Personal finance

Port of Miami dockworkers strike near the port entrance and demand a new labor contract, on October 1, 2024 in Miami, Florida.  Giorgio Viera | Afp | Getty Images A dockworker strike at seaports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts is expected to cause massive problems for global supply chains and the economy. American consumers will likely

Owngarden | Moment | Getty Images A handful of states have rolled out rebates to consumers who make their homes more energy-efficient, just months after New York became the first state to do so, in May. Meanwhile, South Dakota officials in August declined the federal funding, which is tied to two new programs created by

Jasondoiy | E+ | Getty Images As a financial advisor mom of three kids, I know well the power of compounded interest and the value of early work experience and learning to save and invest for yourself.  My kids — ages 15, 12 and 11 — have been tutoring, filing, shredding, sweeping, and even researching

The first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is shown on television at the Juventud 2000 migrant shelter in Tijuana, Mexico, on Sept. 10, 2024. Immigration has been a hot topic throughout the presidential campaign. Carlos Moreno/NurPhoto via Getty Images The idea that immigration has a negative impact on the

From putting your toddler children on your payroll to claiming your car as a business expense, TikTok is chock-full of potentially bad money advice. Yet, financial TikTok, also known as #FinTok, is one of the most popular sources for financial information and tips, particularly among Generation Z. Now, 27% of social media users say they have

Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images When a Social Security beneficiary dies, their loved ones may qualify for a one-time $255 lump-sum death payment. Yet that amount has not changed in 70 years — since 1954 — while inflation has pushed the costs for funerals higher. On Wednesday, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced a new

Catherine Mcqueen | Moment | Getty Images After years of higher yields on cash, the Federal Reserve’s shifting policy means lower future returns on savings, certificates of deposit and money market funds. Despite falling rates, investors should still keep emergency funds “liquid,” meaning the cash can be easily tapped, financial experts say. Advisors typically suggest

Woman at home looking at the bills and taxes.  Hirurg | E+ | Getty Images The tax extension deadline is Oct. 15, but you have options if you still can’t pay your balance, experts say. This year, the federal tax deadline was April 15. Those struggling to meet that due date could submit Form 4868

The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by a half percentage point, or 50 basis points, on Wednesday, its first rate cut since March 2020. Even before the Fed rate cut, some homeowners had already taken advantage of recent declines in mortgage rates to refinance. Refinance activity increased to 46.7% of total applications during the week

Steve Smith | Tetra Images | Getty Images Handling the estate of a deceased parent can be an emotional process for children already dealing with grief.  Those emotions can become more complicated if the estate plan doesn’t unfold as expected — say, if there is an uneven split of assets among children or a previously

Mari Pepin and Kenny Braasch got engaged on season 7 of “Bachelor in Paradise” and married in 2023. Photo: Dolce Amor Co. Theoretically, contestants on ABC’s “The Bachelor” are looking for love. What they often find are business opportunities. Mari Pepin, 28, got both. Pepin was a participant on “The Bachelor” season 25, which aired

Nitat Termmee | Moment | Getty Images There are few certainties when it comes to investing. The stock market can seem to gyrate with little rhyme or reason, guided up or down by unpredictable news cycles and fickle investor sentiment. Average stock returns have historically trended up over long time periods, but their trajectory is