Op-ed: Investing isn’t a game. Take risks and make wild predictions in fantasy football, not with your money

Kikoncos | Getty Images It’s Sunday morning, and my kids are checking player reports to evaluate their fantasy football lineups. They chatter about wins and losses from the previous week and rumors about a reserve player that looks ripe for a break-out. During the NFL games, they check their phones for player stats to determine…

If you’re planning on tax-loss harvesting, here’s the first number advisors say you should know

Terry Vine | Getty Images There are few bright spots for investors in a down market. But tax-loss harvesting, which allows you to offset profits with losses, may offer a silver lining. Before attempting, however, you need to know your complete tax situation, experts say. Here’s why: There’s a lesser-known 0% long-term capital gains tax…

An economic index is flashing a recession warning sign, but it may be a ‘mixed signal.’ Here’s what you need to know

Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images A monthly gauge of what could lie ahead for the U.S. economy is flashing a recession warning sign. The Leading Economic Index dipped by 0.4% in September from August and is down 2.8% since March, according to the Conference Board, an independent group that publishes the index. The latest…

Americans now say they will need $1.25 million to retire comfortably, survey finds

Mstudioimages | E+ | Getty Images Americans now expect they will need $1.25 million to retire comfortably, according to a new study from Northwestern Mutual. That figure represents a 20% increase from the $1.05 million respondents cited last year. That’s not necessarily good news for individuals who have seen their retirement savings decline in the…

Your last chance to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds is Oct. 28

Insta_photos | Istock | Getty Images If you’re eager to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds for six months, the deadline is quickly approaching. You must purchase I bonds and receive your confirmation email by Oct. 28 to lock in the record 9.62% rate, according to TreasuryDirect. The rate is expected to drop…

2023 State Business Tax Climate Index

Launch Our Interactive Tool Executive Summary The Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index enables business leaders, government policymakers, and taxpayers to gauge how their states’ tax systems compare. While there are many ways to show how much is collected in taxes by state governments, the Index is designed to show how well states structure…

Talent agency CAA drops Ye, as film studio MRC ditches documentary because of his antisemitic remarks

Kanye West attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Paris, France. Stephane Cardinale – Corbis | Corbis Entertainment | Getty Images Major Hollywood talent agency CAA on Monday dropped Ye, also known as Kanye West, as the rapper and business mogul faces intensifying criticism…

Stocks making the biggest moves after hours: Qualtrics, W.R. Berkley, Discover Financial and more

Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Check out the companies making headlines after the bell:  Discover Financial — Shares fell about 1.8% after Discover Financial posted weaker-than-expected earnings for the recent quarter and noted that it expects operating expenses to rise more than previously anticipated for the full year. Cadence Design Systems – Shares…

You should still apply for student loan forgiveness even while it’s on hold

Late last week, a federal appeals court officially halted President Biden’s student debt forgiveness.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit issued an administrative stay on debt discharges while it reviews a lawsuit filed by six Republican-leaning states. The plaintiffs argue the debt forgiveness would lead to a loss in tax revenue, causing…

There’s still time for big savers to use ‘after-tax contributions’ to funnel more into 401(k) plans for 2022

BartekSzewczyk | Getty If you’ve already maxed out 401(k) plan contributions for 2022 and you’re eager to save more for retirement, some plans have an under-the-radar option, experts say. For 2022, you can defer $20,500 into a 401(k), plus an extra $6,500 for investors 50 and older. But the total plan limit is $61,000 per…