Weekly list of curated personal finance articles from around the web.

Moving back home used to be a sign of failure. Now it shows financial savvy. (Wall Street Journal). With healthy parameters and clear communication, this can be a wonderful win-win.

Alarming new trend dominating youth sports: Repeating 8th grade. Families pay thousands for it. (NJ.com). Parents can get a bit obsessive about their kids’ sports.

The American Dream is missing one key ingredient, says Harvard happiness expert: Without it, ‘life is pretty grim’ (CNBC). How the pursuit of more can leave people with so much less.

Gen Zers don’t pay each other back when splitting the bill. Why? (Fast Company). “Shared experiences should bring people closer, not create debt, tension or awkward group chat reminders.”

The flaw in your 401(k) statement that artificially lowers your retirement income (Wall Street Journal). The default is based on a person’s current balance without considering ongoing contributions.

The optimal time to stop paying for your kids’ activities (Financial Samurai). This is a complicated issue that many parents face. How have you dealt with it?

What credit score do you need to buy a house in 2026? (Due). See also, How much should I spend on a house?

4 tips for going on a financial cleanse (MoneyNing). Great analogy here with good ideas for improving your finances.

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