Sanitation: What war with Iran means for your money

On the Money

By Lauren Young, Digital Special Projects Editor

Greetings, On the Money readers!

The war with Iran is causing extreme volatility in the global markets, so I'm devoting much of this newsletter to its impact on your money.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, so please reach out to me with questions, comments or concerns at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com. You can also follow me on X at @laurenyoung and on LinkedIn.

REUTERS/Amir Cohen

💵Iran and your money

President Donald Trump's war in Iran risks a major blow to the global economy. Here is great discussion of what a surge in energy prices means for inflation, growth and the U.S. midterm elections.

In addition, it may be time to revisit your asset allocation plan as U.S. Treasuries are not providing their usual safe haven status. Ditto for gold. Meanwhile, investors are allocating more to cash reserves.

Have you made any changes to your portfolio in the past week? Why or why not? Write to me at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.

📚 Read, Watch, Listen

📹 Video of the week

Is university worth it? Average student debt at graduation is nearly $40,000 in the U.S. and more than £50,000 in the U.K.. As fears grow that AI could replace white-collar jobs, more young people are asking whether a degree is still worth the cost.

Watch here.

🐩 What is the Plan B for your career?

Maddie Hale, professional dog walker. Courtesy Maddie Hale /Handout via REUTERS

Anyone who knows me (or reads this newsletter on a regular basis) knows that I love dogs, so this piece about a woman who skipped the traditional university track and started a dog walking business really resonated with me.

As AI threatens to transform the job market, more than half of Gen Z and Gen Alpha believe traditional employment may become obsolete, according to a global survey of 12,000 by freelance marketplace Fiverr, with 38% of respondents saying they are already freelancing or plan to.

Do you have a Plan B for your career, and does it involve a current side hustle? Write to me at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.

🏠 The home-hopping guide to passive income

Texas-based realtor Kaya Reena Vennam. Courtesy Kaya Reena Vennam/Handout via REUTERS

Have you ever considered home hopping – buying a property, living there for a while, moving out and then renting it?

Although short-term rentals can cover the costs of a monthly mortgage payment more quickly than a traditional long-term tenant, income isn't guaranteed. Vacancies are a risk, and more than half of short-term rental operators now cite market saturation as a key challenge, according to a 2024 Guesty report.

Here is how one millennial couple is turning frequent moves into an investment portfolio.

💬 A$k Lauren

Are you considering an investment in bitcoin or other cryptocurrency? Send questions to onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com, and I'll tap my extensive source network and braintrust for expert advice.

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Be sure to bookmark Reuters On The Money for the latest coverage.

💰Introducing Emotional Currency

Are you following our Emotional Currency series, which explores the emotional side of personal finance through real stories from Gen Z and millennials around the world?

So far, we've highlighted young people who use social media to earn an income as well as to chronicle the struggle to pay down credit card debt. We also looked at the "boomerang" trend of living at home with parents to save money. We recently featured a Gen Z welder who says his job is AI-proof along with young people who are buying homes together.

We are looking for folks to profile! Have a money lesson or story to share? Tell us what worked for you — or what didn't — by emailing us at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.

This newsletter was edited by Mark Porter.

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