If you’re on the hunt to buy a home, it may be a good idea to put it on your holiday wish list. December is a great time to buy for a few reasons: sellers are usually more motivated to close before the end of the year, and sale prices …
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 starting a business, you’ll need to decide how to legally protect your brand and its assets, depending on the type of business you want to start. Trademarks, copyrights and patents are all forms of intellectual property (IP) and they can help you protect the things you create for …
‘Tis the season of giving back — whether it’s in the form of gifts, donations or a thank-you tip to seasonal workers. Discussions around tipping have sparked debate in recent years as Americans found themselves bewildered to be asked to tip at a self-service checkout. But one thing we can …
You may have taken out a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loan, thinking it’d be a simple way to break a purchase into smaller payments. But if you’ve missed a payment — or you’re juggling several BNPL plans at once — you might be wondering what happens next. And more …
How close of an eye do you keep on your checking account — would you notice if $1 went missing? Most people think of financial fraud showing up as a large, unusual charge on their bank account, but it’s the little transactions that can actually be the biggest red flags. …
The year’s biggest shopping week is here — and it’s bringing in the highest shopper turnout on record. An unprecedented nearly 187 million Americans plan to shop this Thanksgiving weekend, the National Retail Federation (NRF) found. Though debit cards are the most popular payment choice at checkout, per NRF, other …
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 …