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In a recent Meet the Press appearance, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) joined a growing number of Republicans who are speaking out against Obamacare. One of his lines of attack: that the Affordable Care Act fueled health care consolidation. “What Democrats did 15 years ago was they radically changed all health care in America. They moved all physicians under hospitals. They changed all the reimbursement programs. They shifted everything in,” Lankford said Nov. 9. This is one of a collection of Republican talking points related to the ACA that’s been regularly reprised, and there’s a reason for it. Democrats have been…

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Choosing between renting vs. buying a home has long-lasting implications for your personal and financial affairs. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Which one makes the most sense for you depends entirely on your circumstances.  This guide will explore the pros and cons of both options in detail to help you determine which best fits your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals.  Overview: What Are the Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Buying?  There are many factors to consider when deciding between buying a house vs. renting. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of each.  Renting  Renting your home comes…

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American Airlines has been on a premium push, rolling out new planes with more business and premium economy seats.Earlier in 2025, the airline started flying its Boeing 787-9P aircraft (yes, the “P” is for premium). Soon, it will be the first U.S. carrier to fly the Airbus A321XLR.The A321XLR is a single-aisle jet with extra-long range (hence, XLR), capable of transatlantic flights. Because it’s a smaller plane, airlines can justify flying it to less-visited locales, such as secondary cities in Europe and South America that U.S. airlines have traditionally overlooked in favor of more popular tourist destinations. (Photo by Benjamin…

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Tax season is coming. Whether you love it or loathe it, getting your federal tax return filed can be a simple and pain-free process. With so many services out there — all making lofty promises — it can be overwhelming. There are seemingly hundreds of apps and tax service pop-ups and kiosks everywhere. But this doesn’t mean you need to go with the first tax return program you see. Or just go with last year’s provider again. Because not all tax services are the same. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular tax software: TaxSlayer vs. TurboTax.…

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Today’s episode tackles a wide mix of practical questions. We explore the pros and cons of unions for doctors, how to protect yourself from ACATS fraud, and what you need to know about vesting rules. We also dig into an asset allocation question, upcoming changes to HSA plans in 2026, and whether it makes sense to exchange a mutual fund for its ETF counterpart. It’s a packed episode with insights you can put to use right away. How Does Vesting Work? “Could you go into some detail about how vesting works? I’m a new attending, and my vesting period is…

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With 2025 coming to an end, it’s time for my annual tradition of gathering my favorite investment writing of the year. I started this tradition in 2017, and have continued it ever since (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). 2025 was a year of turbulence (in April) and a year of growth. And though AI has infiltrated the writing space like never before, there are still many great human writers doing their thing. With that being said, I present my favorite investment writing of 2025: Howard Marks is one of the best investment writers and thinkers in our industry…

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Home prices have outpaced wages for more than a decade, and first-time buyers are stretching further every year. Now a new idea is entering the conversation, the 50-year mortgage. It promises lower monthly payments, yet it reshapes everything from equity growth to long-term risk. In this episode we sit down with Karsten Jeske, PhD, CFA from Early Retirement Now, a former Federal Reserve economist known for forensic financial modeling. Together we walk through when a 50-year mortgage might make sense, when it clearly does not, and why the math is rarely as simple as “higher payment versus lower payment.” We…

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Getting out of debt doesn’t happen overnight, but every small change can make a difference. When you focus on simple, realistic steps, you can start to feel more in control of your finances. Even small progress, like spending a little less or finding new ways to earn, can help free up money to put toward what you owe.  Here are five practical ways to begin making progress on your debt today.  1. Review Your Spending Habits  The first step is understanding where your money goes each month. Review your recent bank and credit card statements to see what you spend…

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Ado (33) and Gabby (32) are exhausted by a cycle they can’t seem to escape: getting into credit card debt, paying it off, and then ending up right back where they started. Now, with $44,000 in credit card balances, student loans on both sides, and an $1,800 monthly daycare bill, they feel one setback away from losing everything. Ado’s avoidant, live-in-the-moment approach clashes with Gabby’s desire for structure and long-term security. Both come from financially chaotic childhoods, and those old patterns are replaying in their marriage. They dream of moving to Europe and building stability for their young daughter—but…

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