personal-finance27.08 min read
Five Banks Pay 4%+ APY on Savings—And Here’s How to Grab It
22 days ago•Source: MarketWatch
Personal Finance News
The latest personal finance stories, summarized by AI
Featured Personal Finance Stories
View original source
36.375 min•22 days ago
Can $1 Million, Two Pensions, and Three Homes Support Early Retirement at 61?
A 61-year-old couple with $1 million saved, two lifetime pensions (about $14,000 a month) and three homes weighs whether they can retire early. With mortgages still decades from payoff, selling one property could unlock extra equity, but retirement feasibility hinges on current expenses, health costs until 65, taxes on withdrawals, and survivorship decisions. Market-win advisers say a fiduciary financial planner can help model timelines, optimize Social Security and Medicare, and craft a withdrawal plan to determine if retirement next year is realistic.
More Top Stories
2
Dave Ramsey’s Social Security Timing: Why 62 May Beat 70
24/7 Wall St.•1 month ago
3
Live Now, Plan Later: How a Couple Balances Joy with Saving for Tomorrow
Business Insider•1 month ago
More Personal Finance Stories
Seven-year car loans turn ownership into a long-term debt trap
About 41% of car trade-ins roll over debt into new seven-year loans, extending payments and leaving buyers underwater; rising car costs are pushing households to stretch loan terms, making auto ownership increasingly unaffordable.
Half of GLP-1 users abandon injections as weight loss returns prompt new maintenance options
New research finds about 50% of people who stop GLP-1 weight-loss drugs Wegovy or Zepbound regain all the weight they lost within two years, with cost and gastrointestinal side effects driving discontinuation. As patients seek durable results, doctors point to a mix of options—from bariatric procedures and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty to new oral GLP-1 pills like Wegovy’s pill and Lilly’s orforglipron—though real-world adherence and insurance coverage remain uncertain.
Peter Thiel Bets Big Against California’s Billionaire Wealth Tax with $3 Million Donation
Peter Thiel donated $3 million to the California Business Roundtable to oppose the proposed 2026 billionaire wealth tax, his largest political gift in years, signaling an early and high-profile push against the measure that would impose a 5% tax on net worth above $1 billion. Gov. Gavin Newsom also opposes the idea, and opponents expect a major fundraising effort to gather signatures to place the measure on the ballot.
CPI uptick tightens middle-class budgets as December costs rise
December’s CPI rose 0.3%, pushing the yearly inflation rate to 2.7% and underscoring ongoing pressure on middle‑income households. Food prices continued to climb—food at home up 2.4% and food at restaurants up 4.1% year over year, with a 0.7% monthly gain in both—while energy costs remained a drag: electricity up 6.7% and utilities 10.8% year over year (gasoline fell about 3.4% over 12 months). Primerica data show 69% of middle‑income Americans feel their income is falling behind the cost of living, up from 50% in 2020, highlighting persistent budget strain even as some goods prices cooled.”,
Refi rates hover around 6.3% as Fortune outlines current loan options
Fortune’s refi-rate report shows a 30-year average of 6.29% (Zillow data through Jan. 9) with rates listed for 20-year (6.34%), 15-year (5.55%), and 10-year (5.58%); jumbo, FHA, and VA loans are also shown (e.g., jumbo 30-year 7.75%, FHA 30-year 5.63%, VA 30-year 5.65%). The piece explains when refinancing makes sense, typical closing costs (about 2–6%), and options like cash-out, no-closing-cost refinances, or changing loan terms or type to fit budgets.
New Research Pinpoints When Our Bodies Begin to Age and How to Maintain Fitness
The article offers practical advice for improving financial health at any age, emphasizing the importance of professional financial advice, reducing insurance and debt costs, smart investing, and protecting family with insurance, along with tips for saving on everyday expenses and diversifying investments to safeguard wealth.
Medicare Excludes These Drugs for Retirees in 2026
The article offers practical tips for retirees to protect and grow their savings, including diversifying investments with gold, working with financial advisors, reducing debt, securing digital assets, and saving on major expenses like insurance and phone plans, along with a bonus on affordable weight-loss medications.
Top Financial Resolutions and Tips for 2026
The article provides a comprehensive month-by-month guide for financial tasks in 2026, including reviewing investments, adjusting contributions, organizing documents, estate planning, and year-end portfolio review, aimed at helping individuals optimize their financial health and plan for the future.
Evaluating the Wisdom of 'Soft Saving'
Soft saving is a mindful approach where individuals prioritize current enjoyment over aggressive retirement savings, which can serve as an entry point to consistent saving but may pose challenges for long-term financial goals if not balanced properly. Experts suggest maintaining some level of investing for the future while allowing room for present-day pleasures, emphasizing automation and gradual increases in savings over time.
Discover Your Money Personality to Boost Happiness and Wealth in 2026
The article identifies six distinct money personalities—Giver, Trailblazer, Skeptic, High Roller, Penny Pincher, and Avoider—and offers tailored financial advice for each to help individuals improve their financial well-being in 2026 by understanding their tendencies and making intentional changes.