It’s best to stay the course with your 401(k) amid choppy markets. But there are moves you can make to get ahead

skynesher Days of record market losses may inspire 401(k) investors to take action. Yet most experts caution against doing just that. The reason: Days when the markets are down tend to be closely followed by days when the market is up. If you sell and run for cover now, you may miss the upside. “The…

Gas prices just hit a new record high. Here are a few ways to cut down the cost

As the summer driving season nears, gasoline prices show no signs of slowing down. The national average for unleaded gas hit a new high of $4.59 per gallon Thursday, according to AAA. For the first time ever, the average price was $4 per gallon or above in all 50 states this week, AAA data shows. Last year at…

Rising inflation has made people feel anxious and overwhelmed. Here are some ways to cope

In this article WMT TGT A woman pushes a shopping cart through the grocery aisle at Target in Annapolis, Maryland, on May 16, 2022, as Americans brace for summer sticker shock as inflation continues to grow. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images Many Americans feel anxious about money, especially when inflation is high, interest…

Congress seeks ways to reduce Social Security customer service delays

Eakgrunge | Istock | Getty Images Many people who have dialed the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number during the Covid-19 pandemic have faced long wait times. In an effort to alleviate the customer service issues, Congress this week held a hearing to identify ways in fix the problems. The issues are something leaders on both…

High-yield bonds may lose appeal amid rising interest rates

MoMo Productions | DigitalVision | Getty Images If you’re chasing portfolio income, you may be eyeing high-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, which typically pay more interest but carry greater risk. Since interest rates and bond prices move in opposite directions, U.S. junk bond values have dipped to the lowest levels since May 2020….

You might start hearing about capitulation in the markets. Here’s why you should invest anyway

Nosystem Images | E+ | Getty Images Amid market turmoil, there’s a term that analysts often start throwing around: investor or market capitulation. It generally means a point at which investors throw in the towel and sell, basically giving up on the asset and the hope of recouping lost gains. Generally, capitulation happens at a…

How to sidestep a tax bomb when selling your home

SDI Productions With soaring prices and record home equity, you may expect a profit from selling your property. But the windfall may trigger an unexpected tax bill next April.  While home profits dipped slightly, the typical single-family seller still scored a $103,000 gross profit during the first quarter of 2022, according to ATTOM, a nationwide…

Nearly 40% of investors who pulled money out of markets in the last year regret it

Moyo Studio | E+ | Getty Images Many investors who pulled money out of the stock market in the last year now regret their decision. Some 38% of investors said they sold stocks last year due to a current event, according to a study from MagnifyMoney. Of that group, 40% said they wish they’d kept…

‘Unretiring’? Here’s how to handle your Medicare coverage if you return to the workforce

Blackcat | E+ | Getty Images Retirees on Medicare who are heading back to the workforce may discover they have choices when it comes to their health-care coverage. That is, depending on the size of your new employer, you might be able to pick up the company health plan and drop Medicare — and then…

Here’s how young women are deciding how much to save for retirement

Drakula & Co. | Moment | Getty Images When it comes to retirement planning, earlier is generally better, but several factors affect how much young women are saving, according to financial experts. For retirement planning purposes, the demographic termed “younger women” may include Gen Zers, millennials and some Gen Xers with 20 years or more…

Negotiating a job offer works: 85% of Americans who counteroffered were successful. Here’s how to do it

Steve Debenport | E+ | Getty Images When it comes to negotiating a job offer, if you don’t ask — you won’t receive. It turns out many don’t ask, according to a survey from Fidelity Investments. Some 58% of Americans accepted the initial offer at their current position without negotiating, the survey found. Yet negotiating…