Daily Money - Traveling Abroad Just Got… Easier?

If wanderlust is in your retirement plan, we have some good news for you. Last week, the U.S. State Department launched a beta version of its new online passport renewal system. This should prove much easier than frantically searching the internet to find out how to update your travel documents before inevitably realizing you need to snail-mail your old passport in (and then wait eight long weeks).

The full version of the online renewal service is likely a few months away from going live, but you can try it out early if you’re one of the lucky ones who sign up during a limited daily window. Move fast: Once these slots fill up, the system closes for the day. Good luck!

— Mike Ayers, executive editor

The stock market is having quite the year in 2024, with records being set numerous times. Your portfolio should be benefiting, too, particularly if you invest in a fund that tracks the S&P 500. As our investing editor Jordan Chussler points out in this recent article, the index has gained 15.57% this year. In the wise words of Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David, that’s pretty, pretty, pretty good.

The Federal Reserve has projected just one interest rate cut this year. When that will come, nobody knows. In the meantime, now could be the perfect opportunity to lock in a good rate on a high-yield CD. Our partners offer competitive CD rates as high as 5% APY with potentially low minimum deposits. A high-yield CD could be a smart way to grow your money. Lock in a guaranteed return and get started today!

Check out Money’s list of the Best CDs and unlock higher rates.

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