Recent research from the Bank of America indicates that travel spending among American households continues to surpass pre-pandemic levels. This trend is largely fueled by a surge in international trips, according to economists Taylor Bowley and Joe Wadford. They highlight that vacationing abroad is a key driver of the current travel momentum. Despite a slight
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The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates has left experts in a state of uncertainty regarding the future of the U.S. economy. The possibility of a recession looms over the horizon, causing concern among individuals, especially those nearing retirement. The risk of facing a sudden market decline poses a threat to the retirement nest
As the season of fall foliage and pumpkin spice lattes approaches, job seekers may find themselves in a more promising job market. Many career experts believe in the “September surge,” a phenomenon where more job postings become available post-Labor Day. This surge is attributed to the end of the summer slowdown when job recruiters and
Automated 401(k) savings plans have been heralded as a game-changer in the realm of retirement planning. However, recent research has uncovered some critical flaws in the system that cast a shadow on their effectiveness. While policies like auto-enrollment and auto-escalation have been lauded for their potential to enhance workers’ nest eggs, the reality is far
Retirees who have been concerned about the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs can breathe a sigh of relief starting in 2025. A new change will take place in January of that year that will cap the annual out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare drug plan enrollees at $2,000. This new measure is projected to bring significant
When it comes to investment strategies, many investors are familiar with the concept of asset allocation. However, what often gets overlooked is the importance of asset location, particularly for wealthier investors. Asset location focuses on minimizing taxes to boost after-tax returns, making it a crucial component of financial planning that should not be ignored. The
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced additional details regarding the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year. The 2025-26 FAFSA will be implemented through a phased rollout approach, which aims to address the issues that plagued the last year’s college aid application cycle. The 2025-26
In a booming stock market environment, it is essential to consider alternative strategies to rebalance your portfolio and potentially save on future taxes. One such tactic, tax-gain harvesting, involves strategically selling profitable assets in your brokerage account during lower-income years, such as early retirement or periods of unemployment. With the S&P 500 surging more than
When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination, he emphasized the crucial role that Social Security survivor benefits played in his family’s life. These benefits provided them with financial support and allowed them to maintain their dignity after Walz’s father passed away from lung cancer when he was just 19 years old.
The cost of attending college nowadays is reaching record highs, with some institutions charging close to six figures per year for tuition, room, board, books, and other expenses. According to data from The Princeton Review’s “The Best 389 Colleges” list, eight schools – such as New York University, Tufts, Brown, Yale, and Washington University in