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Here’s Why Central Banks Are Loading Up Gold

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Central banks have been loading up on gold since 2020, and for many, the buying spree is the result of government stimulus programs during the pandemic, which has fueled record-breaking inflation in subsequent years.

Nevertheless, as inflation has returned to historical trends in many countries, central banks have continued to hoard gold even as inflation has eased, monetary policies have been adjusted and interest rates have fallen.

Likewise, investors must follow the guidance of these institutions and visit them buying gold tests? This analysis will reveal why central banks are buying so much gold, the benefits of buying gold right now, and which you should consider before accumulating the precious metal.

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Revisiting the gold standard

It is not new for central banks to hoard gold. In fact, the the gold standard it has directly tied the US dollar to gold for decades. Great Britain fixed the gold standard in 1931, and the US ended its domestic gold peg in 1933 (and later ended its dollar-to-gold peg in 1971).

Inflation was still there and fluctuated during the period when the gold standard was in effect, but it averaged out in the end. Between 1880 and 1914, inflation averaged 0.1%. That period coincided with America’s “old gold standard,” but the country had mid-single-digit inflation rates for some of those years.

However, inflation has accelerated since the US went off the gold standard. This reflected historical trends, where many countries and empires throughout history experienced rising inflation after devaluing their currency from gold and relying on money. fiat currency in turn.

It is important to keep the gold standard in mind when looking at the current impact of gold buying going on. Central banks can create more money, reducing the value of their paper money in the process. Since gold has real value, its price will rise relative to the currencies that the central banks continue to flood the financial system with.

How much gold do central banks buy?

Central banks bought a record 1,082 metric tons of gold in 2022 and hoarded 1,037 metric tons of gold in 2023. Central banks then added 1,045 metric tons of gold to global reserves in 2024, and total purchases fell to 863 metric tons 2502 over 202 purchases. 2010–2021 annual average.

Central banks accumulated 299.94 tonnes of gold in the first quarter of 2024, setting a record for Q1 gold purchases. An additional 183.39 tonnes of gold arrived in the second quarter, representing the highest Q2 since 2021.

In the third quarter of 2024, central banks purchased 186.2 metric tons of gold, marking a significant year-over-year decrease from gold purchases in Q3 2023. However, demand for the physical asset more than doubled year over year, according to the World Gold Council.

Why do central banks buy gold?

Central banks used to hoard gold before the pandemic, but the rise in currency in recent years has been remarkable. There are several reasons why these institutions store precious metals, including those listed below.

Inflation

Fiat currencies lose value as governments print more money. Although inflation was the norm, the US printed more than three billion dollars in 2020, with other countries using their own money printers.

High inflation reduces the purchasing power of fiat currencies. Consumers will see that firsthand as the cost of everything goes up in 2022. According to the US Department of Labor, the annual inflation rate reached 7% in 2021 and 6.5% in 2022.

Lower interest rates and taxes may fuel inflation

The rate of inflation has slowed since peaking at 9.1% in June 2022. The latest reading of the Consumer Price Index (January 2026) showed prices rose 2.4% last year. However, inflation could inch higher as the Federal Reserve eases policy over time; The Fed kept the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 percent to 3-3/4 percent at its January 2026 meeting.

Low interest rates encourage more consumers and businesses to borrow money. Loans and lines of credit increase the flow of money, which leads to lower prices.

While we won’t see an inflation challenge in the hike set for 2022, inflation may rise as interest rates continue to fall. Additionally, President Trump’s 2025 tax hike is expected to increase inflation in the short term, which could lead to higher gold rates.

Any reduction in the federal income tax may be able to offset the additional costs associated with taxes, but lowering the federal income tax can also increase the rate of inflation by injecting more money into the economy.

Global uncertainty

Global conflicts have increased uncertainty, making gold a more desirable commodity. Many investors retreat from gold during tough economic times, and central banks may be trying to get a head start.

The ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and Russia have contributed to the rise in gold prices over the past few years.

Should you buy gold like the big banks?

Central banks have been buying gold for years in an attempt to diversify their holdings. The recent and sudden surge in gold purchases has brought more attention to the precious metal. Gold’s strength continued through 2025 and early 2026, supported by changing rate expectations and global uncertainty.

However, inflation is slowing and returning to historical rates. Lower interest rates will boost inflation, but it is unlikely that inflation will reach the 2022 peak anytime soon. Even though inflation rose that year, gold remained valuable, reflecting its role as a store of value.

The value of real assets remains the same as central banks continue to print money. Gold is an important resource, not only as a medium of exchange but for many commercial uses, including dental, jewelry, electronics, automobiles and other in-demand products and services.

Gold will continue to gain value as money grows. Precious metal has stood the test of time and has retained its value for thousands of years. However, investors should check their tolerance and goals before accumulating gold.

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Warren Buffett’s Law of No Money

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If you fear running out of money in retirement, you’re not alone. People build nest eggs for decades to ensure they can do everything they want in retirement, whether that’s travel, eating or taking up a new hobby.

But there are ways to prevent those fears from becoming reality, including making smart financial decisions and managing your portfolio like legendary investor Warren Buffett. The legendary investor has picked dozens of stocks that have gone up, but his long-term mindset and emphasis on compound interest are the keys to his financial success.

Currency and investment risks

This fear of outliving your nest egg has become more apparent in recent years due to increased longevity and inflation. You have to stretch your money over many years as it continues to lose purchasing power. That’s why you need assets that can outpace inflation and compound over time.

But while the all-cash approach comes with the risk of inflation, you also don’t want to invest all the money. The risk that way is that you may end up being forced to sell assets during a market correction to cover your living expenses.

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Buffett’s way

One of the main tenets of Buffett’s method is to invest for the long term and let compound interest – which is the interest you earn on interest – power your portfolio. As your balance grows, compound interest means your assets are doing more work for you.

Buffett remains invested in productive assets and does not sell due to short-term volatility and market noise. It is also important to avoid selling just because you are close to retirement without a proper strategy. If you have a long-term growth mindset, you can get more out of your nest egg and help ensure that your wealth outpaces inflation.

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Measuring growth and safety after 50

The best asset allocation will depend on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. While keeping everything in cash can lead to significant opportunity costs, leaving all your money in stocks comes with a lot of risk, too. A sensible asset allocation gives you enough cash to cover living expenses in the short term, so you don’t need to sell during down markets. This balance allows investors to take advantage of growth opportunities while maintaining a strong margin for various expenses. You can adjust your allocation gradually according to changes in your risk tolerance.

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For example, some risk-averse investors may choose to put money in a dividend stock that they won’t need for the next three to seven years and put the rest in a growth stock. Investors who are more willing to take on more risk may choose to have enough cash to cover one year’s expenses, cash for income-producing assets they won’t need in the next three years, and some of their cash for growth stocks.

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Everything You Need to Know About Roth IRAs in 2026

Saving for a car, vacation or shopping trip can be hard enough. But saving 50 years down the road? That is a challenge. It is also very much needed.

In addition to rising health care costs and life expectancy, companies have said goodbye to pensions. That means most people will have no guaranteed retirement income without Social Security, which only replaces about 40% of average pre-retirement earnings. So it’s up to you to make a difference by saving.

There are many types of investment accounts that you can put into your retirement plan, but one that can provide the greatest benefits especially for young people is the Roth IRA.

An important factor when deciding whether a Roth IRA is right for you is whether your current income taxes are against what you think they will be in the future, says Kelly Welch, a certified financial planner and wealth advisor at Girard in King of Prussia, Penn.

“If you use it the right way, you can be 70 years old and have a tax-free income,” Welch said.

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What is a Roth IRA?

A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account (IRA). As the name suggests, an IRA is opened by an individual, not with their employer like a 401(k). You can open one yourself through a brokerage firm like Fidelity or Charles Schwab.

So what makes a Roth IRA different from a traditional IRA? Its tax treatment. With traditional IRAs, you contribute pre-tax dollars — meaning those contributions are tax-deductible in the year you make them and then fully taxed when you withdraw the money in retirement. It’s the opposite of a Roth IRA, and it has tax-advantaged benefits.

Benefits: tax-free withdrawals and more

Contributing after-tax dollars now to tax-free withdrawals in retirement is a good move for people who think their future taxes will be higher than they are now. This could be because your income is high, pushing you into a higher federal income tax bracket, and/or because the government has raised its own brackets, a move many experts think will be necessary to help the country generate more revenue to pay off its growing debt.

Another benefit to a Roth is that you can withdraw any money you contribute at any time, tax-free, since you’ve already paid Uncle Sam. When you withdraw money from a traditional IRA, you will be taxed on every cent regardless of when you withdraw it. You will also face a 10% penalty for early withdrawal before the age of 59 ½.

In addition, traditional IRAs and many employer plans require minimum distributions (RMDs), which means you need to start taking money out of your account when you turn 73 — regardless of whether you need that money to live on — and pay income taxes on it, or face a hefty penalty. With Roth IRAs, there are no RMDs, so your money can continue to grow when you don’t need it.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To contribute to a Roth IRA, you must have what the IRS calls a “compensation.” This includes income you earn from work – such as wages, salaries and commissions – and may include taxable alimony and separate alimony you may receive in a divorce (generally, this only applies if your divorce or separation agreement was entered into by Dec. 31, 2018, or meets other IRS conditions). Dividends, or pension income are not included in that definition and cannot be contributed.

You are not eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA if your adjusted gross income exceeds a certain limit. In 2026, the eligibility thresholds are between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers (and heads of household) and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.

There’s also an annual contribution limit for these types of accounts: $7,500 in 2026, or $8,600 if you’re 50 or older. In contrast, 401(k) retirement accounts (provided by employers) have higher contribution limits: $24,500 per year for those under 50, and those 50-plus allow an additional $8,000 per year in so-called “catch-up” contributions (and in most plans, savers ages 60-63 can contribute more).

Although you can withdraw the money you put into your Roth at any time, you need to meet certain requirements to withdraw any returns your contribution made to the market. These include being at least 59 ½ years old, and the account must have been open for at least five years. Ineligible distributions, or those that do not meet these requirements, may be subject to income tax and/or a 10% penalty (there differentsuch as covering your other medical insurance if you lose your job).

How to open a Roth IRA

There is no one-time trick when it comes to opening a Roth IRA. They can be opened at any time, but your contributions for each calendar year must be made by your tax deadline for the following year (usually April 15).

And there are several ways to open this type of retirement account, including consumers and credit unions. Be sure to do some research: some companies will give you a long list of funds to choose from, while others are more restrictive. They also vary in how much guidance you will receive – at some financial institutions you may have to make your own investment decisions, while at others. to give advice.

“I can lean on the one with better technical skills,” Welch said. He recommends looking at those with an app that makes it easy to view, manage and rebalance your account, as well as those with low investment requirements if you’re on a tight budget. As the market is always welcoming new tools and offerings, it is now easy to find them.

You can contribute to your Roth IRA by cash or check, contributions from your spouse, rollovers or transfers (from one eligible account to another). The account can hold a variety of investments, including individual stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA

A Roth conversion is when you convert your traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. When you do a Roth IRA conversion, you pay income tax on the converted amount, but it can still be a good option for a young person, who may be making more in the future. That way, you eliminate your tax obligations if your tax rate is low. A conversion can be especially attractive in years when your income is temporarily low – or when the markets are low and the value of the assets you are replacing is reduced – because it may lower the tax costs of the conversion.

If you choose this route, remember that you don’t have to convert your entire IRA at once. If switching the entire account will put you in a higher tax bracket, it may make sense to just switch part.

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All Expired Jobs

Since the 19th century, about 70-80% of all jobs in the industrial world were in agriculture.

Most people were farmers.

In 1870, more than half of all men had servants or worked on farms.

Today less than 1% of the US population works in agriculture.

Innovation and technology made farming successful, so people moved on to factory jobs and ended up working in white-collar offices.

There are many jobs over the years that have been outsourced by technology.

Telephone switchboard operators.

There used to be people who lit all the gas lamps in the street by hand. They were replaced by electricity.

Before alarm clocks, people called knocker-ups used to go around knocking on windows to wake people up.

Ice cutters and ice movers were replaced by the refrigerator.

Milk delivery too.

Before computers existed, NASA used human computers to do math by hand.

Elevator operators are no longer needed.

Clerks and file clerks are being replaced by word processors and computers.

It was someone’s job to set the bowling pins by hand.

Blacksmiths, wagon drivers and hard hands were replaced when automobiles replaced horses as the primary form of transportation. Now we needed auto mechanics and taxi drivers.

Assembly line workers were replaced by robots and cheap labor in developing countries. Many travel agents went out of business when travel booking sites came online. Tollbooth collectors have been replaced by machines or automatic tolls.

There were once video store clerks who were forced to put back videos you forgot to put back (and charge you for their trouble).

I could go on.

All these layoffs and more have happened but the unemployment rate for the last 80 years or so has been less than 6%:

The economy changed. The staff has changed. Jobs have changed. And things continued to grow.

I am not trying to minimize the disruption caused by this technological development. There was a drastic change as farmers moved from rural farming to urban factory work. Many Rust Belt manufacturing cities closed as work was moved overseas to cheaper labor.

There will certainly be a drastic change for many white-collar roles as AI is integrated into the workflow. I’m sure there are jobs out there that will be affected by AI that we can’t even imagine right now.

But new roles will also be created. AI will make many people better in their current roles. That will lead to more opportunities.

For many employers and businesses, AI will lead to more customers. Lawyers will be able to file multiple cases. Tax accountants will be able to add additional taxes. Financial advisors will be able to handle multiple clients. When the bottlenecks are removed, the output increases.

In a recent podcast, Marc Andreessen discussed the fact that tasks in your workplace change over time but tasks can continue with those changes.

He uses the historical example of an officer who used to have a secretary to write memos, messages and so on. Now, managers write their messages and send them by email. This is very successful but the secretary still has work to do. They are simply doing new jobs. That’s what he thinks AI will do for most workers.

Jobs themselves are not necessarily solutions to problems. Many businesses are created to solve a problem. People will still be required to do so.

One of the biggest unintended consequences of the pandemic was the explosion of business applications:

I think AI can send this trend into hyperdrive. The tools available will make it easier than ever to learn/build/code/grow a business faster than ever.

There are a lot of questions and no clear answers yet when it comes to AI. Some functions may be removed. New jobs will be created. Employees who know how to use AI effectively will be better in their current roles. People who don’t will likely be left behind or forced to adapt.

I don’t know what will happen but I am not in the camp of utopia (perfect abundance, no one has to work) or dystopia (everyone is unemployed and broke). I’m somewhere in between.

What I do know is that people are resilient, economies are changing and there will be amazing results from this new technology, just like all that came before it.

Michael and I talked about the potential impact of AI in this week’s Animal Spirits video:

…

Subscribe to Compound so you don’t miss an episode.

Further reading:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence

Now here’s what I’ve been reading lately:

Books:

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Can Your Family Survive a $31,000 Deductible?

Can Your Family Survive a ,000 Deductible?

If you think it hurts to pay a few thousand dollars out of pocket for health care, brace yourself. Proposed legislation from the Trump administration could push that number to $31,000 for families.

According to a recent New York Times report, we’re seeing a big change in how health insurance could look next year. To address the problem of unaffordability, management is looking for new, discounted, but affordable health insurance policies.

Because of recent price increases, Obamacare policies have pushed many Americans out of the market. More than a million people have opted out of Obamacare this year.

Let’s talk about the specifics of this proposal and what it actually means for your wallet. Remember, this is only a suggestion so far.

The math behind the $31,000 deductible

Insurance is essentially a game of risk. Under these new laws promoted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, can buy a catastrophic plan with an individual deductible of $15,000 or a family deductible of $31,000.

The pitch for these programs is simple. You pay a rock-bottom monthly premium. If you are healthy and never see a doctor, you save money every month. But if you get into a car accident or get a serious diagnosis, you’re on your way for up to $31,000 before your insurance pays a dime.

For most Americans, that’s not a stretch. Bankruptcy. If you don’t have that kind of money sitting in a high-yield savings account ready to use today, this type of program is a huge gamble.

Skinny plans and missing benefits

These proposals do more than just increase the deductible. They fundamentally change what qualifies as health insurance.

The rules will redefine important benefits, which means that some coverage you expect to have may disappear.

For example, the proposal suggests that dental care for the elderly will no longer be considered an essential benefit. These “small” policies may sound great when you’re young and invincible, but anyone with a chronic illness will end up paying for almost all of their care out of pocket.

You can read more about the sweeping shifts behind this in “5 Things You Need to Know About Trump’s New Health Care Plan.”

The risk of no-network insurance

Perhaps the biggest concern in the Times report is the pressure on systems that do not have networks of hospitals and doctors.

How does this work: Instead of negotiating rates with a network of doctors, these insurance companies pay a fixed, flat rate for a specific procedure.
Patient burden: If your doctor charges more than that minimum, you must pay the difference.

Proponents argue that this gives you the ability to shop around and find the best deal, lowering health care prices. But if you have an expensive medical emergency, you probably won’t be in a position to negotiate prices on your insurance policy.

If you can’t find a doctor who accepts a low insurance rate, you will end up with huge, staggering medical bills.

What you should do right now

We’re seeing people leave the Affordable Care Act market because enhanced subsidies expired last year, causing premiums to double for many families. In fact, the administration’s own estimates suggest that up to 2 million people could drop coverage by 2027.

When shopping for health insurance, don’t just look at the monthly premium. You should use worst case calculations.

Ask yourself if you can afford the high out-of-pocket cost. If the answer is no, you cannot afford the program. It’s that simple. It’s better to find a way to pay a slightly higher monthly premium with a plan that won’t ruin your finances if you get sick.

Related: “The Hidden Costs of Low Premiums: Why Your Health Plan May Be at Risk”

Look carefully at the market options for your region. Check if you qualify for Medicaid or state-level advanced funding before you prepare for a disaster plan. Because insurance is supposed to protect you from financial loss, not guarantee it.

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Mortgage Rates Drop Below 6%: Time To Buy?

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Mortgage rates fell below 6% this week for the first time since 2022. Is this the big break consumers have been waiting for?

According to Freddie Mac’s benchmark rate survey, the weekly average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 5.98% as of Feb. 26, its lowest level in more than three years. And while the difference between this week’s rate and last month’s isn’t significant dollar wise (working out $35 less on a $450,000 loan), it can have a psychological impact on both buyers and sellers.

In an emailed comment, Mischa Fisher, Zillow’s chief economist, tells Money that the drop may make sense for many buyers.

“Prices below 6% will create headlines and spark conversation, which may lead to consumers stopping their search and re-engaging,” he says.

Rates below 6% can also help ease foreclosure concerns, which keep homeowners who don’t want to give up their low mortgage rates from considering moving and listing their homes.

“Existing homeowners with mortgage rates in the 4% range can now compare that to rates starting at 5% on their next home, which can be a lot more fun when doing the mental math,” Fisher said.

Adding more inventory to the housing market is an important part of improving affordability because it gives buyers more options, reduces competition and helps keep housing prices stable.

Is now a good time to buy a house?

Mortgage rates are unpredictable and change daily in response to a range of market conditions. There is no guarantee that today’s 5%-plus rate will continue to decline — or that it will not fall further than 6%.

Joel Berner, chief economist for Realtor.com, tells Money in an email that trying to time the market based on valuations may not be fruitful. Instead, the decision to buy a home should be based on your goals and your financial readiness.

“It’s best to bite the bullet when you find a home that meets your needs and your budget, whenever possible,” says Berner.

That said, home buying conditions right now are the best they’ve been in over three years. There are more homes for sale, mortgage rates are much lower than last year and house prices are holding firm.

According to a recent study from Zillow, home buyers received nearly $30,000 in purchasing power between January 2025 and the end of January of this year, when the 30-year rate dropped from 6.96% to 6.10%. During that time, the average mortgage payment decreased by 8.4%. This purchasing power is likely to increase slightly as prices fall in February.

Fisher points out, however, that affordability will vary greatly by market and consumer, so not everyone will be able to take advantage of the rate dip.

“It is still a big challenge for many families, but it is trending in the right way,” he said.

3 Ways Your Wallet Will Feel It

Paramount Skydance recently beat out Netflix in a $111 billion bidding war to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

Yes, the company that owns CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Showtime and Pluto TV is swallowing the company that owns HBO Max, CNN, TNT, TBS, Batman and Harry Potter.

A major business merger like this can sound like background noise. But when media giants merge, shockwaves often hit the consumer.

I’ve watched telecom and media megadeals happen for decades, and the promises of a “better consumer experience” almost never pan out. Instead, you usually end up with fewer options and a lighter wallet.

Here is the marriage of Paramount and Warner Bros. How Discovery will impact your entertainment budget.

1. Expect your streaming bills to rise

Let’s look at the statistics. Paramount is taking an astronomical amount of credit to pull this off. It’s paying $31 a share, taking on tens of billions of Warner’s existing debt, and borrowing heavily just to buy it. According to The Guardian, Paramount has lined up $54 billion in new debt just to complete the takeover.

All that debt must be paid. How does it do that? Another way might be to squeeze more revenue from subscribers.

Right now, both Paramount+ and HBO Max are competing for your dollars. When they are under the same roof, that competition disappears. You’re likely to see aggressive price increases on whatever streaming platform they end up introducing.

We’ve already seen streaming prices skyrocket over the past few years, and a merger of this size accelerates that trend.

2. Say goodbye to cheap private services

Currently, you can buy Paramount+ or HBO Max separately, or you can get one thrown in for free through your mobile provider or with a Walmart+ membership. Enjoy those benefits while they last.

When media companies merge, they tend to stack up. It makes their subscriber numbers look good to Wall Street. You’ll likely see Paramount+ and HBO Max combined into one, big streaming app.

While having all your favorite shows in one place sounds great, it means you’ll be forced to pay a higher price for a bunch of content, even if you only care about watching “The Series” or NFL football.

They want to integrate you into their ecosystem so you can cancel and rotate streaming bundles as easily as possible right now.

3. Less original content, more repetition

These are the hidden costs of business integration. When two big studios come together, they look for synergies. In plain English, that means job cuts and production budget cuts.

Prior to this deal, Paramount and Warner Bros. they are competing with each other – and against Netflix – to win your attention by shining a light on new, high-quality movies and series. With only one very small competitor in the market, the newly formed giant does not have to try hard.

You’ll probably see a few serious, original shows being produced. Instead, the new company will rely more on milking existing franchises, endless spin-offs, and reality TV because it’s cheaper to make and carries less financial risk. You’ll pay more per month, but you’ll get a few new, real stories for your money.

So, what should you do now? Always keep a close eye on your credit card statements. Check your streaming subscription this weekend. If you pay for services you don’t use each week, cancel them before the post-bundle price increases start.

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Today’s Gold Prices: February 27, 2026

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Today’s gold prices are seeing the precious metal rise from yesterday.

Here are today’s gold futures prices and a quick summary of where gold was yesterday, along with the overall trends:

Gold futures open today, Feb. 27: $5,251.80 per troy ounce
Gold futures closed yesterday, Feb. 26: $5,213.50 per troy ounce
Percent change: Up 0.73%
Change in the last five days: Gold has increased by 3.36% in the last five days.

Note: These prices fluctuate during the day.

Gold as part of your portfolio

Gold has historically underperformed the stock market. However, in the last two years, the tables have turned. In both 2024 and 2025, the precious metal gained 28% and 65%, respectively. During the same period, the S&P 500 gained 25% and 18%, respectively.

But gold should not be viewed as part of a short-term strategy. Instead, it has made its name as a buy-and-hold property. (See Money guide on how to buy gold for more details.) Because of its weak correlation with the stock market, over time gold has served as a hedge, a portfolio that protects against inflation, market volatility and falling interest rates.

For long-term investors looking to diversify their holdings, allocating between 5% and 10% of their capital to other investments — including safe-haven assets like gold — can help reduce portfolio risk while providing leverage over traditional equity investments.

How to invest in gold

For those interested in adding gold to their portfolio, there are several ways to do so. Physical ownership of gold can complement a retirement savings plan with gold IRAs – we review the best every month, which you can read here.

Money has also been scrutinized by many gold dealers online which offer free and insured shipping, purchase guarantees and secure storage in IRS-approved warehouses.

But investing in gold does not require ownership of the physical metal. Investors who are more comfortable with equity markets can gain exposure through leverage gold exchange rates (ETFs) and mutual funds.

While gold-backed ETFs and physical gold do not produce yields, shares of certain gold mining companies do pay dividends. Investing in companies – like AngloGold Ashanti, for example – it can give investors the power of gold appreciation and income.

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8 Ways I Used AI to Cut Our Costs by $2,340

8 Ways I Used AI to Cut Our Costs by ,340

I thought our family budget was out of whack. We watched how we spent money, we cooked at home, and rarely wasted money.

However, every month, our checking account felt like it was leaking a little. Out of frustration, I uploaded a raw spreadsheet of our monthly statements to the free AI chat and asked a simple question: “Where am I going to spend the money?”

The answer took less than ten seconds, but the results completely changed our financial trajectory. The AI didn’t just figure out my daily coffee habit.

Instead, it pointed out systemic, recurring pitfalls that cost thousands of dollars a year – and then gave me specific documentation and strategies to fix them.

Here’s how that one afternoon conversation reduced our debt.

1. Let the algorithm negotiate your premiums

When AI revealed that my combined auto and home insurance rate had gone up nearly 20 percent over the course of three years without me noticing, it prompted me to shop around for better insurance.

It turns out that paying the loyalty penalty is surprisingly common. You could be throwing away hundreds of dollars a year just to scrape the insurance company’s profit margins.

AI has shown me that the only way to fight back is to quickly compare prices. This is a new tool for buying car insurance reveals if you are paying too much for your car insurance in just a few clicks.

Likewise, this home insurance comparison tool reveals what home insurance insurers are hiding: the same coverage in smaller hundreds.

Take three minutes right now, click on those links, and see if you can save a lot of money.

2. Stop paying banks to hold your money

The chatbot calculated exactly how much interest I was losing by keeping our money in a traditional, low-yield account, pushing me to move our funds to higher-yielding options like SoFi checking..

If you bank at a traditional brick-and-mortar facility, you’re likely charged monthly fees while earning a small amount of money from your deposits. Stop paying maintenance to get zero.

SoFi offers a combined checking and savings account. When you set up direct deposit, you earn up to 4.00% on your savings (subject to change without notice). That is much higher than the national average.

Plus, if you make a direct deposit of $5,000 or more in the first 25 days, you get a bonus of up to $300.. Direct deposit $1,000 to $5,000, and you get a $50 bonus. That’s free money.

Check out SoFi right now.

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3. Automatically hunt for phantom subscriptions

After the AI flagged three streaming services I hadn’t logged into since last year, I realized I needed a dedicated tool like Rocket Money. regularly monitoring and canceling these forgotten monthly routes.

AI proved that finding garbage manually is tedious. Rocket Money Rating the user saves $290 per month by allowing the app to automatically hunt down and cancel fraudulent subscriptions.

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4. Rethink your strategy for crushing high-interest balances

Analyzing my credit card statements, AI showed me the harsh reality of making small payments, which led me to explore aggressive debt settlement programs to wipe the slate clean.

Worrying about monthly payments ends, and paying high financing costs is a mathematical trap.

AI made it clear: if you have a problem, you have to deal with it aggressively.

If you carry more than $10,000 in debt, National Debt Relief is a highly respected provider that helps negotiate those balances down.

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5. Sever ties with legacy carriers

One of the immediate benefits AI identified was our large cell phone bill, proving that switching to a discount wireless provider could cut our monthly costs in half without sacrificing coverage.

Smartphones are a necessity, but paying the most advertised giants is a choice. Finding an affordable cell phone provider saves you hundreds every year, often on the same towers.

For example, Tello Mobile uses T-Mobile’s reliable 5G network, offering plenty of data, international texting, and hotspot access starting at just $5 a month.

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6. Set your interest rates immediately

AI brutally highlighted how much of our monthly payment went directly to interest payments, and advised us to immediately transfer that balance to a 0% introductory APR card to stop the bleeding.

Stop letting finance costs ruin your payments. Transferring your balance gives you years of breathing space where every dollar goes toward principal.

Getting a new 0% APR introductory credit card takes the stress out of paying off your balance.

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7. Access the dead equity sitting in your home

When I asked the bot the smartest way to finance needed home repairs without touching our savings, it ran the numbers and suggested using our property value with a home equity line of credit.

You can significantly reduce your monthly debt obligations by using your home equity to pay off expensive credit card balances.

When my home went up in value, I turned to a home equity line of credit (HELOC). swapping high-interest debt for a very low-interest loan. I saved hundreds a year by swapping rates, which eventually helped me pay off my house.

HELOCs are an effective way to access cash for debt consolidation or home improvement, as HELOC rates are often less than half of what credit cards charge..

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8. Protect your emergency fund from mechanic’s bills

AI weighed the age and mileage of our primary vehicle in its risk assessment, strongly recommending an extended vehicle warranty to prevent sudden transmission failure from wiping out our savings.

A sudden mechanic’s bill can quickly destroy months of careful budgeting. As maintenance costs rise, a single breakdown is a major threat to your financial stability.

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Why Many Workers Identify as Workaholics, Despite Knowing the Health Risks of Overtime

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Monster.

As discussions about burnout and work-life balance continue, long hours remain the norm for all employees. Monster’s Workaholics Report finds that for many full-time workers, working more than 40 hours a week is not the exception but the norm. In fact, most workers now describe themselves as extremely unprofessional.

Based on a national survey of more than 800 full-time workers, the findings suggest that overwork is often shaped by workplace culture and expectations, even when it does not improve performance.

Although long hours are widely accepted, the personal and professional costs are hard to ignore.

Key findings

Workaholism is rampant: 76% of full-time workers consider themselves at least somewhat workaholics and 45% say they are definitely workaholics.
Typical long hours: 73% of workers regularly report working more than 40 hours a week
More hours do not equal better work: 80% of workers say that working more than 40 hours does not improve the quality of their work
Culture contributes to overwork: Almost half of employees (47%) say employer expectations or company culture are the top reasons they are overworked
Burnout affects health and well-being: 85% of workers report negative mental or physical health effects due to overwork

Workaholism is now part of the normal working life

Working hours are getting longer, and for many workers, the workaholic label is not seen as a negative. According to Monster’s report, many people spend more hours than the usual 40 hours a week, and many do not see it as a problem.

In the survey, 76% of workers said they are at least somewhat workaholic. This includes 45% who say they are definitely workaholics.

When asked how they would feel if someone called them a workaholic, nearly two-thirds said the label would make them feel positive or neutral. 35% said they would feel praised, 27% respected, and 38% neutral about this time. Very few said they would feel disrespected or disrespected.

This suggests that overwork has become more socially acceptable, even if it is associated with stress and burnout.

Most workers work more than 40 hours a week

Working long hours has become the norm for many. When asked about their average weekly hours worked, here is what employees reported:

35-39 hours: 11%
40 hours: 16%
Hours 41-45: 22%
46-50 hours: 18%
51-55 hours: 11%
56-60 hours: 11%
more than 60 hours: 11%

That means nearly three-quarters of workers report working more than the average 40-hour week.

Why overtime has become the norm

The reasons employees give for overworking point to culture and expectations rather than choice. Here’s how employees responded when asked what drives the tendency to work hard:

Employer expectations or company culture: 47%
Personal desire or desire to improve: 44%
Lack of boundaries between work and personal life: 31%
Financial pressures: 28%
Fear of losing a job or being laid off: 25%

This mix of external and internal drivers shows that many employees feel pressured by the workplace itself and their goals.

Long hours do not increase productivity for many

A key finding of the report is that longer hours are not linked to better quality of work. Among workers who work more than a 40-hour week:

64% say the quality of their work has not changed
16% say their work quality is declining
20% say quality is improving

This suggests that overtime may not bring the value that many workers believe they will get from putting in overtime.

Overworking has real consequences

While long hours may feel familiar, the impact on employees is significant. When asked about the effects of overwork:

50% reported mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, or burnout
49% reported physical health impacts including disrupted sleep or reduced exercise
39% said their relationship is bad
Only 15% said they had no negative impact

More than a third (38%) of workers also said they felt a lot of pressure to be available outside of scheduled working hours.

What job seekers and employees should know

If you’re entering, re-entering, or advancing into the workforce, this report highlights a few key trends:

Clarify expectations: Before accepting a role, ask about typical hours and what the work-life balance looks like. If the culture values availability, be aware that this may affect your schedule.
Set limits: If overwork is common in your workplace, identify times when you can protect your personal time and communicate the boundaries clearly.
Focus on results: If the extra hours don’t improve your output, consider what goals or performance signals are most important to your team and employer.
Check your priorities: Work that feels meaningful is important but not at the expense of health or relationships. Know what changes you are willing to make.

Bottom line

Long hours and addictive work habits are now the norm for many workers. Although dedication to your work can be good, working long hours does not necessarily improve your performance and can have a negative impact on your health and well-being outside of work.

Understanding how overwork affects your work and what you can control can help you find greater balance in your professional life.

How to do it

The report’s findings are based on a survey conducted by Monster in October 2025 among 807 US full-time employees.

Participants answered a mix of yes/no, single-choice, and multiple-choice questions about their experiences with overwork and the impact on productivity, health, and personal life.

The sample included workers in different types of industries, age groups, genders, and education levels to reflect the diversity of the US workforce.

Revisiting the gold standard

How much gold do central banks buy?

Why do central banks buy gold?

Inflation

Lower interest rates and taxes may fuel inflation

Global uncertainty

Should you buy gold like the big banks?

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Measuring growth and safety after 50

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Benefits: tax-free withdrawals and more

What are the eligibility requirements?

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1. Expect your streaming bills to rise

2. Say goodbye to cheap private services

3. Less original content, more repetition

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Gold as part of your portfolio

How to invest in gold

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1. Let the algorithm negotiate your premiums

2. Stop paying banks to hold your money

3. Automatically hunt for phantom subscriptions

4. Rethink your strategy for crushing high-interest balances

5. Sever ties with legacy carriers

6. Set your interest rates immediately

7. Access the dead equity sitting in your home

8. Protect your emergency fund from mechanic’s bills

Bonus: Sign up for this free newsletter.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Key findings

Workaholism is now part of the normal working life

Most workers work more than 40 hours a week

Why overtime has become the norm

Long hours do not increase productivity for many

Overworking has real consequences

What job seekers and employees should know

Bottom line

How to do it

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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