Market Performance: March 04, 2024.

US stocks closed lower on Monday as investors girded for a week where Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony and the monthly jobs report could put equity gains to the test.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell just below the flatline after ending Friday with its 16th weekly win in 18 weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) declined 0.2%. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell 0.4% as a drop in both Apple (AAPL) and Tesla (TSLA) shares weighed on the tech heavy index.

Stocks have racked up gains amid a relentless AI-spurred run-up in techs, which helped the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) finally nail a fresh all-time high after a years long wait last week.

The tech rally, and Nvidia's (NVDA) breakneck rise to a $2 trillion valuation in particular, has prompted concerns about a building bubble — though some analysts are less worried. Shares of the chipmaker rose 6% to new all time highs during Monday's session.

Things You Must Buy at Walmart While on a Retirement Budget

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average retiree spends $52,141 per year, which RetireGuide says is about 80% of the $66,928 the average person in the overall population spends.

That gives retirees $4,345 a month, and they have to make every dollar count — and they can get the most for their money if they shop smart at Walmart.

To identify the Walmart items that are too good to pass up for retirees on a budget, GOBankingRates consulted a dietitian, a travel expert and an average Walmart shopper while scouring for the best picks from influencers dedicated to the world’s largest retailer.

Azova UTI Test and Telehealth Bundle

Some of the best must-have picks for retirees on a budget come from Walmart bloggers and influencers Bethany and Amanda, the minds behind Whoa, Wait. Walmart? Among their top choices is the Azova UTI Telehealth bundle for $49.98. According to Medical News Today, urinary tract infections are most common and most serious in older adults, and the Azova bundle gives you UTI test strips with a telehealth consultation for accurate results in two minutes and a same-day prescription if needed.

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System

The WWW duo also recommends the FoodSaver system. While $129 might seem like a splurge for a retiree on a budget, Fortune reports that people in the average household waste one-third of the food they buy, throwing away $1,500 per year. The vacuum sealing system keeps food fresh five times longer, which means retirees could stand to save hundreds per year and the FoodSaver could pay for itself in just a few months.

Made Easy Kit Pill Case

Even when retirees hit the road, skies or cruise ships, they can never take a vacation from their prescription pills — and with one $8.99 purchase, they won’t have to. “If you need to bring your medication on your trip, this pill case from Walmart is your perfect partner,” said travel expert Vadim Garr, CEO and founder of Boatcrowd. “Having this on your travels ensures that you can take your medication on time and can bring other OTC medicine for head, stomach and body aches.”

Signs You Don't Need To Make More Money To Build Your Savings

Making more money is at the top of people’s financial goals for this year, according to a recent survey by GOBankingRates. The data, which looked at over 1,000 American adults, found that 18% cited earning more as a main priority — with 25% stating they wished to save more.

Unsurprisingly, Gen Zers were among those most preoccupied with making more and being able to put some money aside. And they’re not just thinking about it — they’re also planning on taking action. One poll shows that 66% of employees aged 18 to 27 intend to request raises in 2024.

While earning more is always something to aspire to, experts say you don’t necessarily need to make more money to build up your savings. What you need is to be more strategic with the resources you have.

You Don’t Have a Clear Financial Roadmap

“One significant insight from my experience is recognizing when your lifestyle inflation outpaces your income growth,” said David Brillant, tax, trust and estate lawyer at Brilliant Law Firm. “A common scenario involves clients who receive modest income increases but then significantly ramp up their spending on nonessential luxuries.”

You’re Not Tracking Your Expenses

“Unless you are living paycheck to paycheck or barely scraping by, you can afford to build your savings,” said Jake Hill, finance expert and CEO of DebtHammer. In most cases, he said, people miss out on opportunities to save because their spending habits need a serious overhaul.

You’re Giving Into Lifestyle Creep

According to David Kemmerer, CEO of CoinLedger, lifestyle creep is one of the biggest traps people fall into that prevents them from saving — even while earning decent income. He said lifestyle creep occurs “when you receive a raise or a promotion or move to a new position where you’re making more than you were before, but quickly find that your lifestyle expands to take up the extra income.”

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