Author: troyashbacher

Key Takeaways P2P lending may offer better returns than traditional fixed income but comes with credit, liquidity, and platform risks.Diversifying across many notes and assessing borrower credit quality helps manage default risk.P2P loans are hard to sell before maturity and may require discounts.Returns rely heavily on the platform’s integrity, fees, and loan servicing.P2P lending should be a small, diversified supplement based on clients’ risk tolerance and time horizon. Clients seeking fixed income or diversification may see Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending as a valuable option. P2P lending is online lending that connects borrowers directly with individual investors, bypassing traditional banks. Compared to…

All eyes have been on the Federal Reserve Board lately. The path of interest rates is top of mind as the Fed continues to navigate its dual mandate of keeping inflation in check and maintaining full employment, amid worries about strengthening in the former and weakening in the latter. Expect interest rate cuts this year and next, with decisions on how many and how far still taking shape.The larger question is about the path of the institution itself, as worries surface about the politicization of a central bank prized for its independence. President Donald Trump has excoriated the Fed, particularly…

This cute two piece sweatsuit set is on sale in a few colors for $39.99.  This looks so cute and comfortable and is perfect for cold or rainy weather.  Choose from grey, taupe or green at this price.  There are a few other colors priced at a few dollars more. Click here to take a look.  

A critical deadline is approaching for millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans — not open enrollment — I’m talking about expiring prepaid benefit cards. Many Medicare Advantage enrollees are issued flex cards — preloaded debit cards that can be used for certain health- and wellness-related expenses that MA plans may not cover outright. These expenses can include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and supplies, hearing, dental and vision services, and more.If your Medicare Advantage plan includes a flex card allowance, you have until the end of 2025 to use the funds. These cards operate on a “use-it-or-lose-it” basis, and any…

Lukas I. Alpert writes about the media and entertainment industries for MarketWatch. He previously worked for the Wall Street Journal, New York Daily News, New York Post and the Associated Press. In 2019, he was part of a WSJ team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. You can follow him on Twitter@lalpert1.

VOLUME 34 November 13, 2025 Summary This volume examines recent policy changes and proposals related to social media platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) that may affect online health information and explores contradictory studies on COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. Additionally, it shares other updates relevant to health communicators, including ACOG guidance on contraceptive misinformation, an alternative to the CDC’s MMWR, and the Texas AG’s lawsuit against Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson over Tylenol use during pregnancy. Lastly, it highlights a release from a recent KFF Tracking Poll, which finds that use of health care apps or websites to manage health care…

(Image credit: Getty Images)A quality cell phone plan can help older adults stay connected with loved ones, access important information on the go and call for help in an emergency, making it an important safety precaution as well as a modern necessity.With the Mint Mobile 55+ plan, you can get unlimited talk and text and 5 GB of data for just $15 per month. The plan runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide network and offers key benefits like free scam protection and international calling.Before you sign up, we’ll help you review your phone habits and data usage and walk you through the…

High-yield savings account and one-year CD rates were unchanged from yesterday. Top accounts remain competitive.The average high-yield savings APY is 3.89% (unchanged from yesterday).The average 1-year high-yield CD APY is 3.78% (unchanged from yesterday).How high-yield averages are calculatedThe national average rates are 0.40% for savings accounts and 1.68% for one-year CDs.Banks can adjust deposit rates on savings accounts and newly issued CDs at any time, but broader shifts to the entire savings landscape tend to be gradual. If you’re shopping for a better yield, compare savings accounts side-by-side and consider locking some funds in a CD if you want to…

Key Takeaways Wholesale turkey prices have surged about 40% because of avian flu, but retailers are still offering deep discounts on turkeys. Despite the rise in turkey prices, overall Thanksgiving meal costs are expected to be 2% to 3% lower than last year, especially for shoppers who choose store brands. This Thanksgiving, you might have to splurge a bit more on the turkey, but you can still buy the rest of your meal on a budget. A recent analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation, an agricultural industry group, found that wholesale turkey prices have increased about 40% from last…

The IRS announced the 2026 benefit and contribution limits for qualified retirement plans, including contribution limits for Sec. 401(k) plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) Thursday, increasing the limit for 401(k) plans by $1,000. Notice 2025-67 includes updates to dollar limits for a range of qualified retirement plans and accounts, including traditional and Roth IRAs. The amount that individuals can contribute to 401(k) plans will increase to $24,500 in 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. The new amount also applies to Sec. 403(b) and most Sec. 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan. The limit on annual…