Good morning. It's Tuesday, March. 19 and we're covering how much you should tip, secret tips to save money on your next vacation, what NAR's landmark commissions settlement means, and much more. | First time reading? Sign up here. | Stock Market Update | | | | | Market Performance: March 18, 2024. | The S&P 500 fell on Friday and notched its second-straight weekly loss, with technology stocks under pressure as inflation concerns remain front and center ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week.
The broad market index lost 0.65% to close at 5,117.09. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 190.89 points, or 0.49%, to finish the session at 38,714.77, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.96% to 15,973.17. The S&P 500 shed 0.13% this week. The 30-stock Dow inched lower by 0.02% on the week, and the Nasdaq slipped 0.7%.
Stocks have notched two weeks of declines in a row as hotter-than-expected inflation and other data surprises dented faith in a policy pivot by the Fed. |
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| | Financial Maverick Insights | | | | | How Much Should You Tip? Five People Share Their Habits | Gig workers and waitstaff often rely on tips to make a living. But Americans increasingly feel that tipping culture has gone too far.
Another survey by consumer financial services company Bankrate found that around two in three U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping, and that 41% of U.S. adults think businesses should just pay their employees better, so that they don't have to rely so heavily on tips.
Gig workers and waitstaff often rely on tips to make a living. But Americans increasingly feel that tipping culture has gone too far. Another survey by consumer financial services company Bankrate found that around two in three U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping, and that 41% of U.S. adults think businesses should just pay their employees better, so that they don't have to rely so heavily on tips.
Tipping is thought to have its roots in ancient Rome, but in its modern form it's believed to have originated in Tudor England. In the 19th century, when wealthy Americans returned from travels in Europe, they began tipping out of a desire to appear aristocratic.
At first, the practice was strongly opposed by most diners, who argued that it was contrary to the American ideal of a society without stratification by social class.
But tipping stuck, in part because business owners stood to benefit, as the practice shifts some of the burden of paying servers onto customers. |
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| | | | | | Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation | It's almost vacation season. Well, really, any season is vacation season. People travel year-round, but it amps up in the summer months and over the holidays. Travel has really increased since the end of the pandemic. People are itching to get out and explore the world after being couped up for so long.
So, if you want to travel a bunch but don't want to waste money, I have some smart and secret tips for you to save money on your next vacation.
Travel by the Numbers
For the 2023 holiday season, the AAA projected a whopping 115.2 million travelers to travel 50 miles or more from home during the travel period from Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, to Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The number of travelers was projected to increase 2.2% over last year. It also marked the highest projection since 2000, when the AAA first started tracking holiday travel. The busiest travel season, according to the AAA, was in 2019. So, it's obvious that people are traveling pretty much more than ever.
If you're traveling to some fun hotspots, you'll want to save some cash. Read on for some helpful tips to save money on your vacation this year.
Try To Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, "You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA." So, don't settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It's a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
Get Smart With Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate.
Snack Your Way To A Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don't think of this tip, so it's a bit of a secret.
Timing Is Everything
You've heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That's true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you'll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot. |
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| Real Estate News |  | Mastering listing presentations: Your guide to success | Watch the latest Inman Access class to hear top performers share their best practices for listing presentations. |
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|  | Here's What NAR's Landmark Commissions Settlement Means | The National Association of Realtors agreed to a settlement in the lawsuits over broker commissions. Here's what it means. |
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|  | The housing market's inventory crisis is finally easing | "Sellers who were on the fence in 2023 are now listing. They're more used to elevated rates now," said a Redfin real estate agent. |
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| | Personal Finance Tips |  | Teaching kids about money: Tips to avoid sharing financial stress | When it comes to parents and children, money stress can be contagious. That's what Amy Weimer, director of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University, found |
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|  | The Psychology of Saving: Tricks to Change How You Think About Money | Experts say we can retrain our brains to build healthier savings habits. |
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|  | Elon Musk defends stance on diversity and free speech during tense interview | Tesla CEO tells Don Lemon people should be treated 'according to their skills and integrity.' |
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