Author: troyashbacher

Estate tax planning may be key for many retirees, yet it’s anything but easy. Between the complexities of federal estate rules and the patchwork of states imposing their own inheritance and estate taxes, the colloquially named “death tax” continues to haunt wealth transfer strategies to this day.But if you can master the IRS rules governing estate taxes, you may find powerful ways to save more money for your heirs. Use this quiz to test your knowledge of 2026 federal estate tax rules, with a bonus question at the end on estate taxes for states.(Remember, always consult with a qualified tax…

Property taxes. All homeowners pay them, but no one enjoys writing the check. That annoyance might change soon, however. Retirees in seven lucky states could see new property tax relief take effect in 2026, offering a very real chance of significantly lowering their annual tax bill.To find these opportunities, Kiplinger searched for recently proposed or new property tax relief taking effect next year, focusing exclusively on states with significant legislation that included homeowners aged 55 and older.Here are the seven states offering new or proposed property tax relief for retirement-aged adults in 2026. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed a modest uptick in inflation, but the data on price growth are muddied considering October figures were not collected due to the record-long government shutdown.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, headline CPI was up 0.2% from September to November, slower than the 0.3% month-over-month rise seen in September and matching economists’ expectations.The CPI was 2.7% higher year over year, below September’s 3.0% rise and the 3.0% increase economists anticipated. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99,…

Rates moved a little lower today, but we could see more of a drop soon.The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage ticked down to 6.08% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is five basis points lower than yesterday and two basis points higher than a week ago. (See our chart below for more specifics.) A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point.Why the potential for downward momentum? This morning the Bureau of Labor Statistics released November’s Consumer Price Index. Markets anticipated that this could be an especially bad report, with a 3.1%…

Tilray and Canopy Growth shares are among big gainers Thursday.

(Image credit: Getty Images)One of the great privileges of retirement is being able to give back.After years of saving, working and providing for family, many people find generosity becomes one of life’s most meaningful pursuits.Whether you’re supporting your church, backing medical research or helping your community thrive, giving brings joy and purpose. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes,…

Last Updated: Dec. 18, 2025 at 8:21 a.m. ETFirst Published: Dec. 18, 2025 at 6:52 a.m. ETDo one thing in 2026 as an investor? Be open to “maybe,” says a research firm whose founder who nailed diet drugs and AI themes early. “While there’s a laundry list of things I wish I had done differently since the market bottomed in October 2022, I know that the only reason I’ve more than tripled my money since then is because I was open to maybe,” says Citrini Research in its just-released trades for 2026. “Maybe the hyperscalers will actually be fine if rates are…

(Image credit: Getty Images)The stock market is hitting record highs again.Nvidia recently crossed $5 trillion. OpenAI is eyeing a $1 trillion IPO (although going public doesn’t appear to be its biggest priority). In 2025, AI and semiconductor ETFs exploded — a classic late-stage sign of market fever.But on the ground, the real economy isn’t giving people that same lift in their everyday lives. Inflation may have slowed overall, but the cost of essentials — food, housing and especially health care — is still climbing, and consumers feel it every day. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a…

This week, I am thankful: for the snow We got a few inches of snow this past weekend and oooooh, my snow-loving heart was happy. I went out for a walk it in and appreciated all the ways a coating of snow makes a winter world so much more beautiful. Also: after I got back from my walk, a brilliant blue sky appeared and oh, I love the combo of a snowy world and a blue sky. It was like this one day during my last ski trip at Lake Tahoe, and I thought the beauty was unbelievable.  Isn’t that…

Dave:The Fed cut rates again yesterday. They also at the same time announced a new measure that they typically reserve for more emergency style crises that seems to be somehow flying under the radar. But today we’re gonna unpack it, all of it. We’re gonna talk about the Fed’s announcement, some of the details behind the scenes that gives us clues about what might happen next year, the announcement of this new tactic meant to stabilize the economy. And on top of all the Fed news, we’ll also share the most recent housing market data that gives us some clues…