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Higher interest rates are good news for savers who have money in cash.
But just how long that lasts depends on if and when the Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates.
Here’s what to consider if you’re thinking of locking in higher returns on your cash.

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Higher interest rates were good news in 2023 for savers who were able to earn the best rates on their cash in years.
Even with the possibility of looming rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, 2024 still stands to be a great year for returns on cash.

“Yields are going to move lower this year,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.
“But it’s still going to be a very good year for savers — especially those that lock in now,” McBride said.

When to expect interest rate cuts

Experts are taking bets for when interest rate cuts may come this year after a series of rate hikes aimed at tamping down high inflation.
“This is the first time in a very long time we’ve seen yields as high as they are,” said Douglas Boneparth, president and founder of Bone Fide Wealth, a wealth management firm based in New York City. Boneparth is also a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council.

Much of the Federal Reserve’s decisions from here will depend on inflation data. The latest read of the consumer price index was hotter than expected, with inflation up 3.4% over a year ago and still higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Tuesday that the central bank may take its time and move carefully with any future rate cuts.
Interest rate changes probably will not happen before June, McBride predicts.

‘Now’s the time to lock in’ CD rates

With no more interest rate increases on the horizon, that means the returns on cash have likely reached their highest point.
“If you’ve had your eye on a multiyear CD, now’s the time to lock in. The yields have peaked,” McBride said.
Certificates of deposit are products typically provided by banks or credit unions that promise a certain return provided the money is not withdrawn for a certain length of time.

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Here’s a look at more stories on how to manage, grow and protect your money for the years ahead.

Short-term CDs, which may have terms from three months to one year, may be poised to change more quickly, especially as the possibility of interest rate cuts comes closer, McBride said.
Top six-month and one-year CDs are currently providing annual percentage yields around 5.5%, according to Bankrate. Longer three-year and five-year CD rates are lower, with top rates of 4.75% and 4.6%, respectively.
One advantage of CDs is they provide a “risk-free return,” according to McBride, because they are covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance and require savers to go directly through a bank. However, savers may want to consider whether Treasurys, which are exempt from state and local taxes, may be a better deal, he noted.
An important caveat to consider is that the Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate decreases may not come to fruition, noted Boneparth. If the economy moves in another direction, the central bank’s strategy may change.

When a CD might not be the right choice

Before locking money in a CD, experts say it’s wise to consider whether that is the right place for your money.
If you need the money before the CD matures, you will have to pay early withdrawal penalties, noted Ted Jenkin, a certified financial planner and CEO and founder of oXYGen Financial, a financial advisory and wealth management firm based in Atlanta. Jenkin is also a member of the CNBC FA Council.
Consequently, you should have a liquid emergency fund before you lock any cash in a CD, he said. Experts generally recommend having three to six months’ living expenses set aside in case of a sudden loss of income or other unexpected event.

Top online savings accounts are still providing annual percentage yields over 5%, McBride noted. However, those rates are not guaranteed and may be subject to more fluctuations as the timeline for the Fed’s interest rate cuts becomes more certain.
Above all, it’s important to match your money allocations to the time horizon for your goals.
For big, long-term goals such as retirement, you still stand to earn the highest returns by taking more risk and putting your money in the markets, noted Boneparth.
“If you chose cash as your preferred asset class last year, instead of equities, you clearly missed out in a very big way,” Boneparth said.Don’t miss these stories from CNBC PRO: More

Senior lawmakers on Tuesday announced a bipartisan tax agreement that includes boosts for the child tax credit for 2023, which could affect taxpayers this filing season.
If enacted, the plan would broaden access, increase the refundable credit and add future inflation adjustments.
While lawmakers aim to enact the bill by the opening of tax season, the plan could face hurdles amid other legislative priorities, experts say.

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How much the credit could be worth for families

While less generous than the enhanced child tax credit enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic, the changes would boost the maximum refundable tax break to $1,800 per child for 2023, up from the current 2023 limit of $1,600. The limit would increase to $1,900 for tax year 2024, and $2,000 for tax year 2025, along with inflation adjustments.
The new law would expand refundable credit eligibility for larger families and if income drops in 2024 or 2025, taxpayers can use earnings from the prior year to calculate their maximum credit.
“It’s extremely well-targeted to provide significant relief to millions of low-income families,” said Chuck Marr, vice president for federal tax policy for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

If enacted, the proposed legislation could benefit roughly 16 million children in low-income families during its first year, according to a projection released Tuesday from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Childhood poverty more than doubled in the U.S. in 2022 — surging to 12.4% compared to 5.2% in 2021 — after pandemic relief expired.

‘Not much time in a best-case scenario’

With proposed retroactive changes for 2023, there’s pressure to enact the legislation by the opening of tax season on Jan. 29. “But there’s not much time in a best-case scenario,” said Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst and modeling manager at the Tax Foundation.
There are limited vehicles to pass the legislation and passing a stand-alone bill could be more challenging amid other priorities. “That’s the big risk here — this ends up taking a backseat or dying to other concerns,” Watson said.
Lawmakers are facing two fiscal-year 2024 deadlines to pass spending bills to avoid a partial government shutdown, with the first quickly approaching on Jan. 19.

Don’t miss these stories from CNBC PRO: More

As of early January, 6.9 million borrowers were enrolled in the new SAVE plan, according to the Department of Education.
To qualify for early student loan forgiveness, borrowers will need to make sure they’re enrolled in the right repayment plan.

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The Biden administration announced last week that it would fast-track its plan to deliver student loan forgiveness for certain borrowers in its new repayment plan.
However, some people may have questions about the news, which was not exactly straightforward. For example, while the relief will be automatic for many, others will need to take steps to qualify for it.

Meanwhile, “many are unaware of the opportunity,” said Elaine Rubin, director of corporate communications at Edvisors.
Here’s what to know about the development for borrowers.

Relief is limited to a select group

The latest round of relief is a result of the U.S. Department of Education’s new repayment program, called the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan. Borrowers were first able to enroll in SAVE, which the Biden administration has called “the most affordable repayment plan ever created,” last August.
The SAVE option reduces the monthly federal student loan payments for undergraduate borrowers from 10% of discretionary income to 5%, and shortens the timeline to forgiveness for those with small balances from the usual required 20 years or 25 years. Those who took out $12,000 or less in their undergraduate or graduate postsecondary studies get any remaining debt erased after just a decade.
It is the latter provision the Biden administration is fast-tracking. Due to the timeline of regulatory changes, it was originally expected to go into effect this summer.

Instead, the U.S. Department of Education said last week that, “borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts canceled immediately starting next month, with no action on their part.”
As of early January, 6.9 million borrowers were enrolled in the new SAVE plan, according to the Department of Education.
“A borrower who is already enrolled in the SAVE plan should see this forgiveness automatically,” Rubin said.

Borrowers not in SAVE need to take steps to qualify

Borrowers who believe they’re eligible for this relief but who haven’t yet signed up for the SAVE plan “should do so immediately,” said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.
You can see if you’re eligible for the program and try to enroll at Studentaid.gov. If you give consent to import your tax information on your application, you may not need much, if any, paperwork, Rubin said.
“However, if a borrower has had a change in their financial situation, they can opt to provide other documentation to demonstrate their current income,” she said. “Borrowers who do not earn income can self-certify that they did not earn income.”
Generally, only Direct loans qualify for the SAVE plan, including Direct subsidized, Direct unsubsidized and Direct PLUS loans.
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Have another federal loan type? Don’t despair yet.
You may be able to consolidate your currently ineligible federal loans into the Direct program. Consolidating before your eligible payments are calculated should not erase your progress toward forgiveness, experts say.
Once your debt is rolled into a Direct Consolidation Loan, you should be able to access the SAVE plan.
“Borrowers who believe they are eligible should consider consolidating their loans as soon as possible to avoid extra payments on a debt that could be forgiven,” Rubin said.
Borrowers in default, meanwhile, should take advantage of the Fresh Start program to become current on their loans. “If a borrower currently has a loan in default, the defaulted loan is not eligible to be repaid under a SAVE plan,” Rubin said.
After a borrower’s enrollment in the SAVE plan has been completed and confirmed by their servicer, any remaining balance could be forgiven within two to three months, the Department of Education says.

You may be closer to forgiveness than you think

If you don’t know how long you’ve been paying on your student loans, you can call your servicer to try to find out. If you’re unable to reach someone on the phone, sending a message via the company’s website may work, Kantrowitz said.
Months during the pandemic-era payment pause, which spanned from March 2020 to September 2023, count toward your forgiveness timeline, whether or not you made payments.

Some people who took out more than $12,000 may also benefit from a shorter timeline to debt cancellation.
The shortest waiting period, under SAVE, is 10 years for those who took out $12,000 or less. But then the repayment term increases for every additional $1,000 you borrowed over that amount. Those who owe between $12,001 and $13,000, for example, could get forgiveness in 11 years of repayment.
If you are expecting the forgiveness and do not receive it, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID to learn more, Kantrowitz added.Don’t miss these stories from CNBC PRO: More

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., January 9, 2024. 
Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters

The crystal ball is cloudy this year my friends. In the past it was easier to come up with my annual list of predictions, even if it turns out I was wrong. Heading into 2024, however, is proving more challenging when thinking about what might happen in markets, economies and business. 
Coming off a wonderfully surprising stock market global boom of 2023, this year could be anybody’s guess. Oh, and I’m told there’s an election happening in November which could also muddle the market waters even more.  

But as our tagline for “Last Call” goes, we’ve got to belly up or buckle up and step up with some thoughts on the new year.  And, like in the past 10 or so years we’ve been doing this, remember these are not actionable investment advice, but rather ideas and thoughts to stoke debate and discussion.
(To see how I did on my 2023 predictions, you can click here.)
While historically there would be five ideas, this year we are going “four for ’24.”  

Prediction #4: (Some) Solar Flares Back Up

First, we could also make the prediction there will be bankruptcies among some wind, solar or battery stocks. It is likely given balance sheets stuffed with leverage, still-high interest rates and demand in some markets that is simply still not there. It was a year rough on many investors in the “industry of the future.” 
SolarEdge was down 67% and giant NextEra Energy Partners lost a third of its market value. The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) was down 30%. 

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SolarEdge Technologies (TAN)

It was painful. Wind power companies may struggle with high costs and environmental resistance, but solar is a different story.  Solar could soon surpass coal as a source of global electricity generation. Utility-scale solar projects are growing around the world, and Wall Street firm T.D. Cowen says focus on companies with those types of big projects.  Specifically the firm likes First Solar (FSLR), naming it as a top pick in 2024. They aren’t alone. The median price target of nearly 30 analysts covering First Solar is $231.56, according to FactSet, more than 30% above the current price. There is too much money chasing solar projects, someone has to win.  Pick your solar spots.
Where I could be wrong: Interest rates move the wrong way.  Already sluggish government permitting process gets even worse, hurting new projects.  Investors give up on ‘new’ energy.  Political backlash if the former guy wins back the White House.

Prediction #3: Brazil Bests the U.S. Market

“Brazil is the country of the future.   Always has been, always will be.”
So goes the old ‘joke’ about Brazil investing. That it’s always a country that almost gets there and then falls apart. I think Brazil is on a real upswing and stocks will benefit and even outperform the U.S. market.
Unemployment is below 7%. High for us, but down from nearly 14% before the pandemic. Brazil is also a big bet on commodities.  It’s a huge producer of soybeans, iron ore, coffee, sugar and more.  The big story however is oil.  Brazil is quietly becoming an oil superpower, pumping out more than 3.5 million barrels of oil per day and headed toward 4 million.  Watch the iShares MSCI Brazil (EWZ) ETF as a proxy.
Where I could be wrong: If the U.S. dollar pops, it could sink the commodities story. Or if oil prices plunge.  Brazil also had a good 2023, so one wonders if all the market juice has been squeezed. 

Prediction #2: Oil & Nat Gas End Flat to Lower

Yes, I mean lower… for both oil and gas. Or perhaps they end flat at best.  This may seem surprising given that the majority of the calls out there seem to be bullish. But they were last year as well and the bulls got beaten up a bit. 
Here’s the thinking for 2024: global oil demand is going to grow, but given China’s rolling economic pain it may increase by less than some expect. In the meantime, global oil supplies are plentiful.  Production here is over 13 million barrels per day and Brazil and Guyana are becoming rising stars in oil drilling, with Brazil possibly hitting 4 million barrels per day in the near future (see: prediction #3). 
Russia remains robust on global markets despite sanctions, and OPEC may have done most of what it can to keep its member and allies production levels lower to balance out global markets.  There is also a potentially new development around China, and that is that the nation may try to grow it’s own shale oil output.  China imports and ton of oil and natural gas, and Citigroup notes that China is likely to become more of a local oil producer to help it on national security grounds. 
Where I could be wrong: The Middle East situation gets worse, OPEC+ or Saudi Arabia further cut production to prop up prices, global demand suddenly booms.

Prediction #1: Small Caps Beat the S&P 500

2023 was the year the mega cap stocks flexed. They were big and got bigger, with the so-called “Magnificent 7” (hate the name) leading the way. These elites of Wall Street may perform again, but there are lots of other great companies out there.  No doubt some are severely unloved small cap stocks.  This year will hopefully be the year things broaden out and investors come back to the rest of the market. 
All runs eventually end and new money needs to go somewhere.
Where I could be wrong: Investors could care less about valuation and just continue to buy the ‘Mag 7’ and other monster cap stocks.  A slowdown in the U.S. economy also would hit the smaller cap stocks harder.
(Watch Brian Sullivan on CNBC’s “Last Call” Monday through Friday at 7 p.m.) More

Retirement savers should ask questions of professionals who help them make critical financial decisions.
Knowing the benefits financial professionals may receive can be essential in helping you figure out whose investment advice you should trust and follow.
Fee-only advisors don’t receive commissions for products. They may receive a percentage of assets managed, a flat fee or hourly payment.

When employees who contribute to a 401(k) plan leave a company, they have options for what to do with that money. 
Depending on what the employer retirement savings plan allows, exiting employees may be able to keep the money in the current plan, roll it over into an IRA, or buy an annuity. In some cases, employers can force out small accounts.

The guidance investors receive from a financial professional or firm about handling old 401(k)s has been exempt from investment advice rules. And, there are different standards for financial advice. Being a “fiduciary” is the highest standard, meaning the advice must be in the client’s best interest. 
The Biden administration wants investment advice given when making these decisions to come from a fiduciary — and the Department of Labor has proposed rules to make that happen. 
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Some in the financial industry have pushed back against the Labor Department’s proposed rule, saying it would create a regulatory burden that would shut out millions of Americans from receiving guidance from financial professionals compensated by commission-based sales. They also argue that existing laws have been established to safeguard consumers seeking financial advice. 
Some lawmakers share those concerns. “We would be left with two classes of investors: those who can afford investment advice and those who cannot,” said Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, which recently held a hearing on the new rule. 

Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., chairs a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets about the Department of Labor’s proposed fiduciary rule.
Source: House Committee Video

Others contend that consumers who reach out to a financial professional for a one-time event such as a rollover may not get advice in their best interest.  
“I met recently with a woman whose former financial professional recommended that she use her modest retirement nest egg to buy an insurance product that wasn’t right for her,” certified financial planner Kamila Elliott told the subcommittee at a hearing Wednesday. Elliott, the CEO of Collective Wealth Partners in Atlanta, is a member of the CNBC FA Council.
“Had she invested in a diversified portfolio and a qualified retirement plan, she would now have tens of thousands of dollars more in accumulated retirement assets,” Elliott said.
As the debate continues, experts say retirement savers should keep asking questions of professionals who help them make critical financial decisions, like what to do with money in a 401(k) or 403(b) account after leaving an employer. Here are some tips:

Review investment options and fees

To protect your nest egg, reviewing and understanding your options is essential. Sometimes brokers from the plan administrators don’t consider if you are married or other assets you can access in retirement when making recommendations. 
Find out what fees will be incurred for your investment choices, such as rolling over 401(k) money into an IRA or buying an annuity. Investment funds in 401(k) plans can be less costly than their IRA counterparts.
For many people, staying in their former employer’s plan may be a good option.
“Larger companies take the 401(k) plan very seriously, and are looking to work with professional institutional investment consultants to vet the investments that are placed into that plan, setting up access to generally low-cost investment options,” said Christopher Lazzaro, founder and president of Plan For It Financial, a fee-only, advice-only financial planner in Swampscott, Massachusetts.

Know how the advisor is compensated

Ask how the financial professional is paid. 
Knowing the benefits financial professionals may receive can be an essential factor in helping you figure out whose advice you should trust and follow. Advice to roll over funds into an IRA or buy an annuity can generate compensation like a commission for the broker or agent.
Fee-only advisors, in contrast, only make money from direct fees from clients. Those fees may be based on a percentage of the money they manage, or charged on a fee-for-service or hourly basis. 

Find fiduciary financial advisors, and vet them More

The median U.S. asking rent price in December was $1,964, a 0.8% decline from a year ago, according to real estate firm Redfin.
While prices are moderately cooling in the rental sector, there is still a long way to go before the real estate market sees consistent and significant price decreases, according to Jacob Channel, a senior economist at LendingTree.
Whether you are on the rental market sidelines or have your eyes set on the ideal apartment in your area, here are three ways to strengthen your credit score.

Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images

Rising inventory is helping push rent prices down. For young adults, building credit is a smart step to take as they prepare to enter the rental housing market.
The median U.S. asking rent price in December was $1,964, a 0.8% decline from a year ago, according to real estate firm Redfin, which analyzed price data on single-family homes, multifamily units, condos/co-ops and townhouses across the U.S., except metro areas. It was the third consecutive decline after a 2.1% annual drop in November and a 0.3% decrease in October.

“It is good news for Gen Z that there are more rental options at more affordable prices,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin.

While prices are moderately cooling in the rental sector, there is still a long way to go before the real estate market sees consistent and significant price decreases, according to Jacob Channel, a senior economist at LendingTree.
“It’s probably still going to be hard to rent in a lot of instances, unfortunately,” he said.

Many Gen Zers are still living with their parents

While some older Gen Zers were able to become homeowners during the Covid-19 pandemic, most did not. They either became renters or never moved out of their parents’ house.
Gen Z includes those born between 1996 and 2012, according to Pew Research Center’s definition, and the youngest members of that cohort are still teens and tweens.

Nearly a third, 31%, of adult Gen Zers live at home with parents or a family member because they can’t afford to buy or rent their own place, a recent report by Intuit Credit Karma found.
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Some of those who did rent are now struggling. Of the Gen Z adults who currently rent, 27% say they can no longer afford the cost, the firm found. It polled 1,249 U.S. adults in November.
“The high cost of housing, even as it comes down in some areas, is going to remain a problem for both buyers and renters for quite some time,” said Channel.
In the meantime, there are ways Gen Z adults can prepare, especially those at home saving on expenses.

How building credit can help you rent your own place

Landlords may look at prospective tenants’ credit to assess their ability to make payments on time. Having a good track record with credit can boost your chances that your application is accepted, and with favorable terms.
In short: A strong credit history can make you a competitive candidate.
“Practice healthy habits overall with any line of credit that you may have,” said Melissa Lambarena, credit card expert at NerdWallet. “Whatever you’re charging to your credit card, you should only charge what you can afford to pay back.”

Three ways to build credit

Whether you are on the rental market sidelines or have your eyes set on the ideal apartment in your area, here are three ways to strengthen your credit score:
1. Leverage bills you routinely pay
Traditionally, recurring household bills such as utilities and internet service do not show up on your credit report — and so they are not factored into your credit score.
However, programs such as Experian Boost, StellarFi and UltraFICO allow users to build credit based on alternative metrics such as banking activity and payments for streaming services, electric bills and mobile phone plans. Once you are renting a place, some programs also report those payments as a way to build credit.
However, remember that building your score this way still requires time and consistently good payment habits, said Channel.
“It’s not magical [where] you make three utility payments on time and you suddenly have an 800 credit score. That’s not how it works,” he said.

2. Become an authorized user
You can build good credit based on another person’s credit history when you become an authorized user on their credit card. Under this status, you can use the card, but unlike a cosigner, you’re not on the hook for the balance. This is usually an ideal option for parents who want to help their children build credit.
However, make sure the person whose account you’re piggybacking has a strong credit score. If you become an authorized user with someone who is not as responsible with their debt, it won’t help your credit — and might make things worse for everyone involved, said Channel.
Additionally, the card issuer must report your payment history to the major credit bureaus. Otherwise, it won’t do much good to be an authorized user. Check the credit card company’s terms and conditions to see how it handles that relationship.
Once you cover these steps, set up a plan with the other person: how much you will pay, what your limit will be or if it’s a matter of not using the card at all, said Lambarena.
3. Consider a secured credit card
One of the most straightforward ways to start building credit, especially for a young person, is to look into a secured credit card, said Channel.
A secured credit card can be easier to qualify for because it requires a security deposit, said Lambarena. That’s typically tied to your credit line. In other words, you are setting up your own credit limit by how much you pay up front. “A really low deposit would mean maybe you do not have that much to spend,” she said.
The ideal secure credit card for someone starting to build credit won’t carry an annual fee, reports payments to all major credit bureaus and has a built-in path toward an unsecured credit card in the future with the same issuer once you build up a good credit, said Lambarena.Don’t miss these stories from CNBC PRO: More

Most retirees would prefer to spend their final days at home, but high costs and lack of accessibility to services can get in the way.
Some cities are experimenting with community models that help provide support to older adults, making it possible for them to remain in their homes longer.

Laguna Beach, California
Luciano Lejtman | Moment | Getty Images

When most people think of Laguna Beach, California, they think of its scenic coves and beaches.
But the small coastal city — with a population of around 22,600 — is also pioneering a new model for elder care.

About 77% of adults ages 50 and up hope to stay in their homes long term, according to AARP. In Laguna Beach, the rate is even higher, with about 90% of residents, according to Rickie Redman, director of the city’s aging-in-place services, dubbed Lifelong Laguna.
The program, which provides services through a hometown nonprofit, was piloted in 2017. Lifelong Laguna is based on the Village movement, where aging in place is encouraged with community support.
The Laguna Beach program aims to fulfill a specific need for a city where approximately 28% of residents are age 65 and over, while local assisted living and memory care services are scarce.
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Many of the older residents have lived in the city since they were in their 20s and 30s, and now find themselves in their 70s and 80s, according to Redman. Many of them trace back to the city’s artistic roots, she said.

“They make this city unique,” Redman said. “They’re the placeholders for the Laguna that we now know.”
Notably, there is no cost for the city’s older adults to participate in most of the services.
The program, which currently has around 200 participants, relies on grants and local fundraising, according to Redman. Its services address a wide range of needs, including a home repair program the city operates in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, nutrition counseling and end-of-life planning.
Other cities have also adopted community support models for residents who age in place through the Village movement. That includes tens of thousands of older adults in 26 states and Washington, D.C., according to Manuel Acevedo, founder and CEO of Helpful Village, which provides technology support to seniors and participating communities.

Retirees confront high costs to stay at home

The high costs of aging in place are one of the biggest obstacles that prevents older adults from fulfilling their desire to stay put, experts say.
About 10,000 baby boomers are expected to turn age 65 every day until 2030. An estimated 70% of those individuals will need long-term care services at some point, according to Genworth Financial.
In 2021, the highest year-over-year increase in cost was in home-care services, Genworth’s research found. The median annual cost for in-home care was $61,776 for a home health aide to provide hands-on personal care and $59,488 for homemaker services to help with household tasks.
Those costs have been influenced by supply and demand, according to Genworth.

As more people age and require care, the Covid pandemic led to an insufficient supply of professionals to meet care needs, as well as a high turnover rate.
Preferences for aging in place are also showing up in the real estate market.
Baby boomers currently represent the biggest portion of home buyers, according to Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors. More than half of boomers are saying that the property they are purchasing now is where they plan on living for the rest of their lives, a sentiment that has increased since the Covid pandemic.
“There definitely is a mindset change, where people are saying, ‘I do want to stay put, I don’t necessarily want to move into a nursing home or into assisted care,'” Lautz said.

‘Forever grateful’ for community

Sylvia Bradshaw, an 84-year-old Laguna Beach resident who moved to the city in 1983, describes it as “paradise.”
She has lived there since that time, apart from a stint when she and her husband relocated to Ireland. Still, the couple held on to their home, the city’s third-oldest house, which was built in 1897.
“My husband had ideas about selling our home,” Bradshaw said. “But I would never sell it, because I said ‘Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.'”
Bradshaw’s husband was a teacher in the city’s high school and later became a lawyer. More recently, he had health struggles that made it difficult for the couple to keep up with yard work, Bradshaw said.
As members of the Laguna aging-in-place community, they had access to help.
Redman helped arrange for a team of workers to come to clean up the yard, which included removing 17 bags of scraps and trimming a roughly 30-year-old fig tree.
“Now people can see that there’s a house there; they just couldn’t see it [before],” said Bradshaw, who said she is “forever grateful” for the gesture.
The support of the community also was especially helpful in sorting through the hospice care issues prior to her husband’s recent death.
“Anything that I’ve needed, I’ve gotten help,” Bradshaw said.
That has included help sorting through insurance choices, legal advice, transportation assistance and classes and social events, said John Bradshaw, Sylvia’s son.
Having the elder community support his parents is a “big comfort,” John said, particularly as he no longer lives in Laguna Beach.
“It is just such a wonderful relief,” John said. “It’s like having a second family, this team of people really supporting my parents, and others like them, to be able to stay and enjoy this part of the country.”

What to do if you want to age in place

If you want to age in place, it helps to start planning early to make sure it’s feasible, said Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner who is the founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida.
“We actually start bringing it up with clients in their 50s and 60s: Where do you want to live out the end of your life?” McClanahan said. “Of course, most people do say, ‘I want to live in my home.'”
It’s important to be realistic about those plans.
Ask yourself whether the decision to age in place is just “rationalized inertia,” or giving yourself an out when it comes to confronting other important aging decisions, said Tom West, senior partner at Signature Estate and Investment Advisors in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

If you do decide staying in your home is the best option, be prepared to make changes to your home, he said. That may include wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, as well as grab bars to help prevent falls.
Like the aging-in-place models established in Laguna Beach and elsewhere, it helps to have community support. McClanahan recommends developing strong relationships with your neighbors where you agree to look out for each other.
It also helps to set certain boundaries for when staying at home no longer makes sense.
For example, it may cost $240,000 a year to stay home if you need 24-hour care, McClanahan said.
“Even if you’re super rich, a lot of families hate seeing that much money go out the window, when you would pay half the cost to actually go into a facility,” McClanahan said.
Further, be sure to outline your wishes in all potential circumstances. While you may want your children to promise not to put you in a nursing home, it may come to a point where it is more cost effective and safer to go to a care unit, McClanahan said.   More

Eric Greager, President and CEO of Civitas Resources, at the NYSE, November 9, 2021.
Source: NYSE

As investors confront uncertain markets in the short term, dividend paying stocks could offer some portfolio stability and income.
Analysts have dug into the details on dividend-paying stocks, analyzing companies’ fundamentals and understanding their long-term growth potential.

With that in mind, here are three attractive dividend stocks, according to Wall Street’s top experts on TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
Civitas Resources
First, there is independent oil and natural gas producer Civitas Resources (CIVI). The company is focused on developing assets in the Permian and Denver-Julesburg basins.
Civitas paid a quarterly dividend of $1.59 per share on December 29, 2023. This payment included a base dividend of $0.50 per share and a variable dividend of $1.09 per share.
Earlier this month, Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar upgraded Civitas stock to buy from hold with a price target of $86 per share. The analyst called the stock one of his top picks in the U.S. oil and gas space. The analyst thinks that 2023 was a transformative year for the company, with three major acquisitions in the Permian Basin reshaping its asset base.
Kumar added that these recent acquisitions extended the duration of the company’s overall inventory to nearly 10 years, making it more competitive than its small and mid-cap exploration and production rivals. He also highlighted that the CIVI offers the highest cash returns compared to its peers.

Despite these positives, the stock still trades at a major discount to its peers on FCF/EV and EV/EBITDAX (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation or depletion, amortization, and exploration expense) basis.
“We think this relative valuation gap is too wide considering the vastly improved asset base and expanded inventory duration,” said Kumar. 
Kumar ranks No. 224 among more than 8,600 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 60% of the time, with each delivering an average return of 15.5%. (See Civitas Insider Trading Activity on TipRanks)  
Williams Companies
We move to another energy dividend stock – Williams Companies (WMB). The energy infrastructure company handles about one-third of the natural gas shipped in the U.S.
On Dec. 26, 2023, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.4475 per share. This dividend marked a 5.3% year-over-year growth. WMB offers a dividend yield of 5.1%.
Williams recently acquired a portfolio of natural gas storage assets from Hartree Partners LP’s affiliate for $1.95 billion. Stifel analyst Selman Akyol expects this acquisition, which includes six natural gas facilities, to be favorable, given the acquired assets’ access to LNG export facilities.
The analyst thinks that the deal will enhance the company’s storage to cater to the growing LNG demand. Additionally, the analyst noted that this acquisition would place the company in a better position to provide fuel for standby power plants amid the transition to renewables.
Akyol reiterated a buy rating on WMB stock with a price target of $40, saying, “With a diversified gathering footprint and the largest U.S. long-haul natural gas pipeline in Transco, Williams’ footprint should remain insulated from commodity price swings with over 90% fee-based margins.”   
The analyst also highlighted the company’s top-tier distribution coverage, investment grade balance sheet, attractive yield and the ability to generate stable cash flows despite macro challenges.
Akyol holds the 976th position among more than 8,600 analysts on TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 63% of the time, delivering a return of 4.2%, on average. (See Williams’ Financial Statements on TipRanks.
Kimco Realty
Finally, we look at Kimco Realty (KIM), a real estate investment trust (REIT) that is focused on grocery-anchored shopping centers. In December 2023, the company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share, which reflected a 4.3% increase over the prior dividend payment. KIM’s dividend yield stands at 4.7%.   
Following Kimco Realty’s recently completed acquisition of RPT Realty, Stifel analyst Simon Yarmak reaffirmed a buy rating on KIM stock and slightly increased the price target to $23 per share from $21.75 per share. The analyst noted that management is optimistic about an upside to occupancy levels in RPT’s portfolio, margins, and a solid signed-not-opened (SNO) portfolio.  
The analyst added that management is positive about the financial health of the company’s tenants and thinks that its exposure to Rite Aid, which filed for bankruptcy in 2023, remains “very muted.”
Yarmak remains bullish on Kimco Realty and thinks that the company’s portfolio is stable and has significant size and scale in its target markets. He raised his 2024 FFO (funds from operations) per share estimate to $1.62 from $1.61 and 2025 estimate to $1.69 from $1.68. The analyst expects 2023 FFO of $1.57 per share.
“KIM is focused on executing on the value creation opportunities within its portfolio to drive NOI [net operating income] and cash flow growth,” said Yarmak, explaining his investment stance.  
Yarmak ranks No. 410 among more than 8,600 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 58% of the time, with each delivering an average return of 9.7%. (See Kimco Realty Technical Analysis on TipRanks)   More