Personal finance

Investors are anxious about the 2026 midterms. Here's what historical S&P 500 data shows happened before and after past elections. Read the original report.

Workers with small 401(k) balances are cashing out less often under an automatic portability program, but most accounts remain in temporary IRAs. Read the original report.

IRS CEO Frank Bisignano has donated to Trump Accounts for Brooklyn kids from his hometown ZIP code. Here's what families need to know. Read the original report.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced new Series I bond rates through April 2027. Read the original report.

The American Federation of Teachers sued the Trump administration, alleging it unlawfully blocked student loan forgiveness for tens of thousands of borrowers. Read the original report.

Inherited IRAs can raise income taxes. Experts explain the 10-year rule, withdrawal timing and Roth conversions for heirs. Read the original report.

Several economic issues could affect voters' decisions in the midterm elections. Here's what to expect on Nov. 3. Read the original report.

The Fed's benchmark affects many consumer borrowing costs, including the rates tied to mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and savings accounts. Read the original report.

The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its overnight rate unchanged at the conclusion of its October meeting this week. Read the original report.

Trump's executive order on housing aims to lower mortgage costs. Here's what it means for homeowners and buyers. Read the original report.

Elon Musk’s planned SpaceX share gift through Trump Accounts could be the start of a broader philanthropic push, says Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner. Read the original report.

Older Americans reported $2.1 billion in fraud losses of at least $100,000, accounting for 70% of the $3 billion lost overall, according to the FTC. Read the original report.

About one in four Australian workers are underpaid superannuation by their employers, adding up to roughly $6 billion a year. Independent reports suggest the tax office recovers only around 15 per cent of it. Two Brisbane oral health therapists show how slow it can be. They were short about $5,000 and $3,000 in super at

As home prices rise, parents want to give money to their kids. Here's how to save on taxes when doing it, financial experts say. Read the original report.

Since the card surcharge ban started on 1 October, cash discounts have popped up at cafes, while some businesses have added platform or service fees to online orders. The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association says about 10% of the industry has taken up some form of cash discount. Most are 2-5%, though some reports mention

A reader with a super balance heading towards $800,000 has asked Money magazine’s Paul Clitheroe whether she can drop the death, total and permanent disability and income protection cover her fund has been deducting for years. She is over 50, her adult children are largely independent, she has no other debt, and her husband has

Annual prepaid mobile plans, also called 365-day or long-expiry plans, ask you to pay for the full year at once instead of month to month. According to WhistleOut’s Alex Choros, prices run from about $150 to $400 a year. The cheapest start around $150, or $12.50 a month, slightly under the cheapest comparable monthly options.

Financial stress is widespread. Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker found three in four Australians are feeling it, almost half of renters are struggling with rent and 38% of homeowners are finding repayments hard. Women are hit harder: 82% reported some financial stress in July, versus 69% of men. Financial therapist Jane Monica-Jones says money is tied

Australia’s economy grew 2.1% in the year to June 2026, and unemployment sat at 4.7% in September. Yet many people say they feel poorer than they did five years ago. The gap comes down to prices outrunning pay. Inflation has averaged about 4.4% a year over five years, while wage growth has averaged roughly 3.4%.

Elon Musk's planned SpaceX stock donation could come with strings attached if he uses Trump Accounts. New Treasury rules limit when shares can be sold. Read the original report.