💵 Monday Money Check: Chattanooga Gas Slips to $3.65, Debt Takes a Bigger Bite of Raises, and Next Year's Medicare Part B Price Is Still Pending

Or: Cheaper Gas If You Shop Around, a Quick Look at What You Owe, What Part B Might Cost in January, and a Letter Worth Opening

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Monday, October 19, 2026

Monday morning is a lot like walking the fence line after a windy weekend. Most of it’s standing just fine, but it pays to look for the one or two spots that need a little attention before they turn into a bigger job.

Here’s what’s on the money table this week: Chattanooga gas slipped to about $3.65, and there’s a 92-cent gap between the cheapest and priciest stations in town; new research says debt payments are eating about half of typical raises, so we’ll walk through a five-minute kitchen-table check; mortgage rates climbed to their highest level in nearly three years, and more buyers are picking adjustable loans; Medicare still hasn’t posted next year’s official Part B premium, but there’s a solid estimate; and if you got a letter about the Mortgage Investors Group data breach, there’s a claim deadline on Nov. 19. Plus this week’s money dates for the fridge.

Most of this is national or statewide news. We’ll say so as we go, then bring it home to the Valley kitchen table.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• At the pump (Mon., Oct. 19): Chattanooga regular about $3.65, Tennessee about $3.84, national about $4.30. Chattanooga stations ranged from $3.35 to $4.27 on Sunday, so check before you fill.
• Debt check: Add up your monthly debt payments and compare them with your take-home pay. It takes five minutes and tells you a lot.
• Mortgages: One major survey put the 30-year rate at 7.50%, the highest in nearly three years. Adjustable loans are popular again, so ask good questions before you sign.
• Medicare Part B for 2027: Not official yet. The trustees’ estimate is $209.50 a month, up $6.60. Most people will still come out ahead after the 3.6% raise.
• Got a Mortgage Investors Group breach letter? File your claim by Thursday, Nov. 19. Options are a flat $45 or up to $2,000 in documented losses.
• Next payday: Social Security for birthdays on the 11th–20th lands Wednesday, Oct. 21.

⛽ Monday Pump Check: Chattanooga Down to About $3.65, and Where You Stop Matters

AAA’s Monday, Oct. 19, reading puts Chattanooga (TN only) regular at about $3.65 a gallon, down from about $3.67 yesterday and about $3.83 a week ago. A month ago it was about $4.08. Cleveland is about $3.71. Statewide, Tennessee averages about $3.84, down from about $3.93 a week ago, and the national average is about $4.30. Diesel is about $5.98 statewide and about $5.71 in Chattanooga.

GasBuddy’s Monday survey of 170 Chattanooga stations came in a little lower, at about $3.61, down nearly 20 cents in a week. The cheapest Chattanooga station GasBuddy found on Sunday was $3.35 and the most expensive was $4.27, a difference of 92 cents a gallon. Nationally, GasBuddy says gas fell in most states last week while diesel went up about 5 cents. Its analyst, Patrick De Haan, said the outlook “remains tied to geopolitical developments” and that “the overall picture remains fluid,” so nobody’s promising where prices go next.

What it means for you: On a 15-gallon fill-up, that 92-cent spread works out to about $13.80 between the cheapest and priciest pumps in the same metro area. That’s real money for a quick look at a gas app before you pull in. You don’t need to drive across the county to save a dime, but if you’re already passing a cheaper station on the way to work or the store, that’s where to stop. Farmers and anyone running a diesel truck should budget a little higher, since diesel is moving the other way.

👉 Read more (AAA Tennessee gas prices) · GasBuddy’s Chattanooga report (The Pulse)

🧾 Debt Is Taking a Bigger Bite of Raises: A Five-Minute Kitchen-Table Check

CNBC reported Friday on a new study from The Century Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank, and the consumer group Protect Borrowers. They found that a typical household’s take-home pay, after adjusting for inflation, rose about $109 a month from late 2022 to early 2026. Over the same stretch, monthly debt payments rose about $57. That means about 52 cents of every dollar of that raise went to debt payments. The study counted credit cards, car loans, student loans and home equity lines, but not mortgages. Separate Federal Reserve data found 8.6% of families spent more than 40% of their income on debt payments in 2025, up from 6.5% in 2022. These are national numbers.

What it means for you: This isn’t a reason to worry. It’s a reason to look. Here’s the five-minute check, and all you need is a pencil and last month’s statements:

• Step 1: Write down every monthly debt payment: car, credit cards, store cards, personal loans, “pay later” plans.
• Step 2: Add them up and divide by your monthly take-home pay. For example, $600 in payments on $3,000 take-home is 20%.
• Step 3: Circle the payment with the highest interest rate. That’s the one to chip away at first when you have a little extra.

LendingTree’s Matt Schulz told CNBC that trouble often starts when a loan stretches out longer than it should, like a seven-year car loan. His three simple habits: set a budget before you shop or borrow, make a list instead of buying on impulse, and compare prices. And a caution from Tennessee’s Division of Consumer Affairs: be wary of debt management or credit repair companies that promise to fix your credit record. It’s like sharpening the axe before you split the wood: a few minutes of looking makes the rest of the work go easier.

👉 Read more (CNBC: Debt is eating up more of your raise) · Tennessee Consumer Affairs on credit

🏠 Mortgage Rates Near a Three-Year High, and Why More Buyers Are Picking Adjustable Loans

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey, reported Wednesday by CNBC, put the average 30-year fixed rate at 7.50%, its highest level in nearly three years and more than a full percentage point higher than a year ago. Freddie Mac’s separate weekly survey had the 30-year average at 7.40% on Thursday. Applications to refinance were about 56% lower than a year ago, and the share of buyers choosing an adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 10.5%, the highest since October 2025. These are national numbers; the next readings come Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22.

What it means for you: If you already have a fixed-rate mortgage, nothing changes for you. If you’re shopping, an adjustable loan can start with a lower rate that stays fixed for a while, up to 10 years, and then moves up or down with the market. That can work, but ask your lender three plain questions before you sign: How long is the rate fixed? How high could my payment go after that? Do I expect to still be in this house then? Get quotes from at least two or three lenders, including your local bank or credit union. Picking a loan is like picking a used truck: the sticker price matters, but so does what it’ll cost you down the road.

👉 Read more (CNBC: More borrowers choose adjustable mortgages) · Freddie Mac weekly mortgage rates

🩺 Part B for 2027: Still No Official Price, but Here’s the Best Estimate

Medicare open enrollment is in its second week, and as of Monday morning, Medicare still had not announced the official 2027 Part B premium, the monthly amount most people have taken out of their Social Security check. Here’s what we do know. Medicare’s trustees projected it will rise $6.60 to about $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 this year, and the yearly Part B deductible will go from $283 to about $292. AARP says the official numbers will come “later this fall.”

Social Security’s 2027 raise is already official at 3.6%. Using AARP’s estimate of the average retired worker’s check, about $2,086 a month, a 3.6% raise adds about $75. Take out the projected $6.60 Part B increase and the typical retiree still comes out about $68 a month ahead. A rule called “hold harmless” keeps a Part B increase from shrinking most people’s Social Security check below last year’s amount, though AARP notes about 30% of Part B enrollees aren’t covered by it, mainly higher-income folks and people who don’t get Social Security checks.

What it means for you: Plan on a little less than the full 3.6% raise in January, and don’t be surprised when the Part B line goes up a few dollars. If money is tight, ask about a Medicare Savings Program. These state programs, run through Medicaid (TennCare here in Tennessee), can help pay the Part B premium for people with limited income. A free TN SHIP counselor at 1-877-801-0044 can tell you if you might qualify. Think of it like a weather forecast for your check: not final yet, but close enough to plan the week around.

👉 Read more (AARP: Part B may rise in 2027) · Medical Daily: Part B and your COLA · Medicare Savings Programs · TN SHIP

📬 Got a Letter From Mortgage Investors Group? Claims Are Due Nov. 19

Mortgage Investors Group, a Tennessee mortgage lender known as MIG, has agreed to a proposed class-action settlement over a December 2024 cyberattack that may have exposed customers’ names and financial information. The case is in Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville. MIG denies doing anything wrong, and the judge hasn’t given final approval yet; that hearing is set for Nov. 10. Notices went out starting in August, each with a LoginID and PIN.

If you’re covered, you can choose a flat $45 with no paperwork, or reimbursement of up to $2,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses, such as credit freeze fees or fraud charges, with receipts or bank statements. Everyone covered can also sign up for one year of free credit monitoring. The total settlement is capped at $925,000, so payments may be smaller if many people file.

What it means for you: This only applies if you got a notice. If you did, find it and file your claim online at MIGDataSettlement.com by Thursday, Nov. 19, or call the settlement administrator at (833) 421-7351 for a paper form. You don’t have to do anything about the Oct. 20 deadline unless you want to opt out or object, which most people won’t. And if you ever see signs someone used your information, IdentityTheft.gov has a free step-by-step recovery plan. It’s like a rebate card in the junk drawer: it’s only worth something if you mail it in.

👉 Read more (Official MIG settlement website) · The Money Overview: settlement explained · IdentityTheft.gov

📅 Put These on the Fridge: This Week’s Money Dates

• Tuesday, Oct. 20: Tennessee sales and use tax is due for business filers (monthly filers for September; quarterly filers for July through September). Also the last day to opt out of or object to the MIG settlement.
• Wednesday, Oct. 21: Social Security deposits for birthdays on the 11th–20th.
• Thursday, Oct. 22: Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rates come out at 11 a.m. Central.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: Social Security deposits for birthdays on the 21st–31st. The Federal Reserve’s rate decision comes at 1 p.m. Central.
• Friday, Oct. 30: SSI’s November payment arrives early, because Nov. 1 falls on a Sunday. It’s November’s money, not a bonus.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: MIG data-breach settlement claims due.
• Monday, Dec. 7: Last day of Medicare open enrollment.

What it means for you: Write these on the calendar by the phone. A date on paper doesn’t have to live in your head.

👉 Read more (Social Security 2026 payment schedule) · Tennessee Department of Revenue due dates · Federal Reserve meeting calendar

✅ Your Wallet Checklist for This Week

• ✅ Check a gas app before you fill up. Chattanooga stations ranged from $3.35 to $4.27 on Sunday.
• ✅ Do the five-minute debt check: total your monthly payments, divide by take-home pay, and circle the highest-interest one.
• ✅ Shopping for a home loan? Ask how long an adjustable rate is fixed and how high the payment could go. Get two or three quotes.
• ✅ Plan on a Part B premium of about $209.50 in January until Medicare makes it official. Ask TN SHIP (1-877-801-0044) about Medicare Savings Programs if money’s tight.
• ✅ Got a Mortgage Investors Group letter? File your claim at MIGDataSettlement.com by Nov. 19.
• ✅ Birthday on the 11th–20th? Your Social Security deposit lands Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Practical rule: Look before you pay. A glance at the gas app, the debt list or the letter on the counter is the cheapest money you’ll ever make.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Money Glossary

• AAA average: The daily average gas price AAA reports for a state or metro area. Individual stations can be higher or lower.
• GasBuddy survey: Gas prices reported by drivers and stations through the GasBuddy app. It can differ a little from AAA’s average.
• Take-home pay: What lands in your bank account after taxes and deductions.
• “Real” pay: Pay adjusted for inflation, so it shows what your money can actually buy.
• Fixed-rate mortgage: A home loan whose interest rate and principal-and-interest payment stay the same for the life of the loan.
• Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): A home loan with a rate that’s fixed for a set time, then can go up or down with the market.
• Refinance: Replacing your current mortgage with a new one, usually to get a lower rate or payment.
• Part B premium: The monthly cost of Medicare’s doctor and outpatient coverage. Most people have it taken out of their Social Security check.
• Hold harmless: A rule that keeps a Part B premium increase from making most people’s Social Security check smaller than the year before.
• Medicare Savings Program: A state program that helps people with limited income pay Medicare costs such as the Part B premium.
• Class-action settlement: An agreement that resolves a lawsuit on behalf of a large group of people, who can file a claim for a share.
• Opt out: Choosing to leave a class-action settlement, which means you get nothing from it but keep the right to sue on your own.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are gas prices in Dunlap the same as Chattanooga?

Not exactly. AAA’s $3.65 is a Chattanooga-area average. Dunlap stations can run a little higher or lower, so check your gas app before you fill up.

Why are AAA’s and GasBuddy’s numbers different?

They collect prices in different ways and at different times. Both show the same trend this week: prices in Chattanooga are down a little under 20 cents from a week ago.

What share of my income going to debt is “too much”?

There’s no single right number for everyone. The Federal Reserve tracks families who spend more than 40% of their income on debt payments, and that share has grown. The useful thing is to know your own number and watch which way it’s heading.

Does the mortgage rate news affect my current loan?

Not if you have a fixed-rate mortgage. Your payment stays the same. If you have an adjustable loan, check your paperwork to see when your rate can next change.

When will Medicare announce the real Part B premium?

AARP says the official 2027 premium and deductible will be announced later this fall. Until then, the trustees’ estimate of $209.50 a month is a reasonable number to plan around.

How do I know if I’m part of the Mortgage Investors Group settlement?

The settlement website says MIG’s records identified the people covered, and they were mailed or emailed a notice with a LoginID and PIN. If you didn’t get one and think you should have, call the settlement administrator at (833) 421-7351.

Is the $45 guaranteed?

No. The total settlement is capped at $925,000, so payments may be reduced if many people file, and nothing is paid unless the judge gives final approval.

📎 Other Resources

• AAA Tennessee gas prices
• GasBuddy Chattanooga weekly report (The Pulse)
• CNBC: Debt is eating up more of your raise
• Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs: Get Smart About Credit
• CNBC: More borrowers choose adjustable mortgages
• Freddie Mac weekly mortgage rates
• AARP: Medicare Part B premium may rise in 2027
• CMS: 2026 Medicare Part B premium and deductible
• Medicare Savings Programs
• TN SHIP free Medicare counseling
• Official MIG data settlement website
• IdentityTheft.gov
• Tennessee Department of Revenue: October due dates
• Social Security 2026 payment schedule

🌿 Keep Learning, Keep Calm

This week’s money news is mostly about looking before you pay: cheaper gas if you pick your station, a quick honest look at what you owe, smart questions before any new loan, a Part B estimate to plan your January budget around, and a claim form for anyone who got that MIG letter. None of it calls for worry, just a pencil, a cup of coffee and ten quiet minutes. A Monday plan makes for an easier week.

For more calm, practical Valley news, read Dunlap.Today, and share this with a neighbor who’d like to keep a few more dollars at home.