Key Takeaways The rise and subsequent retreat of bitcoin perfectly encapsulates the crypto industry's year. It won big—but it doesn't have much to show for it yet. The price of bitcoin, the world's most well-known cryptocurrency, soared above $126,000, a record, but those gains evaporated and it's poised to finish down for 2025. The industry welcomed the passage of stablecoin legislation, eased regulation, and the proliferation of new ways to buy in, but by many measures it has yet to reap the benefits. Des ...

Key Takeaways The Social Security Administration follows a general schedule for mailing out checks to its more than 74 million beneficiaries. March April Most beneficiaries are paid according to their birth date and typically receive their payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month. Those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997 will typically receive their payments on the third of every month. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program that prov ...

Key Takeaways It was a rollercoaster of a year on Wall Street. Most experts think the ride isn't over. The S&P 500 is on track to post its third consecutive year of double-digit gains, putting the benchmark index up more than 90% since the current bull market started in October 2022. Strategists expect 2026 to be another good—if more modestly so—year for the stock market. As of mid-December, the average 2026 year-end S&P 500 price target was 7,269, according to an LPL Financial analysis. That implies about ...

Is the labor market getting worse for employers, or for job seekers? Yes. And forecasters expect that to continue into the new year. Several trends have combined to create a labor market that isn't working out well for anyone. Job seekers are seeing fewer openings and staying unemployed longer—the long-term unemployment rate hit its highest since November 2021 in September. Yet, employers are having a hard time finding qualified candidates, with certain industries, such as homebuilding, suffering from labor ...

Core Insights - Significant changes are expected for the Federal Reserve in 2026, particularly with the expiration of Jerome Powell's term as chair, which may lead to new leadership that could influence interest rate policies [1][9] - President Trump is looking to appoint members to the Federal Reserve Board who are more aligned with his preference for aggressive interest rate cuts, potentially altering the board's composition [2][4] Federal Reserve Leadership Changes - Jerome Powell's term as chair ends in May 2026, but he may remain on the board as a voting member until 2028, although his intentions to stay are unclear [5] - Current board member Stephen Miran's term ends in January 2026, and he has advocated for aggressive interest rate cuts; he may return to his previous role as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers [6] - The potential firing of Governor Lisa Cook by Trump could further change the board's dynamics, although economists suggest this may not significantly alter voting patterns on interest rates [7] Economic Implications - The Federal Reserve's interest rate policies significantly impact the economy, influencing costs for mortgages, car loans, and credit card debt, thereby affecting overall living costs and labor market health [3] - Despite potential changes in board membership, the Fed's direction on interest rates may remain stable, as many current members will continue to serve into 2027 [10][12] FOMC Voting Dynamics - The rotation of regional bank presidents in the FOMC is not expected to lead to substantial changes in interest rate policies, as new voters largely share similar views with their predecessors [11][12] - The Atlanta Fed will see a new president in 2026, as Raphael Bostic will not seek reappointment, but this position does not directly influence FOMC voting until 2027 [13]

Key Takeaways Developments in Santa jobs this year mirror trends in the overall workforce, with job listings down and pay rising for workers with in-demand characteristics, in this case, real beards.Real-bearded Santas make $9 an hour more than their fake-whiskered counterparts, one analysis found.Job listings for Santa have plummeted 35% since 2024 due to dying malls and a shift to online sales. Having a real beard is worth an extra $9 an hour for people who work as Santas, an analysis of job postings f ...

Core Insights - The Department of Education will begin garnishing wages of defaulted federal student loan borrowers starting January 7, affecting approximately 1,000 borrowers initially [2][9] - The garnishment process is a response to the significant number of borrowers who have defaulted since the end of the COVID-19 payment pause, with 5.2 million borrowers in default as of September 30, 2025 [4][9] Group 1 - The Department of Education has stated that wage garnishments will increase monthly, impacting more borrowers over time [2] - Borrowers who default after not making payments for over 270 days can have up to 15% of their income garnished, with a 30-day period to negotiate repayment terms or request a hearing [3] - The resumption of wage garnishment marks the first time in about five years that defaulted borrowers face such actions, following the COVID-19 pandemic [7] Group 2 - The garnishment of wages is expected to reduce disposable income for borrowers, potentially hindering economic growth and affecting federal revenue [6] - The Department of Education has confirmed that it will not garnish Social Security benefits from defaulted borrowers, continuing the pause on such actions [8] - The initial announcement for resuming collections on defaulted loans was made in May, with the process taking longer than anticipated due to various factors, including a government shutdown [7]

Core Insights - Retirement can present unexpected challenges, such as market downturns or unforeseen personal events, which require careful planning and preparation [1] Group 1: Supporting Adult Children - Financial support to adult children can jeopardize personal retirement plans, necessitating a balance between generosity and financial security [2][3] - Retirees should consider how to manage requests for financial assistance from adult children to ensure their own retirement stability [4] Group 2: Market Downturns - The 4% rule for retirement withdrawals may not be suitable for everyone, especially during market downturns early in retirement [5][6] - Flexibility in withdrawal rates is essential, particularly if retirees face a market decline shortly after retiring [7] - Strategies to mitigate sequence of returns risk include maintaining a cash buffer for at least two years of expenses or adjusting living standards during downturns [8] Group 3: Estate Planning - Delaying estate planning can lead to complications and increased costs for surviving family members, highlighting the importance of proactive discussions about wills and beneficiaries [9][11] - Engaging with legal and financial professionals early can help ensure that loved ones are prepared for estate matters, reducing stress during difficult times [12]

Core Insights - Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of Strategy, is repositioning the company as a "capital markets platform" to attract new investors and revive its stock, which has fallen over 45% year-to-date [3][4][9] Company Performance - Strategy's stock has underperformed compared to Bitcoin, which has only dropped about 6% in the same period [3][9] - The company has raised approximately $2.5 billion through variable rate series A perpetual stretch preferred shares to buy Bitcoin, and its cash reserves have reached $2.2 billion [5][8] Market Context - The rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs and options has provided investors with alternative ways to invest in Bitcoin, diminishing Strategy's unique position in the market [7] - MSCI has indicated potential removal of companies like Strategy from its indexes, which could lead to significant outflows estimated at $2.8 billion [6] Investor Strategy - Strategy aims to increase outreach to institutional investors and wealth management firms, with Citi analysts maintaining a buy rating and a price target of $485, suggesting a potential upside of about 200% [10]

Core Insights - The Department of Education will resume garnishing wages of defaulted borrowers starting in February, affecting over 5 million individuals who have been in default for 270 days or more [1][8] - Borrowers will be notified on January 7 and have 30 days to rectify their situation before wage garnishment begins [2] - Experts emphasize the importance of borrowers taking proactive steps to regain good standing to avoid negative impacts on their credit and financial situation [3] Loan Consolidation - Loan consolidation allows borrowers to combine multiple student loans into a single loan, which can help them exit default [5][8] - To consolidate, borrowers must enroll in an income-driven repayment plan or make three consecutive, voluntary, on-time payments on the defaulted loan [5] - It is important to note that while consolidation brings borrowers out of default, the record of default and late payments will remain on their credit report [6] Loan Rehabilitation - Loan rehabilitation is a longer process but removes the defaulted loan from a borrower's credit report and does not add accrued interest to the balance [7] - To rehabilitate a loan, borrowers must make nine voluntary, reasonable, and affordable monthly payments over ten consecutive months as determined by their loan servicer [9] - This option is crucial for borrowers looking to restore their credit standing without the burden of additional interest [7]