The Federal Reserve is walking a tight-rope heading into the December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. That is because recent data, though limited due to the federal government shutdown, have shown some problems on both sides of its dual mandate (more below). Wall Street is still anticipating a quarter-point cut to the benchmark short-term interest rate, despite commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell that another reduction before year end is not a foregone conclusion...

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone at the October Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. True, the central bank did as expected, lowering the federal funds rate by a quarter-point, to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%. However, with inflation still running notably above the Federal Reserve’s target rate and the scarcity of labor market data due to the federal government shutdown, another rate cut at the December FOMC meeting is far...

These conversations aren’t easy. Bringing up long-term care or estate planning with aging parents can feel like stepping on a landmine—awkward, emotional, maybe even a little intrusive. But if you wait until something happens—a fall, a diagnosis, a hospital stay—you're not just having the conversation late. You're having it under pressure. So how do you start the talk without it turning tense? Here’s a guide to help you open the door with empathy, avoid common...