Personal finance

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, testifies during the Senate Budget Committee hearing titled “The Default on America Act: Blackmail, Brinkmanship, and Billionaire Backroom Deals,” in Dirksen Building on Thursday, May 4, 2023.  Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images The economy is doing “exceptionally well” as President-elect Donald Trump gets ready

Andersen Ross Photography Inc | Digitalvision | Getty Images Most people believe in the value of college and, for the most part, institutions of higher education have been able to weather significant financial challenges throughout history.   But now, the number of colleges set to close in the next five years is expected to spike, a

Ljubaphoto | E+ | Getty Images If you’re in the market for a used car, the best time of the year to buy one is fast approaching. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the best days of the year to buy a used car because there are 47.9% more deals than average, according

Traders react after the closing bell on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 13, 2023.  Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters However you feel about the world these days, you’re likely happy with the stock market. The S&P 500 is up nearly 30% this year so far. But

A driver for an independent contractor to FedEx delivers packages on Cyber Monday in New York, US, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Stephanie Keith | Bloomberg | Getty Images Holiday shopping is expected to reach record levels this year. But a growing share of those purchases will be sent back. Returns in 2024 are expected to

Grace Cary | Moment | Getty Images After decades of building your nest egg, you will eventually have to start taking required minimum distributions, or RMDs, from pretax retirement accounts. The first RMD can be tricky, according to financial experts. Since 2023, most retirees must begin RMDs at age 73. The first deadline is April

PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, Color of the Year 2025. Courtesy: Pantone “Mocha Mousse” was dubbed 2025’s color of the year, according to the Pantone Color Institute, which it described as “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director Pantone Color Institute, described the shade as “sophisticated and lush, yet at the same

Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Companies can now offer their workers a “match” on their student loan payments in the form of a contribution to their 401(k) plan — and a small but growing number of employers are taking advantage. Traditionally, companies have only paid a 401(k) match to workers based on their

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images There’s soaring interest in donating cryptocurrency to charity as digital currency investors seek to maximize their tax break and impact. “A lot of folks have begun to realize that crypto giving is hugely beneficial,” said Kyle Casserino, vice president and charitable planning consultant for Fidelity Charitable, a public charity

Images By Tang Ming Tung | Digitalvision | Getty Images Parents who want to help jumpstart their kid’s credit score and credit history can take one fairly easy step, money experts say: Add your child as an authorized user to your credit card account. The goal is to have a child build credit from a

Mementojpeg | Moment | Getty Images Federal student loan borrowers who fall behind on their bills will once again face financial consequences. After the Covid pandemic-era pause on the payments expired in September 2023, the Biden administration offered borrowers another year in which they would be shielded from the impacts of missed payments. With that

Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty Images Americans traveling to Europe next year may be in store for some bargains. That’s due to euro-U.S. dollar exchange rates. The euro has weakened against the U.S. dollar in recent weeks and is poised to fall further in 2025 and perhaps into 2026, economists said. “That’s a good