WASHINGTON — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims increased to the highest level in three years. Jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021, when the labor market was recovering from the COVID-19 jobs wipeout in the spring of 2020. The rising level of continuing claims suggests some who are receiving benefits are finding it harder to land new jobs. WASHINGTON — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. increased for the second week in a row to its highest level since mid-July, reflecting a recent jump in the bond yields lenders use as a guide to price home loans. The rate rose to 6.85% from 6.72% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the rate on a 30-year mortgage averaged 6.61%. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at its highest since the week of July 11, when it was 6.89%. It dipped as low as 6.08% in September — a two-year low — and was as high as 7.22% in May. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan at a lower rate, increased to 6% from 5.92% last week, Freddie Mac said. BRIEFLY NETANYAHU: Israel’s attorney general ordered police to investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial, the Justice Ministry announced Thursday. RUSSIA: The Federal Security Service in Russia said Thursday it arrested four Russians it accused of involvement in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers, an announcement that follows the Dec. 17 killing of Lt. Gen Igor Kirillov. SEVERE WEATHER: At least 90 flights were canceled and two dozen delayed Thursday at Texas airports as a line of thunderstorms moved across parts of the state in a system the National Weather Service predicted could bring high winds, hail and possible tornadoes. PAKISTAN: Pakistani security forces faced off with insurgents in three separate shootouts in the restive northwest bordering Afghanistan on Thursday, killing 13 militants, the military said. PRISON BREAK: Mozambique’s police chief said Thursday at least 6,000 escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital Maputo on Christmas Day after a rebellion in which 33 prisoners died and 15 were injured, as widespread post-election riots and violence roil the country. BALTIC CABLE: Finnish authorities said they detained a ship linked to Russia on Thursday as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure in the region. — Associated Press Get local news delivered to your inbox!
7 Days Of National Mourning Declared; State Funeral For Dr. Manmohan SinghTranscontinental Inc. Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024
Cracks emerge in Trump's MAGA coalitionMace, activist dispute handshake that resulted in arrestThrivent Financial for Lutherans Cuts Stock Position in Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ENR)
Explore the Law of Attraction With ‘Beyond the Secret’, Now Streaming on GJW+Wike To Odili: Elder Statesman Shouldn’t Be Sycophant
Virtual Reality Startups Redefine Gaming World. Is the Future Already Here?Eldorado Gold Releases Updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Statement; 2024 Gold ...
Published 5:31 pm Friday, December 27, 2024 By Data Skrive Seeking Tee Higgins’ stats? Here is everything you need to know. In terms of season stats, Higgins has been targeted 92 times and has 58 catches for 727 yards (12.5 per reception) and seven TDs. Don’t miss a touchdown this NFL season. Catch every score with NFL RedZone on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Sign up today and watch seven hours of commercial-free football from every NFL game every Sunday. BetMGM is one of the most trusted Sportsbooks in the nation. Start with as little as $1 and place your bets today . Targets Receptions Yards YAC TDs Yards/Catch 92 58 727 206 7 12.5 Catch NFL action all season long on Fubo. Week Opponent Targets Receptions Yards TDs Week 3 @Commanders 6 3 39 0 Week 4 @Panthers 10 6 60 0 Week 5 @Ravens 14 9 83 2 Week 6 @Giants 7 7 77 0 Week 7 @Browns 8 4 82 1 Week 11 @Chargers 13 9 148 1 Week 13 @Steelers 10 5 69 1 Week 14 @Cowboys 5 2 23 0 Week 15 @Titans 8 5 88 1 Week 16 @Browns 11 8 58 1 Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .SMU owns second half in win over LongwoodToo early to celebrate – Arne Slot keeps leaders Liverpool focused
By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Pick your top priorities Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Be as specific as possible Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Track your progress Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. Automate where you can If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. Related Articles Business | Buying a house in 2025: your how-to guide Business | For some FSA dollars, it’s use it or lose it at year’s end Business | A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Business | Corporate Transparency Act injunction lifted Business | Are religious people more generous than non-religious people? What new study finds “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” Adjust as needed “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Team up with a friend Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” More From NerdWallet Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet .Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while WHO chief says he was meters away