Friedrich Merz and his center-right Christian Democrats emerged victorious in Germany’s election on Sunday, but the celebrations may be short. The next government, almost certainly led by Mr. Merz as chancellor, faces a stagnant economy, President Trump’s threat to put tariffs on the country’s crucial export industries and a fourth year of war in Ukraine….
Owners of electric cars in Vermont recently got a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles with some bad news. Starting Jan. 1 they would have to pay $178 a year to register their cars, twice as much as owners of vehicles with internal combustion engines. In imposing the higher fee, Vermont became the latest…
Thinking about making a New Year’s resolution to get your finances in order? You might have better luck sticking to it than you’d expect. Despite public perceptions that such resolutions are a waste of time, some findings suggest they can help people achieve their goals, at least for a while. A 2024 survey from the…
Mx. Clark, the Seattle financial planner, suggested talking with your family to agree on a maximum amount to spend on gifts and putting holiday spending in context with longer-term financial goals. You may be giving priority to saving for other things — like a car or a down payment for a house. “You don’t want…
