A 25-minute phone call between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, the first time in weeks that the pair has spoken, has unfortunately produced more of the same when it comes to the status of coronavirus stimulus talks in Washington DC: Stalemate and recriminations, as both major parties remain […]
SO YOU WANT TO be a millionaire? Saving $1 million is a lofty goal, but it can be attainable for folks who start early, reduce expenses and choose appropriate investments and savings accounts. If you’re looking to steadily climb your way toward millionaire status, here are steps to increase your savings, reduce spending and reach your […]
What if you can’t pay the rent, there’s nothing in the fridge—and the only money you have is what’s in your 401(k) or IRA? It’s not a rhetorical question. Millions of Americans have been hammered by the pandemic-induced economic crash. GDP collapsed at a still-hard-to-believe 33% rate in the second quarter. Tens of millions of […]
If you’re contemplating moving to a different state, taxes may be a deciding factor. This column explains how to evaluate the tax picture in states you may be considering. Investigate all state and local taxes If your intent is to relocate to a lower-tax state, it may seem like a no-brainer to move to one […]
Saving for retirement requires investing a substantial amount of money. Sadly, many Americans don’t think they’ll be able to do that. In fact, according to a recent study on retirement readiness conducted by Allianz Life Insurance, 32% of near-retirees believe they’re so far behind on retirement savings goals, they’ll never catch up. If you’re one […]
COVID-19 has taken a financial toll on millions of Americans, but it has been particularly tough on millennials. Even before the pandemic led to an economic downturn and widespread unemployment, many were struggling to pay their student loans. A survey conducted earlier this year by the Harris Poll on behalf of TD Ameritrade found that […]
Most states have gotten approval to offer workers at least $300 a week in extra unemployment benefits. But more than a dozen haven’t — and that leaves millions of workers without additional aid and wondering when, or if, it will come. The dynamic is playing out at a time when jobs are scarce and financial relief measures, such as housing […]
Medicare open enrollment is less than two months away, and if you want to save some money next year, now’s the time to act. Open enrollment for Medicare and Part D prescription coverage runs each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. It’s a critical period for seniors, as this is when they can shop […]
Saving for retirement requires investing a substantial amount of money. Sadly, many Americans don’t think they’ll be able to do that. In fact, according to a recent study on retirement readiness conducted by Allianz Life Insurance, 32% of near-retirees believe they’re so far behind on retirement savings goals, they’ll never catch up. If you’re one […]
If your parents or grandparents extolled the virtues of saving up for a rainy day, maybe you still cling to that mindset. It’s very possible to take that advice to extremes, though. Make no mistake: Building an emergency savings fund is essential to financial health, as it’s cash at the ready if you have an unexpected job […]
PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T FILE 2018 or 2019 federal income tax returns needed to take an extra step this past spring to receive government stimulus checks for their children. However, a glitch in the IRS non-filers tool meant people who requested payments prior to May 5, 2020, may not have received the promised $500 per child. To […]
President Donald Trump has put a temporary payroll tax holiday in place in his latest bid to help shore up an American economy crippled by the coronavirus pandemic. While that means some workers will take home bigger checks, others worry that such a change could deplete funding for Social Security, which relies on those taxes. […]
