Brand X Pictures | Stockbyte | Getty Images When faced with an unexpected $1,000 expense, more than one-third of Americans would borrow the money, according to a new Bankrate survey. That may include tapping their credit cards, seeking money from friends or family or taking out a personal loan. Most would not turn to cash … Read more
Recep-bg | E+ | Getty Images The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved the first U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds. But experts urge caution before piling into the long-awaited ETFs. The agency signed off on 11 bitcoin ETF applications, including funds from BlackRock, Fidelity, Ark Invest, WisdomTree and Grayscale. The new investment provides … Read more
Auctioneer Victoire Gineste gestures as she adjudicates for 20 million euros ($21.9 million) a recently rediscovered drawing by Michelangelo, the artist’s first known nude, at the Christie’s auction house in Paris on May 18, 2022. Emmanuel Dunand | Afp | Getty Images Wealthy, young collectors in Asia have been fueling demand for art — particularly … Read more
Tanya Constantine | Getty Images Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided your survivors meet certain requirements. For example, … Read more
Mark Edward Atkinson | Tetra Images | Getty Images What to watch for with ‘two check’ months SSI recipients must comply with strict rules. Individuals have a $2,000 limit on resources they may own such as property, stocks, bonds or bank accounts. For couples, the limit is $3,000. These thresholds have not changed since 1989. … Read more
Nancy Ney | Photodisc | Getty Images The new year has ushered in a big change to 529 college savings plans, which has made the accounts more attractive to some investors. But the adjustment may have unexpected downsides, experts say. Starting in 2024, families can roll unused 529 plan funds to the account beneficiary’s Roth … Read more
Grocery items are offered for sale at a supermarket on August 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images Heading into 2023, the predictions were nearly unanimous: a recession was coming. As the year comes to a close, the forecasted economic downturn did not arrive. So what’s in store for 2024? An economic … Read more
Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images As the new year approaches, building wealth is a top priority for “hardworking” middle-class Americans, according to a new survey from investing app Stash. Despite political and social issues, money was the No. 1 concern for most respondents, who were polled during the first two weeks in October … Read more
Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty Images For years, interest rates were low, inflation was steady and both financial markets and economic conditions were relatively stable. Then the Covid-19 pandemic turned everything on its head. Inflation began to soar and central banks around the world hiked interest rates in an effort to halt rising prices. … Read more
Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Current SSI asset limits ‘lock people in poverty’ Current SSI asset limits are extremely low — $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 per couple. Those thresholds apply to all kinds of assets, including cash, bank accounts, investments and household goods. Beneficiaries who go over the limits are suspended or … Read more
