Tag Archives: Personal Finances

The stock market is soaring, yet there is plenty to worry about: bubbling conflicts and outright wars around the world and a close and contentious election in the United States. At times like these, market history can be a source of comfort, at least up to a point. Relying on …

In Westport, Conn., a 35-year-old who works for an investment firm is holding off on making any financial investments until after the election. Across the country, in Kenosha, Wis., a man who works in sales said he would love to buy a house and get out of his rental, but …

If you’re 16 years old, live in California and just passed your driver’s license test, the first thing you should do is drive your family to In-N-Out Burger for a milkshake and some animal-style fries. The first thing a parent should do is call the insurance company to update the …

When money market interest rates broke above 5 percent last year, it was a wake-up call for many investors who had grown accustomed to getting almost nothing for their money at banks. Hundreds of billions of dollars flowed into the funds, which swelled in size month after month. Now that …

American homeowners have accrued hundreds of thousands of dollars in home equity and they’re increasingly borrowing against that value, even though interest rates remain high. Home equity, the difference between your home’s value and what you owe on your mortgage, has ballooned as home prices have risen. American homeowners with …

How much ongoing joy can you get from something that weighs eight ounces? For Simon Spichak, it’s a lot, thanks to a hedgehog that fits in his palm. Mr. Spichak, a science writer who lives in Toronto, bought his new companion in May 2023 for $280 and named it Goober. …

More automobile owners are falling behind on their payments, and a new report suggests that lenders have sometimes been overzealous in repossessing cars. Even after borrowers have made payments as promised or received extensions on their auto loans, lenders have illegally repossessed cars, according to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau …

Paul Unnasch notices the $335 in payroll taxes coming out of his paycheck every month for Social Security, and wishes he could get those dollars back. “If there was a way to opt out of Social Security, I would,” said Mr. Unnasch, a 27-year-old technical writer who lives in Milwaukee. …

In what universe would anyone want to whip out a debit card with the name of a credit bureau on it? For the past year, Experian has been testing this question with its Smart Money debit card, which it advertises as a way to “build credit without the debt.” TransUnion …

As higher education becomes ever more expensive, some states are giving employers incentives to contribute to 529 college savings accounts for their workers. Fifteen percent of employers with 500 or more employees now help workers fund 529 plans, either by letting them deposit their own money through paycheck deductions or …