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Packing Sudoku Is the Genius Trick for Traveling in Style Without Overpacking—Here’s How to Make It Work for You

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Soft Saving Makes Room for Little Luxuries in Your Budget, but Is It Really a Good Idea?

Work hard, live frugally, save aggressively. Do this, and you’ll live richly when you retire . Sound familiar? This money mindset has been passed down for generations. Unfortunately, we’re living in a very different economic reality than the one our parents and grandparents inhabited. Today, the median sale price for a home is more than 1,000% higher than it was in the 1970s. Federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised since 2009. People have to work multiple jobs just to get by because basic necessities, like health insurance, cost so much. These hardships aren’t lost on Gen Z. In fact, they’re so sick of the struggle that they’ve decided the money wisdom of yore no longer applies. Rather than aggressively setting aside money for the future, they’re easing up on savings and revving the spending on fun, wellness-forward experiences they can have right now. It’s true the world is different, and our lifestyles adapt as a result. But does this mean traditional money-saving habits should ...

Before You File Your Taxes, Make Sure You’re Not Falling for One of These Sneaky Tax Scams

Between increasingly frequent phone scams and constantly evolving online scams , bad actors are everywhere. And come tax season, the fraudsters are out in full force. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division, 2025 saw $4.49 billion of tax fraud, and that’s just what people reported. “Tax season is prime time for scammers, who take advantage of the urgency and confusion around filings, refunds and recent legislative changes,” says Sandra Glading, an online safety expert with digital security company McAfee. “With the help of AI, cybercriminals are constantly creating realistic phishing emails , deepfake phone calls and fake tax prep websites.” So how can you stay aware and out of scammers’ clutches ? We talked to seven fraud, cybersecurity and financial experts to learn more about the six tax scams you may encounter as you prepare to file, along with tips to avoid them. Keep reading to learn how to keep yourself safe this tax season. Get  Re...

Debate of the Week: Would You Prefer More Money or More Vacation Days?

Work. Sleep. Repeat. The monotonous routines of corporate work aren’t exactly nurturing for the soul. In fact, this kind of labor often makes us feel like another cog in a machine, and that can take a massive toll on our well-being. The hard truth: Bills aren’t going to pay themselves. Work will always be, well, work. But a recent study in the Journal of Managerial Psychology adds more nuance to the complicated relationship between our jobs and our sense of self. The researchers asked whether people would feel more human if they received additional paid vacation time versus an equivalent monetary bonus . The study’s participants chose a clear winner, but not everyone on the internet agrees. So what did the research find, and what do everyday workers and career experts have to say? Read on to learn more about this polarizing debate. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more money and career tips, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long. What...

The Nicest Places in America 2026

Visit Our 2025 Winners The Nicest Place in America 2025: Asheville, North Carolina A Beloved Chicago Bookstore Becomes the Heart of a Community A Louisiana Town Turns a Heartbreaking Loss into Community Purpose Ohio Residents Bring Holiday Magic to Hurricane Survivors This Amateur Circus Offers Joy to an Indiana Community Send Us Your Nicest Place! The post The Nicest Places in America 2026 appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/RvPi5wT

Will 2026’s Year of the Horse Be Your Best Yet? Numerology Experts Think So—Here’s Why

After an exhausting 2025, everyone and their mother could use a little break. (I know I could!) And thankfully, 2026’s Year of the Fire Horse will provide that and so much more. Not only will it disrupt the stressful cycles you’ve been dealing with, but it will also give you the confidence, energy and momentum you need to succeed. “I tell my clients: In a climate this hot and this fast, you can’t afford to be a spectator,” says classical feng shui practitioner Peggy Sol. “You are either riding the horse or getting in its way.” And it’s not just the Chinese zodiac’s magic at work here: Numerology will also be a huge factor in your success this year. If you’re not all that familiar with numerology, it’s an ancient system that analyzes the patterns, meaning and frequency behind numbers. The numbers 1 through 9 all have spiritual significance, and by understanding their meanings, we can better understand our lives and the energy of a particular year. In short? From a numerological persp...