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☆ 'How much money do you make?': Here's how to answer that question on a date, according to a dating coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

But, because finances are an important part of compatibility, many singles want to know upfront whether a potential match has similar spending and saving habits to them, says Nashville-based dating coach Kelsey Wonderlin. Wonderlin has counseled about 200 singles and says most care about the salary of their date if they are looking for a long term partnership. "A lot of my clients, who tend to be women in finance, say 'I want someone who can keep up with my lifestyle,'" she says. While some singles possess the skills to subtly ask about money, there are those who might outright ask about your salary. If you encounter this question and aren't comfortable answering, there are a few ways you can respond, dating experts say.

Persons: Kelsey Wonderlin, Wonderlin Locations: Nashville

☆ Koalas are up power poles, on roads, in schools. Why the outlook for Australia’s listed icons remains ‘poor’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-28 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

In 2022, a 10-year national recovery plan was launched to stop the decline in numbers and improve the size, quality and connectivity of koala habitat in the listed areas. “I often think, ‘Am I sitting here, seeing the last of Queensland koalas filtering through, as I work with them?’”One of three subspecies, Queensland koalas are smaller and grayer than their southern cousins, and are the kind often seen in photos with celebrities and foreign dignitaries. “Aussies would be horrified to know that we are bulldozing koala habitat at the rate that we are,” she said. Koala habitat squeezed in citiesWith a human population of 2.5 million, Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-growing capital cities. Declining numbersMost of the ambition for vast tracts of new koala habitat in Queensland lies outside Brisbane’s established inner-city suburbs.

Persons: Sophia Windsor, ”, ” Sophia Windsor, Sophia Windsor Koalas, they’re, Max, Sue Minter Walter, Hilary Whiteman, telltale, Kelly Batten, “, John Knights, United Kingdom who’s, CNN He’s, he’s, Knights, Murray Chambers, CNN Murray Chambers, “ You’ve, Chambers, “ We’re, Trent, Windsor, Tim Portas, ” Portas, ‘, Japan's Naomi Osaka, Patrick Hamilton, Natalie Frost, Paul Hilton, Gemma Plesman, Frost, Jo Murray, ” Murray, Residents Jo Murray, Colleen Holland, woodcutters, –, Garth Nolah, Karin Machell, Beau, Louis, can’t, Murray, they’ve, CNN’s, Bill Ellis, Adrian Schrinner, Council Ellis, we’ll, I’m, It’s, CNN Trent’s, Australia – Windsor, ” Windsor, reckons he’s, They’re Organizations: Australia CNN, Wallabies, CNN, Brisbane, Olympic Games, Windsor, Knights, Koala Rescue, RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, RSPCA Queensland National, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Department of Environment, Science, Lone Pine, Brisbane International, Getty, Koalas Fund, Queensland Conservation, Greenpeace, Greenpeace Greenpeace, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Residents, NBA, Moreton Bay Council, Council, University of Queensland, Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Lord, Gravatt, Mount Gravatt Outlook, Reserve Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Queensland, Australia’s, Windsor, backyards, Tarragindi, Toohey Forest, United Kingdom, Koala, ”, New South Wales, South East Queensland, Lone, AFP, Wamuran, Mulga, city’s, Lawnton, Brisbane’s, Moreton, Moreton Bay, ” Moreton, Brisbane City, “ Brisbane, Trent, Australian, Whites

☆ 36-year-old’s Etsy side hustle brings in $220,000 a year—and costs under $40 to start: ‘You really can make a very good living’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

She started a print-on-demand shop, using Canva software to create designs for Etsy-friendly products like T-shirts and candles. Last year, Odio-Sutton opened a second Etsy shop — selling downloadable event materials, like sign-up sheets and schedule templates — that's brought in $17,200 in sales so far in 2024. I'll batch design 10 candle labels one day, then make the listings for them on Etsy the next day. I follow what I'd call a template method: I do a lot of black-and-white designs, a lot of plain text. Then, if I have a template that sells really well, I'll just go in and swap in new words.

Persons: they've, Emily Odio, Sutton, She'd, She's, that's, —, I'm Organizations: CNBC, Gold City Ventures Locations: Melbourne , Florida, Sutton, Odio, U.S

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowWhat Are Today's Mortgage Refinance Rates? See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. Current 30-Year Mortgage RatesAverage 30-year mortgage rates are hovering around 5.80%, according to Zillow data. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile. But now that inflation has decelerated and the Fed is expected to cut rates soon, mortgage rates have trended down.

Persons: they've, Lawrence Yun, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Federal, National Association of Realtors, Zillow, Fed, Mortgage, Association, ARM, . Government Locations: Chevron, Government

☆ Eric Adams expected to face charges and A's play their last game in Oakland: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Elizabeth Robinson | Elizabeth Robinson Is A Newsletter Editor For Nbc News | Based In Los Angeles. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

New York Mayor Eric Adams is set to face federal charges. And the Oakland A’s play their last game in the city they’ve called home for over 50 years. New York Mayor Eric Adams expected to face federal chargesNew York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted and is expected to be charged today by prosecutors out of the Southern District of New York, two sources familiar with the matter said. More coverage of Eric Adams:Calls grew for Adams to resign, including from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and more. Two abandoned Los Angeles mansions owned by a Hollywood producer are covered in graffiti , drawing ire from neighbors and condemnation from city officials.

Persons: Eric Adams, Hurricane Helene, Adams, ”, “, Alexandria Ocasio, Brad Lander, Florida Hurricane Helene, Helene, Harris, Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy —, Donald Trump, Trump, It’s, Joe Biden, David McNew, Oakland, Ezra Shaw, they’ve, John Fisher, — revile Fisher, David K, Li, Dana Varinsky, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: York, Oakland, New York, Southern, of, FBI, Turkish Consulate, NYPD, Rep, Florida Hurricane, NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Tallahassee International, United, European Union, Hezbollah, Zelenskyy, White House, U.S, Democratic, Secret, Trump, An, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, Athletics, NBC Locations: Florida, of New York, Brooklyn, Turkish, Alexandria, Cortez , New York City, Hurricane, Tennessee, Tallahassee, Israel, Lebanon, United States, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine, Douglas , Arizona, An Alabama, California, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Saudi, San Francisco Bay, Las Vegas, Sacramento

☆ South Korea to criminalize watching or possessing sexually explicit deepfakes
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters —South Korean lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that criminalizes possessing or watching sexually explicit deepfake images and videos, with penalties set to include prison terms and fines. There has been an outcry in South Korea over Telegram group chats where sexually explicit and illegal deepfakes were created and widely shared, prompting calls for tougher punishment. Currently, making sexually explicit deepfakes with the intention of distributing them is punishable by five years in prison or a fine of 50 million won ($37,900) under the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act. Earlier this month, police launched an investigation into Telegram that will look at whether the encrypted messaging app has been complicit in the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content. Earlier this year, social media platform X blocked users from searching for Taylor Swift after fake sexually explicit images of the pop singer proliferated on social media.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Taylor Swift Organizations: Reuters, South, Telegram Locations: South Korea

☆ Microsoft just punted on a big AI decision. It could be a bad sign.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Ashley Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewMicrosoft has pressed pause on a major AI overhaul of its popular 365 software suite, according to people familiar with the matter. CEO Satya Nadella and his senior leadership team held executive reviews this summer to consider options that included repackaging new AI features into existing licenses or creating a more expensive bundle with AI capabilities. Other changes Microsoft is considering for its 365 software bundles is a new suite just for security features, the people also said. In recent months, some customers and investors have begun to question the value of generative AI technology, including Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant tool. That's in addition to the monthly cost of Microsoft's 365 software bundles.

Persons: —, Satya Nadella, OpenAI's, It's, Judson Althoff Organizations: Service, Business, Microsoft, Chief, Vodafone, Amgen, Microsoft's Productivity, Processes

☆ The Post Office wants stamp prices to rise five times in the next three years
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Three things seem certain to happen in life: death, taxes and the prices of stamps going up. The United States Postal Service announced that First-Class postage, currently at 73 cents, will go up five times through 2027, according to a detailed document submitted this week to the Postal Regulatory Commission. The next price hike is planned for July 2025 and will then repeat “each January and July thereafter” through the end of 2027, the agency said. However, all price changes must be approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission and the specific price hikes weren’t announced. First-Class mail is becoming a smaller part of the Postal Service’s business because of online communication.

Persons: ”, Louis DeJoy, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, United States Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, weren’t, USPS Locations: New York

Unless the economic outlook changes, mortgage rates may hold steady for the rest of 2024. If they were to weaken unexpectedly, that could spur the Fed to cut rates more aggressively, which in turn could push mortgage rates down further. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data. But now that inflation has decelerated and the Fed is expected to cut rates soon, mortgage rates have trended down. This means your entire monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

Persons: you'll, They've, they've, Freddie Mac, it's, Fannie Mae Organizations: Fed, Zillow, ARM, Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Mortgage, Association Locations: Chevron

☆ Many 988 callers will now get help based on where they are, not their phone’s area code
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Deidre Mcphillips | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Before this change, 988 callers were routed to a call center based on their area code rather than physical location. Next month, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on a rule that would require all wireless carriers in the US to implement georouting for 988 calls. “In times of crisis, every minute matters – especially when seeking help for yourself or a loved one in need of mental health support. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises over 200 local crisis centers across the country. “No more 988 calls and messages will be needlessly sent to crisis centers hundreds of miles away,” Rosenworcel said.

Persons: “, ” Miriam E, Jessica Rosenworcel, SAMHSA, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Rosenworcel, ” Rosenworcel, “ I’m, ” CNN’s Jacqueline Howard, Mira Cheng Organizations: CNN, US Department of Health, Human Services, Federal, Mental Health Services Administration, Verizon, Mobile, Federal Communications Commission, Lifeline, Prevention, CNN Health, National Alliance, Mental, FCC, HHS Locations: Los Angeles, New York

AssumptionAn assumable mortgage will let a borrower transfer the mortgage to someone else even if they haven't fully paid it off. Assumable mortgagesIf you have an adjustable-rate mortgage or a government-backed mortgage (including FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages), you might have an assumable mortgage. Finally, if you want to transfer a property into a trust, a mortgage transfer may be able to help, too. Mortgage transfer processIf you think a mortgage transfer is the right move for your needs, follow this step-by-step process. If the lender doesn't approve a mortgage transfer, you will need to explore other options, such as refinancing your mortgage or selling your house.

Persons: You'll, Molly Grace, Molly, Read, Aly J, Yale Aly J, Aly, She’s Organizations: Chevron, Business, Rocket Companies, Indiana University, Yale, Finance, Dallas Morning News, CBS, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Newsweek, US, Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, Mortgage, National Association of Real, Insurance, Texas Christian University Locations: Chevron, Michigan

Though mortgage rates are expected to continue trending down, it's unclear how much further they might drop. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-Year Mortgage Rates TodayAverage 30-year mortgage rates are hovering around 5.80% today, according to Zillow data. 15-Year Mortgage Rates TodayAverage 15-year mortgage rates are right around 5%, according to Zillow data. 5-Year Mortgage Rate TrendsHere's how 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates have trended over the last five years, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: you'll, they've, Freddie Mac, it's, They'll Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed Locations: U.S, Chevron

☆ A key US consumer indicator has dipped to 'crisis levels,' SocGen says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The savings rate slumped below 3% prior to the 2008 financial crisis, SocGen strategist Albert Edwards said in a note to clients on Wednesday. AdvertisementThe low savings rate attests to strong consumer spending, which has propped up the economy so far. That sounds like it should be good news, but the issue is that the savings rate is likely to rise again after plummeting to such low levels. Related storiesThat was what happened leading up to the Great Financial Crisis, when an uptick in the savings rate preceded the recession, Edwards noted. And while households aren't nearly as indebted as they were during the financial crisis, Americans are still showing signs of financial strain.

Persons: —, Société, Albert Edwards, Edwards, " Edwards Organizations: Service, Commerce Department, Business, Primerica, San Francisco, McKinsey & Company, US, New York Fed

☆ Things are looking up for the economy. So why are consumers still unhappy?
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, the economy is heading in the right direction, but consumers aren't buying it . Things seem to be going really well for the economy, right? Consumers aren't feeling bullish about the economy these days. Last time around, pesky inflation was keeping things like groceries and housing costs high, even as the rest of the economy showed improvement. China's stimulus plan to boost its ailing economy sent emerging markets indexes to their highest level since April 2022 .

Persons: —, Rebecca Zisser, We've, Insider's Juliana Kaplan, Spencer Platt, Getty, Tyler Le, We'll, Morgan, Mike Wilson, Steven Blitz, China's, aren't, Chelsea Jia Feng, weren't, Natalie Ammari, that's, Ron Sherman, Gen, Mark Zuckerberg, Dan DeFrancesco, Jack Sommers, Jordan Parker Erb, Amanda Yen Organizations: Service, Business, Federal Reserve, Conference Board, Fed, Chelsea, Spotify, Visa, US Justice Department, Prosecutors, Meta Locations: Austin , Texas, New York, London

☆ Micron shares surge after upbeat first-quarter forecast due to AI demand for memory chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Micron Technology shares surged roughly 14% in after-hours trading after the memory maker forecast higher-than-expected first-quarter revenue due to the thirst for its memory chips used in artificial intelligence computing. HBM is a space-saving, power-efficient type of dynamic random access memory chip, or DRAM, crucial for AI-focused graphics processing units, that aid in processing vast amounts of data. "Demand from data center customers continues to be strong and customer inventory levels are healthy," Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said on a conference call with analysts. The AI boom has also helped Micron cushion the hit from a memory chip inventory glut in PC and smartphone markets. Personal computers infused with AI technologies are expected to have more memory chips, helping firms such as Micron.

Persons: Sanjay Mehrotra, Wall, Kinngai Chan, Sumit Sadana Organizations: Micron Technology, Micron, South Korea's SK Hynix, Samsung, Nvidia Locations: U.S

☆ 49% of workers think they can meet their retirement goals — 35% say they will need over $1 million to retire comfortably
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Overall, 35% of Americans believe they will need more than $1 million to retire and live comfortably, according to a new report by Bankrate.com. Older generations closer to retirement age are more likely to regret not saving for retirement early enough, the CNBC survey found. More than any other money misstep, not saving for retirement early enough is the biggest financial regret for 22% of Americans, according to another recent report by Bankrate. The retirement savings gapOther reports show that a retirement savings shortfall is weighing heavily on Americans, especially as they approach retirement age. "They are focused on their health and financial well-being, but many are at risk of not achieving a financially secure retirement."

Persons: Bankrate, Gen Xers, Zers, Jacqueline Reeves, you'll, Reeves, they're, Catherine Collinson Organizations: Fidelity Investments, Bankrate.com, CNBC, Bryn Mawr Capital Management, Pew, American, Transamerica Center, Retirement Studies, Transamerica Institute Locations: U.S, Bryn Mawr

☆ Jus sanguinis - or ‘blood right’ - might entitle you to EU citizenship
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Some countries are fairly straightforward about their requirements for citizenship through jus sanguinis. Hungary offers citizenship based on jus sanguinis with some caveats, too. “When both of my parents got their Hungarian citizenship around four years ago, it made it easier for me to get it,” said Koszorus, 41, who received his Hungarian citizenship this summer, less than a year after he started the paperwork and application process. And a private Facebook group called Dual US-Italian Citizenship has more than 70,000 members and is among many other resources available to people who think they might have a blood right path to Italian citizenship. Florida-based travel writer Terry Ward lives in Tampa and has the blood right to Italian citizenship through her paternal great-great-grandfather.

Persons: Lisa Wixon, jus solis, she’d, ”, Wixon, ’ ”, Sophie Jo Wasson, Fragomen, Czechia, Wasson, Frans Sellies, “, ” Wasson, Franco, Ferenc G, Koszorus, Koszorus That’s, Marco Permunian, Vittorio Emanuele II, Marco Bottigelli, Permunian, Janna Graber, ” Graber, Graber, Richard Orbidans, Orbidans, Drew Angerer, won’t, Terry Ward Organizations: CNN, New, European Union, “, Croatian, Getty, Irish, Department of Foreign Affairs, Nazi, First Armored Division, Citizenship Assistance, Vittorio, ICA, Facebook, Go, Latvian, Baltic, Visitors, Ellis, National Museum of Immigration Locations: New York City, United States, Rijeka, Croatia, Europe, Ireland, France, London, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Moher, Northern Ireland, Germany, Austrian, Spanish, American, Washington, DC, Hungarian, Nazi, West Germany, Milan, Italian, Baltic, Colorado, Riga, Latvia, Lithuanian, Lithuania, Ellis, European, Florida, Tampa

The head of the committee, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has been vocal about his frustrations over how much Novo Nordisk charges Americans for both Ozempic (used to treat type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (approved for weight loss). Mariam Zuhaib / AP“It is clear that Novo Nordisk is ripping off the American people,” Sanders told NBC News in June. In a statement Monday, Novo Nordisk defended its pricing structure. Novo Nordisk holds the patent on semaglutide, so other companies aren't able to make a generic version. That leaves Novo Nordisk — and ultimately Jørgensen — to answer questions about the price of its blockbuster drugs.

Persons: Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, Jørgensen, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Mariam Zuhaib, ” Sanders, “, United States don’t, ” Organizations: Nordisk, Capitol, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, NBC News, Novo Nordisk, Department of Health, Human Services, NBC, Novo Nordisk — Locations: Canada, Europe, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, U.S, Novo

☆ ‘Greed, greed, greed’: Sanders demands Ozempic maker lower prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Meg Tirrell | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“We are very committed to making sure that Americans have access at an affordable price point for our medicines,” Jorgensen replied. Similarly, Wegovy’s list price is $1,349 in the US, but it costs $186 in Denmark, $140 in Germany and $92 in the United Kingdom, he said. Tuesday’s hearing boiled down to a familiar argument over who is responsible for the US’s higher prices: drug companies that set starting – or “list” – prices or pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen that negotiate discounts on those list prices in exchange for favorable insurance coverage and access. Jorgensen said Novo Nordisk pays back about 75% of its medicine sales in rebates, discounts and fees, so the net price it receives is far lower than the list price. “The broad totality is that less patients have access to our medicines when we lowered the price,” Jorgensen told Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, after she pressed him to reduce list prices.

Persons: Sen, Bernie Sanders, ” Sanders, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, ” Jorgensen, “, Sanders, Jorgensen, it’s, Maggie Hassan, drugmakers, ”, PBMs, scot, ” Sen, Tim Kaine, Roger Marshall, Eli Lilly, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Tammy Baldwin Organizations: CNN, Nordisk’s, US, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Yale, Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, Nordisk, Novo Nordisk’s, Federal Trade Commission, CVS, Cigna’s, Republican, Wegovy’s, CNN Health, Medicare, Services Locations: United States, Danish, America, Canada, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, New Hampshire, Big, Virginia, Kansas, Novo, Wisconsin

☆ Take a look inside a $1.1 million 'zero emissions' home
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Courtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyGreg Iacurci: What does it mean for your home to be considered 'zero emissions'? Not only am I producing solar [energy] and any excess is going back onto the grid, but the power from the grid coming into my home is clean and sustainable. MW: Our utility bills are projected to be about $917 a year with [solar] panels, or around $80 a month. Courtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyCourtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyCourtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyCourtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyCourtesy: Wojciechowski FamilyGI: What do you mean solar offsets it? Solar panels only make sense if you build an energy-efficient home that's really all-electric.

Persons: Morgan Wojciechowski, Casey, Greg Iacurci, That's, It's Organizations: Dominion Locations: It's, Walnut, U.S

Now that the Fed has cut rates, mortgage rates have generally held steady. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. Current 30-Year Mortgage RatesAverage 30-year mortgage rates have been holding steady at around 5.70%, according to Zillow data. Mortgage rates are determined by a variety of different factors, including larger economic trends, Federal Reserve policy, your state's current mortgage rates, the type of loan you're getting, and your personal financial profile. Now that the Fed has cut rates, mortgage rates may not drop further for the rest of the month.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's, they've Organizations: Federal, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

☆ 'Childless cat lady' is a more common lifestyle choice. Here's what being child-free means for your money
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The stigma of the "childless cat lady" persists, but these days, more young adults are embracing that label and opting out of parenthood — and benefitting, at least monetarily. Nearly a quarter, or 23%, of millennials and Generation Zers without children do not plan on having children, primarily due to financial reasons, according to a recent consumer spending and saving index by MassMutual. A preference for financial freedom and the inability to afford children are equally cited by 43% of younger generations, MassMutual found. Since the 1970s, the overall share of married adults has declined and fewer couples are having children, according to a 2023 report from Pew Research Center. Although there is a financial benefit, "it's not like you are child-free and checks fall out of the sky," said Jay Zigmont, author of "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money."

Persons: Taylor Swift, Kamala Harris, MassMutual, Pew, Jay Zigmont Organizations: Democratic, Finance, Pew Research Center Locations: Bath, England, U.S

☆ Adoption fraud was widespread for many South Koreans adopted into Western countries, AP finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +22 min

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — As the plane descended into Seoul, Robert Calabretta swaddled himself in a blanket, his knees tucked into his chest like a baby in the womb. The South Korean government has accepted a fact-finding commission under pressure from adoptees, and hundreds have submitted their cases for review. Western governments turned a blind eye, sometimes even pressuring South Korea for children, while promoting the narrative that they were saving orphans with no other options. Robert Calabretta, right, and his biological father, Lee Sung-soo, during a visit in Daegu, South Korea, in August 2020. Laurie Bender was approached by a strange woman while playing in the front yard in South Korea in 1975.

Persons: Robert Calabretta swaddled, they’d, “, ”, —, doesn’t, Robert Calabretta, Lee Sung, Calabretta, “ You’re, Patricia Nye, ” Nye, Holt, weren’t, ” Michaela Dietz, Robyn Joy Park, Rae, hasn't, Jae, Lee, ” Lee, Lee Moo, wasn’t, David Goldman, she’d, Laurie Bender, Bender, Han Tae, Philsik Shin, Helen Noh, Noh, ” Noh, he’d, Susan Soonkeum Cox, Kim Jin Sook, Francis Carlin, ” Carlin, …, Carlin, ” Bender, you’ve, Han Organizations: The Associated Press, South, AP, Frontline, International Social Service, University of Minnesota, ISS, BBC, ”, Holt Children’s Services, Eastern Social Welfare Society, Korea Welfare Services, Korea Social Service, Records, Health Ministry, Red Cross Hospital, U.S, Korea’s Anyang University, Seoul’s Soongsil University, Holt International, Catholic Relief Services, South Korean, FRONTLINE, PBS Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, United States, South, Western, adoptees, U.S, Australia, Daegu, Korean, West, Korea, Geneva, “, Asia, Europe, North America, Pasadena , Calif, Boryeong, American, New York, ”, Oregon, Holt, Holt Korea

☆ Gen Z and millennials are increasingly ‘doom spending.' Here's what it is and how to stop it
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Some young people are splashing out on luxuries like travel and designer clothes instead of saving, in a trend that's being characterized as "doom spending" on social media. Doom spending is when a person mindlessly shops to self-soothe because they feel pessimistic about the economy and their future, according to Psychology Today. It's happening because young people are chronically online and feel like they're constantly receiving "bad news," she said. These young people are then translating these bad feelings into bad spending habits, Baeckström added. And Fernández said she's not alone in doom spending.

Persons: they're, Baeckström, Stefania Troncoso Fernández, spender, Fernández, she's, It's Organizations: King's Business, CNBC, Intuit, America Locations: Colombia

☆ Hunting for a Private College Scholarship Can Be a Total Waste of Time
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-23 | by ( James S. Murphy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

So she and Maggie had focused their hopes on getting a private scholarship. She considered paying $700 for an online class, heavily promoted on Facebook, that promised to show parents how to find college scholarships. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students like Maggie devote countless hours to the hunt for private scholarships to pay for college. AdvertisementWith the combination of institutional aid and private scholarship she received, Maggie managed to cut her original college bill from $15,000 to $8,000. The illness is treatable, but it's likely to cost the family $5,000 out of pocket — effectively wiping out the financial value of the private scholarship Maggie received.

Persons: Maggie Beam, Siobhan, Maggie, Siobhan —, —, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, it's, Fastweb, Jeff Levy, you'd, Ed McMahon, Peter Thiel, Ron Lieber, Dawn Brady, Chris Reeves, Aisosa, Levy, Charlain Bailey, she'd, Maggie's Organizations: Winthrop University, Rotary, Facebook, Thiel Foundation, Silicon, Niche, Community Foundation, Lehigh University ., Education's, Winthrop, Schug Foundation, Equitable Foundation, Equitable Locations: Charlotte , North Carolina, Winthrop, Carolina, California, San Diego, Aisosa Ede, Osifo, Dallas, North Carolina

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