Stars and Stripes Financial Services

06/08/2026

Could the pacemaker of the future work from outside the body? MIT researchers are testing an ultrasound sticker designed to stimulate heart cells noninvasively and help correct irregular rhythms.
Read more about the science behind it: https://bit.ly/49vXUSi

MIT engineers developed a noninvasive pacemaker that stimulates the heart using ultrasound. The design could one day provide a surgery-free alternative to traditional cardiac implants.

06/07/2026

June is a smart time to check in on the money habits you’ve built so far this year. Poor financial habits can quietly derail savings, increase debt, and limit future options, but small changes can help you get back on track before year-end.

Build a budget: Track income and expenses for at least 30 days to see where your money actually goes.
Automate savings: Set up payday transfers so you are saving before the money can be spent.
Face debt directly: Review balances, terms, and interest rates so you can prioritize repayment strategically.
Small habit changes today can reshape your financial future. Here’s where to start: https://bit.ly/4fdHvFD

The first step in addressing poor financial habits is recognizing that meaningful change begins with individual actions.

06/06/2026

Most people plan carefully for retirement finances, but not always for how they’ll spend their time. Around year three, after the travel, projects, and long-delayed plans slow down, the real adjustment can begin.

Expect the third-year shift: The first two years often stay busy. After that, many retirees may need a new sense of structure and purpose.
Ask better questions: What brings you joy? Would volunteering, part-time work, or learning something new feel fulfilling?
Plan for the long game: With retirement potentially lasting decades, it helps to think about goals for the next 5, 10, or even 20 years.
See how building a post-career routine early could help you create a more fulfilling next chapter: https://bit.ly/42ZyNDJ

06/05/2026

College savings can feel tricky when you’re planning for a future your child may not follow exactly. Here are a few ways families can build in more flexibility:

Keep 529s in context: They can work well for college and some qualified education paths, but may be less flexible if your child takes a gap year, starts a business, or chooses another route.
Consider a backup account: Roth IRAs may let you withdraw contributions if needed, while keeping the money available for retirement if plans change.
Don’t overlook free money: Merit scholarships, AP classes, and dual enrollment can help reduce future costs before the first tuition bill arrives.
See why a flexible college savings strategy may matter as much as the amount you save: https://bit.ly/4uyZScQ

06/04/2026

More than a third of Gen Z homebuyers are single women, but many women don’t have an estate plan in place. Buying a home is a big step; protecting it matters too.

Write a will: Without one, state law may decide who inherits your home, rather than your wishes guiding the process.
Assign power of attorney: If illness or injury leaves you unable to manage finances, someone you trust may need legal authority to help pay bills, including a mortgage.
Review your options: A trust, beneficiary designation, or other planning tool may help your home transfer more smoothly, depending on your situation.
Single women are buying homes in growing numbers. See how estate planning can help protect what you’ve built: https://bit.ly/4uV2WAt

Despite purchasing what might now be their biggest asset, women are less likely than men to have any estate planning documents in place.

06/03/2026

AI can sound confident even when new evidence points in a different direction. Researchers are finding this isn't just a quirk, but it may be a fundamental limitation with real consequences.

Missed evidence: Researchers found AI agents ignored results that contradicted their assumptions in more than half of tested scenarios.
High stakes uses: In science and medicine, an AI tool that ignores contradictory evidence isn’t only wrong, it’s potentially dangerous.
Responsible adoption: AI can still be useful for well-defined tasks, but its limits need to be understood before we rely on it too heavily.
See why knowing what AI can't do may be just as important as knowing what it can: https://bit.ly/4wVAlfA

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05/15/2026

Most people want to age at home, but few plan for what that really takes.

A Common Gap: Even an end-of-life care doctor struggled to get her own parents to plan.
• Small Changes Matter: Simple home updates, like grab bars and stair ramps, can help support independence and avoid bigger setbacks.
• Why It’s Missed: Limited time and training for providers, plus system constraints, mean these conversations often don’t happen.
One physician’s story highlights a gap many families face. See what could help change it: https://bit.ly/4d43fkq

A few small changes to their home and habits will make it much more likely that they can age in their own home.

05/14/2026

America’s workforce is going gray, and it’s already costing billions. 3.15 million older workers have exited, pushing the share of people working or job hunting to a 5-year low. See what this “silver exit” could mean for growth and what may help offset it: https://bit.ly/3QEh2XE

05/14/2026

If your job doesn’t offer a retirement plan, new changes may open the door to start saving.

New Online Marketplace: A federal site will help workers compare private retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs in one place.
Federal Match Ahead: Starting in 2027, eligible workers may receive up to $1,000 through the Saver’s Match when they contribute.
A Big Coverage Gap: Nearly half of private-sector workers (about 57 million people) don’t currently have access to employer-sponsored plans.
See how these updates could expand access to retirement savings: https://bit.ly/4tKGU2D

05/12/2026

This spring's college graduates are entering one of the toughest entry-level job markets in years, and AI is making it harder before they even reach a recruiter. Read the story behind the numbers, including one graduate who finally got the call: https://nyti.ms/4cTdh80

Young people aiming to build careers are entering fields they had not considered to find their footing.