Alphabet Drops 12%, Pulling Tech Stocks Lower

Stocks ended lower Thursday. The S&P 500 (an index of 500 big U.S. companies) slipped 0.3%. Why? Alphabet, Google's parent, fell more than 12% after its sales missed expectations and it spent more cash than it took in. That revived worries about AI costs. Still, eight of 11 market sectors rose. For long-term savers, this is one day: 0.3% of $50,000 is about $150.

Open Enrollment Is the Time to Check HSAs

Open enrollment is the yearly window to pick your work benefits. Financial planners say a health savings account (HSA) deserves a look. It's an account for medical costs with unusual tax breaks. Some planners also see it as a long-term investing account and call it 'better than a Roth' (a retirement account where you pay tax now and withdraw tax-free later).

Portage Passes $59 Million Budget With Late Raises

The Portage, Indiana, city council approved a $59 million budget for 2027. At the last minute, it added pay raises for elected officials and city employees. A city budget is the plan for spending what residents pay in local taxes and fees. Pay is one line in it, and this one changed late.

Florida Food Bank Opens Hub Serving 250,000 Weekly

Treasure Coast Food Bank opened a new 132,000-square-foot center in Fort Pierce, Florida. It serves about 250,000 people each week across four counties. Why build it? Its work was spread over five locations. Now storage, meals, benefits help and job training share one roof. The kitchen can make up to 25,000 meals a day in a disaster.

Economy Grew 3.4%, But Prices Rose 3.6%

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.4% yearly pace last quarter, its fastest in a year. But prices in September were up 3.6% from a year ago. Inflation-adjusted disposable income (what's left after taxes, measured in buying power) fell 0.3% for the month. In plain terms, something that cost $100 a year ago now costs about $103.60.