A strong market is boosting Americans’ nest eggs: Average 401(k), IRA and 403(b) account balances hit record highs in the third quarter, according to Fidelity’s latest data. Year over year, 401(k) balances are up 9% at $144,400, IRA balances up 7% to $137,902 and 403(b) balances up 10% to $131,200. …
If you’re struggling to afford homeownership, you’re not alone. In the U.S. in 2025, the average age of first-time homebuyers clocked in at 40 years old, up from age 29 in 1985, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And waiting to buy isn’t necessarily …
Holiday shopping season is upon us and, for personal finance reporters like ourselves, that means diving into all the different ways Americans are paying for gifts this year. For a good chunk of shoppers, turns out they plan on paying later. As many as half of holiday shoppers intend to …
If you’re planning on using buy now, pay later (BNPL) to cover your holiday shopping this year — and half of shoppers are, per PayPal — know that there are alternative financing options out there offering similar flexibility. While BNPL helps you pay for things over time, it can encourage …
It can take more than two months to list, market and close on a home sale. For sellers who don’t have that kind of time, there is a faster alternative. IBuyers (short for “instant buyers”) are investment firms that make all-cash offers on properties, sight unseen. Companies like Opendoor use …
President Donald Trump over the weekend slipped a missive into a Truth Social post that may well change the way many consumers buy a home—but experts are not sold on the idea. On Nov. 8, the President announced the proposal in a post titled “Great American Presidents,” which included the …
You’ve put lots of time, energy and money into planning your wedding. And, while no one wants to think about something unfortunate happening, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Wedding insurance covers everything from a rainstorm ruining your outdoor ceremony to the photographer not showing up. “Weddings are a …
If you’re looking to hire new employees for your business, you may ask yourself at some point: Should I be running a background check on candidates? Conducting background checks on your potential hires can help you verify someone’s credentials, make sure there is no history of criminal activity that could …
When we think of the best place to manage our money, banks are top of mind. But did you know that credit unions could actually offer more value to you as a consumer? Credit unions, by nature, are member-owned organizations so they know their customers well and, since credit unions …
If you’re a current or former AT&T customer, you may be eligible for part of a $177 million class action settlement the telecom giant has agreed to after a series of data breaches exposed the personal information of millions of users. According to legal filings, the first breach occurred in …
