Wealth and Wisdom: Week of October 20, 2025
- Mike Brown
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Tariff tensions are flaring up again, causing increased volatility in the markets – and higher prices on the things we buy. The U.S. and China are battling over everything from rare earth minerals to soybeans to cooking oil.
A Goldman Sachs report out last week also estimates that U.S. consumers are absorbing as much as two-thirds of tariff costs. American businesses and foreign exporters are footing most of the rest.
In short, foreign businesses are getting hit sharply higher tariffs – but you and I are taking most of the hit in the form of a “tax” that’s baked into higher prices on much of what we buy every day.
The IRS has updated federal tax brackets for inflation. See where you stand next year. (Reading time: 8 minutes)
Paying less in taxes is a worth financial goal – as long as you remember why you’re investing in the first place. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
The way you spend your money can make you happy or miserable, according to my favorite financial author. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
It’s hard to find a time when Americans have been in better shape financially – so why doesn’t it feel that way? (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Home prices are rising much faster than household incomes – and mortgage rates are no bargain. That’s bad news for first-time homebuyers. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
The cost of college is closing in on six figures a year – but most students aren’t paying anywhere near that much. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Seven out of 10 U.S. adults say they want to invest – but can’t find the money after making their monthly debt payments. These 5 strategies can help. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
This is the time of year for making big decisions on employee benefits. Use this list to make sure you cover all the bases. (Reading time: 8 minutes)
Start by deciding what to do with all of your stuff – and don’t hurry the process. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
There’s literally a wealth of useful information about personal finance on the internet – and some of the best resources are free. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“Spending money to show people how much money you have is the fastest way to have less money.”
– Morgan Housel
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