🗺️ Go the distance

Smart travelers can go the distance with vacations to “destination dupes.”

With trip savings that average nearly $2,300, the look-alike strategy is about finding places with experiences, architecture, and cultural vibes similar to popular hotspots — but away from crowds and higher prices. Think Ljubljana, Slovenia, instead of Paris, or Naples, Florida, instead of Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Empower research reveals that 45% of Americans pick budget-friendly destinations to save money.

— The Editors 

⚡ Tax-time tweak: A new tax form debuts this year for crypto investors: the 1099-DA. This piece of essential tax paperwork reports on cryptocurrency sales, trades, and payments, and investors should receive them by Feb. 16, 2026. Check out what’s covered on the new tax form — and how crypto ETFs fit into the picture.

📈 Market cap milestone: Alphabet hit $4 trillion* in market capitalization on Jan. 12 after Apple announced it would be using Google’s Gemini platform as the cornerstone for its next AI models and iteration of virtual assistant Siri.

🥅 Go for the goal: A record $727 million* in prize money will be distributed to the 48 competing teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. The winner will take home $50 million, with the rest of the pot shared among the remaining teams. Miami, Dallas, and Houston — which have seen population influxes as Americans relocate back to cities — are among the 11 U.S. sites hosting* matches.

💬 Earnings chatter: Companies are talking more about economic growth in recent earnings-call messaging, according to an analysis* of S&P 500® calls from September to early December 2025. The use of trade-related terms (like tariffs) dropped 31% compared to the second quarter, and “uncertainty” had 27% fewer instances, while mentions of AI rose 31%.

Wealth of experience

U.S. employers are still placing high value on work experience: The average age of a new hire was 42* years old in 2025, up from 40 in 2016. Service-oriented roles and those that require people skills are seeing the highest rate of tenured workers.

For those switching roles or careers, remember to keep retirement savings on track: Read more on what happens to a 401(k) when leaving a job.

DIY revival

Levi’s has launched a free* curriculum that weaves basic sewing tasks like hemming pants and sewing buttons into high school courses. The denim maker’s move comes as people adopt more hands-on hobbies and consumers pull back on discretionary spending in some areas. Americans spent a monthly average of $614.70 last year on clothing and shoes — a 1.63% drop from 2024 — according to Empower Personal Dashboard^TM data.

Taking repairs into your own hands can build confidence and skills, though there can be upfront costs. Fees for lessons and instruction are up 2.9% annually, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, but sewing machines, fabric, and supplies are down 2.7%.

Top of the charts

K-pop music could make history by winning for the first time at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 1.* The hit single “Golden” from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” has multiple nominations and is up against “APT.” — fellow K-pop artist Rosé’s collaboration with Bruno Mars — for record of the year.

Global K-pop boy band BTS* is making its comeback with a new album in March, followed by a world tour kicking off in April of around 80 shows. Their post-hiatus reunion is expected to drive more than $1 million* in revenue across streaming, albums, and tour-related sales. It can be hard to resist the next hot ticket: 15% of people have spent money on events like concerts due to financial “fear of missing out,” according to Empower research.

In case you missed it — keep going:

• Consolidating retirement accounts? Remember the 60-day rollover rule.

• Revisit these 5 important credit card terms.

• When does “married filing separately” make sense for taxes?