The Rise Of ‘Finfluencers:’ Can You Really Trust Financial Advice On Social Media?

The Rise Of ‘Finfluencers:’ Can You Really Trust Financial Advice On Social Media?

Ivana Pino · Senior Writer  January 2, 2026 

Here's how to navigate financial advice on social media.

Financial influencers — or "finfluencers" — are reshaping how people learn about money. Instead of textbooks or financial advisers, many consumers now rely on social media personalities for guidance on budgeting, investing, and paying down debt.

While some offer credible and well-researched information, others blur the line between education and entertainment. And in some cases, they promote strategies that don’t actually work in the real world. Knowing how to spot the difference can make or break your financial health.

What is a finfluencer?

Finfluencers are social media content creators who focus on providing personal finance information and advice.

While older generations are more likely to turn to friends and family or financial advisers for personal finance advice, younger Americans are increasingly turning to their social media feeds for answers to their pressing financial questions.

A recent Gallup survey found that the majority of adults aged 18 to 29 rely on friends and family for financial advice. However, young adults also reported relatively high use of online sources; 42% said they use financial websites and social media, while 23% report following personal finance content creators.

“Finfluencer content can make money feel more accessible and less intimidating,” said Tori Dunlap, a prominent financial influencer, entrepreneur, and creator of Her First $100K. “It helps normalize conversations around money, reduces shame, and often motivates people to take their first steps toward financial stability.”

Unfortunately, not all creators have the best interests of their followers in mind, or the expertise to give blanket financial advice. And many Americans have paid the price for misleading financial advice online. A report by the CFP Board found that more than half of survey respondents said they’ve made regrettable financial decisions based on misleading online information.

“The downside is that social media rewards simplicity and speed, not nuance,” Dunlap said. “Financial decisions are rarely universal, yet advice is often presented that way. Sponsored content, affiliate links, and viral incentives can also influence what advice is shared, sometimes at the expense of accuracy or context.”

How to identify and avoid social media misinformation

Online financial content can be a great source of education about personal finance, and can help you pick up some money-saving tips. But before you take anyone’s financial advice, be sure to do some research on the source of that information and verify that what they’re saying is accurate.

You should also be wary of any content or advice that sounds too good to be true, like “get rich quick” tips and content that taps into feelings of shame or fear.

“Excessive product promotion, unclear disclosures, and a lack of context around who the advice is for should raise concern,” Dunlap said. “Good financial education should leave people feeling more capable and informed, not pressured or panicked.”

As you’re browsing, there are ways you can vet the information you see to make sure you’re not misled.

Verify the creator’s credentials

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/can-you-trust-finfluencers-205111042.html   

How Much Cash Should I Have On Hand?

How Much Cash Should I Have On Hand?

Yahoo Personal Finance  Ivana Pino · Senior Writer

It might be less than you think.

According to an analysis by Capital One, 47.8% of American adults make no cash purchases in a typical week. And in the U.S., an estimated 87.4% of all transactions are cashless.

With card and digital payments emerging as the primary payment methods for most consumers, you might wonder how much cash you should keep in your wallet — if any at all.

Here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of carrying cash, and how to go about deciding how much you should keep on hand.

How much cash should I have on hand?

Cash may no longer be king, but it’s not obsolete by any means. There are instances when paying in cash might be more beneficial than using a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet. For instance, many small businesses prefer cash and may even offer a small discount because it saves them the fees associated with credit card transactions.

Experts say it’s common for most Americans to carry $20 or $30 in cash. Ultimately, however, the amount of cash you should have on hand depends on your unique financial situation.

When determining the right amount to carry in your wallet, consider how often you use cash and for what types of expenses. Do you prefer to save up cash for big-ticket purchases, or do you mainly rely on cash for smaller transactions such as tipping?

Either way, it’s best to minimize the amount of cash you keep on hand. For one, cash isn’t insured against loss unless it's deposited in a bank, making it vulnerable to damage, loss, or theft. Plus, physical cash doesn’t have the opportunity to earn interest or grow in value. And over time, inflation reduces the purchasing power of cash.

That said, you do want to ensure your spending money and emergency savings are “liquid.” For money that you expect to need in the near future, consider depositing it in a federally insured bank account, such as a checking account or high-yield savings account. This allows you to generate interest, which helps protect your purchasing power and increase your wealth over time, while also maintaining easy access to the funds.

Pros and cons of carrying cash

Having some cash in your wallet can be helpful when you find yourself in a situation where a merchant or retailer doesn’t accept cards or digital payments. But there are definitely downsides to carrying cash too.

Here are some of the major pros and cons of cash to consider when evaluating how much you should keep on hand.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/how-much-cash-should-i-have-on-hand-164855098.html

4 Financial Skills I’m Passing Down to My Children

I’m a Wealthy Millennial: 4 Financial Skills I’m Passing Down to My Children

Heather Taylor   Yahoo Finance

Gen Alpha, and future generations to come, may be on track to receive the financial literacy they deserve.

A new study from Bank of America titled the “2024 Study of Wealthy Americans” reveals emerging trends around generational wealth and its influence on financial strategies. Data from the 2024 quantitative survey shows that 48% of wealthy Americans said they would initiate the conversation when it comes to teaching their children or heirs financial skills.

What kinds of financial skills are wealthy Americans planning to pass down to their children or heirs? GOBankingRates spoke to Dave Fortin, the millennial co-founder of investing app FutureMoney and a new dad, to learn more about the financial skills he plans to pass down to his children.

Delayed Gratification

In March 2024, GOBankingRates surveyed 1,008 American adults on a series of questions related to financial literacy. When asked about the poor money habits they learned from childhood, 36% of respondents said they picked up impulse shopping.

This won’t be the case for Fortin. He told GOBankingRates he plans to talk to his kids about delayed gratification. Beyond avoiding impulse purchases, it’s a lesson that will help his children in many other aspects of their lives.

“By using the language of money, you can show your kids the advantages of saving today for something in the future, and how your money can grow,” said Fortin.ughh

Goal Setting

Another skill Fortin plans to teach his children is how to set goals, which he considers to be important in money and in life.

Learning how to set a goal — whether this is a goal towards going to college, buying a car or purchasing your first home — is only one part of the equation, according to Fortin. He added that it’s important for children to learn how to create a plan that will help them achieve the goal.

Being Good Stewards of Capital

Fortin’s list of financial skills he plans to teach his children include comparing income and expenses, understanding taxes, basic banking products and basic investing principles. Many of these skills are confusing to adults, especially those who lack the proper financial literacy background. As an example, nearly 17% of Americans surveyed by GOBankingRates in March 2024 said they didn’t clearly understand how taxes work.

In a wealthy family, Fortin said it’s particularly important to teach children to be good stewards of capital. This means clearly acknowledging how to manage, use and protect wealth so it fulfills the current generation’s needs as well as the next generation. A poor steward would likely be more inclined to recklessly spend instead of save money or live well beyond their means.

“Wealth can sustain a family, fund great businesses that solve important problems in the world, and do a lot of good through charitable works,” said Fortin. “Having wealth does not absolve someone of the duties of managing their money well.”

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/m-wealthy-millennial-4-financial-204525798.html

8 Best Places To Keep Your Cash In 2026

8 Best Places To Keep Your Cash In 2026

These options are not only safe, but also allow you to earn interest.

Emily Batdorf Wed, January 7, 2026

Now that the new year is underway, you may be reflecting on both your financial situation and the greater financial landscape in the U.S. Though prices for everything — from groceries to housing to utilities — remain high, inflation has slowed over the last year. This prompted the Fed to cut rates three times during 2025. At the same time, the job market has cooled, and unemployment has risen.

 If nothing else, the current economic situation may be reinforcing how important it is to keep cash on hand. Whether you lose your job or you’re simply facing a higher cost of living, cash can provide you with a critical safety net. That’s why choosing the right place to protect and grow it is crucial.

8 best places to keep your cash

The best place for your cash depends on your financial situation and priorities. Where one account may offer higher returns, another may have higher liquidity. Consider the following options for your cash in 2026, keeping your unique needs in mind:

High-yield savings account

High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) offer two major perks: competitive interest earnings and high liquidity. The biggest difference between HYSAs and traditional savings accounts is that HYSAs pay higher rates, often because they’re offered by banks with lower overhead costs (namely, online banks).

With the best high-yield savings accounts earning as much as 4% APY, these accounts could be a great place to store cash and help your balance grow faster. However, keep in mind that some banks may limit the number of withdrawals you can make from your HYSA each month.

Money market account

A money market account (MMA) combines features of a savings account and a checking account, making it a versatile option for managing your cash. MMAs tend to earn higher interest rates compared to traditional savings accounts, but they also typically come with a debit card and/or checks to make accessing and spending your money easier.

Even though MMAs are more accessible than regular savings accounts, they can still have withdrawal limits. MMAs also tend to have higher minimum balance requirements, so they may not be the best choice if your savings balance is small.

Short-term CD

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of account that allows you to lock in an interest rate for an agreed-upon period of time, known as the term. You generally can’t touch your money until the account reaches maturity without paying a penalty. But in exchange for keeping your money on deposit, CDs offer guaranteed interest.

CDs come in a range of terms, from one month to five or more years. Short-term CDs, or those with terms of one year or less, let you benefit from competitive, fixed interest rates without locking up your money for too long. Plus, with current economic conditions, some shorter-term CDs are offering the most competitive rates.

Treasury bill

Treasury bills are short-term debt securities issued by the U.S. government with terms ranging from four weeks to one year. When you purchase a Treasury bill, you pay a discounted price. When the bill matures, you receive its face value.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/personal-finance/banking/article/best-places-to-keep-cash-230620039.html

Millionaires In America: How Common Is It To Have A 7-Figure Net Worth?

Millionaires In America: How Common Is It To Have A 7-Figure Net Worth?

Emily Batdorf   December 2, 2025 Yahoo Personal Finance

If you’ve dreamed of becoming a millionaire, you’re not alone. To many, hitting this financial milestone signals you’ve “made it.” With assets valued at seven figures, you can wave goodbye to many of the financial stressors that nagged at you when you had less.  However, with inflation eroding the value of the dollar with each passing year, being a millionaire doesn’t mean what it used to. As a result, there are more millionaires today than there used to be, and becoming one might be more within your reach.

Read on to learn more about how many millionaires there are in the U.S. today and ways you can grow your net worth to become a millionaire too.

What does it mean to be a millionaire today?

The term “millionaire” can have a range of different meanings depending on who you ask. Some people may define a millionaire as someone who earns a seven-figure income each year. But the most widely accepted definition is someone with a net worth of at least $1 million.

That said, within the world of millionaires, there’s an incredibly broad range of wealth. For instance, having a net worth of $1 million may not even be enough to retire, depending on how much you spend each year. But having a net worth of $10 million or $100 million affords you a completely different lifestyle — one in which you largely don’t need to worry about financial security.

How many millionaires are there in America?

According to Swiss bank USB’s 2025 Global Wealth Report, there were 23,831,000 millionaires in the United States in 2024. Compared to other countries, this is by far the largest number of millionaires, comprising nearly 40% of millionaires worldwide.

The number of millionaires is also growing in many parts of the world, including the United States. Though the number of millionaires is growing at a much faster rate in countries such as India and China, the U.S. still had 1.5% more millionaires compared to the previous year’s Global Wealth Report. In other words, the U.S. gained roughly 379,000 millionaires in a single year, which translates to over a thousand new millionaires each day.

However, it’s important to note that wealth isn't equally distributed among different races in America. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 1 in 5 households with a white householder had a net worth of at least $1 million. For households with a Black householder, that ratio falls to 1 in 20.

Millionaire money habits to adopt

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wealthy-just-rich-heres-real-150337374.html

Are You Wealthy Or Just Rich? Here's the Real Difference — And Exactly What It Takes To Be Both

Are You Wealthy Or Just Rich? Here's the Real Difference — And Exactly What It Takes To Be Both

Ivy Grace    December 18, 2025  Benzinga

There's a difference between looking rich and actually being wealthy. One is loud. The other doesn't need to explain anything.

Rich means you earn a lot. You might drive a luxury SUV, own a $10,000 couch, and take three vacations a year — all while living paycheck to paycheck. Wealthy means you own assets that generate income whether you're working or not. Wealth buys freedom. Rich buys bills.

What It Takes To Be Considered Wealthy

According to the 2025 Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey, Americans now say you need $2.3 million in net worth to feel wealthy. To feel just financially comfortable, the average response is $839,000 — up from $778,000 the year before.

The survey, conducted among more than 2,000 U.S. adults, also revealed generational breakdowns:

• Gen Z: $329,000 for comfort, $1.7 million for wealth

• Millennials: $847,000 for comfort, $2.1 million for wealth

• Gen X: $783,000 for comfort, $2.1 million for wealth

• Boomers: $943,000 for comfort, $2.8 million for wealth

But these are perceptions, not actual thresholds. What people feel is enough often doesn't reflect what they actually have — or what they truly need to build lasting wealth.

What the Data Actually Shows

The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances puts the median net worth of U.S. households at $192,700. That's the 50th percentile — half the country is below it.

To reach the top tiers:

• 75th percentile: around $659,000

• 90th percentile: $1.87 million

• 95th percentile: over $3 million

• Top 1%: typically starts around $11–16 million

Based on recent asset growth, especially in real estate and the stock market, the current top 10% threshold is estimated to have climbed closer to $2.5 million–$3 million. That lines up almost exactly with where the Schwab survey says people start feeling wealthy.

Rich Is Income. Wealthy Is Ownership

TO READ MORE: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wealthy-just-rich-heres-real-150337374.html  

Five Key Things To Know Before You Sell Your Silver Coins, Bars, Jewelry Or Flatware

Five Key Things To Know Before You Sell Your Silver Coins, Bars, Jewelry Or Flatware

Charles Passy and Andrew Keshner  Wed, December 31, 2025  MarketWatch

Is It Time To Sell Your Silver?

That’s the question some may be asking in light of the fact that the precious metal’s price SI00 has risen well over 100% in the past year, reaching a record level above $82 an ounce on Monday. After all, many people have some silver tucked away in their closets in the form of flatware, coins and jewelry. Others may have purchased silver bars for investment purposes. Sure enough, those who buy silver for a living say they’ve been plenty busy of late responding to such folks.

“[We’re] seeing a deluge of silver sellers like we never have before,” said Brandon Aversano, CEO and founder of the Alloy Market, a Pennsylvania-based company that specializes in precious metals. Aversano noted that his firm has purchased nearly twice the amount of silver in the second half of 2025 as it did in the first half.

Fueling that demand, of course, are buyers aplenty who want a stake in silver, given the price gains of late.

“I’ve sold more silver in the past two weeks than I’ve probably sold in the past six months,” said Phil Neizvestny, owner of Bullion Holdings, a company based in New York City’s Diamond District.

If you do want to sell your silver items — whether it’s a set of cutlery you inherited from grandma or coins you collected long ago — what do you need to know? We spoke with some experts to find out. Let’s break it down into five questions.

1. Where Can You Sell Your Silver?

There are options galore. You can always head to your local pawnbroker or a merchant who specializes in coins or precious metals. You can also go the internet route, which will involve shipping your silver to a company that conducts such transactions.

Auction houses are yet another option, particularly for collectible items that have value beyond their intrinsic “melt value” (more on that later). There are also platforms like eBay EBAY, as well as social-media groups where buyers and sellers can connect.

Which option is best? Keep in mind that you can’t generally expect to receive the current market (or “spot”) price for your silver, since sellers have to make money on the transaction. “There is a bid/ask spread just like there is for any other traded asset,” explained Trip Brannen, chief financial officer at Coinfully, a company that appraises and purchases coins.

Experts say you will tend to get higher prices at online outlets — which typically have less overhead — but you then have to deal with shipping and you will also wait to receive your money. Pawnbrokers and other local merchants may pay less, but you’ll get your money right away.

And while going the eBay or social-media route can result in good prices, you need to ask yourself if you’re willing to deal directly with buyers.

No matter how you opt to sell, the usual caveat of getting different price quotes applies — don’t presume the first offer is the best. You’ll also want to check the buyer’s credentials or applicable ratings. And if you’re dealing with an online buyer, see if they’ll pay for shipping and insure your package.

2. How Can You Tell If An Item Is Real Silver?

TO READ MORE:  https://news.yahoo.com/news/finance/news/five-key-things-know-sell-174700763.html

Most Millionaires Don't Consider Themselves Wealthy. So What Does It Really Mean To Be Rich?

Most Millionaires Don't Consider Themselves Wealthy. So What Does It Really Mean To Be Rich?

Ivana Pino  Ivana Pino · Senior Writer  Updated December 18, 2025   Yahoo Personal Finance

A new Schwab survey finds that only a third of America’s millionaires feel wealthy.  By most traditional measures, having a net worth of $1 million should put someone firmly in the “wealthy” category. Yet a growing number of millionaires don’t see it that way.  Just one third (36%) of the nation’s wealthiest citizens — those with at least $1 million in investable assets — consider themselves wealthy, according to Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning and Progress study.

Further, nearly half (49%) of American millionaires say their financial planning needs improvement, citing the possibility of outliving their savings, the impact of taxes in retirement, and potential long-term care needs as their top financial concerns.

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This gap may be surprising, but it highlights how rising costs, longer lifespans, and shifting expectations have redefined what it means to feel rich in modern America.

Why $1 million doesn’t feel like a lot of money anymore

One reason most millionaires don’t consider themselves wealthy is because our definition of wealth has changed over time.

“Being a millionaire used to mean you had done really well and ‘made it,’” said Tom Mathews, CFEd, CPA, and author of "How Money Works." “Today, it really just means you’ve crossed an outdated line.”

Mathews explained the problem isn’t necessarily that people have less money today, but rather, they have less certainty and control around their finances. “Things like inflation, rising taxes, market volatility, and the escalating cost of housing, healthcare, and education have changed what financial security feels like,” he said. “A million dollars on paper doesn’t stretch the way it used to, especially when most of that net worth is tied up in illiquid assets like homes, retirement accounts, or businesses.”

There’s also the issue of longevity. With people living longer, a seven-figure portfolio may not seem substantial when it’s expected to fund decades of living expenses and rising medical costs.

In other words, Mathews said, many people might look wealthy on paper, but that doesn’t mean they feel financially secure.

What does it mean to be rich today?

If millionaires don’t necessarily feel wealthy, what does it take to feel rich in today’s economy?

According to Charles Schwab’s 2025 Modern Wealth Survey, Americans need an average net worth of $839,000 to be financially comfortable, and $2.3 million to feel wealthy.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/how-many-millionaires-in-america-205846046.html

Even Millionaires Don't Feel Wealthy These Days

Even Millionaires Don't Feel Wealthy These Days

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY   December 3, 2025

A million dollars is not what it used to be.

Only 36% of American millionaires consider themselves wealthy in 2025, according to new research from Northwestern Mutual.  The finding comes from the 2025 Planning & Progress Study, updated in early November. It draws on a Harris Poll survey of 4,626 Americans, including 969 people with household investable assets greater than $1 million.

Even the wealthiest Americans worry about money, the study found. They fret about having enough of it, deciding how to spend it and whether to pass it on to heirs.  If $1 million isn’t enough, then how much money does it take to feel wealthy?

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“There’s no definitive number,” said Mark Mascarenhas, a private wealth adviser with Northwestern Mutual’s Haven Wealth Advisors.

Many millionaires don't consider themselves wealthy

Feeling wealthy has a lot to do with context and perspective, he said.

A million dollars might go a long way in West Virginia or rural Kansas. In New York or Los Angeles, it might not feel like nearly enough.

A millionaire who hangs out with other millionaires is bound to make unflattering comparisons to wealthier friends.

“All of my clients who are millionaires do not consider themselves wealthy, not by a long shot,” Liz Windisch, a certified financial planner in Denver.

“People with that much money inevitably spend time with other people who are millionaires, and who have even more money than they do and – just like the rest of us – compare themselves to others who have more,” she said.

Nearly half of U.S. millionaires say their financial planning “needs improvement,” Northwestern Mutual found. Only 53% said they expect to leave an inheritance or charitable gift.

“It’s not that they don’t want to leave an inheritance. It’s just that they’re worried about funding their own retirement,” Mascarenhas said.

The top retirement concern for millionaires, the study found, is the prospect of outliving their savings.

The Rise Of Everyday Millionaires

The United States is home to nearly 24 million millionaires, the largest number of any nation in U.S. dollar terms, according to the UBS Global Wealth Report.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/what-is-considered-wealthy-175033814.html

Here’s Why Being a Millionaire Doesn’t Mean You’re Rich

Here’s Why Being a Millionaire Doesn’t Mean You’re Rich

Cindy Lamothe  GOBankingRates     Mon, December 29, 2025

If you grew up thinking a million dollars meant yachts, private islands and private jets, well, 2025 has other plans. These days, hitting millionaire status is still impressive — but it doesn’t automatically translate to feeling rich.

According to the 2025 UBS Global Wealth Report, the U.S. saw the sharpest rise in millionaire numbers globally. Between rising costs, shifting lifestyles and a new definition of what “wealthy” even means, being a millionaire isn’t what it used to be.

Here’s why the title doesn’t guarantee the life you might imagine.

When You’re Asset-Rich But Cash-Poor

For Michael Benoit, licensed insurance broker and founder of California Contractor Bond & Insurance Services, the concept of a “millionaire” being rich is dangerously outdated, especially in 2025.

“Every day I see owners of businesses who are millionaires on paper. They may have $2 million in assets, including their equipment and their primary residence,” he said.

Benoit explained the problem with this is that these assets are not liquid and are often encumbered by substantial debt. He noted, “They are asset-rich but cash-poor.”

How Your Age and Wealth Structure Shape True Millionaire Status

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/why-being-millionaire-doesn-t-215504201.html

Experts Warn The Internet Will Go Down In A Big Way — And You'd Better Be Ready

Experts Warn The Internet Will Go Down In A Big Way — And You'd Better Be Ready

Geoff Williams   Sat, December 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM EST

It’s bad enough when the internet goes down for a few hours because your power went out after a storm, but what if the internet went down indefinitely, sort of everywhere? What if your state or an entire region of the country lacked the internet or electricity because of a cyberattack or something innocuous, like problems with an aging grid or the federal government forgot to pay a bill?

Do you have a plan for that?

Most people don’t. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency surveyed 7,525 Americans for their 2024 report on disaster preparedness and found that 57% of the country isn’t prepared for, and isn’t planning to prepare for, a disaster.

That’s a shame because an internet or electric type of emergency is likely to occur one of these days, said Robert Siciliano, a security analyst and author of ”Identity Theft Privacy: Security Protection and Fraud Prevention.” “I don’t think it is a matter of ‘if,’ it is simply a matter of ‘when.’ The electrical grid, as we know it, is only about 120 years old. And it is scattered in such a way that local or regional brownouts or total failures are happening too often.”

Siciliano added, “Having backup food, water, batteries and power should be a consideration for everyone. The term ‘prepper’ has gotten a bad rap.” He said that if you want to function in the event of a regional or nationwide electric or internet outage, “I think at this point everybody should be prepping.”

So if you want to keep your tech during a period of digital upheaval, feel free to borrow these strategies.

Try and create a backup internet plan.

“Preparing for individual internet disruptions and power outages is straightforward – you need backup internet access methods and/or the ability to generate energy on your own,” said Sean Gold, who should probably hang out with Siciliano. Gold is a prepper and the owner of the website TruePrepper. Gold also has a degree in emergency management and was an emergency manager in the Air Force.

Gold said that the best way to not lose your digital life during an internet or electrical grid crisis is to assume it’s going to happen sooner or later and plan for it.

“A cellular hotspot is an easy way to get through a day or two of internet outages, but if the outage is widespread, then that plan is much less effective with the overloaded cell towers. Many preppers are starting to embrace Starlink and satellite ISPs even if they are in less rural areas,” he said.

Of course, if you’re not a tech person, Gold might as well be talking in Sanskrit. So let’s do a quick translation:

• Hotspot: This allows you to hook up your smartphone to a laptop, tablet, smart TV or any device that has the internet. This is helpful if your phone can’t access Wi-Fi but other devices you own can. If the internet is out everywhere, however, as Gold said, you’re not going to get very far with a personal hotspot (your phone’s settings will have instructions as to how to set up a hotspot).

• Starlink. You’ve probably heard of Starlink; Elon Musk owns it. It’s a satellite internet provider, so if cell phone towers are down, well, no problem – you’re accessing the internet through satellite technology. Starlink can be pricey: $80 to $120 is what it charges residential households that want to use it, and you’ll have to buy the $349 equipment to set it up.

• Satellite ISPs. It’s an abbreviated term for satellite internet service provider. The aforementioned Starlink is one. Don’t feel like making Musk richer than he already is? You may want to check out Hughesnet (plans start at $49.99 a month for a full year, but you need to set up a two-year contract). Viasat is another prominent satellite internet provider (plans start at $69.99 a month). 

  Tech: An Amazon Outage Nearly Took Out The Whole Internet. Here’s Just How Big It Was.

TO READ MORE:   https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/experts-warn-internet-down-big-120017712.html

3 Tools the Wealthiest Americans Use To Safeguard Their Generational Wealth

3 Tools the Wealthiest Americans Use To Safeguard Their Generational Wealth

Laura Bogart   GOBankingRates   Thu, December 25, 2025

When you imagine the wealthiest people you know — whether in real life or on the covers of magazines — you know that hard work or good luck (or a combination of both) likely played a role in building their fortunes. But keeping that wealth intact for decades — and ensuring it benefits future generations — takes deliberate planning and the right financial tools.

And because you’re putting nose to the grindstone to grow and protect your own wealth, you know that building a legacy of financial security also involves a lot of effort. Still, you might not be sure exactly how the wealthy safeguard what they have worked so hard to build.

To preserve what they have built and ensure it is available for future generations, high-net-worth individuals turn to a variety of tools, products and strategies — many of which could also help everyday people like you grow and protect your own wealth.

As you see what the experts GOBankingRates spoke with shared, you will realize that the resources you need to achieve these goals aren’t so challenging to find.

Diversification

For Lukendric A. Washington, a certified planner and CEO of Manifest Wealth Management, the question of how wealthy people safeguard their wealth has one very clear answer — diversification. He wants clients to make sure their wealth isn’t bottled up in one kind of asset, because if that asset performs poorly, well, the bottle can break, and with it, their nest egg.

“In their investment portfolios they likely have a mixture of several, if not all, asset classes,” he said. “Beyond the typical investment options, there are private equity options, which can be riskier and less liquid, but can also reduce the risk that one event or one bad investment will destroy their entire portfolio.”

The wealthy and wise spread their assets across different categories to mitigate the risks that can come with having too much exposure to a single investment. Smart diversification can happen across industries (for example, having a portfolio with investments in different sectors) or by including alternative investments such as precious metals, real estate or even fine art.

Life Insurance

To read more:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/3-tools-wealthiest-americans-safeguard-141809253.html

Sorry, Winning Powerball’s $1.7 Billion Jackpot Won’t Make You A Billionaire

 Sorry, Winning Powerball’s $1.7 Billion Jackpot Won’t Make You A Billionaire. Here’s why you might end up with $136.6 million instead.

Charles Passy  MarketWatch  Tue, December 23, 2025

You just won the big $1.7 billion Powerball jackpot and you’re feeling like, well, a billion bucks.

But let’s get real for a moment: You’re almost certainly not a billionaire.

There’s no doubt that someone who wins a lottery jackpot will walk away a rich person. And Wednesday’s Powerball prize — the drawing is set for 10:59 p.m. Eastern time — is the fourth largest in the game’s history.  But even when a jackpot heads into billion-dollar territory, the winner isn’t likely to see that kind of money. When all is said and done, they may be fortunate enough to call themselves a centimillionaire — someone with a net worth of $100 million or more.

We did some research and crunched some numbers to come up with the following scenario, showing how a $1.7 billion jackpot can turn into an actual prize of $136.6 million — again, nothing to sneeze at, but not quite enough to put you in Elon Musk territory (net worth: $748 billion). Or even Jerry Seinfeld territory (net worth: $1.1 billion).

Here’s how it all breaks down.

You may have to split the prize

It’s great if you can keep that jackpot all to yourself, but that doesn’t always happen. In fact, in the 50 largest lottery jackpots claimed to date, the prize has been split by two or more winners 10 times, and in some cases by as many as three. Let’s assume a worst-case scenario here, and you get only a third of that jackpot.

Your share of the $1.7 billion prize is $566,666,667.

You take the lump sum

The big advertised jackpot number reflects the amount you’d receive if you opted to annuitize your prize over 29 years (30 payments in all). But the vast majority of jackpot winners go for the lump-sum payout, according to reports.

And at least some financial advisers say there’s good logic behind doing that, because it leaves you in control of how to invest (and presumably grow) the money. Still, taking the lump sum cuts the total by more than 50%, according to what Powerball shares. The current lump sum if only one winner claims the $1.7 billion jackpot is $781.3 million. If there are three winners, that would have to be split three ways.

Your prize is now $260,433,333.

You have to pay Uncle Sam

You didn’t think the taxman would forget to come for a share of your winnings, did you? With a big lottery prize, you’ll now be in the highest federal tax bracket, which means a 37% hit. (You can do the math yourself, but trust us: You’ll be among the top earners.)

Your prize is now $164,073,000.

Your state and city can come calling, too

Most states — and some municipalities — levy their own income taxes. So that’s another chunk to calculate based on that $260,433,333 figure. The rates vary considerably, but let’s say you live in a place with a high income-tax rate, especially for wealthy individuals. For example, New York state’s top tax rate is 10.9% (New York City residents pay an additional income tax) and New Jersey’s is 10.75%, according to the Tax Foundation website. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll consider what a 10% state income-tax hit might do to your winnings.

You need to bring in professionals to sort everything out

If you talk to folks who work with high-net-worth individuals, they’ll all tell you pretty much the same thing: It costs money to be a rich person, because you need to sort through a minefield of legal and tax-related matters.

TO READ MORE:   https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sorry-winning-powerball-1-6-221200157.html