There’s been a lot of focus on gold lately as prices continue to set record highs in 2024. But gold isn’t the only commodity soaring in price. Due to events that have impacted global and domestic supply and demand, a handful of other metals are also increasing in value and challenging all-time highs of their own. These metals — like silver, copper and aluminum — are flying under the radar while experiencing price surges that might have investors considering opportunities beyond gold. Why are copper prices rising? Demand for copper in China and the U.S. is climbing, and because the principal d ..read more

Think you know your stuff when it comes to retirement? Big if true, because according to a recent report, the average U.S. adult cannot pass a short retirement fluency test. TIAA Institute, a think tank within the financial services company TIAA, distributed a five-question quiz on retirement basics to nearly 4,000 adults in January — and on average, respondents scored just 40%. The percentage of people who answered zero questions correctly (19%) was about the same as those who answered four or more correctly (17%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, higher retirement confidence correlated to better tes ..read more

After setting a record high at the end of last year, the price of gold once again hit an all-time high in April. Amid the surge in prices, investors are showing renewed interest in the precious metal, which can be used to diversify portfolios, hedge against inflation and provide peace of mind as an asset that retains its value better than other asset classes. However, before investing in gold, it’s important to understand which approach best suits your needs, whether that means purchasing physical gold from a bullion dealer, opening a gold individual retirement account (IRA) or adding gold min ..read more

Being aware of the crime trends where you live can mean the difference between successfully or unsuccessfully preventing or managing incidents if they happen in your home, as well as deciding on moving into a community or not. It can also help you determine if you need a security system and the type that would be most appropriate for your home. Read our guide to learn how to check crime rates in your area, as well as the different types of resources you can access to help you get a sense of how safe your community is. And if it turns out the area has concerning levels of criminal activity and ..read more

Experts have debated the future of bitcoin since the first institutional money began trickling into the cryptocurrency market. Regardless of whether people are bullish or bearish on the digital currency, it’s clear that investors are still excited about the opportunities it presents. And the next of those — the bitcoin halving event slated for this week — is keeping that excitement high. Going into 2024, there were two events that crypto enthusiasts predicted would bolster bitcoin prices and drive a rekindled interest in the market. One of these was the approval of bitcoin ETFs in January. Tha ..read more

Americans now require more money than ever before to accept a job offer. On average, the lowest salary U.S. job seekers are willing to accept in order to take on a new job is $81,822, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This reading of the so-called “reservation wage” is the highest in the survey’s 10-year history. This time last year, that figure was just under $76,000 — a difference of $6,011. The spike in the reservation wage suggests that, after years of dealing with elevated inflation, Americans are starting to demand higher starting pay. While the reservation ..read more

A 22% year-over-year increase in auto insurance costs is pushing more car owners to shop around for cheaper policies — or sometimes to take even more drastic measures. More customers are shopping around and switching auto insurance companies so far this year, indicating that folks are finding better — or cheaper — alternatives to their previous insurers, according to a new report from J.D. Power and TransUnion. Another (more surprising) effect of the surge in car insurance costs is a trend of drivers returning newly-purchased cars upon realizing that their monthly vehicle costs are too high wh ..read more

Adding a cosigner to your personal loan application could significantly improve your chances of approval, especially if your cosigner has a strong credit history. A cosigner could also help you qualify for a lower interest rate and a larger total loan amount. However, a personal loan with a cosigner is a bit trickier to find and apply for than a typical personal loan. Read on to learn more about how to get a personal loan with a cosigner. What is a cosigner? A cosigner on a personal loan is someone who shares legal responsibility for the loan repayment, but does not have access to the loan fu ..read more

From the lack of affordable housing to the cost of higher education, members of the millennial and Gen Z generations face a slew of obstacles to building personal wealth. A recent report shows that many of them are trying to “hack” their way to their financial goals as a result. Insurance marketplace Policygenius surveyed roughly 4,000 U.S. adults in October, finding that millennials and Gen Zers are employing creative strategies, some popularized by social media, in an attempt to get a financial foothold. 6 widely attempted money ‘hacks’ Policygenius asked respondents whether they have tried ..read more

The Costco shopping experience is now a global phenomenon, with consumers now able to enjoy the wholesale chain’s bulk-shopping discounts and $1.50 hot dogs across the U.S. and in places like Taiwan, Japan and Australia. The company continues to shake up that experience, too. Not only does it manufacture many of its own goods under the Kirkland Signature brand, but it recently began selling gold bars. And as the price of the precious metal hit a new all-time high again this month, the new product offering has been well received by members. Costco’s foray into precious metals has generated eye ..read more