Personal finance
Travel card benefits are ‘getting harder to maximize,’ analyst says. What to know before you apply
Oleksandra Yagello | Moment | Getty Images As some popular travel credit cards boost annual fees and amend benefits, experts say it’s time to reassess which cards — if any — merit a spot in your wallet. “Annual fees are not inherently bad; you just need to make sure that you’re getting value from [the […]
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Some concertgoers use buy now, pay later loans for tickets. Start a ‘Beyoncé fund’ instead, analyst says
Fans enjoy Taylor Swift’s performance during The Eras Tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Aug. 7, 2023. Allen J. Schaben | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images Many Americans have become accustomed to breaking up big purchases with buy now, pay later loans — including tickets for concerts and other live events. Going to […]
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Using my phone as a Paris guidebook cost me $50 — here’s how to save on your bill when traveling abroad
Key Points There are a few ways to prevent your cell phone bill from increasing much while traveling internationally, experts said. Among their biggest tips: Consider a T-Mobile cell plan, buy an eSIM or rely solely on Wi-Fi networks. Source
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EV sales soar as Trump axes $7,500 tax credit: ‘People are rushing out’ to buy, analyst says
Key Points President Donald Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill” ends a $7,500 EV tax credit after Sept. 30. Consumers are acting quickly to claim the tax credit before it disappears, according to analysts and sales data. Source
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Imposter scams cost older adults $700 million in 2024, FTC finds: Some victims are ‘clearing out’ their 401(k)s
Key Points Americans age 60 and older are reporting being victims of imposter scams in increasing numbers, according to the Federal Trade Commission. They sometimes lose all the savings held in a bank account or 401(k), the agency said. There are ways to avoid getting scammed. Source
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Trump order will allow alternative assets like cryptocurrencies, private equity in 401(k)s
Key Points President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Thursday to allow alternative assets into 401(k)s, CNBC has learned. The executive order will direct the U.S. Secretary of Labor to review fiduciary guidance on private market investments in 401(k) and other defined-contribution plans. An executive order would mark a major victory for private asset […]
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This is the ‘No. 1 reason’ to buy the early boarding upgrade, travel expert says
A record number of passengers flew in 2024. Izusek | E+ | Getty Images Southwest Airlines, once known for its first-come, first-served approach to boarding and seating, on Tuesday began selling its first tickets with assigned seats. That change — and with it, new boarding groups — goes into effect for flights in late January. […]
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‘The eye of the hurricane’: Why the U.S. job market has soured, economists say
Key Points The July 2025 jobs report suggests a sharper slowdown in U.S. job growth than previously thought, economists said. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy is among the economic headwinds contributing to slower job creation and hiring, economists said. Immigration policy and relatively high interest rates are other factors, they said. Job seekers face a […]
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Emergency funds are a ‘security blanket’ for 401(k) savings, Vanguard researcher says. Here’s why
Key Points Workers with emergency funds of at least $2,000 are less likely to raid their 401(k) accounts, according to Vanguard research. 401(k) “leakage,” such as cashing out an account upon job separation, hurts households’ retirement security, experts said. Saving even $10 to $25 per paycheck into an emergency fund can make a difference. Source
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Credit cards can be an ‘amazing tool’ for your wedding, expert says — but only if you’re ‘strategic’
Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images Many engaged couples in the U.S. are relying on forms of credit to pay for their wedding. Experts say that approach can be smart, if done carefully. While 46% of surveyed newlyweds — couples who tied the knot within the past two years — used mostly savings to pay […]
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