Wealth

JGI/Jamie Grill | Tetra images | Getty Images As the U.S. economy shrinks for a second straight quarter — one definition of a recession — many Americans aren’t prepared for an economic downturn. However, financial advisors say there’s plenty that is in your control. Fewer than half of Americans feel “financially secure enough” for another

MARK RALSTON | AFP | Getty Images The Mega Millions jackpot just won’t quit. After no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Tuesday night, the top prize has surged to $1.02 billion for Friday night’s drawing. It marks the fourth time a lottery jackpot has crossed the $1 billion mark. While the chance of a

When Kylie Jenner’s very brief flight on a private jet went viral last week, people were outraged — largely about the environmental impact of the trip. Jack Sweeney was unfazed. The 19-year-old whose Twitter account @CelebJets publicized Jenner’s trip has made a name for himself since January by publicly tracking the private jets of billionaires

Top officials at the Federal Reserve were seeing inflation data come in very hot for months before policymakers moved to wind down monetary policies that were stimulating the economy. A chorus of analysts, economists and former policymakers have chimed in, saying that was a mistake. “The forward guidance, overall, slowed the response to the Fed

Like everyone, Mark Cuban’s investment history has hits and misses — and, at least when it comes to ABC’s “Shark Tank,” the billionaire has made peace with that fact. On Saturday, Cuban noted on Twitter that “on a cash basis,” he’s taken a net loss on his myriad “Shark Tank” investments — which, by one

domoyega | E+ | Getty Images As credit card debt swells and interest rates spike, many spenders are fearful about high balances. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans are afraid to check their credit card statements, according to a recent report from travel website Upgraded Points, which surveyed 3,500 people in April 2022.  While Americans trimmed

It may seem paradoxical, but a trip to Europe may be a way to save money on travel this year. Amid a global scramble to find ways to save money while traveling, hotel rates dropped in many European cities. Average airfares originating from the United States are also down, according to travel specialists. Another boon

Scott Olson | Getty Images If you manage to beat the odds and land the next Mega Millions jackpot, don’t forget that Uncle Sam will snatch a slice of the windfall. The top prize has surged to $810 million for Tuesday night’s drawing — up from an earlier estimated $790 million — after no ticket

I will remember December 23, 2016 for the rest of my life. It was my last day working a full-time job. My wife and I retired early at 33 and 35, respectively, after accumulating $870,000 working in information technology. With the help of the market, our net worth increased to $1 million shortly after. I

Over more than a decade on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” billionaire Mark Cuban has seen his share of good investments — and bad ones. Last week, Cuban told the “Full Send” podcast that after investing nearly $20 million in 85 startups on “Shark Tank,” he’s taken a net loss across all of those deals combined. “I’ve

My first job out of university was working at a bank, but from the start I didn’t feel confident about the money I was earning. I remember watching as every paycheck would disappear almost as soon as I got it, in order to cover student loan payments and make a dent in the $4,000 credit

In this article NCLH It’s one of the most basic laws of economics: When prices rise, demand falls. But despite rising travel costs and inflation, vacationers aren’t showing much interest in canceling their summer plans. Yet, they certainly appear open to changing them. Nearly 70% of those planning summer vacations said they anticipated making changes

MARK RALSTON | AFP | Getty Images So you didn’t win the $555 million Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday night. The glass half-full view? Phew! You dodged a huge tax bill.  Of course, you get another shot in the next drawing to land a windfall — and then give a boatload of it to Uncle Sam.

When it comes to maximizing your lifestyle and net worth, the question “should I rent or buy” is one of the most heavily debated. Even if you already own your home or apartment, it’s a good exercise to regularly consider whether living there is the optimal move. Taking on debt to buy is always a

Like any other financial philosophy, the so-called “FIRE” movement has no shortage of experts and thought leaders eager to share their blueprint for success. Fans of FIRE (which stands for “financial independence, retire early“) embrace the idea of saving the vast majority of their income in their 20s and 30s, in order to retire or

A seaside restaurant charges 30 euros ($30) for a burger. A large sunbed at an upscale beach club can cost 500 euros in August. And a table at a “VIP” nightclub can run into the thousands. Though Spain is generally considered a reasonably priced travel destination, the Spanish island of Ibiza has long been known

Financial experts typically recommend being careful how you allocate your money, lest you run out of it. But for billionaire Bill Gates, running out of money is the goal. The Microsoft co-founder announced this week that he’s donating $20 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, while reiterating his pledge to give away “virtually

Getty Images As the cost of living soars, one federal lawmaker wants to remove any barriers to buying Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset that currently pays 9.62% annual interest through October. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., on Thursday sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, voicing concerns about the difficulties of buying

About 70% of Americans consider themselves middle class, according to a 2017 study by Northwestern Mutual. But according to most economists’ definitions, that’s not possible. One of the ways the Brookings Institution defines “middle class” is those in the 20th to 80th percentiles of household income. This would make 60% of American households middle class. The

When he’s not pontificating about missions to Mars, self-driving cars and freedom of speech on Twitter, Elon Musk has some surprisingly practical career advice for young people. On a December 2021 episode of the “Lex Fridman Podcast,” hosted by MIT computer scientist Lex Fridman, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO recommended that young people should never