In The News: Department of Finance

An alleged brazen kidnapping and cryptocurrency extortion that started in Las Vegas and ended in a remote desert area in Arizona in November has added to worry about other crypto-related violent crimes in the U.S. and around the globe in recent months.

Credit cards without SSN requirements can be a great resource if you are going to school or working in the U.S. but aren't a citizen. However, depending on your situation, you may be able to apply for an SSN, which would open up even more credit card options to you.

Loud budgeting is a personal finance trend that encourages people to be vocal about their budget and speak up when they can’t afford to spend more. It was popularized on TikTok, and it’s a way for people to avoid overspending and reduce peer pressure from friends.

At just 19 years old, UNLV Junior Sehaj Singh enjoys trading stocks as his fascination has now become a hobby. When the opportunity came along to participate in UNLV’s first-ever President’s Investment Challenge, he and several other students jumped on board to get a first-hand look at the campus-wide investment competition.

Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) embarked on a new educational venture this semester, testing their financial instincts through a virtual stock market challenge.

One challenge you will face when budgeting is determining how much of your income to spend in different categories. Percentage-based budget rules, like the 50/30/20 rule or the 70/20/10 rule, are useful strategies that can guide your spending and help you organize a better budget. Below, we’ll run down some standard budgeting percentages you might want to try.

Daniel Chi, a finance professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, provided insights into the role and impact of tariffs on the economy and personal finances. He explains how tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods and are used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
Educating students on the fundamentals of investing is an ongoing effort for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It is an institution for learning, after all. After opening its Institute of Financial Literacy & Wellness to provide classes and credentials in financial wellness during the fall 2023 semester, the university is encouraging students to advance their knowledge by participating in its inaugural President’s Investment Challenge.
If you find yourself in a financial crunch, you have options to dig yourself out, such as borrowing from your emergency fund, a savings account or taking out a personal loan. You might also find yourself considering borrowing from your 401(k). While a 401(k) loan is often quick and typically cheaper than other types of credit, it could also end up jeopardizing your retirement.
Investors received a big boost on January 15 with a December, 2024 Consumer Price Index report showing core inflation rose less than expected. This reassured Wall Street the Federal Reserve could continue to lower interest rates in 2025. The Fed had curbed its benchmark Federal Funds rate three consecutive times in the second half of 2024 but had signaled a halt – or even rate hikes – for 2025 as the US economy kept growing.

Sean Karaman, a freshman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, hadn’t always paid close attention to his credit card spending. But after taking a personal finance course on campus last fall, he said, he is much more likely to pay as he goes.

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