a new car. Bankrate tools When it comes to your savings goals, don't get stuck doing the math. Use Bankrate's Savings Goal Calculator to help you determine how much you need to help you get closer to achieving your money goals. Reviewing your budget is an important part of maintaining your financial health. Automating your savings and knowing where your money's going can help you get closer to achieving your financial goals. The alternative can prevent you from making improvements to your financial health. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,363 U.S. adults, of whom 1,046 have money concerns that impact their mental health while 1,317 do not. Fieldwork was undertaken between March 19th-21st, 2025. The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards. It gathered a non-probability-based sample and employed demographic quotas and weights to better align the survey sample with the broader U.S. population.
