How to get the best mortgage rates as 30-year fixed nears 1-year low

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage notched its biggest one-day drop in more than a year on Friday.  Although mortgage rates are now at their lowest level since October, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is still just around 6.29%, according to Mortgage News Daily — a big leap from the under […]

How to invest in gold amid the precious metal’s record run

Gold prices notched another fresh record this week as more investors piled into the metal amid economic uncertainty and rising bets for a Federal Reserve rate cut. So far this year, bullion has gained about 35% as of Friday’s close. Spot gold is now near $3,600 an ounce. “Without a doubt, gold has been trending higher, and it’s […]

How to prepare for a mortgage refinance, according to experts

Sdi Productions | E+ | Getty Images Mortgage rates have declined in recent months, and with the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut this fall, it’s smart for homeowners with high interest rates to start preparing for the opportunity to refinance, experts say. Last week, mortgage rates slightly edged higher. According to the Mortgage […]

How to lower capital gains on home sales as Trump eyes ending the tax

Martin Barraud | Ojo Images | Getty Images As President Donald Trump weighs ending capital gains taxes on home sales to bolster the housing market, experts say it’s possible to lower your bill without legislative changes. When asked about the idea this week in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters, “we’re thinking about that.” Under […]

How beauty expenses affect your finances

Katie Gatti Tassin Courtesy: Katie Gatti Tassin There are many unique hurdles that women face when it comes to money, such as the wage gap and caregiving responsibilities. Yet, there’s another challenge in women’s financial lives that is less-discussed — beauty costs, which can be an “insidious force in women’s financial lives,” said Katie Gatti […]

How to recover financially as school year ends

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc | DigitalVision | Getty Images It’s officially “Maycember,” a term making the rounds on social media to sum up the chaos and high costs of May — which mimic those of December, minus the holiday cheer. Although May is typically a month of endings and new beginnings, inflation and social pressure […]

How to pay college tuition bills with your 529 plan

Largely due to President Donald Trump‘s changing tariff policies, markets have been on a rollercoaster ride since April. Although the S&P 500 has largely rebounded from last month’s lows, some families who have been diligently saving for future college costs may still see their 529 college savings plan balance hasn’t fully recovered. For those with tuition […]

How to turn your stock market losses into a tax-savings windfall

Even sharp market sell-offs can have a silver lining for investors. Beyond today’s dollar losses, they may offer an opportunity to boost tax savings tomorrow. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs sent the major averages on a wild ride, spurring worries of stubborn inflation on one hand and heightened recession risk on […]