Resist the urge to shove your completed 2019 tax return into a drawer. It could help you save money next spring. Taxpayers and tax professionals were focused on the sprint to July 15 – the new deadline for 2019 federal income tax returns and payments. Indeed, the IRS received 147.1 million individual income tax returns […]
We know that the Senate will be “looking at another direct payment” when the new session starts on Monday, that much is clear. Among other things, the debate will center on how big a second stimulus check could be and who will (or won’t) qualify to get it. Even if you received the first stimulus […]
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s new plan to leverage a portion of its assets to invest in private equity and debt has its critics waving red flags. Reeling from the COVID-19-related economic slowdown, CalPERS needs to boost its slumping earnings. Its latest strategy, however, is so risky that some analysts hear echoes from the […]
If you have one available to you, your 401(k) can easily become the cornerstone of your retirement plan. People under 50 can generally contribute up to $19,500 per year to their plan, while those 50 or up can sock away as much as $26,000. When the maximum allowed employer contributions are included in the mix, […]
Social Security might feel like it’s beyond your control, but your decisions play a big role in how much you get from the program. The age you start benefits, in particular, has a significant effect on how much money you receive per month and over your lifetime. The chart below illustrates that effect by showing […]
Most entrepreneurs probably know a little something about money. But there’s a difference between managing business finances and managing personal finances. It’s a good idea to be well-versed in personal finance to ensure you can save for those vacations, big life milestones, and long-term goals. To get started, check out The Complete Personal Finance Master […]
Your credit card issuer can lower your credit limit at any time, regardless of how well you manage your account. Issuers might cut credit limits to minimize risk in an uncertain economy, as many cardholders have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Or they may do it when cardholders regularly use what the issuers see […]
The death of those extra $600 weekly unemployment payments now seems imminent. Republicans are intent on ending the enhancement to jobless benefits, created by the CARES Act in late March to prop up household income for the millions who’ve lost their jobs to the coronavirus pandemic. The subsidy, which comes on top of typical state […]
It’s general common sense that saving your money is an essential part of building financial security. And if you’re making the effort, it’s smart to stash your money in a high-yield savings account. Not only do they offer a higher return than traditional savings accounts, but your money is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) […]
401(k)s are among the most popular retirement savings vehicles for plenty of reasons. They offer high contribution limits, and employers can match some of their employees’ contributions. Plus, the money comes right out of your paycheck every month, so you don’t have to remember to make contributions manually. But 401(k)s also have their drawbacks, and […]
Thinking about the future is a great way to motivate yourself to stick to a debt repayment plan. When you identify goals that motivate you, it may not seem like as much of a sacrifice to put a few hundred dollars toward eliminating high-interest debt every month. The faster you pay off your balances, the sooner […]
There’s one expense even die-hard budgeters tend to leave out: Savings. Is saving an expense? Maybe not technically. But if you treat it that way, you’re much more likely to do it. Just as you wouldn’t stiff the electric company or your cable provider, treating your savings or retirement account as a bill — an […]
