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Selecting the perfect engagement ring isn't simply about the brilliance or the size of the diamond, it's also about the meaning behind the ring shape. Many shoppers wonder, "What does each diamond shape say and how does it reflect my relationship?" Every lab-grown diamond tells a unique story. Understanding the symbolism and meaning behind different engagement ring shapes will help buyers select a ring that's both beautiful and personally meaningful. VRAI shares tips to help navigate the...
A few years ago, so few high schoolers ate breakfast in Vermont's Essex Westford School District that the cafeteria looked like "a ghost town" in the morning, recalls Scott Fay, the director of child nutrition. But now that breakfast is free for all students, kids are packing the cafeteria to talk, munch on fresh cranberry-orange bread, and finish homework before the first bell, Chalkbeat reports. "It's really amazing to see that transition," said Fay, who helped lobby for the Vermont law that e...
Universal pre-K has been shown to prepare children for school, narrow the achievement gap, and help reduce child care costs. Still, just as state-funded pre-K programs have taken off nationwide, with enrollment increasing during the 2022-23 school year, a shortage of early childhood educators has thwarted progress toward providing a high-quality, equitable education for every 4-year-old. The reasons for the shortage are complex. Low wages and burnout have led to high turnover across the board,...
When the sun finally set, the three rabbis jumped in their car and sped down Interstate 15 to Provo, Utah. A Jewish quarterback was leading Brigham Young University against Kansas State, then the No. 9 team in the nation, under the lights of LaVell Edwards Stadium. Rabbis Avremi and Chaim Zippel and their brother-in-law Rabbi Moshe Nigri had to see it for themselves, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. And on that September night, they could. Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, lasts from sundown on...
Americans may have record-low gas prices to be thankful for this holiday season as at least one analyst predicts average gasoline costs could fall below $3 per gallon by Thanksgiving. "The question is not so much when do we drop below $3 per gallon, but how much lower can we go?" OPIS global head of energy analysis Tom Kloza told Yahoo Finance. About 24 states had average gas prices at or below $3 per gallon this week, according to AAA data. Part of that is due to volatile oil prices that have...
Since the first TV game show—the BBC's "Spelling Bee"—aired in 1938, these programs have captivated audiences. Game shows' popularity grew along with television ownership, which increased exponentially in the 1940s and '50s from just a few thousand homes in 1947 to roughly 50% of homes by 1955. One of the first U.S. hits, "What's My Line?", debuted in 1950. In the '60s, programs like "The Match Game" and "Password" appeared, each entertaining audiences for over 20 years. Then came some sho...
Only 6.2% of millennial households earn $200,000 or more nationwide. But from state to state, that percentage of high-earning millennials can range from one-third of that to almost double. This group has more discretionary economic power than their peers, and an outsized portion of them among a statewide population—or an apparent deficit—could impact many aspects of that local economy. With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked states by the percent of millennial households earning at least $20...
Investing in small businesses helps foster community resilience and promote local economic growth. And there are many ways to support small and local businesses this holiday season—without breaking the bank. According to the Chamber of Commerce, small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and contribute 43.5% of America's gross domestic product. When small companies prosper, they create jobs, encourage local innovation, and contribute to a neighborhood's unique character. E...
Last year, more than 49 million Americans hit the road for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, according to the National Safety Council, it's one of the most dangerous driving holidays in the United States. Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researchers at TruckInfo.net discovered a few worrying trends for Thanksgiving travelers. #1: Drunk Driving Is a Major Issue During Thanksgiving Despite Uber and Lyft helping to reduce alcohol-related traffic fatalities by 6.1...
Effective money management involves a range of practices and habits that help you optimize your income, reduce debt, and build financial stability. These practices may include creating a budget, tracking your expenses, saving money, paying off debts, and investing in your future. Overall, it requires discipline, patience, and a willingness to make changes to your spending habits and money goals. But with the right strategies in place, it can help you achieve long-term financial solvency and...
The average car loan term is 68.48 months for a new car and 67.41 months for a used car, or close to six years, according to Experian data. The average length of auto loans for new and used vehicles has remained fairly steady since last year, reflecting the continuing popularity of longer-term auto loans. While longer auto loans offer more affordable monthly payments, they can ultimately end up costing more in total interest than loans of 60 months or less. Average New Car Loan Term The latest...
Dr. Brad Klontz first heard about TikTok through his teen nephews. After they showed him some animal videos, he kept scrolling and watching more posts. Before long, the financial psychologist—who helps patients deal with money-related stress—stumbled across one user promoting day trading. "I was sort of blown away because I thought, erroneously, of course, that day trading died in the tech bubble when everybody lost all their money," says Klontz. "But there's an entire new generation of peo...
A prepaid business card is a type of debit card that requires funds to be preloaded onto the card before it can be used for business purchases. The total amount that can be spent is limited by how much money has been preloaded on the card. Once the balance has been used up, more funds will need to be loaded onto the card to continue using it. How Do Prepaid Business Cards Work? A prepaid business card works just like a regular business credit or debit card. It can be used anywhere that a...
Today's best family cars blend safety, reliability, and affordability, but the choices can be overwhelming. To simplify your search, Edmunds studied the latest results of its testing program to determine today's best family cars. Every year, the Edmunds vehicle test team subjects around 200 cars to a rigorous battery of performance trials, from acceleration to braking to poking the buttons of infotainment systems. Each car then gets a rating, and only the top performers make the list. How...
Let's be honest, the best part about Thanksgiving is the side dishes. Unfortunately, that's also where the bulk of the calories are. Research shows that the average American eats at least 3,000 calories at Thanksgiving dinner. Depending on age and sex, the daily recommended intake ranges between 1,800 and 2,800 calories for an entire day. And while there's nothing wrong with indulging a bit on a holiday (everything in moderation!), navigating all the options can feel like a minefield for those...
Between a growing housing deficit and historic federal funding for infrastructure improvements, construction projects are arising across the nation. At the same time, there may not be enough qualified workers to move these projects forward. There were 370,000 construction job openings in August, up 138,000 from the month prior, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Meanwhile, over 90% of general contractors who are hiring reported that they are struggling to fill positions, according to...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the Gu...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the Gu...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the Gu...
The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is roughly the same this week compared to last and down 12 cents from one month ago, according to AAA data. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan is projecting that the national average could fall under $3 per gallon just in time for Thanksgiving travel, when 72% of Americans intend to road trip to their celebration destinations. Several factors could work against those projections, including escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and storms in the...
As November settles in, temperatures drop, and—surprise—power bills are about to go up. The average U.S. electricity price hovers around 16.8 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), but there's huge variation. Rates range from 33 cents per kWh in California to a low of 11.8 cents in Louisiana. Knowing your local rate could save you from winter sticker shock, so Arbor shares the lowdown on November prices, what's coming in December and January, and tips to keep your costs down. Current Electricity Costs...
Modern parenting styles are shifting from constant supervision to strategic support as new research reveals the downsides of overprotective parenting approaches, the LA Post reports. The once-popular helicopter parenting style faces growing scrutiny as child development experts point to the benefits of a more measured approach called hummingbird parenting. While both approaches stem from a desire to support and nurture children, they differ significantly in execution and impact. Understanding...
There's something truly magical about Christmas markets, especially when they're located in the picture-perfect heart of a historic European city. Unsure about which one to check out this year? Yessica Klein, writing for GetYourGuide, has rounded up 14 of the best Christmas market destinations across Europe, each with its own unique charm. 1. Prague, Czech Republic When: Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025. Where: Old Town Square, 110 00 Prague, Czech Republic. Why: Traditional performances, a pettin...