Markets
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‘I’m 62 and ready for my golden years’: I’ve $1.7 million in annuities, Roths and index funds. Can I afford to never work again?
I’m going to preface this by saying that I know I am in a great long-term position. It’s the short term that is of concern. I am 62, single with no dependents. I own my smallish home outright and it’s worth $1 million due to the location. I own my car outright and I have…
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Cash-back credit cards vs. travel-rewards cards: Which one gives you the most bang for your buck?
Hello and welcome to Financial Face-off, a MarketWatch column where we help you weigh a financial decision. Our columnist will give her verdict. Tell us whether you think she’s right in the comments. And please share your suggestions for future Financial Face-off columns by emailing our columnist at [email protected]. Vacation season is here and it’s…
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How many working Americans need food stamps? The answer may surprise you.
The debt-ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the weekend contains many compromises for both Republicans and Democrats. Those include changes to the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as the food-stamp program. “The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis, a default, for the first time in…
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‘I’m 63 and desperately hate my work’: Should I pay off my mortgage, claim Social Security and quit my job?
Dear Quentin, I’m 63 and desperately hate my work. I’ve had the same job for the last 19 years and every day I’m there, I just want to quit. I have $330,000 in cash and investments, $30,000 in my employer’s retirement fund and a remaining mortgage of $83,000. The payment (including property taxes) is $1,255…
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Beyond OpenAI: 7 promising startups that have saved lives, sped up drug development and improved manufacturing
OpenAI is stealing the spotlight as the definitive artificial-intelligence startup — for now. Backed by Microsoft Corp. MSFT, +0.85%, the progenitor of ChatGPT-4 has become the focus of the AI wave, but other AI startups are emerging in fields including healthcare, education and manufacturing. Based on recent interviews with venture capitalists and tech executives in…
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Here’s everything new coming to Amazon’s Prime Video in June 2023
From killer robots to spies to rom-coms, Amazon’s Prime Video has a little bit of everything in June 2023. “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” (June 30), returns for its fourth and final season, with John Krasinski’s Jack Ryan now the acting deputy director of the CIA who uncovers deep corruption and a deadly conspiracy within the…
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Almost half of today’s working households are at risk of a lower standard of living in retirement
The Center for Retirement Research first released its National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) in 2006. The goal was to summarize in a single number the extent to which today’s workers would be prepared for retirement. The Index uses the Federal Reserve’s triennial undefined to compare projected replacement rates — retirement income as a percentage of…
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Five college towns worth staying put in after graduation
Your diploma has been framed, the cap and gown are in storage, and you’ve been to more going-away parties than you can count. Now, where to focus that job hunt and narrow down where to live after graduation? If your destination wish list includes lots of culture, a smaller-town feel and football Saturdays (you’re never…
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I want to retire somewhere scenic with low taxes and near a big airport. Where should I go?
I’ll be retiring at 55 in three years with a $60,000 a year pension. Can you help me find an area that meets my requirements and secondary wish list? Driving distance to big airport Great weather for arthritis (I like Las Vegas) Low or no taxes on a pension I will have about $125,000 to…
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ChatGPT acts like a devious coworker: ‘It doesn’t own mistakes, but it admits them when you point them out’
Roni Rosenfeld said he would never dream of using ChatGPT at work, but he understands how it could be tempting, and — yes — even useful for others. Maybe. Just don’t expect it to be accurate, uphold your company’s policies, or even do exactly what it’s told. ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence search engine, is a…