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How to pay off delinquent credit card debt: When does it make sense to settle?
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Indebtedness is something many Americans are familiar with. Repaying credit card debt can be a challenge when financial pressures persist. Job loss is a common cause of financial difficulty that can lead to delinquency. Falling behind on payments intensifies the problem as fees and interest hit accounts. More Americans are facing this challenge, with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York re...
I Asked ChatGPT If I Should Work While Getting Social Security: Here’s What It Said
Social Security is a fact of life for many retired Americans. Over 57 million Americans aged 65 or over receive monthly benefits, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Unfortunately, benefits may not be enough to maintain your lifestyle. If your personal finances are fine, you may desire to return to the workforce for social connections.
Deciding to return to work is often as personal as the decision to receive benefits. In light of this, GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT if you s...
5 Money Habits That Can Destroy Middle-Class Retirees’ Finances
“What’s my number?” is a common question many soon-to-be retirees ask themselves as they plan their golden years. The answer helps guide retirement planning and gives retirees an idea of what post-life work will look like.
Various poor money habits can derail even the best of planning, making retirement living challenging. Living the kind of life you want is possible, but it’s necessary to avoid certain financial habits.
GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT what money habits can sabotage finances for...
I Asked ChatGPT How To Retire Rich Making Less Than $100K a Year: Here’s What It Said
Earning a six-figure salary isn’t necessary to retire rich. You can retire wealthy, even on a modest income, though it does take commitment and planning.
GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT how to retire rich if you earn under $100,000 annually. Overall, the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool provided a clear path to attaining a wealthy status, but it emphasized that it all begins with defining what “rich” means to you. Here’s what the chatbot said to do after making your determination.
Al...
4 Tesla Charging Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands
Despite recent difficulties, Tesla is still the top option in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Tesla owners don’t need to purchase gas, but they do have to pay to charge their cars. Charging a Tesla battery must be done wisely.
Replacing the lithium-ion battery can cost at least $13,000, according to J.D. Power. The publication also stated that the automaker warranties most batteries for at least eight years.
Following unwise charging practices can seriously impact the battery’s lifespan, co...
6 Stocks Where a $1,000 Investment Would’ve Made You a Millionaire
Despite recent turmoil, the stock market remains one of the most effective ways for most Americans to build wealth. It’s common for Americans to believe you need large sums of money to invest in the stock market. That’s not the case.
Thanks to online brokerages, you can often invest with as little as you want. Over time, that beginning investment can grow into great wealth. Even an investment of $1,000 can turn into millions with the right mindset.
Buy-and-hold investing is usually touted as ...
Trump Tariffs Could Spike Car Insurance Rates by 280% — Here’s Why
Tariffs have dominated the headlines since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. One area where many Americans have monitored tariff impact is with automobiles. It’s understandable, as cars are a major purchase for most. One unfortunate side effect of Trump’s auto tariffs is they are driving up the costs of auto insurance.
Inflationary pressures have made auto insurance increasingly expensive for Americans, according to Yahoo Finance. Worse yet, a recent report from Insur...
Over a Third of Americans Are Spending More Due to Stress About the Economy: 5 Ways You Can Avoid It
The economy is currently facing headwinds in the minds of many Americans. The Index of Consumer Sentiment is down 14% year-over-year, and inflation numbers continue to concern many.
A recent LendingTree survey reveals an interesting finding: Some people are spending more due to the uncertainty. The survey found that 38% of Americans said that the stress of the current financial unease is causing them to spend more.
Here are five practical ways to avoid overspending if the unstable economy has...
Last-minute travel savings: How to save with your credit card
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Traveling last-minute can be a hassle. A last-minute trip often means making spontaneous travel plans that require quick decisions and resourceful planning. You may have limited choices, and those that are available may be too costly for your budget. Using a travel credit card can be a good way to reduce that stress without infringing on the trip, but it’s easy to forgo savings without a p...
6 Stocks That Turned $1,000 Initial Investments Into Millions by Mid-2025
It seems unlikely, but a well-timed investment of just $1,000 can make anyone a millionaire. Certainly not every investment will turn to gold, but for investors seeking opportunities in initial public offerings (IPOs), such as Nvidia and Apple, some have turned that relatively small investment into millions over the years.
Not every IPO is successful. Only 46% of U.S.-based IPOs manage positive first-day returns, according to Ernst & Young. Investing in stocks is already risky, but investing ...
If You’re Not Investing Part of Every Paycheck, You’re Falling Behind: 5 Ways To Get Started Now
Investing for the future can feel like it’s something you can put off until you have enough resources. Although understandable, this sentiment poses challenges for many Americans who dream of a stable retirement.
Having a massive surplus of money to invest isn’t necessary to begin investing. Setting aside funds from each paycheck is essential. According to Fidelity, time in the market is most important, not the amount you start with. Here are five ways to start investing now, even on a limite...
What Barbara Corcoran’s Risky Email Can Teach You About Negotiating Like a Shark
Negotiating can instill nervousness in many people. You risk rejection or entirely missing out on an opportunity. “Shark Tank” famed host, Barbara Corcoran, recently posted on her LinkedIn about how she snagged the role on the popular show.
She was initially not the first choice for “Shark Tank.” The producer, Mark Burnett, chose another person. Taking a gutsy move, Corcoran sent a risky email to Burnett explaining why she deserved the role instead. Here’s what others can learn from the Corco...
10 Cheapest States To Buy and Own a Home (Even in This Economy)
Owning a home is as American as apple pie. Although purchasing a house is a major component of the American Dream, it’s becoming increasingly difficult. The current state of the economy presents significant problems for Americans wanting to buy a home or upgrade.
Unfortunately, economic issues are multilayered, so interested parties must juggle multiple challenges. For example, interest rates remain stubbornly high. Rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage are roughly 4% higher than they were ...
Social Security’s Future: 5 Backup Income Sources Every Retiree Should Consider
Potential cuts to Social Security benefits understandably concerns many retirees. Social Security often comprises a significant portion of income for its near 58 million recipients, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). A reported insolvency in seven years may create growing unease for those depending on monthly benefits.
Dual-earning couples may see an $18,100 annual reduction in benefits, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB). Amounts can vary d...
5 Assets To Replace Your Paycheck, According to Jaspreet Singh
Waning job satisfaction or the desire for more out of life may drive many Americans to ditch their job. Leaving the 9-to-5 grind is understandable, but replacing your paycheck with other income is necessary to continue to pay bills. In a recent YouTube video, personal finance expert Jaspreet Singh shared five assets Americans can pursue that could provide sufficient investment income to leave their job.
It sounds pie in the sky, but it is possible. “This is not going to be easy. It’s not goin...