-21% – Drop in smartphone prices during the 12 months that ended September 2022 — despite the high level of general inflation. Television prices fell 18% over the same period. Better yet, large retailers have reported bloated inventories of electronics and other consumer goods that are likely to result in attractive discounts for holiday shoppers.
65.4% – Percentage of U.S. adults ages 55 to 64 who were working as of May 2022, nearly the same rate as in February 2020 (65.5%) before the pandemic. The rate dropped during the summer of 2022 due to seasonal variation, but this represents a strong and unexpected rebound for this age group. Many economists
The U.S. stock market had a banner year in 2021, with the S&P 500 index up almost 27%. Unfortunately, stocks turned downward on the second trading day of 2022 and kept sliding into a bear market.1 Stocks in the S&P 500 are classified by 11 different business sectors, each of which responds differently to economic
Record-breaking fuel prices may have you thinking about buying an electric vehicle sooner rather than later. All electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), as they’re also called, run on electric energy stored in a rechargeable battery rather than on fuel. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can run on either type of power
With the prices for gas, oil, and electricity continuing to soar across the country, consumers are facing another winter of high heating bills. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, the average cost of home heating is estimated to increase by 17.2% this season.1 Here are some tips to help you keep your heating
If you worry about your retirement investments during market downturns, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, emotions are often the enemy of sound investing. Here are some points to help you stay clear-headed during periods of market volatility. Markets Rebound Historically, even the worst bear market has bounced back and eventually gone on to reach new highs.
The importance of proper estate planning cannot be overstated, regardless of the size of your estate or the stage of life you’re in. Nevertheless, it’s surprising how many American adults haven’t put a plan in place. You might think that those who are rich and famous would be way ahead of the curve when it
In late September 2022, the U.S. dollar hit a 20-year high in an index that measures its value against six major currencies: the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Swedish krona, and the Swiss franc. At the same time, a broader inflation-adjusted index that captures a basket of 26 foreign
21.8% – The inflation-adjusted jump in charitable giving to arts, culture, and humanities in 2021, the largest increase of all categories. Source: Giving USA, 2022 Americans donated $484.85 billion to charity in 2021, a 4% increase over 2020’s record amount. Adjusted for inflation, however, the growth was a relatively flat -0.7%. For the fourth year
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable account offered by sponsors such as financial institutions, community foundations, universities, and fraternal or religious organizations. Donors who itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns can write off DAF contributions in the year they are made, then gift funds later to the charities they want to support.
