Parties and events are some of the most enjoyable ways to connect with loved ones to celebrate the holidays and mark special occasions — whether it’s a small family dinner or a fully catered, Instagram-worthy soiree. But while the memories are priceless, party costs can quickly add up, especially if …
The Federal Reserve meets for the last time this year on December 10, and, again, the big question centers around what will happen with interest rates. The federal funds rate certainly influences our everyday lives: It determines how expensive it is for Americans to borrow money, how rewarding it is …
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 …
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 …
Amazon’s second Prime-member exclusive event, Prime Big Deal Days, runs from October 7 to 8 this year. Similar to the official Prime Day in the summer, this sale offers exclusive discounts on millions of items across the site. If you’re looking to start your holiday shopping early — and over …
When it comes to our retirement nest egg, we can’t help but wonder where we stand compared to our cohorts. While Vanguard’s newly released “How America Saves” yearly report reveals that Americans’ 401(k) savings rates are at record highs — making up an average $148,153 balance and a median $38,176 …