Monday, December 15, 2025

One city's battle to reclaim vacant homes

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The Daily Money

ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mon Dec 15 2025

Daniel de Visé | Personal Finance Reporter

Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

Let's start the week with a great read: A story about Baltimore, and a young mayor who is taking on one of the city's most nagging problems: thousands of vacant and abandoned properties.

Homes or stocks: Which is the better investment?

Soaring home prices in recent years may have you convinced real estate rises in value at the same rate as stocks.

You may be in for a surprise.

Decisions loom as Obamacare subsidies expire

And here, from Ken Alltucker, is an update on the millions of Americans who are scrambling to meet a deadline to lock in health insurance coverage for 2026.

📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰

•	Here's why you should file your taxes in 2026
•	9 big cities you can afford on $80,000 a year
•	Are the new student loan limits good or bad?
•	Retirees may face a Social Security shock
•	Are year-end car deals just hype?

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA TODAY. The Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

'Help us': An East Coast city wants to reclaim its 13,000 vacant homes

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott takes a photo passerby near The Terraces at Park Heights.

A young, idealistic mayor is tackling one of Baltimore's more recalcitrant problems: thousands of vacant and abandoned properties.

Home values rise over time, but stock prices generally rise faster.

Is a home a better investment than the stock market? Answers here.

Soaring home prices may have convinced you that real estate rivals stocks as an investment. Is that true?

Lester Johnson (L), a restaurant owner in Richmond, Virginia, stands next to a sign that reads "Affordable Care Act Premiums Will Rise More Than 75%" during a news conference to call on Republicans to pass Affordable Care Act tax breaks on Capitol Hill on September 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. Democratic Senators joined Protect Our Care and advocates to call on the GOP to protect health care for Americans and stop premium hikes.

You still have time to save before Obamacare bills officially spike

Affordable Care Act insurance plans are about to spike. Consumers can switch to a less expensive option if they switch plans by Dec. 15.

Do you have to file taxes this year?

Do you have to file taxes? Here's why you might want to anyway.

Millions of Americans file taxes, even though they may not owe anything. Here are the requirements and other good things to know.

The San Francisco skyline.

You can live comfortably in these 9 big cities on $80,000 a year

With a household salary of $80,000, you can live comfortably in only 9 of the largest U.S. cities, a recent analysis found.

First year nursing students Tori Hopkins, left, and Takishia Lee, right, practice an examination in Southern Miss' nursing program. Takisha Lee knew there was a nursing shortage in Mississippi when she chose the profession, but says she got into the field to help people. Usm College Of Nursing 1

Popular jobs had their 'professional' tag cut. Don't take it personally.

While many see exclusion from the Department of Education's list of professional degrees as a loss of status and access, others say it can pare debt.

Adult looking at financial paperwork.

Is a Social Security disaster looming for unprepared retirees in 2026?

Many retirees are struggling with their finances, and things could get worse next year if they aren't prepared for this reality about Social Security.

Are year-end car deals real or just hype?

Every auto manufacturer is advertising end-of-year car deals. But is it worth shopping now, or is this just a tactic to get you into the showroom?

Decorated classic vehicle at Willow Glen Christmas Lights Tour and Toy Drive in San Jose, CA.

See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas

Lights brighten homes and trees this holiday season, and some even take it further by adorning their cars with Christmas decorations. Check it out.

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