Author: troyashbacher

Determining what to look for in a cell phone service is harder than it should be, thanks to the slew of providers and plans on the market. The best cell phone plan for you will depend on your needs. Ask yourself (and answer) these questions to nab your top plan, and hopefully lower your cell phone bill.Which cellular network works best in your area?When it comes to the usability of your cell phone, signal quality matters most, and that quality can vary based on your location. If you’re unhappy with the quality of your current connection, check coverage maps and…

While having $2,000 saved is still well below the amount financial planners recommend for a full emergency fund, surveys show that it is a critical threshold for people’s financial well-being. Here’s why.

Focus Financial, which has worked to unify its national footprint of advisors, is rolling out a new advisor and client wealth portal for its $95.9 billion Focus Partners Wealth division.Some Focus Partners Wealth advisors are using the new financial planning-focused portal, which the firm refers to as an Advisor Hub, with clients being given access to a Wealth Management Client Portal. The initial program is being tested by advisors formerly with Buckingham Strategic Partners, which was rebranded along with The Colony Group and other firms that joined the entity earlier this year. Focus will work to make the portal available…

Chip Somodevilla | Getty ImagesIn Google’s IPO prospectus 21 years ago, founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin gave a flattering nod to Warren Buffett, suggesting in their letter to prospective investors that the billionaire investor was a big influence.They titled their founders’ letter, “‘An owner’s manual’ for Google’s shareholders,” and indicated that there was a footnote worth reading.”Much of this was inspired by Warren Buffett’s essays in his annual reports and his ‘An Owner’s Manual’ to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders,” the footnote said.More than two decades later, Buffett is showing that the admiration goes both ways. Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett’s holding company,…

Key Takeaways Alphabet stock rose on Monday after Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run by Warren Buffett, revealed it took a stake worth nearly $5 billion in the Google parent last quarter.Alphabet stock is up about 50% since the start of the year, making it an unusual purchase for value-focused Berkshire.The majority of Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Alphabet’s stock, with many raising their price targets after its better-than-expected earnings report last month. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is making a big bet on one of the hottest tech stocks. Berkshire (BRK.A)(BRK.B) purchased 17.8 million shares of Alphabet’s Class A stock…

Key Takeaways Millions of Americans ages 65 and older are opting to rent instead of buy, according to a study.High costs and responsibilities of homeownership are the driving factors for retirees looking to rent.Florida, Tennessee, and Texas are popular states for retiree renters.An area’s transportation and healthcare services are primary motivations when older adults select a new hometown. Gone are the days when our grandparents remained nestled in the homes where they had raised our parents, snuggled in with memories and living out their years in properties long paid off. The number of seniors age 65 and older who packed…

Bond funds had their worst calendar-year return in several decades in 2022. The broad market index was down 13% that year, while the S&P 500 was down 18%. People were disappointed that bonds didn’t hold up when stocks were down. They’re doubly disappointed that bonds still haven’t fully recovered from the losses in 2022 as of mid-November 2025, while stocks have not only recovered but are up nearly 50% since then. Bond Fund Performance 2022-2025 Rightly or wrongly, people blame bond funds for this loss. They think they would’ve avoided the loss if they had a bond ladder, because every…

There is another pj deal from Target.  I think this might be the lowest we see pjs go – there was 40% off a few weeks ago but if you missed that sale, this might be the next best sale.  You can save 30% off on styles for the whole family- including the matching sets.  This girls set is so cute for $11.  I did get the Auden flannel set recently– it is very lightweight and soft and I have been looking forward to wearing that set but it is constantly in the hamper because my girls keep stealing it. …

The United Club in Hong Kong reopened October 2025, following years of closure that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s far from the fanciest lounge at the airport, it’s a nice spot with plenty of seating for United Airlines travelers to hang out ahead of their flights.The lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) offers nearly 6,000 square feet of space. Its reopening comes as United launches flights from the U.S. to Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, via Hong Kong. That means passengers will fly from either San Francisco or Los Angeles to Hong Kong before…

FIRECracker is a world-travelling early retiree. She used to live in one of the most expensive cities in Canada, but instead of drowning in debt, she rejected home ownership. What resulted was a 7-figure portfolio, which has allowed her and her husband to retire at 31 and travel the world. Their story has been featured on CBC, the Huffington Post, CNBC, BNN, Business Insider, and Yahoo Finance. To date, it is the most shared story in CBC history and their viral video on CBC’s On the Money has garnered 4.5 Million views.Latest posts by FIRECracker (see all)Photo by DrKontogianniIVF @…