People have had months to take advantage of holiday deals this year, but that doesnt mean they got you something you actually wanted. Whether its a hideous shirt, shoes that are three sizes too small or something you already owned, youre hoping to return it. And who can blame you?

Whatever the issue, if youre looking to take it back to the store, the clock is ticking. How long is the return window openand will it matter if they bought this gift back in early October?

The answer depends greatly on where it was bought, but by and large, theres a good chance you can still take it back. Return policies vary by store, of course, and some gifts cant be returned at all. That said, here are the deadlines for returning your unwanted 2022 presents.

Retail return policies for holiday 2022

Amazon

Return deadline of Jan. 31 for purchases made between Oct. 11 and Dec. 25, 2022.

Apple

Return deadline of Jan. 8 for purchases made between Nov. 4 and Dec. 25, 2022.

Bath & Body Works

Return anything, anytime for any reason. 100% Guaranteed

Best Buy

Return deadline of Jan. 14 for most purchases made between Oct. 24 and Dec. 31

Bloomingdales

Most items can be returned within 90 days of purchase

Foot Locker

Return items within 45 days of their ship date.

GameStop

Return new items within 15 days of purchase (7 days for used items), meaning returns could be tight at the struggling retailer.

J. Crew

Return deadline of Jan. 9 for purchases made between Oct. 12 and Dec. 9.

Kohls

Return items within 180 days for the most part. Premium electronics and watches must be returned within 30 days of purchase and beauty purchases have a 60-day window.

L.L. Bean

Items may be returned within 365 days of purchase.

Macys

Return deadline of Jan. 31 for any purchases made starting Oct. 3

Marshalls

Return deadline of Jan. 25 for purchases made between Oct. 9 and Dec. 24, 2022.

Neiman Marcus

Return deadline of 30 days from purchase receipt.

PetCo

Returns accepted within 30 days of purchase.

Target

Return deadlines vary by product:

Smartphones: Jan. 8

Apple products: Jan. 9

Other electronics: Jan. 24

Most other items can be returned within 90 days of their purchase date

Walmart

Return window for products purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 is open through Jan. 31

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Investing as a young adult is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your future. You might think that you need a lot of money to start investing, but its easier than ever to get going with small amounts. Once you set up your investment accounts, youll be well on your way to saving for goals like retirement, purchasing a home or even future travel plans.

But before you dive headfirst into the market, its important to prioritize paying off any high-interest debt that might be straining your finances and then build up an emergency fund with savings that could meet at least three to six months of expenses.

Once that is handled you can get a jump on investing, even if youre starting small. Developing a consistent approach to saving and investing will help you stick to your plan over time.

How to start investing in your 20s

Money invested in your 20s could compound for decades, making it a great time to invest for long-term goals. Here are some tips for how to get started.

1. Determine your investment goals

Before you dive in, youll want to think about the goals youre trying to achieve by investing.

Its ultimately looking at all the experiences you want to have over your lifetime and then prioritizing those things, says Claire Gallant, a financial planner at Commas in Cincinnati. For some people, maybe they want to travel every single year or they want to purchase a car in two years and they also want to retire at [age] 65. Its crafting the investment plan to make sure that those things are possible.

The accounts you use for short-term goals, like travel, will differ from those you open for long-term retirement goals.

Youll also want to understand your own tolerance for risk, which involves thinking about how youll react if an investment performs poorly. Your 20s can be a great time to take on investment risk because you have a long time to make up for losses. Focusing on riskier assets, such as stocks, for long-term goals will likely make a lot of sense when youre in a position to start early.

Once youve outlined a set of goals and established a plan, youre ready to look into specific accounts.

2. Contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan

20-somethings who begin investing through an employer-sponsored tax-advantaged retirement plan can benefit from decades of compounding. Most often, that plan comes in the form of a 401(k).

A 401(k) allows you to invest money on a pre-tax basis (up to $22,500 in 2023 for those under age 50) that grows tax-deferred until its withdrawn in retirement. Many employers also offer a Roth 401(k) option, which allows employees to make after-tax contributions that grow tax-free, and youll pay no taxes when taking withdrawals during retirement.

Many companies also match employees contributions up to a certain percentage.

You always want to contribute enough to at least get that match, because otherwise youre just walking away from more-or-less free money, Gallant says.

But the match might come with a vesting schedule, which means youll have to stay at your job for a certain amount of time before youll receive the full amount. Some employers allow you to keep 20 percent of the match after one year of employment, with that number steadily increasing until you receive 100 percent after five years.

Even if you cant max out your 401(k) right away, starting small can make a huge difference over time. Develop a plan to increase contributions as your career progresses and income climbs higher.

Bankrates 401(k) calculator can help you figure out how much to contribute to your 401(k) in order to build up enough money for retirement.

3. Open an individual retirement account (IRA)

Another way to continue your long-term investment strategy is with an individual retirement account, or IRA.

There are two main IRA options: traditional and Roth. Contributions to a traditional IRA are similar to a 401(k) in that they go in on a pre-tax basis and are not taxed until withdrawal. Roth IRA contributions, on the other hand, go into the account after-tax, and qualified distributions may be withdrawn tax-free.

Investors younger than age 50 are allowed to contribute up to $6,000 to IRAs in 2022, but that number will jump to $6,500 in 2023.

Experts generally recommend a Roth IRA over a traditional IRA for 20-somethings because theyre more likely to be in a lower tax bracket than they will be at retirement age.

We always love the Roth option, Gallant says. As young people make more and more money, their tax bracket is going to increase. Theyre paying into those funds at that lowest tax rate today, so that when they retire they can take that money out without tax.

Ross Menke, a certified financial planner at Mariner Wealth Advisors in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, advises investors of any age to consider their personal situation before making a decision. Its all dependent on when you want to pay the tax and when its most appropriate for you based on your personal circumstances, he says.

4. Find a broker or robo-advisor that meets your needs

For longer-term goals that arent necessarily retirement-related, like a down payment on a future home or your childs education expenses, brokerage accounts are a great option.

And with the advent of online brokers such as Fidelity and Schwab, as well as robo-advisors like Betterment and Wealthfront, theyre more accessible than ever for young people who may be starting out with little money.

These companies offer low fees, reasonable minimums and educational resources for new investors, and your investments can often be made easily through an app on your phone. Betterment, for example, charges just 0.25 percent of your assets each year with no minimum balance or 0.4 percent for their Premium plan, which requires at least $100,000 in your account.

Many robo-advisors simplify the process as much as possible. Provide a bit of information about your goals and time horizon and the robo-advisor will choose a portfolio that matches up well and periodically rebalances it for you.

Theres a lot of good options out there and each of them have their own specialty, Menke says. Shop around to find the one that best fits your time horizon and contribution level.

5. Consider leveraging a financial advisor

If you dont want to go the robo-advisor route, a human financial advisor can also be a great resource for beginning investors.

While it is the more expensive option, theyll work with you to establish goals, assess risk tolerance and find the brokerage accounts that best fit your needs. They can help you choose where to direct the funds in your retirement accounts as well.

A financial advisor will also use their expertise to steer you in the right investment direction. While its easy for some young investors to get caught up in the excitement of daily market highs and lows, a financial advisor understands how the long game works.

I dont believe investing should be exciting, I think it should be boring, Menke says. It shouldnt be seen as a form of entertainment because it is your life savings. Boring is okay sometimes. Its coming back to what your time frame is and what your goal is.

6. Keep short-term savings somewhere easily accessible

Like your emergency fund, which you may need to access at a moments notice, store your short-term investments somewhere easily accessible and not subject to market fluctuations.

While they wont earn as much as money you put into equities, savings accounts, CDs and money market accounts are great options.

If you need the money available in a couple years, then it shouldnt be invested in the stock market, Menke says. It should be invested in those more secure vehicles like a CD or money market where, yes, you might be giving up some potential growth, but its more important to have the return of your money instead of a return on your money.

7. Increase your savings over time

Establishing a savings amount that you can stick to and having a plan to increase that over time is one of the best things you can do in your 20s.

Committing to a specific savings rate and continuing to increase that year after year is whats going to have the biggest impact early in your savings career to get you started, according to Menke.

By starting this habit in your 20s, youll make it easier on yourself as you get older and wont have to worry about taking extreme savings measures later to meet your long-term financial goals.

Investment options for beginners

ETFs and mutual funds. These funds allow investors to purchase a basket of securities at a fairly low cost. Funds that track indexes such as the S&P 500 are popular with investors because they easily provide broad diversification for fees that are close to zero. ETFs trade throughout the day like a stock does, while mutual funds can only be purchased at the days closing net asset value (NAV).

Stocks. For your long-term goals, stocks are considered one of the best investment options. You can buy stocks through ETFs or mutual funds, but you can also pick individual companies to invest in. Youll want to thoroughly research any stock before investing and be sure to diversify your holdings. Its best to start small if you dont have much experience.

Fixed income. If youre a more risk-averse investor, fixed-income investments such as bonds, money-market funds or high-yield savings accounts can allow you to ease your way into the investment landscape. Fixed-income securities are generally less risky than stocks, though youll also earn lower returns. These investments can still end up losing value, however, thanks to rising interest rates or elevated inflation.

Diversification is key

One way to limit your risk in investing is to make sure your portfolio is adequately diversified. This involves making sure you dont have too many eggs in one or similar baskets. By maintaining diversification, youll be able to smooth out your investing journey and hopefully make it more likely that you can stick to your plan.

Remember that investments in stocks should always be made with long-term money, which allows you to have a time horizon of at least three to five years. Money that could have a short-term use is better invested in high-yield savings accounts or other cash management accounts.

Ready to get started?

Begin your investment journey by thinking through what your short-term, intermediate and long-term goals are, and then find the accounts that best fit those needs.

Your plans will likely change over time, but getting started with at least a retirement account is one of the most important things you can do for yourself in your 20s.

Not only will you ensure your money keeps up with inflation, but youll also reap the benefits of decades worth of compound interest on your contributions.

Note: Kendall Little wrote the original version of this story

Football on a Sunday is hardly unusual. But as little as three years ago, it was uncommon for the NFL to schedule a game on Christmas Day. But over the past two years, the league has seen tremendous success with Dec. 25 matchupsand this year, its ratcheting up the number of games from two to three.

While the schedule may be unkind to West Coast fans, East Coasters will likely have already opened their gifts, providing them with a perfect window to catch the early contests.

It will be harder to sneak away to catch the game, mind you. Many restaurants and sports bars are closed today. And you could find yourself in a battle for your new big screen TV if the kids want to play their new video games. Fortunately, you can still catch all the action. Heres a look at whos playing todayand several different ways to watch the games.

Which NFL teams are playing on Christmas? And what channels are airing the games?

Every one of todays games could have big playoff implications for at least one of the teams. Coaches are certainly hoping some Christmas magic remains when they take the field. Heres whos playing and when. As always, the home team is listed second.

Saturday, Dec. 25

Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. ET on NFL Network

How can I watch my local NFL team for freeeven if I am out of market?

The best way to watch any network programming for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. And watching most NFL games is fairly simple, since many air on broadcast networks, meaning youll be able to watch even if you dont have a cable subscription. To ensure youre getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.

Note that this option will not work for games on the NFL Network, which is not broadcast over the air.

How can I stream NFL games live online if I dont have a cable subscription?

Youve got several options: 

Peacock

NBCs streaming service will give you access to several games, including all Sunday night matchups. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)

Paramount+

CBSs streaming service gives you access to games aired on that network. You can get a one-week free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge.

Disney+

Disneys bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so youll have to pay $13.99 per month for all three combined (or $19.99 per month for no ads on Hulu). Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $70 per month ($76 with no ads).

Hulu with Live TV

The free trial on this service is no longer offered, as well. It costs $70 per month.

YouTubeTV

After up to a two-week trial, monthly charges are $65.

Sling TV

Dish Networks Sling recently increased its prices. The lower-tiered Orange plan now costs $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive Blue plan bumps it to $55 per month. (A $5 per month increase for each.) The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off of the first months bill.

DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service costs $70 per month or more after the free trial option.

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. Theres a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $70 to $100, depending on the channels you choose.

Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?

Not this year. Amazon is, for the next 11 years, the exclusive home to Thursday Night Football, but it does not carry any weekend games. Next up is the Dallas Cowboys vs Tennessee Titans on Dec. 29.

Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?

Santa left three choices for you under the tree

NFL App

The NFL App lets you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an out of market game, youve got two choices.

NFL+

Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. Theres a seven-day free trial, after which youre looking at a $30 charge per season. ($80 for premium.)

NFL Sunday Ticket

DirecTV customers have access to it, but (if you meet the conditions, like living in an apartment complex or some area where you cant get DirecTV) you can also sign up for an online version, letting you watch any NFL game live this season. Theres a one-week trial, after which it costs $73.49 per month for a four-month period or $293.36 for the entire season (or $99 for four months or $396).

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Todays CEOs are facing innumerable challenges: a global pandemic and a sea change in how and where employees want to show up for work, just to name a few. For leaders, the pressure has never been higher. How do they mitigate it? In our new series, we ask executives about their day-to-day wellness habits to gain insight into the tactics they use to minimize stress and maintain their well-being.

Katie Reed is the co-founder and CEO of Balanced, the digital fitness platform for healthy aging. Prior to Balanced, Katie was an engineering manager at Ro, software engineer at Namely, and consulted with non-profits and think tanks on product development strategy.

Coffee or tea? And what do you put in it?
I enjoy bothbut Im a daily coffee drinker. I take my coffee black because I enjoy the taste of high quality grounds, and frankly, I drink too much coffee to sustain the habit if I added any extra calories like milk or sugar. 

What is your go-to breakfast? 
Coffee. I typically skip breakfast and opt for an early lunch, but if Im going on a long run in the morning, then Ill pick up an everything bagel, toasted with cream cheese.

Tell us about your workout routine. 
I used to have a programmatic approach to fitness, but now as long as Im prioritizing an active lifestyle, its considered a win. That can be a run in the morning before work to train for the New York City Marathon, walking or biking instead of taking a car to commute, or going on a weekend hike with my partner and dog. We also have a company culture of taking our own Balanced classes for feedback on the product experience which can range from cardio, strength training, to stretching.

How many hours do you sleep on a typical night? 
On average, I get around 8 hours of sleep. My sleep quality is great, but this didnt used to be the case when I was younger. Prioritizing physical activity and not watching movies or working in bed has helped a ton. 

How do you de-stress?
Having a special community of friendsfrom laughter to loyal support for each other throughout the years brings me a ton of joy and energy. My dog is a refreshing reminder to step outside of the serious day to day. And if I ever feel overwhelmed in the moment, nothing helps more than lacing up some running shoes and stepping outside for a run to either clear my head or get my thoughts in order.

According to your phone, whats your daily average screen time from last week? 
6 hours, 23 minutes.

What app do you use the most? 
Google Chrome.

Whens the last time you took a day off? What did you do? 
A few weeks ago I took time off to get scuba certified in Menorca, Spain. I love all things ocean related and felt like I was missing out on the entire scuba experience. It was fantastic. Im already dreaming and planning for the next scuba adventure. 

Whats one thing your company is doing to prioritize employee wellness? 
Our philosophy is simple: our employees know themselves best when it comes to wellness. We offer an ongoing incentive of $100 per month (or $1200 a year) to be used towards products or services in the health/wellness/fitness space that bridge the gap between personal development and R&D.

Whats your favorite treat? 
Petees Pie. All of the pies. I own one of their sweatshirts.

Show us a photo of your happy place.

My grandparents home in Palm Springs.

Courtesy of Katie Reed

Our new weekly Impact Report newsletter examines how ESG news and trends are shaping the roles and responsibilities of todays executives. Subscribe here.

While the idea of traveling with a pandemic pod might be on its way out, other pandemic-inspired travel trends are here to stay. That ranges from looking for a hotel or resort with lots of outdoor space for seasonal activities and sports to finding a location where one can both work and relax during the same extended stay.

Many spacious resorts in locations that experience dramatically different seasons over the course of a year typically close for part of the year (i.e. ski resorts in the summer, and beach hotspots in the winter). But there are more and more all-season resorts that are catering to new and returning visitors with new experiences and activities all-year round.

For off-site entertainment, a vintage Land Rover Defender 110 provides shuttle service taking guests to and from Windham Mountain, Windham Country Club, and downtown Windham.

Michael Carnevale

The newly-opened Wylder Windham in update New York was designed to reflect and celebrate the local vibe of the town of Windham, embracing long summer days, leaves changing colors in the fall, and the ski season. (Also an ideal destination for anyone looking for a town that loves Christmas.)

With plenty of parking around the property, most guests arrive by car, but the Hudson Station isnt too far away for those who want to take Amtrak from New York City or Boston, for example. (But note that Uber is scarce, and so are taxis, so arrange a car service with the hotel in advance. The hotel does have a restored Land Rover that it uses to shuttle guests to Windham Mountain during the ski season, too.)

Wylder Windham offers more than 4,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.

Michael Carnevale

The property hosts seven different lodging experiences across the 20-acre property, with 111 suites total. One of those suites is actually a guest house, with a full kitchen, living room, a washer and dryer, and four bedrooms that could sleep eight people.

And while the 110 other suites can only be booked through Wylder Windham directly, the Farm House, as it is named, is also available to rent via Airbnb. And better than most Airbnb rentals, guests arent on the hook for cleaning before departure as this is the best of both worlds: staying in your own property with all the amenities of a home but also all the amenities and services of a hotel.

The Farm House during the holiday season.

Rachel King

Among those other amenities include a full bar and restaurant open for dinner daily and brunch on weekends with a bakery open for breakfast and lunch everyday. For spring and summer visitors, there is an expansive outdoor lawn complete with hammocks, tree swings, fire pits, lawn games, an oversized in-ground heated pool, and live entertainment. (The hotel is also very dog-friendly, and there is a dog run on property for the very most important guests to get some exercise and play.)

Adjacent to the restaurant, guests will find Babblers Bakery serving up its signature strawberry rhubarb pies, soft serve ice cream, house-made croissants, and fresh coffee.

Michael Carnevale

And in the winter, there are multiple private saunas, shaped like barrels and with views of Windham Mountain, tubing and snow-shoeing, and a new ice skating rink opening in time for New Years. Currently the hotel is in the midst of setting up a small cabin for skate rentals with an outdoor bar serving hot chocolate and hot toddies.

The site is very family friendly, but also good for couples and/or groups of friends traveling together, so this is the kind of resort where you can truly say there is something for everyone.

Rachel King

Also crucial for anyone looking to work remotely, the hotel does provide very strong, fast Wi-Fi included in the room rate, which is essential given there is little to no wireless phone service in the immediate area.

Established in 1880, the Thompson House Resort was family owned and operated for over 140 years until Wylder Hotels became the proprietor in 2021.

Rachel King

And while the seven lodges themselves are historic and are more than 140 years old, everything on the inside has been renovated and upgraded to modern standards. All rooms have king- or queen-sized beds with oak floors, custom furniture, marble bathrooms (some with clawfoot soaking tubs), and central heating/air conditioning units. Most suites do have balconies with custom wooden reclining chairs, and unobstructed views of Windham Mountain or the Batavia Kill River.

The dog-friendly hotel offers a collection of 110 suites and king- and queen-bedded rooms featuring oak floors, custom furniture, and luxe bathrooms.

Michael Carnevale

Since opening six months ago, the hotel has already hosted several events, including weddings and multiple corporate retreats, the latter especially during the fall conference season. For weddings, business meetings, and other events, the ballroom that has a capacity up to 200 maximum (although 150 would be more breathable for tables, live music, and the like).

Right underneath the ballroom is a massive rec room of nearly the same size, fully renovated and livable with a pool table, foosball table, video game machines, and couches in front of a large HDTV. The space is open to guests now, and the hotel already hosts some events for guests down there, such as movie nights. It can also serve as an after-party space for weddings, and management hopes to eventually add a popcorn machine and a bar down there, among other amenities in the future.

Inside Babblers, welcoming to visitors and locals alike, serving comfort classics for brunch and dinner.

Rachel King

Also for wedding parties (or anyone looking for a weekend splurge), there is the Baller Suite, a two-bedroom suite in the main lodge directly above the lobby and steps away from the ballroom. With plenty of space, lots of natural light, views of the creek, two spacious balconies, and a full bathroom with a clawfoot soaking tub, the Baller Suite would also make an ideal bridal suite before the big event.

After a day of playful adventure, guests can unwind in the oversized heated pool and bask in the views of Windham Mountain.

Michael Carnevale

Starting rates for guest rooms and suites range from $172 to $215, depending on availability as well as size. Rates for the Baller Suite start around $675 per night, and the Farm House starts at $1,200 per night.

Our new weekly Impact Report newsletter examines how ESG news and trends are shaping the roles and responsibilities of todays executives. Subscribe here.

If the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic minted a record number of new billionaires, then 2022 was the year of the giant billionaire philanthropic donation.

All year, there has been a steady trickle of announcements from billionaires pledging to give away the inordinate pile of cash they have amassed to groups (often their own foundations) set up to fight the huge challenges the world is facing, from combatting climate change to eradicating poverty.

Giving a billion in a year puts you in pretty rare company, Elizabeth Dale, an associate professor of nonprofit leadership at Seattle University, told Fortune, adding, Anytime someones making an announcement of giving more than a billion dollars in a year, we know that theyre going to be one of the largest donors in a typical year.

Here are the largest donations the worlds richest have made this year. This list is not exhaustive and only includes those who have donated north of $1 billion. It is notably missing Bernard Arnault and Elon Musk, who are the first and second richest people in the world at the time of publication.

Warren Buffett

At his annual summer party in June, Warren Buffett announced he had given away another $4 billion donation worth of shares in his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway the 17th time Buffett had made this annual gift. At the time of the announcement, the donation pushed Buffetts total lifetime commitment to charity to $48 billion.

Buffett made a pledge in 2006 to donate 99% of his entire fortune to philanthropic foundations, making donations each year to the same five foundations: the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the NoVo Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

Beyond the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation  which Buffet once chaired and usually donates the largest sum to the other four charities are run by his three children.

But his philanthropic donation didnt end there for the year. In November, Buffett made another surprise  $750 million donation in Berkshire Hathaway stock on Thanksgiving eve the first time the 92-year-old has made a second major gift within the same year.

But unlike his usual annual donation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was noticeably missing from the roster of recipients. Buffett said the timing and the recipients of the second donation were no coincidence and it was his way of giving thanks to his children for their charitable work.

Ive got a personal pride in how my kids turned out, Buffett told CNBCs Becky Quick. I feel good about the fact that they know I feel good about them. This is the ultimate endorsement in my kids, and its the ultimate statement that my kids dont want to be dynastically wealthy.

Bill and Melinda Gates

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates joined Buffett this year in planning to give away his entire fortune.

As I look to the future, I plan to give virtually all of my wealth to the foundation, Gates wrote in a tweet in July, when he announced he was donating another $20 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

I have an obligation to return my resources to society in ways that have the greatest impact for reducing suffering and improving lives. And I hope others in positions of great wealth and privilege will step up in this moment too, Gates wrote in a tweet.

Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates have already pledged more than $50 billion to the foundation since 1994. For Bill to achieve his lofty goal of giving away his entire fortune, it would mean another $116 billion going towards his charity, which fights disease and poverty around the world.

In a blog post published in July, Gates wrote that the Gates Foundation, which he founded with his wife in 2000, plans to boost its annual spending by 50% to $9 billion by 2026, up from its current $6 billion.

It is now clear that the need in all the areas where we work is greater than ever. The great crises of our time require all of us to do more, Gates wrote, adding that the huge global setbacks ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to Russias invasion of Ukraine, shouldnt discourage people from trying to make the world better. Focusing on being part of the solution is better than giving up in despair, he wrote.

But no goods deed goes unpunished. Gates and his foundation became a prominent target for coronavirus conspiracy theories, including false claims that link him to the coronavirus origins or suggest he planned to use the COVID vaccines to implant monitoring microchips in billions of people. You almost have to laugh because its so crazy, Gates said in a BBC Interview in May.

Jeff Bezos

Another person to join the roster of the worlds richest people giving away their entire fortune was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Bezos announced in November that he plans to give away the majority of his $122 billion fortune after years of criticism for his relative lack of philanthropy when compared with his billionaire peers. Bezos is noticeably missing from the list of signatories to the Giving Pledge, a campaign founded by Buffett and Gates which encourages the worlds wealthiest to give half their net worth to charity.

The worlds fourth richest person made his pledge after giving $100 million to the country singer Dolly Parton to give to charities of her choice as part of Bezoss annual Courage and Civility award.

When making the announcement with his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, Bezos said: The hard part is figuring out how to do it in a levered way it is not easy.

Building Amazon was not easy. It took a lot of hard work and a bunch of very smart teammates. Philanthropy is very similar. It is really hard and there are a bunch of ways you can do ineffective things, too.

Bezos did not specify how he plans to divvy out his fortune nor did he provide any details of exactly which causes are likely to be his biggest focus.

Theres still a lot we dont know, Benjamin Soskis, a senior research associate at the Urban Institutes Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, told CNBCs Make It program, adding: If he is going to make good on his pledge, he is almost definitely going to be one of the major philanthropists of the first half of the 21st century.

But part of the move to commit the huge sum may be in part of the growing public pressure to do so after the very public and prolific philanthropic efforts of his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott following her divorce from the 58-year-old billionaire.

MacKenzie Scott

Since taking control of her post-divorce fortune, Scott gave away more than $12 billion of her now $27 billion net worth in only two years.

In the first Medium blog post she published, in what would become a biannual series of essays announcing her donations, Scott wrote: Last year I pledged to give the majority of my wealth back to the society that helped generate it, to do it thoughtfully, to get started soon, and to keep at it until the safe is empty.

As the story of her huge donations first broke, Scott revealed in late March that shed given away another $3.9 billion since June 2021. In the Medium post, the worlds 22nd-richest person listed her latest recipients, which were mostly underrepresented people who live in the regions they support and have personal knowledge of the issues they hope to address.

After the shock of her huge donation subsided, she did it again, announcing in a November Medium post that she had given another $2 billion to more than 300 organizations in the last seven months.

In an explosive Bloomberg article exposing the use of donor-advised funds, or charitable investment accounts, that are used by the ultra-wealthy to park their money to reap the tax benefits of donating to charity without actually having to give the money away to the needy, Scott was named as one of the few philanthropists who used the fund correctly.

Part of why MacKenzie Scott has really made the headlines is kind of in the way shes done it, says Dale, noting that Scott stands out from her peers because of the speed in which she has managed to get her money to the people who need it. When she made her first announcement like Ive given $1.6 billion that was out the door. You had a list of organizations that were receiving that money, Dale says.

Gautam Adani

The worlds third richest man Gautam Adani made a pledge in June to donate 600 billion rupees ($7.7 billion) to a range of social causes to mark his 60th birthday and pay tribute to the birth centenary year of his father, Shantilal Adani.

Indias wealthiest people have been criticized in the past for not donating more to philanthropic causes. The India Philanthropy Report 2021 by global consultancy firm Bain and Co. found that on average, the countrys ultra-rich with a net worth of more than 500 billion rupees, had donated 0.5% of their wealth.

The donation instantly propelled Adani into the echelons of Western philanthropists who have given away significant portions of their wealth.

The funds, which will be managed by the Adani Foundation, will go to healthcare, education, and skills development, with a particular focus on Indias rural regions.

Our experience in large project planning and execution and the learnings from the work done by the Adani Foundation will help us uniquely accelerate these programs, Adani said in a statement in December.

Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, defended Bitcoin this week while casting doubt on investing in gold.

In a Club Random podcast episode to be released Monday, host Bill Maher said hes very anti-Bitcoin and has invested in gold. He asked Cuban for his thoughts.

Cuban, an avid crypto investor, replied, I want Bitcoin to go down a lot further so I can buy some more. He added, If you have gold, youre dumb as f***.

Bitcoin has plunged more than 60% in value this year.

Maher replied that gold is like a hedge against everything else, to which Cuban replied:

No, but its not a hedge against anything, right? What it is is the store value and you dont own the physical gold, do youGold is a store value and so is Bitcoin.

The Shark Tank host continued, Its a digital transaction and its a store value, thats the term for it, a store value. So, people perceive that there is value associated with gold, that theres value associated with Bitcoin.

He noted that investing in gold does not generally mean that you possess the actual gold. You dont own the gold bar, and if everything went to hell in a hand basket and you had a gold bar, you know what would happen? Someone would beat the f*** out of you or kill you and take your gold bar.

Cuban has slammed gold investing before. In 2019, for instance, he said in a Kitco News interview, I hate gold. Gold is a religion. 

Cuban also recently weighed in on cryptocurrency exchange FTXs collapse, which has sent shockwaves through the industry and spurred calls for crypto regulations. Referring to FTXs former CEO and founder Sam Bankman-Fried, he said in an interview with TMZ:

I dont know all the details, but if I were him, Id be afraid of going to jail for a long time. It sure sounds bad. Ive actually talked to the guy and I thought he was smart, but boy, I had no idea he was going to, you know, take other peoples money and put it to his personal use. Yeah, that sureseems like what happened.

Despite the FTX collapse and its aftereffects, Cuban said he still believes in cryptos potential.

Separate the signal from the noise, he suggested. Theres been a lot of people making a lot of mistakes, but it doesnt change the underlying value.

He added on the Club Random podcast that he is not telling people to buy Bitcoin, even though he still considers it a good investment.

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