New year, new bull market… hopefully. The S&P 500 — an index of stocks often used as the benchmark to measure how U.S. stocks are doing overall — kicked off 2022 near an all-time high before tumbling and ending the year down 19.4%. You likely heard the term “bear market” recently, as the S&P 500 … Read more
If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that investments that seem too good to be true almost always are. Many investors were burned by ‘can’t miss’ tech stocks and could only watch as the value of digital assets, like cryptocurrencies and NFTs, evaporated in minutes and couldn’t sustain the promised high returns. In … Read more
The 401(k) plan is the largest asset many investors own accounting for 36.2% of their total net worth according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Regularly checking your 401(k) account can help you stay on top of your investments, and make sure that your money is working for you in the best way possible. What is … Read more
Adults with mild cognitive impairment may be able to boost their brain power by working on crossword puzzles, according to a recent study. Researchers at Columbia University and Duke University found that older participants — with an average age of 71 — who were trained to complete computerized crossword puzzles showed bigger cognitive improvement compared … Read more
Every Friday I recap “news you can use” from the week: a handful of quotes from major (and often expensive) news sources, so you can stay up to date on the news that affects your money without spending a dime and in less than a minute. Here’s an overview of what happened this week. Oil … Read more
bikeworldtravel / Shutterstock.com When you see a sale price, can you really be sure you are getting a bargain? Probably not, according to research from Consumers’ Checkbook, a project of the nonprofit Center for the Study of Services. A recent Consumers’ Checkbook analysis of 25 national retailers found that the legitimacy of their sale prices … Read more
Day Of Victory Studio / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on NewRetirement. If you are asking, “Am I ready to retire?” Here is some good news: You don’t necessarily need $1 million for a successful retirement. So, what you do need? We did a little digging, and here are eight important skills that … Read more
New Africa / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter. Whether you enjoy figure skating, hockey, or speed skating, winter is the best time to bundle up and head to your local ice rink. So, which of the 200 biggest U.S. cities have the most glorious opportunities to glide on ice? To find … Read more
Dragana Gordic / Shutterstock.com Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on NewRetirement. Home equity (how much you owe on your mortgage subtracted from how much your home is worth) can be a useful and often overlooked retirement asset. If you have holes (things you want or need to fund) in your retirement plan, they can … Read more
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com Discounts on gym memberships can be tempting, but working out at home can be as easy as pulling out your smartphone. A host of fitness apps can spare you the cost of a gym membership — not to mention the time and cost of driving to the gym. In fact, they enable … Read more