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Articles by Travis Woods
Invest $10K in Each of These 5 Warren Buffett Picks and You Could Earn $130 a Month in Passive Income
Pavel Wolberg/EPA/Shutterstock · Shutterstock.com Creating a passive income via dividends is one of the most straightforward long-term investment strategies, especially if you follow the kinds of companies approved by billionaire Warren Buffett, the former CEO and controlling shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett has long been a believer in major companies that pay out with equally major dividends.
I Asked ChatGPT How To Go on a Date for Less Than $50 — It Gave Me 5 Great Dates
Every generation finds themselves facing hurdles unique to their era. The young adults born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s — better known as Gen Z — are coming of age during a time of extremely high cost of living, to the point that many are compelled to change how they live, how they socialize and how they date.
4 Money Lessons from Gen Z’s 4x Pay Raises in 2026
Klaus Vedfelt · Getty Images Changing jobs is certainly one way to boost your paycheck fast, but new research suggests that isn't true for everyone anymore. In fact, according to a recent Investopedia report (itself based on new Bank of America research), Gen Z workers who switched employers in the first quarter of 2026 saw about four times the wage growth of their peers who stayed at the same company, while the advantage largely disappeared for Gen X and baby boomers.
7 Low-Cost Retirement Spots Built for Today's Housing Market
Two things in America are certainly getting more expensive with what feels like no reprieve in sight: mortgages and retirement. Mortgage rates are currently holding in the mid-6% range (far from the sub-3% lows of the early 2020s), and retirement has now spiked to the point that the average American will require at least $1.46 million in savings to retire comfortably, per USA Today.
7 Low-Cost Retirement Spots Built for Today's Housing Market
Two things in America are certainly getting more expensive with what feels like no reprieve in sight: mortgages and retirement. Mortgage rates are currently holding in the mid-6% range (far from the sub-3% lows of the early 2020s), and retirement has now spiked to the point that the average American will require at least $1.46 million in savings to retire comfortably, per USA Today.
7 Low-Cost Retirement Spots Built for Today's Housing Market
2 hours ago Berlin refused a ransom of 30 bitcoin, about EUR2m, and Rhysida published the stolen files on Friday. The two compromised departments run transport and housing, and the city votes on 20 September. Berlin refused to pay. The data went up on Friday. The German capital now runs two police task forces, …
Michael Mann's Miami Vice at 20: Death of the Cool
Atmosphere, surfaces, texture. "Can't do time, don't mess with crime." Fragments, a sensorial aggregate of luminance and information, disconnected, chaotic. "It's just, there's variables, you know?" Bodies in space, asymmetrical compositions.
The Housing Market Is Stuck in a Slump -- So I Asked ChatGPT Where It’s Thriving
Have you spent much time doomscrolling Zillow listings recently? If you have, you've also likely noticed the dispiriting fact that buying a home feels increasingly out of financial reach for most Americans. High mortgage rates and an overall shortage of homes for sale have kept much of the U.S. housing market in a painfully expensive holding pattern.
15 Charming Retirement Towns Where Homes Cost Less Than $300K
According to the 2026 Northwestern Mutual financial planning survey (via USA Today), the average American now requires at least $1.46 million in savings to retire comfortably. That's a number painfully few Americans have actually attained. Part of the reason modern American retirement requires such a high amount of savings is the ever-increasing cost of living in the United States. Medical care, cars, groceries, and especially, homes are all climbing faster than most paychecks can keep up.
Used EV Sales Are Spiking — Is It Time To Sell Yours?
Used electric vehicles (EVs) are moving fast — not on the road, but off of used car lots. Specifically, a recent report by Cox Automotive found that used EV sales have jumped 53.9% since February 2026 and have increased by 27.7% since April of 2025. At the same time, the supply of used EVs has severely dwindled in response to this increased demand.
3 RMD Timing Moves That Could Boost Retirement Income
ljubaphoto · Getty Images Even if your retirement is still decades off, try out this thought experiment: Imagine you're retired, and you're told that you must take money out of your retirement investment account every year – even if you don't need it yet. Also, imagine that the only choice you do have is when you can make your withdrawal. Essentially, that's what happens with required minimum distributions (RMDs).
America Just Added 172K Jobs -- Why Does Job Hunting Still Feel So Brutal?
PeopleImages · iStock.com For those Americans who have been frantically emailing resumes or endlessly refreshing LinkedIn and hearing very little back, the latest jobs report may feel a bit confusing. As reported by CNBC, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced recently that the United States added 172,000 jobs in May, which more than doubled most economists' expectations (which was only 80,000 jobs).
Under 65 and Ready To Quit? Redditors Explain Why You Might Want To Keep Working
Thing Nong Nont · Getty Images Retiring early, before the typical age of 65, is likely the dream of many American workers. Being able to amass enough savings to kick off your golden years early sounds perfect, right? Despite how attractive that dream may be, a number of American workers are finding early retirement impossible, for a reason that may surprise you.
How Much Do New Grads Really Need To Move Out This Summer? A City-by-City Look
Graduation season is now upon us, and for many grads, that's not the only major life milestone this summer — it's also time to move out as well. Whether moving out of a dorm or the family home, the post-college summer is a time for many in Gen Z to strike out on their own for the first time. Sometimes, though, that's easier said than done, as moving out on your own can be more expensive than you think.
Are We Headed for $5 Gas? What May's CPI Report Revealed
Extreme Media · iStock.com Most Americans aren't paying $5 per gallon for gasoline — yet. However, if May's inflation report is any indication, fuel costs are once again becoming a major source of financial strain for the nation's drivers. What the CPI Told Us About 2026 Gas Prices So Far According to the latest consumer price index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), inflation ramped up in May, with consumer prices spiking 4.2% over the last year and 0.5% for the month.
$5 'Little Treats' That Add Up Faster Than You Think
ferrantraite · iStock.com A $5 splurge on a little treat here and there doesn't sound like something that will break the bank. Unfortunately, though, that kind of thinking — and that kind of $5 charge — can add up very quickly precisely because $5 seems so insignificant. Let's say you spend $5 on a coffee on a Monday — well, it's only $5, right? So why not grab another on Tuesday? And maybe another on Wednesday, on Thursday and why not on Friday, too?
Letterboxd — Your life in film
Once annually, the international film industry descends upon the sun-drenched shores of the French Riviera for Cannes, the world’s most prestigious film festival.
Can $1.5 Million + Social Security Fund Your Retirement? A State??’by??’State Look
A common concern among many Americans — and not just those who are approaching retirement age or already have reached retirement age — is whether their retirement savings and Social Security benefits will provide them with financial security in retirement. The politicization of Social Security can make the program’s future questionable, and the increasingly high cost of living across the United States makes retirement affordability a daunting proposition.
Can $1.5 Million + Social Security Fund Your Retirement? A State??’by??’State Look
A common concern among many Americans — and not just those who are approaching retirement age or already have reached retirement age — is whether their retirement savings and Social Security benefits will provide them with financial security in retirement. The politicization of Social Security can make the program’s future questionable, and the increasingly high cost of living across the United States makes retirement affordability a daunting proposition.
6 Ways To Invest Your Tax Refund Into Your Retirement
Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock.com More American taxpayers will be receiving a tax refund in 2026 compared to previous years, per the Tax Foundation. While it may be tempting to treat that refund like free money and funnel it into a spending spree or a vacation fund, the smartest play would be to protect your golden years by investing your tax refund into your retirement.
The Gatorskin Noir & Satirical Softcore of Wild Things
illustration by Ben Turner Humidity. Relentlessly blood-hot and cum-sticky, the humidity cuts across all social and cultural strata along the long, hard shaft of the Florida coastline, all the way down to the oceanside frenulum of Miami and the suburbs like Blue Bay that are nestled just beneath the thick swell of the state’s southernmost tip. It greases the air with its turgid invisible soup, this humidity. It fills soft lungs. It soaks hard bodies.
Trump’s Tariff Refunds: The One Major Reason You Won’t Benefit Original
Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s controversial tariff policy. After this Supreme Court ruling, the government was then ordered to pay back billions in tariff refunds to the various businesses that had paid extra for tariffed imports. That might leave many American consumers also wondering if they will receive some form of refund.
5 Top Money Regrets Suze Orman Sees All the Time
5 Top Money Regrets Suze Orman Sees All the Time Personal finance expert Suze Orman, who is the author of 10 New York Times bestsellers and host of a popular podcast, has not only encountered incredible wealth and financial success, but she has seen people make calamitous money mistakes that come with big regrets.
5 Used Cars That Are Good Investments for Families in 2026
5 Used Cars That Are Good Investments for Families in 2026 When car shopping, it’s easy to believe that buying a brand new car is worth the expense, as a new car can be seen as a long-term investment that can go the long haul (literally and figuratively) – especially for a family. However, new cars are not only expensive, but they also come with several additional high charges, especially in terms of pricey insurance and immediate value depreciation as soon as the car rolls off the lot.
Social Security COLA 2027: How the latest Fed signal shapes future checks
Travis Woods The Federal Reserve decided to maintain interest rates steady, holding them within their target range of 3.5% to 3.75% during their most recent policy meeting on March 18. Any potential cuts in interest rates were rendered all but impossible due to the war in Iran, with its impact on energy prices and inflation spikes.
5 Used SUVs That Are Good Investments for Families in 2026
5 Used SUVs That Are Good Investments for Families in 2026 A new luxury SUV, while perfectly suitable as a family vehicle, can often be a bit too expensive for the average American family. Insurance costs, maintenance fees, the price of fuel, not to mention the monthly loan payment – all of these add up quickly and break the bank.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy These 25 suburbs are too pricey for first-time homebuyers in 2026
Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
30 affordable small cities on the West Coast
Travis Woods America's continental West Coast has a reputation for costliness. Specifically, the states of California, Washington and Oregon – in addition to their natural beauty – are known for their expensive costs of living when compared to the rest of the United States. However, each state still has a number of small cities that offer affordable living.
15 places retirees on Social Security can afford that have no state income tax
Travis Woods Retirement costs — especially healthcare and housing — are continually on the rise across America, which makes where a person chooses to retire all the more important. There are currently nine states (Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming) in which a retiree's Social Security benefits aren't taxed, giving residents there a meaningful advantage in their golden years.
15 Places Retirees on Social Security Can Afford That Have No State Income Tax Original
Retirement costs — especially healthcare and housing — are continually on the rise across America, which makes where a person chooses to retire all the more important. There are currently nine states (Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming) in which a retiree’s Social Security benefits aren’t taxed, giving residents there a meaningful advantage in their golden years.
Trump's 401(k) plan: Who might benefit and who won't Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy
Travis Woods During President Donald Trump's Feb. 24 State of the Union address, he lamented the gap in the United States' retirement system. Specifically, he noted that there are approximately 56 million citizens who have no employer-sponsored savings plans (in which retirement savings are bolstered with matching contributions from an employer).
Buying an EV in 2026? 5 Brands the Middle Class Should Consider
Buying a new ride is always something of a daunting task, especially if you’re doing so on a budget. Shopping for an electric vehicle (EV) can be even more intimidating, as it involves a (relatively) new technology and premium price points. That said, a number of automakers have developed EVs for the average middle-class households — electric rides that mix practicality, efficiency and, most important, affordability.
Buying an EV in 2026? 5 Brands the Middle Class Should Consider
Buying an EV in 2026? 5 Brands the Middle Class Should Consider If you're thinking about buying an EV in 2026 on a middle-class budget, one of these EV brands might just be perfect for you.
20 Fastest-Selling Used Cars — 4 are Teslas
Travis Woods Sat, 4 April 2026 at 10:00 am UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. With the price of new cars continuing to skyrocket thanks to inflation, new technology, stratospheric gas prices and supply-line shortages, one would think more and more Americans would turn to use cars. However, due to high prices, even used car sales have been sluggish over the last two years.
8 Household Items Have Gotten More Expensive Since Trump Took Office
©Ron Sachs/CNP / SplashNews.com “Starting the day I take the oath of office,” President Trump vowed during a Pennsylvania campaign rally in 2024, “I will rapidly drive prices down and we will make America affordable again. We’re going to make it affordable again.” It was a bold promise, one keyed into the fact that many Americans ultimately vote with their wallets.
10 Kohl's Items To Buy for Under $20 in April
With April coming soon, a number of retailers are launching various spring and Easter sales to help you usher in the season. One such store is Kohl’s, where you can find an ongoing sale that will run throughout April. Looking for some new décor to lighten up your home for spring? Need some warm-weather changes to your wardrobe? Kohl’s has all that and more, at prices that go easy on your wallet by falling under $20.
20 Great Cars To Own for More Than 15 Years
Mon, March 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC Buying a new ride is a serious investment. Not only are vehicles becoming increasingly expensive due to inflation, but there are additional costs as well, including accrued interest on financing, insurance premiums and regular maintenance fees — all of which can add thousands to the total cost of a new car or truck. All of which is why you want your investment-on-wheels to be able to go the distance and last as long as possible, making its costs worthwhile.
Here’s the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in Hawaii
emperorcosar / Shutterstock.com Class brackets are ever-evolving in America, and are based almost entirely upon their relation to the always-changing average national median household income. For example, the average lower-income citizen makes less than two-thirds of the median household income, middle-income falls between two-third and double the median household income, and upper class is more than double that median household income level.
Here’s the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in Hawaii Original
Class brackets are ever-evolving in America, and are based almost entirely upon their relation to the always-changing average national median household income.
8 Easter Hosting Shortcuts To Find at Walmart Before the Rush
Hosting an Easter holiday party can be a lot of fun – but it can also be a handful if you’re already trying to balance work and family life. Luckily, retailers such as Walmart have a number of Easter hosting shortcuts to make your party fun for your guests -- and easy for you (and your wallet). Below are eight such items, from pre-filled Easter eggs to full meals, all designed to help get you through your Easter party with ease.
4 Reasons High Earners Rarely Get Big Tax Refunds
This may come as a surprise to some during tax season, but many high-income earners may not receive sizable tax refunds. Tax refunds usually reflect overpayments relative to actual liability and refundable credits — two things that can shrink as income increases.
Social Security COLA 2027: How The Latest Fed Signal Shapes Future Checks Original
April 17, 2026 3 min Read Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
4 Best EVs To Purchase During the Iran War’s Gas Crisis
Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com The current war with Iran — in which the United States and Israel have launched an ongoing air offensive against the oil-rich Iran — has already caused Brent crude oil prices to increase by 40%, per CNBC. That means you’ll be feeling an increased squeeze on your wallet every time you stop to fill up your gas tank. Referencing AAA data, CNBC reported on March 17 that gas prices have gone up 30% over the past month.
4 Best EVs To Purchase During the Iran War’s Gas Crisis
Elena Elisseeva / Shutterstock.com The current war with Iran — in which the United States and Israel have launched an ongoing air offensive against the oil-rich Iran — has already caused Brent crude oil prices to increase by 40%, per CNBC. That means you’ll be feeling an increased squeeze on your wallet every time you stop to fill up your gas tank. Referencing AAA data, CNBC reported on March 17 that gas prices have gone up 30% over the past month.
These Are the 10 Most Expensive Luxury Cars on the Market — You’ll Need at Least $2.4 Million To Purchase One
Travis Woods Sat, 14 March 2026 at 10:11 pm UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. New shoppers may lament the high costs of traditional luxury cars, which can range anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000. Still, while $100,000 may seem steep, you’d have to add $4 million to that average MSRP to reach the price of the most expensive luxury car on the open market — and suddenly, $100,000 doesn’t seem so pricey.
15 Money Habits You Would Be a Fool Not To Adopt This Year
While it always helps to begin developing strong financial habits early, it’s never too late in life to start if you haven’t already. Creating sharp money habits is a way to ensure not only a stable present for yourself but a financially prosperous future as well. With that in mind, GOBankingRates recently consulted with a group of financial experts about the 15 money habits you would be a fool not to adopt this year. Want a successful 2026 (and beyond)? Set these guidelines for yourself.
5 Best Used SUVs Worth Every Penny
Honda Searching for a used SUV can be tricky. Despite being used, many pre-owned SUVs still have rather high prices and knowing which models are worth every penny isn’t always easy. That’s why GOBankingRates has amassed a list of the five used makes and models that consistently appear on lists concerning the most reliable SUVs available on the market. Looking for spacious rides that justify their prices with great fuel efficiency, lovely interiors and trustworthy reliability?
20 Most Reliable SUVs of 2026 for Long-Term Value
SUVs — these large and pricier vehicles may sometimes seem extravagant or excessive, especially to those on the hunt for savings. However, modern SUVs can actually fold great reliability, solid value, off-road power, fuel efficiency and affordability all into one outsized package.
20 Most Reliable SUVs of 2026 for Long-Term Value
Travis Woods Thu, 12 March 2026 at 1:09 pm UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. SUVs — these large and pricier vehicles may sometimes seem extravagant or excessive, especially to those on the hunt for savings. However, modern SUVs can actually fold great reliability, solid value, off-road power, fuel efficiency and affordability all into one outsized package.
5 Best Used SUVs Worth Every Penny
Searching for a used SUV can be tricky. Despite being used, many pre-owned SUVs still have rather high prices and knowing which models are worth every penny isn’t always easy. That’s why GOBankingRates has amassed a list of the five used makes and models that consistently appear on lists concerning the most reliable SUVs available on the market. Looking for spacious rides that justify their prices with great fuel efficiency, lovely interiors and trustworthy reliability?
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