Personal finance

Catherine Delahaye | Digitalvision | Getty Images Federal spending on children climbed to a peak of $11,690 per child in 2021 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, there has been a “steep decline” in those expenditures, which fell to $10,190 per child in 2022 and then to $8,990 per child in 2023, adjusted

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

Mike Spiering holds Francesca Spiering as he stands in the flood water around his home after record rains fell in the area on April 13, 2023 in Hollywood, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images The cost of insuring your most expensive assets has skyrocketed. While overall inflation has slowed, insurance costs are taking a bigger

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

Fstop123 | E+ | Getty Images While housing affordability remains a challenge for many buyers in the U.S., conditions are somewhat improving due to lower mortgage rates. Buyers need to earn $115,000 to afford the typical home in the U.S., according to a new report by Redfin, an online real estate brokerage firm. That’s down

PeopleImages Progress toward narrowing the gender pay gap has mostly stalled, in part due to something researchers call the “gender promotion gap.” “Women have noticeably lower promotion rates compared to men in the same firm, in approximately the same position,” Kelly Shue, a professor of finance at Yale School of Management, said at CNBC’s Women &

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

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

Thomas Barwick | Digitalvision | Getty Images Big changes may be ahead for the U.S. economy between now and the end of the year. Investors can get ahead of those changes by taking steps to prepare now, experts say. The Federal Reserve last week slashed interest rates by 50 basis points, in a move expected

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

By some measures, retirement savers, overall, are doing well. As of the second quarter of 2024, 401(k) and individual retirement account balances notched the third-highest averages on record, helped by better savings behaviors and positive market conditions, according to the latest data from Fidelity Investments, the nation’s largest provider of 401(k) savings plans. The number of 401(k)

In this photo illustration a man looks at the post by Taylor Swift endorsing Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris on the online social media and social networking site Instagram displayed on a smart phone on September 12, 2024 in Bath, England.  Matt Cardy | Getty Images News | Getty Images The stigma of the “childless

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

Courtesy: Wojciechowski Family Real estate is a key puzzle piece in achieving the U.S.’ climate goals, according to federal officials. Residential and commercial buildings account for 31% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, after accounting for “indirect” emissions like electricity use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s more than other economic sectors like transportation

The U.S. has experienced an unprecedented wealth boom. Yet, few Americans — including millionaires— feel confident about their financial standing. Only 12% of Americans consider themselves wealthy, according to a new report by Edelman Financial Engines. Despite their high net worth, just 33% of millionaires said the same, the report found. Edelman Financial Engines polled more than

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

Jgi/jamie Grill | Tetra Images | Getty Images In January, experts said 2024 would be a “very good year for savers.” And it still is, despite the Federal Reserve’s recent 50 basis point rate cut, which will push record returns on cash lower. “Those rates aren’t going to go from awesome to awful overnight,” said

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