Personal finance
Take a look inside a $1.1 million ‘zero emissions’ home
Key Points The White House in June issued guidelines that defined standards for a “zero emissions” building. Morgan Wojciechowski’s Williamsburg, Virginia, home is among the first to receive that label. Residential and commercial buildings account for almost a third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Source
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Gen Z and millennials are increasingly ‘doom spending.’ Here’s what it is and how to stop it
Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images Some young people are splashing out on luxuries like travel and designer clothes instead of saving, in a trend that’s being characterized as “doom spending” on social media. Doom spending is when a person mindlessly shops to self-soothe because they feel pessimistic about the economy and their future, according […]
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401(k) savers can access one of the ‘rare guarantees’ in investing, CFP says
Key Points A 401(k) match is often considered free money. Most employers offering a 401(k) plan make a matching contribution on workers’ savings. Workers may need to stay at the company for a certain number of years before the match is fully theirs, however. Source
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Pesky medical bill? Most people don’t take a key step to manage that debt, study finds
Key Points Many people don’t dispute potential errors on their medical bills because they feel it’s ineffective. However, calling a health provider to address a financial concern can, for example, help correct, reduce or eliminate one’s bill, according to a University of Southern California study. Doing nothing and avoiding payment may result in late fees […]
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Volatility looms as election season heats up. Fortify your portfolio against autumn market shocks
Stocks roared higher in a delayed relief rally on Thursday, following the Federal Reserve’s jumbo-sized interest rate cut Wednesday, but rocky times may be ahead – and investors will want to prepare for that volatility. Excitement over the central bank’s half-point rate cut lifted the S & P 500 over the 5,700 threshold for the […]
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Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan to remain blocked, federal judge orders
US President Joe Biden looks on before speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, September 12, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images A federal judge has extended a temporary restraining order against the Biden administration’s latest student loan forgiveness […]
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Planning to delay retirement may not rescue you from poor savings
Key Points Many people expect to keep working because they need extra retirement income. However, research shows workers often retire earlier than planned, perhaps due to a layoff or poor health. That means workers can’t rely on delayed retirement as a financial plan. For those who are able, working longer is among the best ways […]
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This is the ‘billion-dollar blind spot’ of 401(k)-to-IRA rollovers, Vanguard finds
Key Points Moving money from a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k) plan to an individual retirement account is common when switching jobs or retiring. Savers are often unaware their 401(k)-to-IRA rollovers sit in cash as a default. Holding excess cash is generally a mistake for long-term investors. Source
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When to book holiday travel this fall: ‘That window of low prices is brief,’ economist says
d3sign | Moment | Getty Images If you want — or need — to travel this holiday season, start planning now because the ideal time to book Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s travel is fast approaching. “The most important thing is for travelers to continue to think about planning now and booking in October,” said […]
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