MoneyWatch

March is drawing to an end and spring is in full swing. While the season change may provide a breath of fresh air, it may also come with new expenses. If you need to make home repairs, cover the cost of a wedding or pay for a wide range of potential expenses, you may be looking for the most affordable …

With the Federal Reserve once again holding rates steady following its March meeting, savers have a continued opportunity to benefit from high interest rates on certificates of deposit (CD) accounts. In today’s environment, savers can find CDs paying above a 5% annual percentage yield (APY). However, the Fed still foresees three rate cuts happening later this year, and that could …

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has officially gone country with the release Friday of her new album, “Cowboy Carter.” The Houston native’s eighth album features 27 song tracks and guest appearances from some of country music’s biggest stars, including Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, whose 1973 hit “Jolene” is one of two covers featured. “I think people are going to be …

Debt-to-income (DTI) ratios probably aren’t something many people think about often. But it’s important not to discount this ratio and the impact it can have on your financial stability. After all, your DTI ratio typically plays a significant role in your ability to access loans – or lack thereof. Calculated by dividing your total monthly loan payment obligations by your …

If you’re dealing with mounting credit card debt, you may be looking for ways to pay it off quickly. After all, today’s high interest rate environment means your minimum payments are likely higher now than they have been in the past. But it’s important to understand that when you make the minimum payments, most of your payment goes toward interest …

Having the right mix of investments and savings is a crucial part of preparing for retirement. After all, most Americans say they’ll need about $1.8 million to retire, according to a recent survey by Charles Schwab. If you expect to need anything close to that amount for retirement, you’ll need to put away hefty amounts of money and make good …

Thanks to inflation, high interest rates and overall economic uncertainty, many Americans have looked toward precious metals in recent years. These investments often provide a low-risk way to both protect wealth and, in many cases, even grow it. Interest in precious metals has grown so much that even big-box stores like Costco have begun selling gold and silver bars and …

When purchasing insurance, the timing is key. If you wait too long, premiums may rise and the cost of coverage may become prohibitive. But if you get started too early, you could wind up paying for protection you can’t use and don’t need. This timing is particularly important to get right with some lesser-known insurance types, like pet insurance for …

The collapse ofBaltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday after being struck by a cargo ship has raised questions about who owns and manages the ship, as well as on the potential impact on one the busiest ports in the U.S. Called the Dali, the 948-foot vessel that hit the bridge is managed by Synergy Marine Group, a Singapore-based company …

With Americans living longer and spending more years in retirement, the nation’s changing demographics are “putting the U.S. retirement system under immense strain,” according to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in his annual shareholder letter. One way to fix it, he suggests, is for Americans to consider working longer before they head into retirement. “No one should have to work longer …