Five years before retirement is an interesting place to be. The finish line is close enough to see, but there is still time to change your pace. Maybe you picture travel, more time with family, or a calendar that no longer includes a Monday morning meeting. The harder question is whether the financial details support that picture. Retirement planning at this stage is less about finding one magic number and more about connecting several decisions: spending, savings, taxes, healthcare, and when...

For generations, American babies have entered the world with a fairly predictable financial situation. They have no job. No income. No credit score. No idea what a mortgage is. And, despite contributing absolutely nothing to the household, they somehow manage to generate thousands of dollars of annual expenses. It is not a great business model. But beginning in 2026, millions of American children can add something new to their financial résumé : Investment account owner. Welcome to the world...

Investing used to require a fair amount of effort. You might have called a broker, filled out paperwork, mailed a check, and then waited patiently for something to happen. Today, you can open an investment account from your couch, transfer money, buy a fractional share of a company, and check how it’s doing before your DoorDash order arrives. For younger generations, investing has never been more accessible. As we recognized International Youth Day on August 12, it’s worth looking at how...