Alphabet Sits Out Tuesday's Tech Stock Surge: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity markets closed higher on Tuesday as tech stocks lifted the Nasdaq to a new all‑time high of 27,093, while the Dow rose 0.5% and the S&P 500 added 0.1%. Marvell Technology surged 32.5% after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called it the "next trillion‑dollar" company, building on a $2 billion stake disclosed earlier this year. Alphabet slipped 3.9% following an $80 billion equity offering aimed at funding its expanding AI capital‑expenditure program. Meanwhile, the JOLTS report showed 7.6 million job openings, the strongest level since May 2024, underscoring continued labor‑market vigor.
Stocks Hit Highs as Trump Eases Iran Worries: Stock Market Today
Nvidia unveiled its RTX Spark AI‑focused PC processor, sending the stock up 15.7% and propelling the Nasdaq to a fresh record of 27,086. The rally helped the S&P 500 and Dow Jones close at new highs despite renewed Middle‑East tension after Iran...
Should We Sell Our Arizona Rental to Fund Retirement — or Keep It? Wealth Wise Advises
A New England couple, ages 63 and 65, own an Arizona rental worth $340,000 with a $75,000 mortgage at 3.9% and net $700 of monthly cash flow. They receive Social Security Disability, a pension, and annuities, but worry about inflation...
AI Is Powering A Semiconductor Boom
Global semiconductor sales are set to top $1.3 trillion in 2026, a 60% jump and the fastest growth in two decades, driven largely by AI‑related demand. AI chips alone will account for roughly 30% of that market, while memory prices surge...
Retired With Self-Employment Income? Don't Miss This 'Above-the-Line' Tax Break
A growing share of retirees—nearly 40% of self‑employed workers—are turning to freelance work to supplement savings and stay active. These entrepreneurs must pay both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes, but they can offset the burden...
Are You Retiring Soon and Need Income? An Immediate Annuity May Sound Boring, But Hear Me Out
An immediate annuity (SPIA) converts a lump‑sum investment into a guaranteed monthly income that can start within a month and last for life, with options to cover a spouse. The product offers higher payouts than most retirement vehicles because each...
The Midterms Offer a Unique Tax Planning Opportunity, But Most Retirees Miss It
Midterm election years have repeatedly produced sharp intrayear drops in the S&P 500, averaging a 16.7% decline, followed by a robust 12‑month rebound of about 36.5%. This market dip creates a rare tax‑planning window for retirees with sizable pretax accounts, allowing...
Can You Really Lower Your Bills Just By Asking? Here's What Happened When I Tried.
A consumer tested the classic advice of calling service providers to ask for lower rates and saved over $720 in a year. The experiment covered streaming (Peacock), fitness (Fitbit Premium), utilities (electric), and telecom (AT&T internet), yielding discounts ranging from...
Suddenly Inherited Money? The Critical Steps You Need to Take First
The so‑called Great Wealth Transfer could move roughly $124 trillion across generations in the next 10‑20 years, with women expected to inherit a disproportionate share. Financial advisers caution that many heirs either never receive the anticipated funds or quickly deplete them,...
Ask the Tax Editor, May 22: Roth IRAs and the Five-Year Rule
The IRS imposes two five‑year rules on Roth IRAs: one governing tax‑free earnings and another governing the 10% early‑withdrawal penalty on conversions. The earnings rule’s clock starts on January 1 of the year you first fund any Roth IRA, and it...
When Lower Interest Rates Make It Tougher to Save, Don't Stop — Just Switch Up the Game a Bit
As the Federal Reserve nudged rates lower at the end of 2025, borrowers welcomed cheaper loans while savers saw returns on cash‑based products tumble. A WalletHub poll shows 56% of Americans are dissatisfied with bank‑account yields, and many feel less...
How to Retire at 62 and Build a Financial Bridge to a Maxed-Out Social Security Check at 70
The article outlines a step‑by‑step plan for retirees who want to claim Social Security at age 62 but defer the benefit until age 70 to capture the 8 % annual increase. It emphasizes evaluating assets versus expenses, building a systematic withdrawal...
Millennials, Many of You Are Making These Common Money Mistakes (and You Won't Like the Consequences)
Millennials in their 30s and 40s often sideline retirement savings, yet early contributions dramatically boost long‑term wealth. A $300 monthly 401(k) deposit at age 35 can grow to about $340,000 by 65, whereas starting at 45 yields just $147,000, highlighting...
If You Want Your Employees to Embrace AI, You Need to Let Them Have a Say in How It's Used
Trust in American workplaces is eroding, with the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer showing 70% of people reluctant to trust those with different values. A parallel ADP survey reveals only 22% of workers feel their jobs are safe from AI‑driven cuts,...
I'm a Financial Planner: My 2 Key Rules for Investing Work Even When the Markets Are in a Tizzy
Veteran financial planner emphasizes two controllable pillars: spending awareness and asset allocation. By monitoring where money goes and aligning it with personal values, investors can live within their means. Simultaneously, setting a balanced allocation—mixing conservative assets with equities—protects against severe...
AI Could Derail Everything From Global Financial Systems to Online Privacy: Would You Be Vulnerable to an Attack?
Anthropic’s new AI model Mythos can autonomously discover thousands of software vulnerabilities, prompting warnings from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon that the financial system could become a target. A recent accidental leak of Claude’s source code highlighted how AI tools might...
Is a Roth Conversion Just Not That Into You? Here's When It's a Perfect Match (and When It Isn't)
A Roth conversion moves pre‑tax retirement assets into a Roth IRA, creating tax‑free growth but requiring income tax on the converted amount. While the strategy can boost long‑term flexibility and eliminate required minimum distributions, the five‑year waiting rule and immediate...
The First 5 Years After a Salary Jump: How to Handle a Pay Raise Without Buying a Life You Can't...
A salary raise often triggers lifestyle inflation, eroding the potential boost to net worth. Psychological factors like hedonic adaptation and social comparison lead many to upgrade spending before solidifying savings. The article advises automating at least half of any raise...
2027 Social Security COLA Forecast Surges Amid Spike in Inflation
The Senior Citizens League now projects a 3.9% Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment for Social Security in 2027, up from the previous 2.8% estimate. That increase would lift the average monthly benefit from $2,081.16 to $2,162.33, an $81.17 gain. The jump reflects persistent...
Some Companies Are Pausing 401(k) Matches in 2026: What It Means for Your Taxes and Retirement Savings
Employer-sponsored 401(k) matches, averaging 4.6% of pay, are being paused or reduced by firms such as TTEC and previously Sherwin‑Williams as they trim benefits costs. The loss of a typical $3,450 annual match for a $75,000 earner can erode retirement...
5 Do's and Don'ts for a Successful First Meeting With Your Financial Adviser
Preparing for a first meeting with a financial adviser is crucial for effective guidance. Clients should gather key documents such as tax returns, statements, and income‑expense details, and conduct background checks via FINRA’s BrokerCheck and firm websites. During the interview,...
How to Unlock the Value of Your Employee Stock Options (and Help Avoid Taking a Financial Hit)
Employee stock options give private‑company executives the right to buy shares at a fixed strike price, turning compensation into a potential wealth‑building asset. Timing the exercise—favoring low‑strike, near‑expiry grants—can protect against downside while preserving upside. Tax treatment varies dramatically: Incentive...
S&P 500, Nasdaq Close Week at New Highs: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity markets closed the week at fresh all‑time highs as the S&P 500 finished at 7,398 and the Nasdaq at 26,247, driven by a better‑than‑expected jobs report and easing energy‑price concerns. Apple and Intel confirmed a silicon‑supply agreement for upcoming...
Ask the Tax Editor, May 8: Will I Be Audited by the IRS?
The IRS audit rate for individuals is now well under 1% and is expected to keep falling as budget cuts shrink the agency’s workforce. To compensate, the service is leaning heavily on data analytics and artificial intelligence to pinpoint high‑risk...
Want to Make Better Investment Decisions? Use This 8-Question Checklist, From a Financial Planner
Financial planner advocates swapping certainty for probability in investment decisions. Citing Kahneman’s System 1/System 2 model, the article shows how biases like confirmation, anchoring and overconfidence lead to fragile choices. By assigning odds to multiple scenarios, investors can better manage risk and...
I'm a Financial Pro: This 5-Step Plan Can Help High Earners Pay Off Significant Student Loan Debt in 5 Years
The article presents a five‑year, percentage‑based plan for high‑earning professionals—especially lawyers and MBA graduates—to aggressively retire student loans. It advises living on 80% or less of gross income, maxing retirement and HSA contributions, allocating 20‑30% of income and 50‑70% of...
Wealthy Homeowners Want Frictionless Ways to Tap Into Home Equity — and the Market Is Providing Them
Homeowners in the mass‑affluent segment sit on a historic $35 trillion of equity, yet traditional loans burden them with lengthy underwriting and income verification. Recent data show the average mortgaged homeowner holds about $299,000 in equity, and nearly half of mortgaged...
From Pink Tax to Surveillance Pricing: Are You Paying More This Year Without Knowing It?
Dynamic, algorithm‑driven pricing—often called surveillance pricing—is reshaping how retailers set prices in real time. By leveraging data such as browsing history, device type, and purchase frequency, AI models can show different shoppers different prices for the same item. Because women...
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card vs American Express Platinum Card: Which Fits You Better?
The Capital One Venture X and American Express Platinum are two premium travel cards that cater to different traveler profiles. Venture X carries a $395 annual fee, offers a $300 travel credit, 10× miles on hotels and rental cars, and simple...
Tending to Your Estate Plan This Spring? Don't Forget to Give Your IRA Some Love
Spring prompts many to revisit their estate plans, and the article highlights the IRA as a critical component that often needs special attention. It explains how traditional and Roth IRAs differ in tax treatment and how beneficiary designations must be...
From Buying a New Car to Having a Baby: How the OBBBA Affects Everyday Taxpayers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed on July 4, 2025, solidified the 2017 tax cuts and introduced a suite of new deductions and income rules. It adds an above‑the‑line tip deduction of up to $25,000, an overtime deduction of $12,500,...
I'm a Financial Planner: Trump Accounts Are a No-Brainer if You're Eligible (How to Apply)
The Treasury is rolling out a new federally backed savings vehicle called a Trump Account, slated to debut this summer for children born between 2025 and 2028. Each eligible minor receives a $1,000 government seed contribution and can make up‑to‑$5,000...
Nasdaq, S&P 500 at New Highs on Intel Rally: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity markets closed at fresh all‑time highs on Tuesday as the Nasdaq Composite rose 1% to 25,326 and the S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to 7,259, driven by a tech rally. Intel led the charge, jumping 12.9% after Bloomberg reported Apple...
5 Money Lessons I Learned From My Mom
The article recounts five personal money lessons the author learned from her mother, who acted as the family’s de facto CFO. It highlights practical habits such as balancing a budget, organizing vital documents, negotiating with service providers, staying informed about...
Delta's Popular Short-Haul Perk Is Going Away — Here's Why
Delta Air Lines will stop offering complimentary drinks and snacks on 450 short‑haul routes under 349 miles, effective May 19. The change applies to Main Cabin and Comfort+ passengers, while First‑Class retains the perk. At the same time, the airline raises...
College Towns Are Becoming Retirement Destinations in 2026: How Does the Tax Math Add Up for Retirees?
College towns are emerging as attractive retirement destinations as retirees seek affordable housing, quality healthcare, walkable communities, and lifelong learning opportunities. Surveys from AARP highlight that cost, health access, and social connection drive these choices, and university‑anchored hospitals and cultural...
Rich but Restless: Why Your $5M Portfolio Isn’t Buying Retirement Confidence
A new Allianz study shows 67% of Americans now fear outliving their money, a record high, while the 2026 EBRI survey finds retirement confidence at its lowest since 2017, with only 64% feeling secure. Even households with $5 million feel uncertain,...
Give More But Pay Less: An Essential Guide to Tax-Smart Charitable Giving in 2026
The 2026 tax year introduces the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which limits deductible charitable contributions to amounts exceeding 0.5 % of adjusted gross income and caps overall itemized deductions at 35 % for taxpayers in the top 37 % bracket. Cash...
Started Pulling in the Big Bucks? If You Refinance Your Student Loan Now, Here's What You'll Miss
Refinancing student loans is attractive to high‑earning professionals once their salaries rise, but the decision reshapes their relationship with the federal system. Private lenders promise lower rates and fixed payments, yet swapping eliminates income‑driven repayment, forbearance, and any future forgiveness....
How Defense and Space Are Becoming the Next Frontier for Investors, From an Investing Pro
Defense and space spending are entering a new growth phase, with global military outlays projected to reach $6.4 trillion by 2035 and the space economy set to triple to $1.8 trillion. A wave of technology‑first “neo‑prime” firms—software‑centric, AI‑driven and privately funded—are outpacing...
Why the Spirit Airlines Shutdown Matters Even If You Never Flew With Them
Spirit Airlines announced its complete shutdown on May 2 after a failed $500 million bailout and prolonged bankruptcy restructuring. The carrier’s exit eliminates a major player that accounted for roughly 14.5% of the U.S. budget‑airline market, reducing competitive pressure on basic‑economy fares....
Kiplinger Investing for Income Special Report
Kiplinger has released a free "Income Investing Opportunities to Attain Higher Yields" special report for subscribers of its Investing for Income service. The PDF provides a roadmap for investors seeking to boost cash‑flow returns in a persistently low‑rate environment. It...
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards 2026: Best Cash-Back Credit Cards
Kiplinger’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards surveyed more than 4,200 readers to rank cash‑back credit cards. The Fidelity Rewards Signature Visa captured the overall win for the fourth year, praised for its 2% flat back when rewards are deposited into a...
I’m a Retirement Expert Who Just Turned 65. Here’s the Advice I’m Actually Following
The author, a longtime retirement writer, turned 65 and shifted from theorizing to living retirement. He distills five durable lessons: keep portfolios simple with low‑cost ETFs and a trusted adviser, build risk capacity rather than just confidence, resist reacting to...
How to Relist Your Home After a Sale Falls Through: What to Change on Price, Agent and Home Issues
A home sale that fell through can be a setback, but sellers can recover by treating the relist as a fresh launch. The article advises a post‑mortem to pinpoint financing, appraisal or inspection issues, then resetting the price to current...
To Love, Honor and to Pay: 4 Ways to Keep Wedding Costs From Ruining Wedded Bliss
Wedding expenses in the United States average roughly $36,000 and have been climbing as inflation pushes up vendor prices for flowers, food, and staffing. About 30‑40% of couples count on parental contributions, yet many now shoulder the full cost themselves....
Dow Adds 790 Points on Caterpillar Earnings: Stock Market Today
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 790 points, closing at a record 49,652, propelled by a 9.9% jump in Caterpillar after it beat Q1 earnings and lifted its full‑year revenue outlook. Alphabet powered the market higher with a 10% stock...
North Carolina’s $15,000 Forgivable Mortgage: How to Qualify in 2026
North Carolina’s 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program offers first‑time buyers and veterans up to $15,000 in 0% interest assistance for homes priced up to $495,000. The second‑mortgage is forgiven incrementally—20% per year after the tenth year and fully after...
New Wealth Taxes Could Drive Residents Out of High-Tax States in 2026: But Will You Still Owe Taxes After Moving?
IRS migration data shows millions fleeing high‑tax states, with California losing roughly $10‑12 billion in adjusted gross income and New York about $9.9 billion each year. A 5 % wealth tax targeting roughly 250 ultra‑wealthy Californians is slated for the November 2026 ballot, while New York...
Markets Are Mixed Amid Fed Uncertainty: Stock Market Today
The Fed’s FOMC voted 8‑4 to keep the federal funds rate at 3.5‑3.75%, citing elevated inflation driven by higher global energy prices. Stocks slipped, with the Dow down 0.6% and the S&P 500 flat, while the Nasdaq edged higher as...