MoneyWatch

With inflation stubborn (if cooled) and interest rates still elevated (if paused), investors need to be more judicious than usual with how they spend their money and where they keep it. Now, especially, it’s important to put your money in assets that can offer both protection and the potential for long-term growth. One such asset that many have turned to …

Investors are facing a fair share of economic challenges right now, includingpersistent inflation and the high interest rates meant to temper it. And, there are other factors, like geopolitical conflicts and ballooning government deficits, that are further impacting the economy and the investing landscape. Today’s unusual economic climate has, in turn, led many investors to look for ways to diversify …

Saving for retirement is one of the most important money moves you can make. After all, it can be tough to live off of Social Security payments alone. For example, the average Social Security retirement benefit for January 2024 is estimated to be $1,907, according to the Social Security Administration, which may not be enough to cover all your expenses …

Borrowers hoping for some quick relief were left disappointed this week after the Federal Reserve elected to keep interest rates paused. While the benchmark interest rate range will stay the same between 5.25% and 5.50% —a 23-year high— there were indications that rate cuts could come later this year and into 2025. Against this backdrop, borrowers should remain judicious about …

When mortgage rates dropped to 3% or lower during the pandemic, buyers flocked to the market to secure cheap rates on homes. And, while the majority of these buyers were purchasing a primary home, some buyers opted to capitalize on the inexpensive borrowing landscape by purchasing a second home, whether the goal was to start a short-term rental business or …

The pandemic launched the U.S. into a period of economic uncertainty and market volatility. Rock-bottom interest rates were followed by runaway inflation and a cycle of 11 consecutive Fed rate hikes. While an unnerving environment, it proved to be beneficial for precious metal investors. “In 2020, gold rose 21% between the time COVID was announced on February 11 and the …

Not every investment is right for every investor. Multiple factors affect the value of a particular asset, including the personal financial situation of the investor, their age and their goals, both short and long-term. The timing is key and what may be beneficial for investors at one point in their life may not be as advantageous at another and vice …

JetBlue Airways is eliminating a number of unprofitable routes to destinations in the U.S. and overseas as it moves to cut costs after ajudge blocked its $3.8 billion bidfor Spirit Airlines earlier this year. The airline will also completely exit Kansas City, Missouri, and Newburgh, New York. In a statement to CBS News, the JetBlue said its removal of certain …

Trader Joe’s is recalling packages of roasted and salted whole cashews after a test from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that at least one bag tested positive for salmonella. The cashew recall marks Trader Joe’s second major recall this month. The grocery chain earlier in Marchrecalled more than 61,000 pounds of steamed chicken soup dumplingsfor possibly containing hard …

Unilever’s ownership of quirky ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is coming to the end of its sometimes rocky road. The British consumer products companysaidTuesday it plans to spin off the brand as well as its other ice cream businesses. In its announcement, Unilever said the decision is based on its board’s view that the company should focus on “superior …