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Money Management

How Energy Drinks Could Turn Your $3 Daily Habit Into a Six-Figure Medical Bill

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 Researchers found that taurine — a common ingredient in energy drinks — may accelerate leukemia progression in mice. While untested in humans, the findings raise new questions about long-term health risks and hidden costs. 

Young man gamer playing video games on computer and drinking energy drink
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That daily energy drink run might seem harmless enough — just a quick $3 pick-me-up to power through your afternoon slump. But new research suggests this seemingly innocent habit could be setting you up for a devastating financial blow that makes your morning caffeine fix look like pocket change. According to a study spotlighted by Food & Wine, scientists at the University of Rochester…

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Fannie Mae Forecasts Mortgage Rates to Drop Below 6 Percent by Year End

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 Skeptical about lower mortgage rates? Here’s why experts say your next home loan could cost less than you think. 

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Getting a mortgage below 6% might not be a pipe dream much longer. Fannie Mae just released fresh projections that have the housing market buzzing — and if you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, it’s time to pay attention. According to TheStreet, Fannie Mae revised its mortgage rate forecast in May 2025, now predicting rates will drop to 6.1% by the end of this year and fall further to 5.8%

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7 Ways Volunteering Improves Your Mood, Money, and More

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 Lending a hand can lift your spirits, strengthen your finances, and unlock hidden personal benefits. Here’s how. 

Group of middle age volunteers working at charity center. Woman smiling happy and holding paper bag with food to donate.
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Volunteering is usually seen as a selfless act, but science and real-life experience say it’s anything but one-sided. Whether you mentor others, staff a food pantry, or clean up parks, you may find your time and effort is rewarded emotionally, socially, professionally and even financially. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that retirees aged 65 to 79 who…

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Deferred Payments, Accelerated Debt: the Buy Now, Pay Later Trap

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 These plans promise convenience, but can multiply your debt. Learn how these services really work, where the risks hide, and how to protect your finances. 

Woman using a buy now pay later option on her smartphone to pay for groceries
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You’ve seen those tempting checkout options — “Split this into 4 easy payments!” or “Pay over 6 weeks with no interest!” Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services promise to make that dream purchase affordable right now, but financial experts are sounding alarm bells about the hidden dangers lurking behind those convenient payment plans. The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board recently warned…

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Marry Among the Pines: 10 National Park Wedding Secrets No One Tells You

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 Dreaming of a wild, unforgettable celebration? These tips can help you pull it off in nature’s grandest venues — without the chaos. 

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There’s something magical about saying “I do” with a mountain backdrop or forest canopy as your altar. National park weddings are breathtaking, intimate — and surprisingly doable with a little help from the National Park Service (NPS), the agency that manages these iconic public lands. But before you start scouting trailheads for your altar, you’ll need to navigate some not-so-obvious terrain.

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Confident yet Cautious: What Shoppers’ Mixed Signals Say About the Economy

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 A new era of strategic spending might just be the smartest response to today’s mixed economic signals. 

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The American consumer is showing signs of internal conflict, reflecting broader uncertainty in the economy. According to MarketWatch, shoppers are approaching big-ticket purchases — like vehicles — with hesitation, even when they have solid credit and a real need. Many are torn between fear of missing out on current deals and concern that now may not be the right time to buy.

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