Category: Personal Finances

The 60/40 Portfolio Is Alive and Well

The storm over the so-called 60/40 investment portfolio misses the point, our columnist says. The key issue is diversifying your portfolio, and that is as important as ever.
More States Now Require Financial Literacy Classes in High Schools

The surge in offerings is a response to the pandemic, which revealed glaring income inequality, as well as inflation and the resumption of student loan payments, an expert said.
How to Have an Affordable Divorce

There are ways to reduce the stress and expense of ending a marriage, but they require both parties to want to end the relationship civilly.
In the Stock Market, Don’t Buy and Sell. Just Hold.

There’s new evidence that market timing doesn’t work. Your odds of success are better if you just hang on and aim for average returns, our columnist says.
Pensions Get a New Look From Younger Workers

As the downsides of 401(k)-style plans become apparent, workers and some companies, including IBM, are showing new interest in defined benefit plans.
As Holiday Shopping Season Begins, Retailers Worry

Consumer spending has been strong in 2023 despite higher prices and waning savings. But some retailers have jitters heading into Black Friday.
Sex Workers Have Been Shunned by Banks, Even When Their Work Is Legal

Financial service companies often avoid what they deem high-risk industries like adult entertainment. When workers lose their accounts, they are left with few options.
How to Keep Your Bank from Canceling All Your Accounts

Banks have suddenly shut down the accounts of scores of customers. Here’s how you can avoid becoming one of them.
Tip a Self-Service Kiosk? How to Deal With the Many Requests for Tips.

Since the pandemic, they seem to be everywhere. And with inflation, the gratuity on a pricier meal feels like a big outlay.
How Millions of Borrowers Got $127 Billion in Student Loan Debt Canceled

The Biden administration may have been blocked from canceling debt for tens of millions of borrowers by the Supreme Court, but it has still managed to eliminate billions in education debt.
Mint, the Budgeting App, Is Going Away. Here Are Some Alternatives.

Finding a money app that works best for you requires personal testing. We asked popular competitors to Mint why you should try their offerings.
The Betting on the Presidential Election Has Begun

While two leading prediction markets are fighting regulatory restrictions in court, wagers on politics and economics are still being made.