Here are three of the week's top pieces of financial advice, gathered from around the web:
Gold: Still a gamble
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Personal loans gain popularity
"Ahead of your next big-ticket expense, it may be time to reconsider the personal loan," said Kelli Grant at CNBC. Lenders issued $30.2 billion in personal loans to borrowers with good credit during the first three quarters of 2015, up 67 percent from the same period in 2013, according to credit bureau TransUnion. Low interest rates are the biggest selling point. APRs on a three-year, $10,000 loan start at 5.99 percent at Wells Fargo and Lending Club, compared with 17 percent for the average cash-back credit card. Personal loans are also speedy, with applicants often getting their cash within 48 to 72 hours. But be sure to read the fine print to calculate exactly how much you're saving. Some personal loans offer variable rates, and many lenders charge up-front fees.
Brexit's big investing lesson
Investors who rushed for the exits in the aftermath of the Brexit vote "are kicking themselves now," said Gail MarksJarvis at the Chicago Tribune. Retirement savers may ultimately see losses in some of their mutual funds as a result of the referendum and subsequent market swoon, but "the destruction has been mild compared to what you might have imagined." The stock market has regained nearly all it lost since roughly $3 trillion was wiped out in the immediate panic following Britain's decision to leave the EU. Bonds, meanwhile, "did just what they're supposed to do," protecting investors against big swings in the stock market. As usual, those with a diversified portfolio and the patience to ride out the turmoil came out fine.
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What experts are saying about the economy's surprise contractionThe Explainer The sharpest opinions on the debate from around the web
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The death of cities was greatly exaggeratedThe Explainer Why the pandemic predictions about urban flight were wrong
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The housing crisis is hereThe Explainer As the pandemic takes its toll, renters face eviction even as buyers are bidding higher
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How to be an ally to marginalized coworkersThe Explainer Show up for your colleagues by showing that you see them and their struggles
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What the stock market knowsThe Explainer Publicly traded companies are going to wallop small businesses
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Can the government save small businesses?The Explainer Many are fighting for a fair share of the coronavirus rescue package
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How the oil crash could turn into a much bigger economic shockThe Explainer This could be a huge problem for the entire economy
