Personal Finance

What Is a Cash-Back Rewards Card?

What Is a Cash-Back Rewards Card?

Key Takeaways Cash-back credit cards return a percentage of your spending as a reward.  Some cards offer flat-rate cash-back while others reward specific categories. Redemption is usually straightforward and flexible, unlike travel-focused cards. They work best when you pay your balance in full to avoid interest. What Is a Cash-Back Rewards Card? A cash-back rewards

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The Best Mid-Cap ETFs to Buy

The Best Mid-Cap ETFs to Buy

Investor attention over the past decade has concentrated on mega-cap names even as many midsized public companies have quietly held their own. The famous Magnificent 7 trade – including Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) – has been driving the market. But history suggests the

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TV’s Most Iconic Filming Locations You Can Actually Retire To—Here’s What It Costs

TV’s Most Iconic Filming Locations You Can Actually Retire To—Here’s What It Costs

Key Takeaways Housing costs vary dramatically across legendary TV towns—from $205,471 in Mount Airy, North Carolina, to $1.17 million in Pasadena, California. Retiree populations differ wildly: Mount Airy’s population is made up of 27% who are 65 and over, while Bozeman, Montana, skews younger at just 11%, meaning the availability of services for older adults

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IRS Updates Capital Gains Tax Thresholds for 2026: Here’s What’s New

IRS Updates Capital Gains Tax Thresholds for 2026: Here’s What’s New

Every year, the IRS adjusts certain tax thresholds and amounts to keep pace with inflation, and this year is no different. In addition to new tax brackets and higher standard deduction and estate limit amounts, the IRS just unveiled new income tax thresholds for capital gains in 2026. If you have investment income, these updated

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Stock Futures Point Sharply Lower; Palantir Leads Tech Share Declines

Stock Futures Point Sharply Lower; Palantir Leads Tech Share Declines

Stock futures pointed sharply lower Tuesday, with shares of Palantir Technologies leading declines even though the AI software firm reported strong quarterly results.  Futures associated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, benchmark S&P 500, and blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 1.3%, 1%, and 0.6%, respectively, a day after the indexes closed mixed. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) shares sank nearly 8%

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Your Estate Plan Isn’t Complete Until You’ve Done These Steps

Your Estate Plan Isn't Complete Until You've Done These Steps

Editor’s note: This is the fifth article in a step-by-step guide for getting your financial house in order. We’ve already brought you information on compiling your net worth statement, reviewing asset titling and beneficiary designations, the importance of powers of attorney and wills, trusts and related documents. For October, we’re addressing how to talk to

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Some Americans Aren’t Looking to Save on Household Goods—They’re ‘Trading Up’

Some Americans Aren't Looking to Save on Household Goods—They're 'Trading Up'

Key Takeaways Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive leaders said consumers are buying more high-end household staples, while sales of bargain brands cool. Both companies plan to navigate this environment by leaning into product innovations—upgrades that tend to accompany price increases. Some companies are struggling to sell basic household goods—but consumers are snatching up high-end toothpaste

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