Mortgage rates fall to lowest level since September 2022 and here’s how the Girl Scouts will keep women rolling in dough throughout their lives — beyond selling cookies
Hi, MarketWatchers. Don’t miss these top stories.Mortgage rates fall to lowest level since September 2022 — giving ‘much-needed boost’ to housing market The 30-year mortgage rate is averaging at 6.15%, Freddie Mac said in its latest weekly survey on Thursday. Read More ‘I have $30K in my savings account’: I’m 56, divorced, unemployed and mother […]
How the Girl Scouts will keep women rolling in dough throughout their lives
The Girl Scouts are known for being smart cookie sellers. But the organization is also working to keep its girls rolling in dough as they grow up. In fact, just in time for the new Girl Scout cookie season, Charles Schwab SCHW, -6.77% has teamed up with the Girl Scouts of the USA to “modernize and […]
Afraid of a recession and not ready to retire? Do this.
With talks of company layoffs and a possible recession, it’s prudent for older Americans who aren’t quite ready to retire to have a backup plan. Retirement Tip of the Week: Look over your resume, go through your list of contacts, brush up on any skills you need for your job and pretend you’re applying for […]
My stepbrother helped me get started in tech. I allowed him to live in my late’s father’s home. He told me, ‘Your dad wanted me to live here.’ What do I owe him?
My father dated someone when I was in early grade school, and mentored one of her sons, becoming the father figure he never had. For simplicity, I’ll refer to him as a stepbrother. I was about eight years younger, and my stepbrother helped me with some key decisions after I graduated. One key piece of […]
Rise in middle-aged white ‘deaths of despair’ may be fueled by loss of religion, new research paper argues
So-called deaths of despair such as from suicide or alcohol abuse have been skyrocketing for middle-aged white Americans. It’s been blamed on various phenomenon, including opioid abuse. But a new research paper finds a different culprit — declining religious practice. The working paper, from Tyler Giles of Wellesley College, Daniel Hungerman of the University of […]
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo earnings show the good, the bad and the ugly of people’s finances. So how are they holding up?
Friday’s wave of big-bank earnings gives an important glimpse into Americans’ finances amid high prices, rising interest rates and recession worries. At first glance, most consumers appear to be keeping their heads above water.A day after December inflation data showed price increases coming off the boil – but still high — fourth-quarter earnings showed some […]
World’s 1% captured almost two-thirds of new wealth created in two years: report
For every dollar of new global wealth earned by a person in the bottom 90% during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, a billionaire got $1.7 million, according to a new analysis from the anti-poverty group Oxfam.That means that even in an era marked by the pandemic, nearly 15 million excess deaths and […]
‘Am I crazy?’ I’ve paid my fiancée rent for 9 years and spent $10,000 improving her home. She’s also listed on my health insurance. What should I do?
I have a situation that is causing a lot of issues in my relationship. We have been dating for 17 years, have lived together for close to nine years and have been engaged for six. When I moved into her house, we agreed I would pay $600 a month in rent. Over the years, I […]
I sold my late mother’s home for $250,000. I make $80,000 and have $220,000 in student debt. I want to buy a house. Should I use all my inheritance for a down payment?
My mom passed away, and left me her house, which I just sold and will net $250,000. I’m 41 years old with no real retirement savings. I make $80,000 a year, and I am maxing out contributions to my employer-matching retirement account. I own my car, pay off my credit cards in full every month, […]
‘She never has enough money’: I was adopted by a wealthy family, but my biological grandma says I need to financially support her — and buy her a condo
My biological mom died when I was a toddler, and the state felt that my grandmother wasn’t appropriate as a placement given that they found she had mental-health issues at that time. I was adopted by an upper-class family, and all communication with my biological grandma was prohibited after the adoption. Fast forward to when […]