It sounds like you've checked and rechecked the settings and are still having this issue. My next step would be to try and get the app as close to its default settings as possible. Basically get back to zero and start again. The Items you mentioned, Finance / Word of the day, are both served by Google Discover. Discover is served to users through the Google app. I would clear the app cache and possibly the app data for the Google app. Clearing the cache will not reset or change anything and perhaps that is all you need because app caches can cause odd/unwanted/buggy behavior. If clearing the cache doesn't help I would then clear the Google app data. This will get you as close to a fresh clean restart as you can get without factory resetting your phone. Unlike the cache, clearing the app data will be noticeable. Settings for the app will reset, you may have log in to your account again and there could be other side effects. Just know that your Google account data is stored in Google's cloud so you shouldn't lose anything.
Settings > Apps > Google > Storage & Cache > Clear Cache / Clear Data
After clearing the data, I would restart the device, so that app closes and opens/refreshes with the device. Then sign in and if you need to select your feed choices again, check your notification settings, and test.