MoneyWatch

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has a problem that’s prevalent among all resort communities where housing costs far exceed local incomes: recruiting staff. That’s because job candidates say they can’t afford to live there. While home prices and rents have soared across the country over the past year, rent and real estate prices in uber-wealthy enclaves are in a league of their …

Following its March meeting, the Federal Reserve did not change the federal funds rate, keeping the target rate at a range of 5.25-5.50%. A few months ago, many experts predicted that the Fed would start cutting rates in early 2024, but conditions have changed, with inflation being more persistent than expected. And with the Fed keeping rates high, that has …

McDonald’s will begin selling Krispy Kreme donuts at its fast food locations this year as part of a phased rollout that will bring the baked goods to its restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026. Under a partnership announced Tuesday, Krispy Kreme will deliver three versions of its donuts — glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and chocolate iced with a …

Stubborn inflation continues to be a cause for concern, with prices growing 3.2% year-over-year in February. That’s bad news for borrowers, as the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate target is currentlypaused at a 23-year highand is unlikely to decline fall until the inflation rate moves closer to the Fed’s 2% target. In turn, interest rates are likely to stay elevated …

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 …

Pet ownership has been on the rise in recent decades, with 70% of American households having a pet, up from 56% in 1988, according to the American Pet Products Association. But if you want to be a pet parent, you should be prepared for how expensive these companions can be. The average dog owner, for example, spends $4,512 per year …

Former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social began trading under the ticker “DJT” on Tuesday, putting the real estate tycoon — and his initials — at the helm of a publicly traded company once again. Trump Media & Technology Group shares soared in their second day of trading, rising $8.23, or 14.2%, to $66.22 on Wednesday. That follows a gain of …

Tax time is here, and with the majority of Americans expected to receive a tax refund, you could soon get a check for the money you’re owed by the IRS. While it’s tempting to think of your tax refund as extra spending money, it makes sense to put that cash to workinstead. And when you do, it’s important to use …

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.1 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Friday night, continuing a stretch of more than three months without a big winner. The numbers drawn were: 3, 8, 31, 35, 44, 16. The jackpot increased after a drawing for an estimated $977 million failed to produce a jackpot winner. No …

If you own a home, you may have a significant amount ofhome equity. One common way to tap into it is by using a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which can be a smart option forseveral reasons. For starters, HELOCs typically have competitive interest rates because they’re backed by collateral: your home. And, as lines of credit, a HELOC …