On The Money: Should you freeze your credit? Plus, hybrid work tips

By Lauren Young

NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - This was originally published in the Reuters On the Money , where I share U.S. personal finance tips and insights every other week.

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In my most recent , I shared tips for anyone considering a move abroad during their retirement years.

I also asked readers for their advice. I heard back from Jim Frey, who moved from Vancouver with his partner to Setubal, Portugal, in February.

Frey says the "Bible" for understanding all that it takes to retire in Portugal is this Facebook group. (Programming : The administrators are on holiday but plan to resume moderation in September.)

When I asked Frey why he chose Portugal, he emailed a long list. Affordability is at the top, but some other reasons include healthcare, culture, food, safety as well as expat-friendly policies.

“Life is GRAND,” Frey says.

If you have done it already, it is fun to fill out this Expatsi survey which suggests places to retire overseas. My list includes Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark.

SHOULD YOU FREEZE YOUR CREDIT AFTER THE LATEST DATA HACK?

Another day. Another data breach.

This time around, hackers may have gained access to the private information of millions of people from a background-check company called National Public Data.

And while the details are murky, your Social Security may have been leaked in the breach.

My husband, who froze his credit several years ago, urged the rest of our family members to freeze our credit. When you freeze your credit with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), it makes it tough to establish credit accounts in your but helps prevent identity theft.

I’ve been dragging my feet because it seems like a royal pain, but after reading this, I think I will do it.

Have you frozen your credit? Let me know why or why at onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.

WHAT I’M READING AND WATCHING

• US Supreme Court declines to revive Biden's student debt relief plan

• Can 'dumb rock' gold continue its big rally?

• Lego to replace oil in its bricks with pricier renewable plastic

• The end of fabulous money market rates is (New York Times)

• Here’s an answer to what is probably the most-asked question in the financial-planning world (Marketwatch)

• Hauntingly high demand for Halloween spookiness at US theme parks

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Lower interest rates, possible upgrades to the U.S. energy grid and a voracious appetite for energy amid a drive toward EVs, AI and sustainability add up to a compelling case for investors to look at utilities, according to Oppenheimer Asset Management’s John Stoltzfus. Watch here.

Want more personal finance ? Subscribe to On The Money here.

THE GREAT RATE WATCH

Is the U.S. Federal Reserve telling us that they're actually worried about the economy ?

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said last week that the “time has come” to begin lowering interest rates – a more dovish message than many investors believed they would hear at the central bank’s annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. That process will likely begin month, with a cut of 25 basis points at the Fed’s monetary policy meeting on Sept. 17-18.

Fun fact: History shows that stocks tend to perform far better when rate cuts come against a background of resilient growth instead of during a sharp economic slowdown. Since 1970, the S&P 500 has climbed an average of 18% one year after the first rate cut in -recessionary periods, according to Evercore ISI strategists. In recession periods, the index climbed an average of just 2% a year following the first cut.

Are you worried about the economy or do you think it's on the right track? Let me know your thoughts: onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com.

FOUR TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS

I know I am lucky to work for a company that offers hybrid work options. In fact, I am currently writing this from a breezy porch on the Jersey Shore.

It is to have flexibility – along with some extra family time and fresh air – for a change.

There also is proof that hybrid work can be a positive force for employees as well as companies: A research paper co-authored by Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom, recently published in the journal Nature.

The study – the largest of its kind, looking at the effect of work-from-home policies – finds that the benefits are multiple: Productivity is harmed, promotions and career advancement are affected, and employee retention improves significantly.

“There may have been a stigma about remote work pre-pandemic, but I don’t think there’s a stigma anymore,” Bloom says. “Many big companies typically have employees coming into the office three days a week. Hybrid seems to be where it’s at.”

Of course, there are potential pitfalls to working from home part-time. Here are four tips to make the most of hybrid work arrangements.

A$K Lauren

Do you to refinance your mortgage? Are you in the market for a car? Send your money questions to onthemoney@thomsonreuters.com, and I'll tap my extensive source and braintrust for expert advice.

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(Reporting By Lauren Young; Editing by Mark Porter)

((lauren.young@thomsonreuters.com; 646-223-6166; Reuters Messaging: lauren.young.thomsonreuters.com@reuters. (Twitter @laurenyoung))