Baby Boomers

The U.S. ranks as the 23rd happiest country in the world, according to a new report from the United Nations published on Wednesday. And while that may not sound too bad, given the fact that there are 143 countries on the list, it’s a significant drop from last year when the U.S. ranked 15th. Sadly, it looks like Americans under the age of 44 are to blame for our national malaise.Oscar Issac on How Hope Plays into Leo's ArcThe study—published each year by the UN, Oxford, and Gallup—tracks global happiness on a three-year…

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesGrowing up in the age of the internet and technology, online shopping is second nature for Gen Zers.One-third, 32%, of Gen Z consumers shop online at least once a day, according to data from marketing firm Tinuiti.Yet, 80% of Gen Z drivers prefer to shop for a car in person. Only 9% prefer to do so online, according to a recent report by Cars.com, which defines Gen Z adults as those between ages 18 and 28."When we're talking about them finishing a deal in person, it means…

Colorado’s population is growing at its slowest pace on record, with domestic net migration turning negative last year and the population declines long seen on the Eastern Plains taking hold in one large Front Range county. Time will tell if the slowdown is temporary, as state demographers predict, or the start of a new trend. But Colorado’s ability to attract newcomers carries huge implications for its economic future, from filling open jobs to providing care for the surging number of older residents. “If we don’t see…

Consistently saving a small percentage of your salary is a simple way to ensure you're prepared for retirement.As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest you save 10% to 15% of your earnings. Here's a case study assuming you start with no savings, plan to retire at 65 and have investments that earn 6% annually.If you want to retire with $1 million, you'll need to invest about 9% of a salary of $70,000 starting in your 20s. Waiting until you're older will require a larger portion of your pay. If you wait until…

If your family has significant wealth, it's now easier to avoid federal estate taxes, thanks to recent changes from the IRS.The IRS improved a strategy known as "portability," used by high-net-worth married couples expecting to owe federal estate taxes when the second spouse dies.Here's how it works: While a spouse may inherit all of their partner's assets tax-free, estate taxes may be owed after the surviving spouse passes, depending on the total value.More from Personal Finance:Before you 'chase dividends,' here's what…

As the cost of living soars, one federal lawmaker wants to remove any barriers to buying Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset that currently pays 9.62% annual interest through October.Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., on Thursday sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, voicing concerns about the difficulties of buying I bonds amid rising inflation and stock market volatility. "During this inflation crisis, the Treasury Department must do more to ensure that red tape and outdated…

The demand for Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset, has skyrocketed as investors seek refuge from soaring prices and stock market volatility.While annual inflation rose by 8.6% in May — the highest rate in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — I bonds are currently paying a 9.62% annual rate through October.That's especially attractive after a rough six months for the S&P 500, which plummeted by more than 20% since January, capping its worst six-month start…

Phonlamaiphoto | Istock | Getty ImagesMonths of stock market volatility, surging inflation and rising interest rates have left many investors wondering if a recession is coming. The stock market tumbled again on Thursday, with the S&P 500 capping its worst six-month start to a year since 1970. In all, it's down more than 20% year to date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite are also down significantly since the beginning of 2022, dropping more than 15% and nearly 30%, respectively.Meanwhile, consumer…

Tom Merton | Getty ImagesIf you're a retiree on Medicare and feel the itch to travel, be sure you know whether your insurance plan can go with you.Whether you want to hit the road for a U.S.-based trip or head overseas, coverage at your destination hinges on the specifics of your Medicare plan. The nature of your care — routine or emergency — also may play a role.Just over a quarter of Americans (28%) say they've fallen ill or been hurt while vacationing, according to a recent study from personal finance website…

Eakgrunge | Istock | Getty ImagesThere's been record demand for federal Series I savings bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset, offering an eye-popping 9.62% annual return through October.However, it's not easy to buy I bonds through TreasuryDirect, a 20-year-old platform run by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, financial advisors say. "It's like going to the DMV online," said Matt Stephens, a certified financial planner with AdvicePoint in Wilmington, North Carolina, explaining how the process of…