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Eligible users will be able to send USDC abroad or send local-currency payouts to bank accounts in more than 60 countries, starting late October.

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Throughout my 20s, people warned me to wait to buy a home until I was certain I would live there for at least five years.

The idea was that the financial benefits of owning would finally outweigh the costs of buying, including the down payment, closing costs, and other expenses I wouldn’t have faced as a renter.

After reaching that break-even point, my home could become a tool for building wealth.

Jean Chatzky, a personal finance author and founder and CEO of HerMoney Media, has long advocated the “five-year rule,” saying it may be better to rent if you don’t want to stay somewhere for at least five years.

Chatzky didn’t invent the concept, but she has promoted the idea since publishing her book “Operation Money” in 2014.

Buying and owning a home has become much more expensive since 2014, though. Home prices and mortgage rates are higher. This means the math for the five-year rule might not add up anymore.

Chatzky recently revisited the five-year rule idea in a podcast interview.

Chatzky suggests 6 or 7 years may be a better home-buying timeline

While Chatzky has not formally disavowed the five-year rule, she did mention expanding the timeline in an Aug. 28 episode of Hala Taha’s podcast Young and Profiting (YAP).

“If you’re not going to be someplace for five years, I don’t think you should buy,” Chatzky told Taha. “The cost of buying is just too steep.”

Mortgage rates in particular are making potential homebuyers nervous. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate reached 7.28% on Oct. 1, according to Freddie Mac data, its highest point in almost three years.

Read more: Jean Chatzky has strong new warning on 401(k), IRA danger

“I don’t think that mortgage rates at this level should stop people who want to be in a place for six, seven years and more,” she continued. “You’ll eventually, hopefully, get an opportunity to refi that loan.”

Chatzky’s saying that if you stay in a home for several years, mortgage rates will likely decrease during that time, and you can refinance into a more affordable rate.

Chatzky isn’t abandoning the five-year rule, but her comments suggest that today’s buyers may want to think beyond five years when evaluating whether buying makes financial sense.

Jean Chatzky acknowledges potential homebuyers may want to think beyond five years when deciding whether to purchase.NBC / Getty Images

Zillow puts the typical break-even point at 6.2 years

Zillow research supports Chatzky’s claim that buying a house could take six years or longer to break even financially.

An August analysis from the real-estate technology company found that the typical American household needs 6.2 years to break even after buying a single-family home compared to renting. And that’s assuming they can make a 20% down payment — which many buyers cannot afford.

“The common wisdom is that saving early to buy a home is the smart financial move, but the reality is more nuanced,” wrote Zillow senior economist Kara Ng. “Buyers should think about not just when they can afford to buy, but how long they’d need to stay before owning makes more financial sense than renting.”

More Housing Market:

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The break-even timeline depends on where you live, though. According to Zillow’s August research, after buying a single-family home, the typical homeowner took 5.3 years to break even in Las Vegas, 9.5 years in Dallas, and 18.4 years in Seattle.

The timeline shortens if you buy a starter home, which Zillow defines as “the average home in the lowest third of home values in a given region.”

By opting for a starter home, the nationwide break-even timeline shortened to 2.6 years after purchase.

The typical homeowner had to stay in their home for 3.7 years in Nevada, 5.9 years in Dallas, and 13.2 years in Seattle.

Homeownership is a lifestyle choice, not an investment

Some personal finance personalities preach that homeownership is essential for building wealth. Chatzky doesn’t have that mindset, though. She’s open that buying isn’t for everyone, especially if you don’t plan to stay in one place for very long.

“There are some cases where renting is just better,” she told Taha.

But if you do plan to stay in the home for a long time, buying a house and building equity can be a great way to build the kind of life you want. Your home equity becomes a financial cushion.

“And you can use that cushion to supplement your standard of living,” Chatzky said. “You can use it to pay for long-term care. You can use it to keep a roof over your head. You can use it to sell and move to Costa Rica. You have choices because you have this additional cushion.”

The bottom line? If you’re buying a primary residence, try not to think of it as an investment. Think of it as a lifestyle choice. If buying fits your timeline and life goals, then it could be the right move.

That doesn’t mean a home can’t help you build wealth. It means your primary residence doesn’t have to be evaluated like a stock or other investment.

Related: Chase now offers up to 1% off mortgage rates to more customers

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Why we love this deal

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on cookware to whip up a delicious meal, but occasionally more expensive items can be worth the investment. Not only can those top-shelf bowls, mixers, and machines last you far longer than their more affordable counterparts, but what your cookware is made out of can actually affect how your food turns out in the end. For shoppers who’ve been searching for the right set of bowls to mix, beat, whip, and puree food with, Macy’s has the perfect sale going on right now that can help you score the Art & Cook Nesting Bowl Set to help make that happen.

The multi-piece set includes a variety of bowl sizes made of heavy-duty stainless steel, and although it’s typically a $100 set, it’s on sale for 70% off for only a limited time at the popular retailer right now. 

Art & Cook Nesting Bowl Set, $30 (was $100) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

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Why do shoppers love it?

Dubbed “the ultimate kitchen companion,” this set of five mixing bowls can help you bake, mix, whisk, and combine delicious ingredients to your heart’s content. Because the bowls are made from stainless steel, they have a whole host of great qualities. Not only are they exceptionally durable, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon, but they won’t shatter, crack, or melt the way glass bowls can with hot temperatures; they make food prep far easier because of steel’s non-sticking quality, and because steel is non-reactive, acidic foods won’t change the taste of the food or cause weird chemical reactions. Another plus? For such a heavy-duty material, it’s an added bonus that the bowls themselves are very easy to move around with. 

The five bowls in this set come in various sizes, which allows them to nest inside one another for easy storage. The biggest bowl can hold up to 3,000 milliliters, so you can really customize and choose the one that works for you and what you’re cooking. The smallest bowl measures about 6.7 inches in diameter and 2.8 inches high, perfect for mixing marinades, sauces, and dips, whereas the largest in the set measures 11.2 inches in diameter and 4.7 inches high, perfect for salads, batters, and marinating beef and chicken. They even have built-in measuring lines so that you don’t have to dirty up extra cups and bowls when putting together a dish.

Related: Walmart’s $300 40-piece nonstick cookware set with pots, pans, bakeware, and utensils is 47% off 

The dishwasher-safe bowls have slip-resistant bottoms to prevent counter accidents, and when nested together only weigh about 3.5 pounds. 

Details to know

Material: Stainless steel. 

Weight: 3.5 pounds. 

Care: Dishwasher safe. 

Shoppers love the high-quality look and feel of this set, and the nesting capabilities make them easy to store. They are sturdy but lightweight, and hold up well over time with lots of use. “Measuring and mixing all in one bowl — just wonderful,” a shopper wrote. “Different sizes for all your needs,” another chimed in.

Shop more deals 

Sedona Kitchen 18-Piece Ceramic Baking Set, $67 (was $212) at Macy’s

Staub Ceramic 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set, $100 (was $271) at Macy’s

Add some high-quality cookware to your kitchen with the Art & Cook Nesting Bowl Set, on sale for only a limited time for just $30. 

On Tuesday, Musk claimed that “certain oligarchs” were blocking the launch of his Starlink satellite internet services in India, without naming any person in particular.

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why we love this deal

As we head into fall, you’re likely spending most of your free time outdoors while you can. For some, that includes working on their home’s curb appeal while the weather is nice. Not only does it give your front door an inviting feel, but it can also increase the value of your home. Plus, when you add accessories like walkway lights, they double as decor and safety measures. You can prevent tripping on steps, struggling to find the lock with your key, or just create a warm ambience.

If you’re looking for some solar lights to guide your path in the evening or at night, the Incx Waterproof Pathway Ground Solar Lights 12-Pack at Amazon is a quick and easy choice. These waterproof lights stick right in the ground, soaking up the sun during the day and lighting your path at night. This 12-pack is just $31 with this deal, pricing each light at less than $3 a piece. 

Incx Waterproof Pathway Ground Solar Lights 12-Pack, $31 (was $38) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

Each light has eight energy-saving LEDs that can run for up to 10 hours at a time on a full solar charge, typically taking about eight hours to charge in full sun. The light sensor automatically turns the lights on once it gets dark and turns them back off when the sun comes up, allowing you to focus on other things besides turning the lights on and off at the right time. They’re super easy to install. They include a ground spike that connects to the light and makes it easy to push into the ground. There are no wires or batteries, creating a simple, no-fuss setup. 

Related: Amazon’s $25 smart solar spotlights offer color-changing customization for the holidays

These lights measure 4.6 inches wide and feature a waterproof, snowproof, and sunproof design. The aluminum Chrome topper ring offers durability, and the improved plastic tips make it stable and easy to press into the ground. They’re great for lining the patio to prevent injuries, placing them around your garden to create a fairy garden vibe, or lining the driveway with them to more easily see your area when pulling the car in. They’re available in cool and warm lighting, both on sale. 

The pros and cons of these in-ground solar lights

Pros

They are easy to install: They feature an easy two-step installation. Connect the ground spike to the light, and stick them in the ground wherever you want them.

Brightness: Each light has eight bright, energy-saving LEDs to light your path.

Versatility: These lights would be great in the garden, lining the driveway or the walkway to the door, around the fenced perimeter, around the pool, and more. 

Cons 

In-ground only: These lights are designed to be in-ground lights and don’t provide other ways of installation.

Contingent on the sun: Just like any solar light, these rely on sunny days to work and don’t have backup power; however, reviewers have said they’ve worked every night since installation.

One reviewer said, “These lights are top-tier! I cannot begin to explain the amount of money I’ve spent on bad solar lights, but these are the best. They actually work, they’re easy to install, and a great price. They’re super bright. Not a day goes by without them turning on, which is a major issue I’ve had with other lights. These are worth it.”Another shopper said, “They also seem to be sealed very well; the sprinklers don’t seem to affect them. After a few months, they are still as bright as the first day.”

Shop more deals

Wenaty Solar Spot Lights 12-Pack, $70 (was $80) at Amazon

Gigalumi Hanging Solar Lights 12-Pack, $24 (was $30) at Amazon

Solpex Mini Solar Ground Lights, $19 at Amazon

The Incx Waterproof Solar Lights 12-Pack offers a bright and simple solution for dark corners and hard-to-see driveways. They’re durable, waterproof, and offer up to 10 hours of light off one sunny day’s worth of charge.

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