Personal finance

Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images Looking for travel inspiration for 2025 and beyond? Look no further: CNBC asked 10 travel agents for their recommendations of the most underhyped destinations in the world. We compiled their written answers below, including can’t-miss activities for each locale and the best times of year to visit. You’ll

A customer walks by a display of fresh eggs at a grocery store on Sept. 25, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images The first Social Security benefit checks for 2025 include a 2.5% increase — the lowest annual cost-of-living adjustment since 2021. For retirees, that amounts to an increase of about

President Donald Trump on Jan. 27, 2025 in Doral, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images President Donald Trump has repeatedly discussed imposing tariffs, both on the campaign trail and since taking office — and the first tranche, on goods from Canada, China and Mexico will take effect Feb. 1, the White

Vgajic | E+ | Getty Images If you’re a renter, the market may be shifting in your favor. As of December, the median asking rent price in the U.S. was $1,695, down 0.5% — or $8 — from November, according to a new report by Realtor.com. The latest rent price is 1.1% lower — or

Getty Images Millions of families claim the child tax credit every year — and filing mistakes can delay the processing of your return and receipt of your refund, according to tax experts.  For 2024 returns, the child tax credit is worth up to $2,000 per kid under age 17, and decreases once adjusted gross income

Morehouse College President David Thomas speaks during Morehouse College’s graduation ceremony, before US President Joe Biden delivers his commencement address, in Atlanta, Georgia on May 19, 2024.  Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | Afp | Getty Images David Thomas, the president of Morehouse College, said his office fielded a surge of calls this week from worried students and

A “Do not cross” sign is illuminated at a crosswalk outside of U.S. Capitol building in Washington, US, November 10, 2024.  Hannah Mckay | Reuters The Trump administration emailed more than 2 million federal workers this week, giving them the option to resign now and get pay and benefits through Sept. 30. Workers have until

Rainstar | E+ | Getty Images People who use a credit card to cover an emergency expense are solving only part of the problem. Why? Because while using a credit card for emergencies can be helpful in the short term, carrying a balance can lead to significant interest charges if not paid off quickly.  About

Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images It’s no secret that Social Security faces a long-term financing gap. If nothing is done by 2035, 83% of combined benefits will be payable if Congress does not act sooner to prevent that shortfall, according the latest projections from the program’s trustees. What’s more, new legislation, the Social

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images Mergers and acquisitions happen all the time between companies of varying size and notoriety. These can be a great opportunity for businesses and owners to achieve their strategic or long-term goals, but often leave employees feeling uneasy and confused about what the deal means for them — especially

Maskot | Getty Images More than 3.2 million people will see increased Social Security benefits, under a new law. However, individuals who are affected may have to wait more than a year before they see the extra money that’s due to them from the Social Security Fairness Act, the Social Security Administration said in an

The White House is pausing federal grants and loans, according to a memo sent out Monday night, but the freeze will not impact student loans or financial aid for college. The freeze, which could affect billions of dollars in aid, noted an exception for Social Security and Medicare. The pause “does not include assistance provided directly

Rockaa | E+ | Getty Images As tax season opened on Jan. 27, the IRS received millions of returns, with many filers eager for a refund. Nearly 40% of taxpayers will rely on refunds this year to make ends meet, according to a Credit Karma survey that polled 1,000 adults in late December and early

Andreswd | E+ | Getty Images It’s official: Tax season is open for individual filers and the IRS has started to process 2024 tax returns. If you’re expecting a refund, there are key things to know, according to tax experts. “There are some very simple tips to get the fastest refund possible,” said Mark Steber,

Jeffrey Hamilton | DigitalVision | Getty Images When it comes to money, couples face one question: should we keep our money separate, combine it or some combination of both? A December Bankrate survey finds 62% of couples who are in a committed relationship keep at least some money separate from each other. Of those couples,

Millennials have come a long way since their days of being called lazy or entitled. Despite reaching key milestones later than their parents once did, they are now wealthier than previous generations were at their age. “Younger families in the U.S. made remarkable gains,” according to an analysis of 2022 data by the St. Louis Federal

Sporrer/Rupp | Image Source | Getty Images Millions of Social Security beneficiaries have now received their first benefit checks for 2025. The new 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment — which adds $50 per month to retirement benefits on average — marks the lowest increase since 2021, when inflation spiked shortly thereafter. With prices still high, many beneficiaries

Eleganza | E+ | Getty Images It’s exciting to find a new place to rent in your neighborhood or in a new city. That is, of course, unless you get duped. In so-called rental listing scams, scammers will make up listings that aren’t available for rent or simply do not exist in order to fraudulently

Miniseries | E+ | Getty Images As President Donald Trump kicks off a second term, many older investors are focused on how shifting policy could affect their wallets. But some key changes for near-retirees were already enacted for 2025. These updates could have a big impact on your finances — and may easily be missed,

Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images Many young adults have financial stress, and experts say there’s a simple safety net that could help. About 61% of surveyed Americans of ages 18 to 35 are financially stressed, according to a new Intuit survey. About 21% of respondents say their stress has gotten worse over the past year.