Getty Images Thank the strong economy and the low unemployment rate. At 703, the average FICO score reached an all-time high at the end of 2019, a two-point increase from the year before, according to Experian’s 2019 Consumer Credit Review. That score would land the average consumers within the “good” range of credit scores. “Credit
Wealth
As the Kansas City Chiefs play the San Francisco 49ers in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, the price tag for a 30-second TV commercial during Super Bowl LIV on Fox is a reported $5.6 million. That’s up from $5.2 million last year. For just under that amount, you can own a castle located in
What do the Mona Lisa, the Great Wall of China and Trolltunga have in common? It sounds like a bad travel joke, but the answer is — they are popular bucket list destinations for travelers around the world. The pop culture vernacular for “a checklist of things to do before one dies” has become a
The image of Phuket as a cut-price destination for backpackers and budget-conscious retirees is long out of date. Phuket has now become a favorite vacation destination for the world’s wealthiest individuals, many of them arriving on super-yachts. Yachts are becoming a common sight in Phuket. Asiandelight It started when the Amanpuri resort opened and spearheaded
The Hudson River Valley has long attracted city dwellers trying to escape New York. The beautiful region — an 150-mile stretch from the northern tip of Manhattan to Albany — features abundant forests, fertile farmlands and dramatic views of the pristine Hudson River. Hudson Valley is popular in the autumn, but the winter — shown
Kanazawa is known as Japan’s “Little Kyoto” for a reason. Up until the late 19th Century, the castle town of Kanazawa flourished under the powerful Maeda clan, who ruled over an ancient province then known as Kaga. Cherry blossom petals fall in Nagamachi samurai district. DavidCallan Today, Kanazawa is a lively modern city with a
If you happen to hit the next Powerball jackpot, brace yourself for the life-changing decisions ahead of you. With no one matching all six numbers drawn on Wednesday, the top prize has jumped to $373 million for Saturday night’s drawing. And while winning such a huge amount could open a world of possibility, formulating a
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School finds that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ proposed wealth tax on the richest Americans will generate $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion less than what the campaign claims. The results, if accurate, could undercut the critical funding needed to support his plans to develop public health care, education
“We have contact,” revealed the ranger to the seven wildlife enthusiasts standing at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo, an extinct volcano in the Rwandan Virunga Mountains. An excited murmur spread through the group as they stood waiting in the morning sun. “Let’s go,” said a porter, as he climbed over the stone fence. The tourists
A security guard show the way to a man outside of the Davos Congress Centre under snow ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, in Davos, eastern Switzerland. FABRICE COFFRINI | AFP | Getty Images It’s that time of the year again: Policymakers, politicians, bankers, activists, journalists and a swathe
From the moment they decided to open a distillery in Australia’s Yarra Valley, the co-founders of Four Pillars Gin — Stu Gregor, Cam MacKenzie and Matt Jones — knew it was serious business. “When we started, we didn’t want to make the best gin in Melbourne,” said Gregor, “but one that would be considered a
Thomas Trutschel | Photothek | Getty Images The world’s 2,153 billionaires have more wealth between them than a combined 4.6 billion people, new research has claimed. In a study published Monday, international charity Oxfam called on governments to implement policies that may help to reduce wealth inequality. The report comes as delegates gather in Davos,
The Royal Mint A rare British coin featuring the profile of abdicated King Edward VIII has sold for a record £1 million ($1.3 million). The coin was created following Edward VIII’s ascension to the throne in January 1936, but was never released to the public after he gave up the throne to marry American divorcee
Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism announced in 2001 it was developing a program to highlight the most beautiful and culturally-rich towns in the country. With more to offer than just beach resorts, ports of call and salt-rimmed margaritas, Mexico focused on the small towns and villages that best represent regional traditions, history, festivals and food. The
If you waited more than a month for the IRS to process your tax return and get a refund last year, you’re in good company. While the IRS prevented $2.7 billion in refunds from being issued to fraudsters between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2019, more than a few legitimate tax returns were held up
“Jeopardy” contestant Ken Jennings visits the Build Series to discuss the television event “JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time” at Build Studio on January 06, 2020 in New York City. Gary Gershoff | Getty Images It’s official, Ken Jennings is the greatest “Jeopardy!” contestant of all time. He won the third match in the “Greatest
Peter Griffith You might have the know-how to strengthen your finances, yet odds are you’re still making bad decisions with your money. Three out of 4 people consider themselves to be financially savvy, although more than half have admitted to making poor money choices in the past year, according to a survey from KeyBank. The
If you hit the $296 million Powerball jackpot in Wednesday night’s drawing, remember that good ol’ Uncle Sam will be celebrating alongside you. The top prize has been climbing for more than two months through twice-weekly drawings with no one matching all six numbers. And while the odds are stacked against snagging the jackpot —
The Internal Revenue Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Every budget cycle, members of Congress solemnly promise to better fund the Internal Revenue Service so it can do its job of collecting taxes and serving the taxpayer. And once again, Congress has done the opposite. According to an analysis
Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during a match against Sevilla on February 23, 2019 Eric Verhoeven | Soccrates | Getty Images Spanish soccer giant FC Barcelona generated a record revenue of $959.3 million between 2018 and 2019, making it the sport’s biggest cash-generating club for the first time ever, according to a