Retirement can bring an influx of free time, a well-earned break after dealing with the demands of professional life. For some retirees, the arrival of retirement can be like a trip to a buffet of leisure activities; for others, it’s natural to see blank space on the calendar and wonder how to fill it.

Getting a sense of the income needed in retirement can help guide people to fill up their cups with what will bring them joy. Americans are actively working toward their retirement savings goals, with the average amount standing at $491,022. Some in their 60s are already retirement millionaires, with the average saver in that group holding over $1.1 million.

Retirement can also change daily spending habits, which can call back to another time people’s incomes took a sudden turn. Consumers saw a shift in spending during the pandemic, with early income gains contributing to more disposable income.1 Similarly, people in retirement who used to have daily expenses that are no longer relevant — commuting, professional apparel, daily coffee runs — can free up those dollars to spend elsewhere.

As retirees consider putting their dollars toward things they’d been putting off or saving up for, it’s a balance of making the fun — and funds — last.

1. Explore the world

Travel like there’s no tomorrow

The golden years may be time for travel to shine: Some 13% of Americans say they’re delaying big travel plans until they retire, according to Empower research.

If people haven’t already put together a “bucket list” of travel destinations, retirement is a great time to let the imagination run wild. The flexibility of being able to head off during a typical work week can unlock deals and leave wiggle room for longer stints like a road trip.

Empower findings show that 42% of people think traveling the world brings joy in retirement. Depending on money management and the power of compounding, older adults may have more to spend on trips than younger generations. From January to July this year, Baby Boomers spent a monthly average of $1,593 on travel, compared to Millennials, who spent $1,236.

Consider a new home

Without the commitment of an office commute or daily drop-offs, people may also want to set down new roots in retirement. Some could hold on to their empty-nest home — the U.S. had over 20 million of them in 2022 — though moving in retirement can help meet essential needs as priorities change. Decisions like whether to buy or rent a home, or if relocating to an active-adult community makes sense are a good place to start in the search for a forever home.

2. Give back to others

Volunteering time

Empower research found that 25% of Americans think volunteering makes for a happy retirement. With more free time during the work week, retirees can find opportunities at places like animal shelters, hospitals, and outreach organizations. Just as the wider community benefits, volunteering can give people a sense of purpose and a chance to dive further into their hobbies like art or leverage skills from a previous career. Building relationships during retirement through mentoring can inspire younger generations and bring fulfillment by sharing years of workforce knowledge.

Making space for caregiving

The cost of daycare has been a growing concern for working parents. Families can pay a median of $44,000 in the U.S. to send one child to daycare for five years, and in several metro areas, that price can jump to over $100,000.

Grandparents are often seen as an alternative to daycare, and 20% of people with grandchildren under 18 care for one or more of them at least once a week. That number grows as the daily commitment drops: Close to half of grandparents (49%) care for a grandchild at least once every few months.

The freedom of retirement can align with childcare needs, and caregiving can benefit both the grandparents and wider family. In general, grandparents who saw their grandkids on a more regular basis were less likely to identify feelings of isolation.

3. Focus on well-being

Healthcare expenses in retirement can often jump with age, considering the potential for more doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, and long-term care. In addition to possible demand going higher, healthcare itself is expected to cost more, too. It’s been projected that the average annual growth in healthcare expenditures (5.6%) will outpace that of the U.S. gross domestic product (4.3%) through 2032.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the number one chronic health condition among older adults, affecting more than three in five Americans age 65 and above. Keeping an eye on weight, stress, and exercise levels can help prevent the need for initial treatment and fend off the wider risks of heart disease and stroke. In 2019, people with high blood pressure paid $2,759 more in medical costs compared with people without the condition.

Americans stand behind the importance of staying fit, with a whopping 70% of people believing that health equals wealth.

4. Add a furry friend

Whether a person has been a lifelong pet parent or thinking about getting one, pets can boost mood and emotional health among older adults in particular. Regular walks for Fido can bring some structure to a daily schedule in retirement and promote more outdoor time.

Americans spent $318 a month on pet expenses in 2024, according to Empower Personal Dashboard data, and retirees can see this as an investment in companionship. Empower findings show that nearly all pet owners (94%) consider their pets family members.

5. Socialize with family and friends

No need to squeeze in meetups during peak lunch and dinner hours when there’s time to spare — retirement can bring flexibility to visit loved ones at a more leisurely pace. With inflation and economic uncertainty affecting decisions on dining out, traffic to U.S. restaurants has dropped 1.7% so far in 2025. However, some restaurants like McDonald’s and IHOP offer senior discounts to sweeten the meal.

Keep spending within retirement budget

When it comes to a retirement timeline, many people focus on time well spent. Empower research reveals that 48% of Americans would rather have a longer retirement period with less money, compared with retiring later in life with more.

Making sure retirement savings can fulfill those dreams is important at any age. Retirees should account for ways they’ll receive income during retirement, such as through Social Security and required minimum distributions from savings plans.

As people start tapping their retirement savings, being honest with their spending patterns in retirement will be essential to update a budget and make sure they’re still on track for retiring well.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept confined to science fiction. From recommendation systems on streaming platforms to advanced diagnostic tools in hospitals, AI is reshaping the way industries operate. The rise of technologies pioneered by organizations like OpenAI and Google DeepMind signals a broader transformation that is redefining careers across the globe.

For students standing at the crossroads of academic choices, the key question is no longer just “What do I want to be?” but “What skills will remain valuable in an AI-driven world?”

How AI Is transforming job roles

AI is not simply replacing jobs; it is redesigning them. In healthcare, doctors increasingly rely on AI-powered imaging systems to detect diseases earlier and more accurately. In finance, algorithms analyze market patterns in seconds, tasks that once took analysts days. Even creative fields such as marketing, journalism, and design now integrate AI tools to generate content, predict trends, and personalize customer experiences.

Rather than eliminating entire professions, AI is automating repetitive and data-heavy tasks. This shift allows professionals to focus on strategy, creativity, and human-centered decision-making. For example, accountants today use AI software for data processing but must interpret results, advise clients, and ensure regulatory compliance. Teachers use adaptive learning platforms but remain essential for mentorship and emotional support. The future workplace is not human versus machine; it is human plus machine.

The rise of interdisciplinary careers

One of the most significant changes AI brings is the blending of disciplines. Careers are no longer confined to narrow silos. A business graduate with data analytics skills, a biologist who can code, or a designer who understands machine learning principles holds a competitive advantage.

Fields such as data science, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI ethics are expanding rapidly. However, students do not necessarily need to major exclusively in “Artificial Intelligence” to succeed. Instead, combining a core discipline with technological literacy is often more powerful. For instance, a law student who understands AI regulations can specialize in technology law. A healthcare student with knowledge of health informatics can shape the future of digital medicine.
This interdisciplinary approach reflects the evolving demands of employers. Companies seek adaptable professionals who can bridge the gap between technical systems and real-world problems.

Future-Ready subjects to consider

Computer science and data analytics remain strong foundations in the AI era. Learning programming languages, understanding algorithms, and mastering statistics provide students with versatile tools applicable across industries. Engineering disciplines, particularly in robotics and automation, are also poised for continued growth.

At the same time, subjects rooted in human insight are becoming more valuable, not less. Psychology, communication, design, and ethics play a crucial role in ensuring AI systems are user-friendly, fair, and aligned with societal values. As debates around AI bias and data privacy intensify, expertise in ethics and public policy will become indispensable.
Business and entrepreneurship also deserve attention. As AI lowers barriers to innovation, students who understand market strategy, digital transformation, and product management can leverage AI tools to create new ventures. The future belongs not only to those who build technology but also to those who apply it creatively.

Adaptability as the ultimate skill

Perhaps the most important lesson for students is that no degree guarantees lifelong security. The pace of technological change means that continuous learning is essential. Micro-credentials, online certifications, and professional workshops are becoming part of a lifelong education model.

Critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are durable skills that complement technical knowledge. Machines can process data, but they cannot replicate empathy, leadership, or complex ethical judgment. Students who cultivate both technical proficiency and human-centered skills will remain resilient amid change.

Choosing with vision, not fear

Career planning in the age of AI should not be driven by fear of automation but by awareness of opportunity. AI is a tool that amplifies human capability. Students should reflect on their interests and strengths while aligning them with emerging technological trends. By choosing adaptable fields, embracing interdisciplinary learning, and committing to continuous growth, they can build careers that thrive alongside intelligent machines.

The future of work is evolving rapidly, but it is also rich with possibility. With thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt, today’s students can become tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers in an AI-powered world.

The Rise of AI in Personal Finance

Over the last few years, financial technology companies have embraced AI to improve customer experiences and provide personalized financial solutions. Traditional financial management often required hours of research, manual budgeting, and consultations with financial experts. Today, AI can automate many of these tasks in seconds.

AI systems analyze massive amounts of financial data to identify patterns, predict trends, and offer recommendations tailored to individual users. This allows consumers to gain better control over their spending habits, investments, and long-term financial goals.

Smarter Budgeting and Expense Tracking

One of the biggest advantages of AI in personal finance is intelligent budgeting. Many finance apps now use AI to categorize expenses automatically and provide insights into spending behavior. Users can quickly identify unnecessary expenses and discover opportunities to save money.

AI-powered budgeting tools can also send real-time alerts when spending exceeds a preset limit. Instead of manually reviewing bank statements, consumers receive instant notifications and recommendations to stay on track financially.

These systems become more accurate over time because machine learning algorithms continuously learn from user behavior. As a result, budgeting becomes easier, faster, and more personalized.

AI-Powered Investment Platforms

Investing has traditionally been considered complex and intimidating for beginners. AI is changing that through robo-advisors and automated investment platforms. These tools analyze market trends, assess risk tolerance, and create customized investment portfolios for users.

Unlike traditional financial advisors, AI investment tools are available 24/7 and often charge lower fees. They can automatically rebalance portfolios and recommend investment adjustments based on market conditions.

This accessibility has encouraged more people to start investing earlier and build long-term wealth without requiring extensive financial knowledge.

Improved Fraud Detection and Security

Financial security is another area where AI is making a significant impact. Banks and financial institutions use AI systems to detect unusual transaction patterns and identify potential fraud in real time.

For example, if a transaction appears suspicious or differs from normal spending behavior, AI systems can instantly flag the activity and notify the account holder. This proactive approach helps reduce financial losses and improves overall account security.

As cyber threats continue to increase, AI-driven fraud prevention tools are becoming essential for protecting personal financial information.

Personalized Financial Advice

AI is also revolutionizing financial advice by making it more accessible and affordable. Virtual financial assistants can answer questions, provide loan recommendations, and guide users through important financial decisions.

Instead of generic advice, AI tools analyze income, expenses, savings goals, and debt levels to deliver personalized recommendations. Whether someone wants to save for a home, reduce debt, or improve credit scores, AI can offer strategies tailored to their financial situation.

Many mortgage and lending companies are also integrating AI into their services to simplify loan applications and approval processes.

Faster Loan and Mortgage Approvals

AI has significantly improved the lending process. Traditional loan approvals often involve paperwork, lengthy reviews, and manual verification. AI streamlines this process by analyzing financial data quickly and accurately.

Lenders can now assess creditworthiness faster, reducing approval times and improving customer experiences. AI models can evaluate spending habits, employment history, and repayment behavior to make more informed lending decisions.

This efficiency benefits both lenders and borrowers, making mortgages and personal loans more accessible to qualified applicants.

The Future of AI in Finance

The future of AI in personal finance looks incredibly promising. As AI technology becomes more advanced, consumers can expect even more personalized financial tools and predictive insights.

Voice-enabled financial assistants, advanced investment forecasting, and AI-driven financial education platforms are expected to become more common. These innovations will continue to simplify money management and empower individuals to make better financial decisions.

However, while AI offers many advantages, users should still exercise caution and maintain human oversight when making major financial decisions. Technology can assist with analysis and recommendations, but responsible financial planning still requires careful judgment.

Conclusion

AI is rapidly reshaping the world of personal finance by making financial management smarter, faster, and more accessible. From budgeting and investing to fraud detection and loan approvals, AI-powered tools are helping individuals take greater control of their financial future.

As technology continues to evolve, AI will likely become an even more important part of everyday financial decision-making. Those who embrace these innovations can benefit from improved financial awareness, greater convenience, and better long-term financial outcomes.

The early 2020s housing market created a unique level of competition. Bidding wars, waived contingencies, and offers tens of thousands over asking were standard in 2021 and 2022. To avoid missing out on a deal, buyers often felt forced to compromise some of their core real estate fundamentals.

While the market has clearly shifted in 2026, cooling significantly from the aforementioned pandemic era, buyers still face plenty of challenges. Home affordability is at an all-time low, the average 30-year mortgage rate is in the 6.3 to 6.5% range, and the latest Consumer Price Index showed a 0.9 percent increase across all items.

While these conditions are challenging, the dynamics of an individual home purchase have changed in ways that also create opportunities. Listings are sitting longer, inventory has rebuilt in many markets, and a growing share of sellers are negotiating on terms they would have refused outright a few years ago.

The competition that defined the COVID-era market has thinned out, and that has reshaped how deals are getting done. On a recent episode of the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast, hosts Dave Meyer and Henry Washington walked through the practical implications, including one buyer-side advantage that has emerged inside this shift.

“Most people are getting leverage during the inspection period,” Meyer said on the episode.

Buyers’ new leverage in 2026 housing market

Just a few years ago, negotiating down a home price over an inspection report may not have been an option. Aggressive buyers were often waiving the contingency and agreeing to take properties as-is. Typically the last real chance for a buyer to renegotiate or back out, the inspection process was much less of a leveraging point in 2021 and 2022.

That dynamic has flipped entirely, according to Meyer, who pointed to the inspection period as one of the strongest negotiating tools available to buyers right now. With listings sitting longer and fewer competing offers per home, sellers are increasingly willing to absorb the cost of repairs or hand back credits at closing rather than risk a deal falling apart and starting over.

A standard residential inspection runs roughly $300 to $600. The concessions a buyer can negotiate from the resulting report, such as repair credits, price reductions, or seller-paid fixes, can frequently run into the thousands — making it a major opportunity to save money.

“You’re actually going to probably make money by having an inspection,” Meyer said. “It’s gonna cost you $500, but you’re gonna get $5,000 back in concessions from the seller. Or they’re gonna fix something you would have had to come out of pocket for.”

This is one of those tangible opportunities buyers face in 2026 that may not have been there, or at least not as prominently, a few years ago.

Washington, who buys most of his properties off-market and has the experience to walk a house himself, was clear that this step is especially critical for first-time homebuyers and newer investors. Without an exceptionally trained eye, skipping an inspection not only eliminates potential discounts, but creates unnecessary risk.

“I’m my own inspector at this point, but it takes a lot of looking at houses, buying houses, renovating houses, and dispositioning those houses before you can feel as comfortable as I do doing that,” Washington said. “So if you’re not in that position, you should absolutely be getting an inspection.”

He added, “There are things you can miss with an inexperienced eye that can price your deal out of being profitable and put you in a very tough financial position.”

How new housing market shift impacts homebuyers

The inspection leverage point is a byproduct of broader changes Meyer has been tracking for months across BiggerPockets coverage, including a meaningful drop in investor sentiment and a corresponding rise in motivated seller behavior.

In BiggerPockets’ Q2 2026 Investor Pulse Survey, the community’s forward-looking Pulse Index dropped from 150 in Q1 to 112 in Q2, signaling that even active investors are recalibrating expectations heading into the second half of the year. That same softening is what gives buyers more room to negotiate.

“What we’re seeing in the market right now is actually what a lot of people want, which is discounted pricing, better negotiating leverage, better quality assets on sale,” Meyer told TheStreet in an exclusive interview last month.

This reinforces the belief that while broader conditions feel difficult on the surface, they actually reward disciplined buyers. The inspection mechanic is one of the cleanest illustrations of that point.

While challenges remain for real estate investors and everyday homebuyers in 2026, individual deals can be negotiated more effectively than five years ago. Buyers who understand this are pulling money out of transactions that would have been take-it-or-leave-it propositions in 2021.

And even in cases where an inspection does not generate notable profit, it can still create peace of mind that is equally valuable to many buyers.

“I will pay $300 to $600 for peace of mind all day long,” Washington said.

Key takeaways for real estate investors and everyday homebuyers

• The inspection period has shifted from buyer liability to buyer leverage: During the 2021-2022 market, inspection contingencies were routinely waived to win bidding wars. With competition thinned out in 2026, sellers are far more likely to negotiate concessions rather than restart a deal, according to Meyer.
• The cost-benefit math now favors getting the inspection: A standard residential inspection runs $300 to $600. The credits, repairs, or price reductions buyers can negotiate from the report frequently total several thousand dollars.
• First-time buyers and newer investors should not skip inspections: Washington noted that experienced operators can sometimes assess properties on their own, but for buyers without that background, an inspection in 2026 is one of the cheapest ways to protect a purchase and recover money.
• Broader affordability has not changed, but individual deal process has: Mortgage rates remain in the 6.3 to 6.5% range, home prices are still elevated in most metros, the CPI has jumped, and the path to homeownership remains steep for many Americans. The inspection leverage point is a tactical opening inside an otherwise difficult buying environment.

Economists have marveled this year at how resilient the American consumer has been, maintaining spending even as prices rise for necessities from gasoline to groceries.

In April personal spending was flat after a 0.5% increase a month earlier. But dig deeper into the numbers and it turns out this spending is being supported by consumers drawing down their savings – a trend that could put a dent in spending if prices continue their ascent.

The flat spending in April was accompanied by a decline in disposable income, while the savings rate (personal savings as a percentage of disposable income) fell to 2.6% – its lowest level since 2022. That was during the recovery from COVID-19.

“With inflation eating into income growth, consumers are increasingly drawing down savings to sustain spending,” Richard de Chazal, macro analyst at William Blair, wrote after the personal income and outlays report was released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday.

Tax Cut Bump Has Faded

Americans generally have two ways to pay for their spending: income in the form of wages and other payments, and assets they hold that can be sold to raise cash. Many of those in the lower and middle income groups have to rely on wage growth, now averaging an annual rate of 3.6%, while upper income consumers have enjoyed a rising stock market that they can tap if need be.

“Consumers had been getting a lift from last year’s tax cuts, but that tailwind is fading as higher gasoline prices and war-related uncertainty offset some of the expected gains from larger refunds,” de Chazal added.

In 2021, pandemic-era labor shortages lifted wages by 8.9% on average, but that moderated to 4.84% by 2024. This year, it is running 3.6% – just a hair under consumer prices that are increasing by 3.8 as of June.

A slowing economy and rising inflation is a situation that economists refer to as “stagflation” – a condition where lower rates don’t work well as a stimulant because of stubborn inflation. The rate of annual growth in gross domestic product was reduced to 1.6% last week from an initial estimate of 2%. Further contraction in growth coupled with sticky inflation will challenge a Federal Reserve not currently disposed toward lower interest rates.

As a result, consumers may be forced to dip further into their savings or reach for their credit cards. But credit card debt is now $1.25 trillion as of the first quarter, slightly lower than in late 2024, but still $325 billion more than it was in the last quarter of 2019, a year in which inflation was 1.8%. And the average interest rate on credit debt for those who maintain a balance is 21%.

“We expect this stress on consumers to continue in the coming months until we see a meaningful drop in inflation,” says David Royal, chief financial officer at Thrivent.

That won’t happen for a while, even if a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is agreed to. Disruptions in supply chains and damages to key oil infrastructure throughout the Middle East could mean oil prices remain elevated for months.

Oil prices did lose around 20% a barrel on Friday after President Donald Trump said he would review the latest proposal from Iran over the weekend. But a top executive at Exxon Mobil also warned Friday that global inventories of oil were reaching a critical low point that could see the price of the liquid gold spike in the coming weeks.

There was little movement Monday as a ceasefire remains elusive and oil hovers around $94 a barrel. Both sides reported limited attacks on each other over the weekend.

The most recent inflation forecast from the Fed has prices rising at an average of 2.7% this year, with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development coming in with a 4.2% estimate for the U.S.

Whoever is right may not matter to everyday American consumers, who likely will find it a struggle to meet their expenses without dipping further into their savings.

Experts note that in prior times when the savings rate dipped, consumers had cushions in the home equity built up in their homes as well as pandemic payments that helped cash flow.

“Today, there is little room to keep spending by saving less,” Felix Vezina-Poirier, chief strategist at BCA Research, said in an email on Friday. “If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the risk of a further domestic demand slowdown is clear.”

But should you trust artificial intelligence (AI) with your retirement planning? Here’s what financial experts say.

Why ChatGPT Can Miss the Bigger Financial Picture

First off, ChatGPT doesn’t use critical thinking. For that, you’ll need a human financial advisor.

“Remember that AI doesn’t currently think critically or form new ideas. It finds existing ideas and connects them,” said Robert Persichitte, a certified financial planner (CFP) with Delagify Financial. “This can be useful if you don’t have the time to do the research, but it won’t invent anything that someone hasn’t already written about. I like to think of it as a fancy Google.”

Because it lacks critical thinking, ChatGPT is unable to distinguish between good and bad ideas.

“Oftentimes, it lacks discernment. That means it will copy ideas from any source, including those that try to rip you off, offer outdated advice, or provide an incomplete picture,” Persichitte said.

Where AI Can Actually Help With Retirement Planning

But ChatGPT can be a way to familiarize yourself with financial concepts that you’ll need to understand as you retire.

“ChatGPT can be a great tool for explaining retirement strategies or helping you understand your options, but it’s not the whole toolbox. It can’t anticipate human behavior, emotion, or life’s curveballs,” said Stephan Shipe, a CFP and founder of Scholar Financial Advising.

Not All of ChatGPT’s Sources Are Created Equal

If using ChatGPT, make sure to review the sources ChatGPT is using to answer your retirement questions.

“Read through its cited sources and conduct research, just as you would if a stranger recommended investment advice,” Persichitte said.

Some more advanced AI models can do fairly comprehensive research, and they can provide links to recent news articles, so you’ll be able to see just where the information is coming from.

Why You Still Need a Human Financial Advisor

A wise follow-up step is to take the retirement advice from ChatGPT to a human financial advisor.

“There’s no question that AI can be a powerful tool for retirement planning. It’s a great resource for learning and working alongside your advisor. I’ve even had clients come in after using ChatGPT to prep questions or understand key concepts—which I think is fantastic,” said Luke Harder, a certified financial planner with Claro Advisors.

But relying solely on ChatGPT or another AI bot for retirement advice is not advised.

“AI isn’t perfect, and when it comes to retirement, the stakes are too high to rely on it blindly. It doesn’t know your full financial picture: your portfolio composition, tax situation, or how you personally handle market volatility,” Harder said.

You can input all of your investment portfolio and your tax information into ChatGPT, but that can be risky. The information you enter is often used as LLM training data and could be subject to hacking and data breaches.

A human advisor is also better equipped to understand your emotions if the market plunges and you’re tempted to sell your investments. They can advise you to hold off selling.

Career growth concept illustration. Young woman walking up the stairs, Career development. Vector in a flat style Career growth concept

Every young professional entering the workplace wants to be “successful.”

Few pause to ask what that word means to them.

The early years of a career are often driven by socially defined milestones: a well-known employer, a respectable job title, a fast-track promotion, and a certain salary by a certain age. Success becomes something to chase—urgently and unquestioningly—based on standards we inherit rather than consciously choose.

But success, like failure, is a word we often misuse. It is meant to describe outcomes of events, not people.

You can fail at an interview, miss a promotion, lose a job, or take longer than your peers to figure things out — and still be a capable, intelligent, valuable, worthy person. Likewise, getting into a top company or earning a high salary does not automatically make someone “successful” in every aspect of their life.

Success is situational. So is failure.

Yet, for freshers stepping into the corporate world, the pressure to internalise every outcome as a verdict on their self-worth is immense. A rejected application becomes “I’m not good enough.” A slow start to a career becomes “I’ve fallen behind.” One mistake at work becomes “I’m a failure.”

Over time, this way of thinking can be deeply damaging.

Social definitions hijack personal meaning

Most young professionals do not consciously define success for themselves. Instead, they absorb it — from peers, family, recruiters, LinkedIn posts, compensation comparisons, social media and societal expectations. Success becomes synonymous with speed, visibility, and external validation.

But these definitions are rarely complete.

Someone may climb the corporate ladder quickly while feeling deeply unfulfilled, burned out, or disconnected from their values. Another may take a winding career path — changing roles, industries, or even taking breaks — while slowly building skills, confidence, and clarity about what truly matters to them.

Where one story is applauded and the other questioned, the assumption is often that the first person has succeeded and the second has failed. The reality, however, is far more nuanced.

Failure is not a personal identity

One of the hardest lessons for freshers is learning to separate what happened from who they are.

Not getting the job you want is not proof that you lack talent. Struggling in your first job is not evidence that you chose the wrong career — or that you are an incapable person. Early career setbacks are not red flags for a doomed future; they are part of the learning curve that almost no one talks about openly.

When failure is treated as an identity rather than an experience, it can paralyse growth. People stop experimenting, taking risks, stepping out of their comfort zone, or asking for help — not because they lack potential, but because they fear being “exposed”.

Understanding that failure is an event, not a label, allows young professionals to recover, recalibrate, and move forward with greater self-awareness.

Define your own version of success

This is why it is crucial, especially early in one’s career, to pause and ask: What does success mean to me?

For some, it may mean financial stability. For others, it may mean having more money than their peers — a bigger house, a bigger car, more frequent foreign trips. And for some others, it may be defined by learning opportunities, meaningful work, flexibility, or social impact. There is no single correct, universally acceptable, or universally applicable definition of success. So go ahead and define it for yourself, not as a benchmark of your worth but more as a north star showing you where to go next.

Your own personal definition may evolve over time, and that is perfectly normal. What matters is that your success is intentional, not inherited.

When you define success for yourself, external benchmarks become reference points rather than determinants. Comparisons lose their grip. Career decisions become more aligned with purpose rather than panic. Your personal growth becomes the most important goal.

Resilience as a career skill

Careers today and going forward will rarely be linear. Roles will evolve, industries will shift, and job security — once taken for granted — will no longer be guaranteed. In such a world, resilience is not a soft skill; it is a survival skill.

Resilience comes from understanding that neither success nor failure is permanent. That a bad phase does not erase past learning, and a good phase does not guarantee smooth sailing forever. Success is a transient event, as is failure.As the basketball coach John Wooden once said, “Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.”

For freshers, courage means staying curious rather than defensive, reflective rather than reactive, and honest rather than performative.

A sustainable way

The corporate world will always have metrics. That is probably the one thing that will not change. What can change is how young professionals internalise those metrics to define themselves.

When success is defined too narrowly and failure too personally, the cost is often mental health, low confidence, and a lack of fulfilment. When success is defined more holistically, setbacks become teachers rather than threats.

Early in your career, you will succeed at some things and fail at others. Neither will define you in entirety — unless you allow them to.

Taking the time to define success for yourself may be one of the most important career decisions you ever make.

When you have questions, AI is an easy place to turn for immediate answers. People are increasingly leveraging the variety of artificial intelligence platforms available for guidance in an area that can often feel complicated and confusing to navigate alone: personal finance.

As of early 2026, “more than 55% of Americans reported using AI to help with financial management decisions,” said CBS News. This can range from asking questions around homebuying to soliciting advice on investing and retirement savings strategies. However, while this practice may be convenient and in many cases useful, it is still essential to remember the cardinal rule of sensitive financial and personal information: Be cautious about what you share and where.

What are the risks of oversharing with AI?

A Stanford study examining the “privacy policies of six major AI companies — Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI — found that all six use chat data by default to train their models, and some keep this information indefinitely,” said The Washington Post. Based on this finding, the researchers issued a “cryptic warning,” suggesting that “either by design or negligence, your data could be exploited.”

Not only is the information living in these systems, but a “subset of conversations are sampled and reviewed by OpenAI and Google employees for quality improvement,” said Ramayya Krishnan, a professor of management science and information systems at Carnegie Mellon University, to Money. Additionally, there is always the risk that your AI account may become compromised. If a bad actor gains access and you had shared sensitive information, that “could empty a bank account or lead to identity theft,” said the Post.

What specific financial information should you avoid sharing with AI?

Given the risks, if you are consulting AI for financial guidance, steer clear of divulging the following:

• Your name, address and date of birth
• Social Security numbers
• Bank and investment account numbers
• Usernames and passwords
• Employment information
• Exact numbers, such as for your spending, debts or account balances
• Detailed financial documents, such as tax returns, investment account statements or paychecks

What is safe to share with AI for financial help?

Just because there are certain things you should not share with AI, that does not mean you cannot effectively leverage AI for guidance in your financial life. As a rule, “always treat AI chats as public-facing logs, avoid sharing any personally identifiable or financial details and verify critical advice with human professionals,” said Investopedia.

While you may tend to think the more an AI knows, the better support it can provide, the reality is that an AI chatbot “does not need your account number to tell you how to pay down debt, nor does it need your Social Security estimated earnings statement to recommend when to start collecting your retirement benefit,” said the Post. Instead, you can plug in more general questions that you can apply back to your own situation, or even give the AI ranges for figures like your salary or debt, rather than hard numbers, and still get similarly salient tips.

Lastly, keep in mind that the “bots are far from perfect: AI models often make factual errors, stumble when processing current events and oversimplify financial processes,” said Money. So take the advice with a grain of salt.

Real estate is one of the most sought-after investment vehicles.

Whether it’s commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential, these investments offer considerable passive income and appreciation. The United States, being the largest economy of the world, where investments are traditionally among the most secure in the world, is one of the most sought-after markets in the real estate industry.

However, for investors seeking to invest from outside the United States, the country puts up considerable barriers which are challenging if you aren’t familiar with the laws. In many cases, international investors who find themselves ill-prepared for the task, or partnered with real estate brokers lacking the experience to navigate the complicated process, end up walking away, losing out on the benefits the U.S. market provides.

Listed below are just some of the barriers international investors encounter when going cross border to try to purchase American real estate.

Finding the right properties

One of the biggest barriers is that, if an investor doesn’t physically travel to the country and do their research, they are buying blind.

Many experts suggest it can be a six- to 12-month process to find the right property, make an offer, arrange financing, and close the deal. They recommend planning at least one cross-border trip to see the potential property before committing to buy.

Without a team working on an investor’s behalf to vet potential properties and find the right investment, a cross-border investor is at a considerable disadvantage when trying to enter the American marketplace.

As it will already cost the investor considerably in terms of fees and third-party contracts, it’s important the right property be found so the return on the investment is worthwhile.

A complicated and opaque process

Cross-border investing faces a number of regulatory and bureaucratic complications.

Deals might require U.S. bank accounts, U.S. credit scores, even representatives with U.S. citizenship. It’s important for an investor to know what hurdles they will encounter. Unfortunately, many American real estate agents themselves don’t know.

According to the North American Association of Realtors, 20 per cent of real estate agents have been in the business for less than a year. The overwhelming majority of deals agents have experience with are between Americans, so it is difficult to find an agent experienced in cross-border real estate investment.

This lack of transparency will mean more middlemen to ensure the property transfer occurs smoothly and legally, and this means increased fees. Other fees that could plague an international investor include currency exchange fees, bank transfer fees, attorney fees, investment fees and the traditional broker fees.

American tax surprises

Then, there is the issue of taxes.

It is complicated enough to go through the taxes related to property transfers and capital gains in one country, so one can imagine how the pain increases when a second country gets involved.

In recent years, American taxes have been notoriously in flux, with changes approved by the United States Congress suddenly afflicting ex-pats and individuals with cross-border investments. This is over and above the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), which withholds income tax on foreign investment, cutting into an investor’s bottom line.

Capital commitment and liquidity

With its considerable benefits, real estate investment comes with considerable risks.

One of the challenges is the limit to how fast an asset can be turned into cash. Unlike stocks, real estate investments can’t be listed on a public exchange. The overall supply of buyers is lower, which depresses prices, particularly if the investor needs to sell their asset quickly.

Cross-border real estate investment also requires significantly higher capital investment than at home. Whereas a 20 per cent deposit is usually sufficient to secure financing for an investment, cross-border investors often need to put down 50 or 60 per cent.

The problem is that investors don’t have an American credit history, and financiers are unfortunately less likely to trust such investors. As a result, many international investments are conducted in cash, locking in considerable capital in an investment that might be tricky to get out from, should the need arise.

All of these pressures slow real estate investment transactions to a frustrating pace.

A study by the Juwai Chinese Consumer International Travel Survey found 56 per cent of Chinese investors spend a year or more finding the right investment property in the United States and then closing the deal. Many other investors walk away.

About half the respondents in a study of international investors who decided not to purchase U.S. property cited not finding the right property as one of the key factors; 34 per cent cited the cost of their preferred property, and 32 per cent cited an inability to obtain financing.

Finding the right team to smooth the process

While these challenges exist, they can be mitigated, if investors turn to brokers experienced in cross-border investments.

International agencies like SVN and its affiliates have built up years of experience in dealing with American tax law, third-party fees, financial arrangements and managing closing costs.

They have become adept at linking cross-border investors with properties that meet their immediate and long-term needs, and they’ve built up a network of contacts who can navigate the rough waters of cross-border bureaucracy and connect the investors to sound properties with a strong return on investment.

The real estate market in the United States is too valuable to be ignored. By connecting with an experienced brokerage team that understands the unique challenges of cross-border investing, international investors can reap the benefits of the American market, without running afoul of the obstacles.

SVN Rock Advisors’ cross-border investing approach involves a multi-tiered ownership structure in order to avoid excessive taxation or liability.

A closely watched measurement of US consumer sentiment fell to a fresh, all-time low in May, according to the latest survey from the University of Michigan.

The May consumer sentiment index dropped for the third consecutive month, falling to 44.2 and landing below the previous record low of 49.8 set in April.

The US-Israeli war in Iran and its subsequent oil supply crunch and price shocks have worsened sentiment that already was soured by years of high inflation and an affordability crisis.

“The cost of living continues to be a first-order concern, with 57% of consumers spontaneously mentioning that high prices were eroding their personal finances, up from 50% last month,” Joanne Hsu, director of the university’s Surveys of Consumers, wrote in a statement.

Consumers’ personal finances sank by 13% in May, she said.

The University of Michigan’s sentiment survey dates back to 1952: Americans are feeling worse now than they did during wars, the 1970s oil crisis, 9/11, the Great Recession, the Covid-19 pandemic and the inflation surge afterward.

Some of the sharpest declines in sentiment came from lower-income consumers and those without college degrees, she said, noting that increases in the cost of fuel and other essentials hit those groups particularly hard.

War, gas prices become an albatross

US gas prices are nearing all-time highs as the Strait of Hormuz – an important passageway for the shipping of oil and other critical goods – has been effectively choked off for nearly three months.

“Earlier this year, consumers may have reserved judgment about how long the Iran conflict would last,” Hsu said. “Three months into the conflict, consumers appear to be worried that supply disruptions are unlikely to be resolved quickly.”

Consumers are also concerned that the high oil and gas prices will spread through the economy and make other goods and services even more expensive, she added.

To that end, consumers’ year-ahead inflation expectations edged higher to 4.8% from 4.7% in April, and the five-year expected inflation rate jumped to 3.9% from 3.5%. The near- and long-term expectations are back at rates hit during the latter part of last year, when tariffs added to inflationary pressures.

Among the respondents with the biggest increases in long-term inflation expectations were those with political affiliations of independent and Republican, Hsu noted.

“For the latter group, long-run inflation expectations are currently more than double their February 2025 reading on a monthly basis,” she said.

Consumers’ expectations about the pace of future price hikes are closely tracked by the Federal Reserve. If people believe that prices will only continue to rise, they might spend more now and demand higher wages, and businesses might raise prices to accommodate higher demand and wages – thus raising inflation.

The dour sentiment reading comes at a time when a large swath of data paints a picture of a resilient US economy while the stock market continues to hit new highs.

Not all Americans feel that.

“The American consumer is treading water here, and the income tax refunds must be gone already or the money spent on the higher prices seen everywhere in the economy,” Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FwdBonds, wrote in a statement to investors Friday. “The stock market record highs are having no effect whatsoever on cheering consumers up which means most Americans have the money locked up in 401K retirement accounts that cannot be drawn on to make life easier now.”