Decluttering tips from professional organizers

This spring, you’re likely to read about how to “deep clean” your finances or “tidy up” your portfolio. But doing actual spring cleaning is a good financial move in and of itself. After all, how many times have you lost a bill in pile of papers that built up on your desk? Or had to … Read more

This is the easiest way for newbies to start investing, experts say

Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images Investing can seem overly complicated, and that complexity may paralyze Americans into doing nothing. But investing — and doing so smartly — doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, getting started can be relatively easy, according to financial experts. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist. Investing is … Read more

I moved from US to luxury apartment in Geneva: Look inside

I’ve been an expat for most of my life. Originally from Japan, I’ve lived in a total of six countries. For the past 15 years, I’ve called Geneva, Switzerland, my home. When my then-husband and I decided to move here, to his hometown, our first child was just 10 months old. We wanted a change … Read more

Here’s when the Fed may start cutting rates, investment strategists say

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell prepares to testify before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on March, 7 2024.  Kent Nishimura | Getty Images News | Getty Images WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to start cutting interest rates by the end of the second quarter despite recent … Read more

Former 6-figure tech worker earns $22K baking pastries in France

Valerie Valcourt has lived all around the U.S. in Seattle, New York City and Washington, D.C. But she made her biggest move yet last year when she quit her six-figure Big Tech job to go to pastry school in France. Valcourt, 34, tells CNBC Make It she started the process in 2020 when, while earning … Read more

You can still buy a sofa for $399 — here’s why you may not want to

  Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images Don’t expect the sofa you buy today to go the distance. “In the last 15 years, there’s been a shift to disposable furniture,” according to David Koehler, chairman of Johnny Janosik, a furniture retailer with stores in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. For most consumers, that’s okay. Attitudes have … Read more

How parents can help their kids be more successful than most: experts

Parents regularly worry about how their children will navigate the world as adults. Will they grow up to be happy and well-adjusted? Will they get a good job and live comfortably? Every child is different, and everyone develops at their own pace. But some strategies are proven to be more effective than others, when it … Read more

how to negotiate for higher salary

Asking for a pay raise is no easy feat, particularly for women. More than half of women around the world have never asked for a raise before, according to a 2024 study by job listings site Indeed. Of the 43% who asked, three in four received a pay increase. Additionally, 61% of women globally believe … Read more

Laid off? Here’s how to find new work faster

Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images New government data shows a surprisingly strong job market for the month of January. But there are signs of weakness in the labor market, based on tens of thousands of workers who have been laid off since 2024 started. U.S. employers announced 82,307 job cuts in January, up from … Read more

Here’s what to know about the first bitcoin ETFs

Recep-bg | E+ | Getty Images The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved the first U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds. But experts urge caution before piling into the long-awaited ETFs. The agency signed off on 11 bitcoin ETF applications, including funds from BlackRock, Fidelity, Ark Invest, WisdomTree and Grayscale. The new investment provides … Read more