Author: Smart Wealthhabits

New Africa / Shutterstock.com It’s like there’s a flood on social media viral videos Taken from Amazon’s popular doorbells ring. From singing delivery personnel and angry neighbors to close encounters with wildlife, these video doorbells promise to give us a glimpse of events we would never know were happening otherwise. But is that really reason enough to slap someone next to your front door? Turns out, there are actually a number of reasons why you might not want a video doorbell. 1. Some people may be against you Simona Pilola 2 / Shutterstock.com It’s all fun and games until someone…

iStock / ljubaphoto / iStock.com Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers With the new year just a few months away, you may be like many Americans and have already given up on your resolutions to improve your finances in 2026. Don’t be…

B.V. Financial, Inc. BVFL has been upgraded to “Outperform” rating from “Neutral”, reflecting improving credit trends, a solid capital base and continued expansion in its core lending operations. The upgrade signals growing confidence in the company’s ability to deliver stable earnings, although some structural risks remain. BV Financial has shown a clear improvement in asset quality, with non-performing assets reducing from 0.46% of total assets in 2024 to 0.25% of total assets in 2025. This reflects better loan performance and effective resolution of stressed assets. Low defaults and fewer classified loans also indicate disciplined underwriting and monitoring, which should help…

Johnson/Money Talks NewsYour roof is leaking, or your doctor has recommended a knee replacement to ease your pain. These scenarios are why you have insurance, but now the decision is likely to involve fixing the machine. Using artificial intelligence to pay your taxes, answer your questions, and remove all the drudgery from your life has its appeal. However, consumers may find the benefits greater…

The badge of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.Michael M. Santiago | getty imagesU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents shot a man in California on Tuesday after he allegedly “discharged his vehicle with a weapon” and tried to run over an officer, the Department of Homeland Security said.According to authorities, Agent Carlos Ivan Mendoza was conducting a targeted vehicle stop in downtown Paterson to arrest Hernandez, who is an alleged member of the 18th Street Gang and was wanted in El Salvador for questioning in connection with a murder.Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, “As officers approached the car,…

Planning-focused firm brings approximately $150 million in client assets and nearly three decades of fiduciary service Denver, April 07, 2026–(business telegram)–Mercer Global Advisors, Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), a national registered investment advisor (RIA), today announced the joining of Personal Financial Solutions (PFS)A Manasquan, New Jersey-based advisory firm that oversees approximately $150 million of client assets. The addition further strengthens Mercer Advisors’ established presence in New Jersey, complementing its existing offices in Marlboro and Morristown and adding scale in a key East Coast market. Founded in 1996 by Kenneth LeBlanc, Personal Financial Solutions provides personalized investment management and comprehensive financial planning tailored…

LordHenryWoton / iStock.com Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers Living on a fixed income always requires careful planning and extremely difficult budget editing. For retirees in 2026, the cost of living is becoming increasingly difficult to manage in today’s economy when you…

US Vice President JD Vance holds a mobile phone while speaking on a microphone with US President Donald Trump while delivering remarks at a Friendship Day event in the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at MTK Sportspark in Budapest, Hungary on April 7, 2026.Jonathan Ernst | getty imagesPresident Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday after Vice President J.D. Vance called on his boss from the stage of a political rally at a football stadium in Budapest.”I like that Victor, I’ll tell you, he’s a fantastic guy, we’ve had a great relationship,” Trump said as…

If you’re not making enough money, or simply want a chance to make money to make more room in your budget, you don’t have to look for a high-paying job. Instead, says financial expert Tony Robbins, “work smarter, not harder.” One way to do this is to create passive income-generating streams in a variety of ways, including real estate investments, trusts, REITs, and others.Read further: 10 ways you’re wasting money, Suze Orman explainstry this: Start Growing Your Net Worth with Better TrackingPassive income is money you earn with minimal sustained effort in your spare time after completing the initial setup…

Research Methodology To determine the best money market accounts of 2025, GOBankingRates analyzed the following factors across all banks (except neobanks): (1) total assets received from the FDIC; (2) the number of branch locations received from the FDIC; (3) Minimum deposit amount to open an account; (4) APY on money market account; (5) Minimum balance required to earn APY; (6) monthly money market fee ratio (percentage of minimum to avoid fees compared to monthly fees); and (7) average mobile app rating between Google Play (Android) and the Apple Store. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score…