Worry creates negative emotions and stress, leading to avoidance that can make things worse. You can change your habits by starting small, talking with a trusted family member or friend and being consistent and persistent.

For many families, the holidays are the one moment of the year when everyone comes together without the usual rush of deadlines, school schedules, or conflicting calendars. And while nobody wants to turn a festive gathering into a financial seminar, these warm, unhurried moments can open the door to something surprisingly valuable: meaningful conversations about money, intentions, and the kind of legacy you want to leave.

In this week’s 7 Market Movers, Doug Huber explains how markets are navigating delayed economic data, with jobless claims hitting a three-year low despite elevated layoffs. Strong earnings from Snowflake and Dollar General boosted equities, while expectations for a December Fed rate cut climbed above 90%, supporting both small-cap and tech stocks. Treasury yields edged lower, and investors now await key economic reports in the coming weeks for clearer insight into inflation, employment, and Fed policy direction.

In this month’s market commentary, Aya Yoshioka discusses market performance, the likelihood of a December rate cut, and the current state of the AI revolution.

After several years of stubborn inflation and steep borrowing costs, this holiday season finds many families determined to celebrate, but quietly worried about how much they’re spending. With the average American planning to shell out roughly $1,700 on gifts, travel, and entertaining this year (up from about $1,430 in 2022) those worries are understandable.

After hitting record highs, markets have pulled back as volatility returns and investors question whether the AI rally can keep up its pace. In this week’s episode, Gary breaks down what’s driving the recent swings, NVIDIA’s headline-grabbing earnings, and why expectations for another Fed rate cut are fading.