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10 Reasons Investors Shouldn't Panic About Stocks 10/22/2018 08:00pm • Volatility doesn't hurt the stock market.U.S. stocks are off to a rough start to the fourth quarter, with the S&P 500 index down 5 percent since the beginning of October and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping more than 1,300 points in a two-day stretch earlier this month. The midterm elec Are You Making These 4 Investing Mistakes? 10/22/2018 08:00pm • If you have already started creating your estate plan, congratulations on taking an important first step that too many Americans continue to avoid. As you've likely experienced, the process can be overwhelming, with many documents and decisions serving a variety of purposes from a will and trust, t Montgomery County keeps its AAA credit rating 10/22/2018 06:51am • WASHINGTON — Montgomery County, Maryland, gets to keep its membership in the best credit club, maintaining AAA bond ratings for 2018 from all three Wall Street bond rating agencies. Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's all affirmed the AAA rating for the county, and all keep their outlook f VOTER VOICES: Frederick Co. residents talk health care, transportation — and guns 10/22/2018 04:47am • This story is part of the series, "Voter Voices." WTOP asked voters across Maryland what issues concerned them, and who would be getting their vote in the upcoming election for governor. Other chapters have included stops in Montgomery County, Howard County, Baltimore City, and Prince George's Pros and Cons to Buying Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Stock 10/21/2018 08:00pm • The outlook is generally positive for the U.S. airline sector, as consumers -- increasingly flush with cash -- are flying the friendly skies more often these days. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation, U.S.-based airlines flew an estimated 75.8 million passengers in September, an increase 5 Steps to Protect Your Investment Portfolio 10/21/2018 08:00pm • Just 46 percent of Americans have a rainy day fund, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which means that 54 percent of Americans may be just one unplanned emergency away from financial insecurity. If you're an investor, you may not feel like this statistic applies to you. Aft How to Help Aging Parents Manage Portfolios 10/21/2018 08:00pm • Sooner or later everyone loses a step, and the results can be disastrous for older investors who choose overly risky holdings, forget to monitor their portfolio or fall prey to con artists. At some point their children may feel it's time step in with responses from the mild (making a few suggestion Wage Garnishment: What Is It and How Can It Impact Your Income? 10/21/2018 08:00pm • If you're behind on any debts, the last thing you want to worry about is having a court mandate that part of your earnings be withheld and sent directly to the creditor or person to whom you owe money until your debt is resolved. But there's a silver lining: If your wages are about to be garnished b What happens if you win the Mega Millions jackpot? 10/20/2018 07:58am • DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Despite the terrible odds — someone will eventually match all six numbers and win the Mega Millions jackpot, which now stands at $1.6 billion. It could happen as soon as Tuesday night, when the next drawing is held. The jackpot is the largest in Mega Millions history, 5 things to do if your office pool plays Mega Millions' $1B jackpot 10/19/2018 12:43pm • WASHINGTON — "If we win, we won't have to show up for work on Monday" — that fantasy is likely being stoked among co-workers in thousands of workplaces (including the WTOP newsroom) as they team up to buy tickets for Friday night's Mega Millions jackpot, which now stands at $1 billion. "Pooli What legal sports betting in DC might look like 10/19/2018 02:11am • WASHINGTON — Ever since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May, effectively rendering the opportunity to make sports gambling legal under state jurisdictions, there has been a gold rush to take advantage of the new market. On Wednesday, the D 5 Times Going Into Debt Makes Sense 10/18/2018 08:00pm • Books, blogs and financial programs all have a message for you: Ditch your debt. However, some finance experts say that advice is short-sighted. "Debt is a tool," says James C. Kelly, vice president and wealth strategist with financial firm PNC Wealth Management. He likens debt to a hammer. Dependi The Best Places in the U.S. With the Highest and Lowest Sales Tax 10/18/2018 08:00pm • Where do sales tax rates make the biggest difference?Whether you're buying holiday gifts for family members, reviving your wardrobe or simply shopping at the grocery store, sales tax can make spending feel like it goes from reasonable to over budget with the ding of the cash register. Because sales Tax-Savvy Ways to Manage an Inheritance 10/17/2018 08:00pm • When it comes to inheritance, it's typically more gratifying to think about how to spend the newfound money than what the tax consequences might be. But earning a payout from a deceased relative comes with its own complicated tax repercussions. And spending the gifted money too quickly or thoughtle 7 Factors to Consider When Shopping for Health Insurance 10/17/2018 08:00pm • Open enrollment season is here. Whether you select your health insurance through an employer, Medicare or a government exchange, October and November are when most Americans have the opportunity to switch plans. While shopping for health insurance can seem overwhelming, breaking down the process can