If you’ve been considering making the jump to an online bank, here’s a reason to do it now: A recent Federal Reserve rate increase may prod banks to give their customers higher interest rates on their savings in 2019. Here, one man walks us through why he and his wife decided to take the plunge […]
The U.S. economy has more or less been in expansion mode since the Great Recession of 2009, but expansions don’t last forever. While no one can say with certainty when the next recession will hit, it is certain that it will come eventually. And when it does, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. […]
Although the door closed on most tax-saving strategies on New Year’s Eve, there are still ways to lower your 2018 tax bill. Contribute to a health savings account: You have until April 15 to set up and fund a health savings account for 2018. To qualify, you must have had an HSA-eligible insurance policy at […]
The Powerball jackpot just won’t quit. After no one hit all winning numbers in Saturday night’s drawing, the top prize has jumped to a whopping $750 million. And while players daydream about what they’d do with such a windfall, they should remember they wouldn’t really end up with the advertised amount. Whether you take the […]
Early retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. At least, it wasn’t for Tony, who retired at age 37 and prefers not to reveal his last name. He was able to retire with savings in the mid-six figures thanks to a high income working as a software developer and low expenses; he paid $400 […]
While home Opens a New Window. prices are expensive Opens a New Window. , those looking to live in one of the country’s biggest cities might be surprised at where they could afford a home. For those looking for a bargain, however, California might not be the state for you. Overall, the Golden State’s largest […]
The recent college admissions scandal underscores how difficult it can be for middle- and low-income students to get their foot in the door at elite institutions. “It is not a level playing field, even without cheating,” said Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of SavingForCollege.com. Less than 5 percent of students at Ivy League and other elite colleges come […]
The IRS once again is making it easier on taxpayers facing unexpected penalties following implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Individuals who failed to pay a certain percentage of their federal tax bill throughout the year are subject to an underpayment penalty when they file. On Friday, the agency said it is lowering […]
This was prompted by an email from Stephen (a different Stephen from yesterday’s question): Would you consider 1) writing an overview of the financial tools that are available to look up stocks: Yahoo Finance, Morningstar, etc. 2) key pieces of information that we should be reviewing along with an explanation as to why. Let’s start […]
Your employer-sponsored 401(k) is one of the most powerful long-term investment tools you’ve got. But a lot of millennials worry about the amount they’re saving. “I get this question all the time: How much should I have in my 401(k)?” personal finance expert Ramit Sethi tells CNBC Make It. It’s an important question to answer. About […]
The U.S. economy has more or less been in expansion mode since the Great Recession of 2009, but expansions don’t last forever. While no one can say with certainty when the next recession will hit, it is certain that it will come eventually. And when it does, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. […]
If you’ve used Priority Pass to access an airport lounge, you may be underwhelmed by the free food offerings, depending on where you are. But there’s a way to get higher quality food without shelling out any more money. One benefit you may not be aware of is that Priority Pass offers meal credits, typically […]
