by Robert BruceSenior Writer If you’ve had a sneaking suspicion that things you buy are getting smaller, you may be right. Angel Soft toilet paper used to be 425 sheets per roll. Now it’s 320 sheets per roll. A bag of Doritos used to be 9.75 ounces. It’s now 9.25 ounces. Dial soap was 21 ounces, and now it’s down to 16 ounces. Gatorade bottles were once 32 ounces, but
by Nicole Dow, Veronica Matthews Cruising down the open road is a great way to get away from it all. Taking a road trip can be a cost-effective way to travel too — that is, if you do it right. Even with gas prices on the rise, driving is still cheaper than flying in most cases and especially for families. If you’re planning a road trip, be sure to take
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI am 75, and my husband is 83. I have been paying on my student loans for 16 years and the balance has gone from $200,000 to $235,000. I am on an income-driven repayment plan and work primarily to pay my loans. My IDR payment is $1,056 as of today. I also draw on Social Security. In the event that I default,
by Lisa Rowan, Rachel Christian, CEPF®Amazon Prime Day is a trap.Since 2015, Amazon has lured millions of online shoppers to its site with the promise of hot deals during its self-made shopping holiday.The problem with Prime Day? Amazon has such a variety of goods that a wide-ranging celebration like Prime Day turns it into a wasteland.How do I know what’s a good deal? How do I know what I should
by Robert BruceSenior WriterA recession may be on the way.One tell-tale sign: The U.S. economy declined by an annualized rate of 1.4% in the first quarter of 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.While unemployment is historically low and job growth is strong, gas prices are historically high and inflation is at 8.6% — the highest it’s been in 40 years. If that’s not enough, the stock market fell
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterPeople say lots of things that used to be true, like “There’s no such thing as easy money,” or “You have to spend money to make money.” Yeah, not true.Companies are willing to pay you real money for some pretty basic tasks, such as testing apps, reviewing websites and completing surveys.If you know your way around an app or a website, you can find all sorts of
by Tiffani Sherman, Rachel Christian, CEPF®Guaranteed income for life sounds like a great deal. It’s what many annuities promise, yet nothing is ever as good — or as easy — as it seems.If you’re considering purchasing an annuity to supplement your retirement income, it’s important to understand the risks, fees and restrictions involved.Let’s get started. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company where in exchange for
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Best for Simple, Fee-Free BankingU.S. Bank$100 Minimum initial depositBest for Business Interest CheckingAxos Bank$1,000Minimum initial depositBest for Fee-Free, Online-Only BankingBlueVine$0Minimum initial depositBest for New Small Business Owners Wells Fargo$25Minimum initial depositby Kathleen GarvinContributorStarting a business is an opportunity to be your own boss, make money and grow your skill set.There are also the not-so-great, somewhat messy and complicated parts about operating a business. If you start off solo or small,
by Larissa RunkleContributor Whether you’re a would-be runner, a casual jogger or even a competitive runner, chances are you’ve contemplated spending big bucks to find the best running shoes. Maybe you have existing problems with your feet or knees that could be alleviated by a good pair of stability shoes, or you might be looking for running shoes to take your pavement pounding to the next level. Whatever your reasons
