What’s shaping up to be an expensive winter is already setting in, and families are looking to save money on energy costs any way they can to prepare for what’s coming. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that the price of natural gas will rise by 28% over last winter, heating oil will be 27% more expensive, electricity costs will increase by 10% and propane will go up by 5%....
Gen Z breaks a lot of ground. They’re the most ethnically diverse generation, known for prizing equity and inclusivity in the workplace. They’re also tech-adept and skilled workers, born into a world that was already saturated with highly sophisticated digital technology and plugged into the endless scroll of social media. As far as their financial habits go, though, Gen Z is still very much in the early learning stages. By Nicole Spector The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to MoneyMore: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans...
With inflation hitting 7.5% in January, Americans are seeing higher prices for virtually everything — including groceries. But not every price increase can be blamed on inflation. Prices of avocados could rise as the U.S. government suspends the import of avocados from Mexico, according to an Associated Press report. The suspension occurred after a U.S. plant safety inspector working in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, received a threatening cell phone message....
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued another stark warning on Tuesday, saying the U.S. economy would go into a recession if Congress doesn’t do something about the debt ceiling within the next two weeks and help the government avoid defaulting on its debts. By Vance Cariaga See: Government Shutdown 2021: Will Social Security Checks Still Be Sent?Find: Senior Stimulus: How an Additional $1,400 Check Could Help Social Security Recipients Afford Rising Grocery Costs...
When you’re still in the throes of summer, it can be hard to even think ahead to the cold months of winter, but planning ahead is vital to saving money. Winterizing your home helps you to keep heat in, prevent leaks of both water and cold air, and hopefully keeps your energy bill at a reasonable level. By Jordan Rosenfeld Save More: Back-to-School Tips To Help You Cut CostsBe Aware: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans...
For those just starting to invest in the crypto world, Coinbase is a logical first step. The world’s first publicly traded crypto exchange is both highly accessible and easy to use. It also offers all of the most well-known cryptocurrencies you are likely to hear about, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and Solana. By John Csiszar Small Business Spotlight 2022: Nominate Your Favorite Local Small BizCash App Borrow: How To Borrow Money on Cash App...
Setting yourself up financially doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. There are some habits that are pretty easy to incorporate into your life that will benefit your current and future finances — the tough part is simply taking the first step to start. In today’s “Financially Savvy Female” column, we’re chatting with Renora Nelson, wealth manager at Merit Financial Advisors, about the easy financial habits every woman should pick up....
The holiday season is creating financial stress for nearly 48% of middle-class Americans this year, according to a survey from online financial services provider One. Among middle-class consumers’ biggest concerns are inflation (76.47%) and supply chain shortages (62.87%). Meanwhile, only 22.18% are “very concerned” about catching COVID, while 47.06% are “somewhat” concerned. Credit card fraud is also on their radar, with 19.58% “highly concerned” and 46.67% “mildly concerned.” By Dawn Allcot See: Why You Might Want to Hire Someone Else to Do All of Your Holiday Shopping — And What It CostsFind: Should You Refinance Now With the Low Mortgage Rates?...
If you shop online, you may have noticed an increase in the number of new payment options available. Recent economic conditions, including inflation and the bear market, have consumers looking for more ways to save money on the things they need and want. People are rethinking how they manage their finances in the current economy. By Kathy Evans At a Glance How BNPL Works Affirm Afterpay Klarna PayPal Pay in 4 Splitit Zip Using BNPL Alternatives Read: 3 Easy Tips to Turn Your Credit Woes into Wows...
With retirement costing more than ever before, many Americans are choosing to stay in the workforce for longer — and unfortunately, many of these older workers will experience age-related discrimination. A new survey conducted by LiveCareer shed some light on just how common ageism is in the workplace, with 84% of workers saying that they have witnessed age discrimination in the workplace and/or experienced it firsthand. By Gabrielle Olya See: Stimulus Payments Are Coming to These States in OctoberFind Out: Jaw-Dropping Stats About the State of Retirement in America...
Crypto exchange Binance has announced the launch of a $1 billion fund to push the adoption of not only the Binance Smart Chain (BSC) ecosystem, but the whole blockchain industry. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: 7 Best Blockchain Stocks To Buy Right Now Learn: Bitcoin’s Blockchain Activity, Rising Network Adoption Might Signal Bull Cross “It’s time to accelerate #BinanceSmartChain’s journey towards scaling and mass adoption. We’re announcing the biggest growth fund in the history of crypto — the $1 billion fund to push the adoption of not only BSC but the whole blockchain industry,” Binance tweeted....
CalFresh, California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly food assistance to low-income households that meet state and federal eligibility guidelines. Benefits are distributed to CalFresh accounts linked to CalFresh EBT cards. By Josephine Nesbit Food Stamps: States Extending Emergency Allotment Money Through September 2022Find: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans EBT cards can be used in grocery stores and participating farmers’ markets. Your benefits can be used to purchase most food items, plus seeds and plants that grow food for your household to eat....
As if the IRS doesn’t have enough problems with staff shortages and a backlog of returns, now it must deal with potential headaches surrounding enhanced Child Tax Credit payments. The agency recently issued a warning that its CTC portal might have wrong amounts and outdated information. By Vance Cariaga Child Tax Credit: You Could Get a Double Payment in February — Here’s WhyMore CTC: How To Claim the Full Amount On Your 2021 Taxes...
A new report from the United Nations and the World Bank revealed that children across the globe could lose as much as $17 trillion in lifetime earnings due to pandemic-related school closings. Could COVID’s impact on the economy at large trickle down for generations to come? By Dawn Allcot See: As Child Tax Credit Expires, Over 21 Million Americans Face Food InsecurityExplore: 52% of Parents Have Little to Nothing Saved for Their Children’s Future — How To Get Started Now...
Maybe the idea of a new venture appeals to you, and perhaps that includes running a business. And maybe you don’t want to start from scratch, but rather jump into a business that already has a tried-and-true method of doing things. You sound like a perfect candidate for a franchise. By Jami Farkas Read: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These CitiesLearn: 10 Things You Should Always Buy at Walmart...
The Social Security Administration unveiled a new website earlier this month that aims to help recipients find what they need online instead of having to call or visit the agency — something many have found nearly impossible due to ongoing customer service issues. By Vance Cariaga Discover: 6 Shakeups to Social Security Expected in the New YearExplore: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 But early reviews of the website aren’t all positive....
By Jordan Rosenfeld According to Victoria Mendoza, CEO and media expert at MediaPeanut, “Video streaming services were all winners during the pandemic at its onset in 2020 when lockdowns and health restrictions were like death sentences to cinemas. But in 2021, the streaming landscape has grown astronomically, with many companies starting out in streaming services with a wide range of entertainment shows and movie offerings.” Learn More: Which Streaming Services Give You the Most for Your Money?...
Many teenagers grow up with a dream of earning a living by making and playing video games. With the rise of non-fungible token based online games, that dream can be a reality. One of the hottest cryptocurrency trends is playing video games to earn NFTs on platforms like Axie Infinity and Animoca. By Katy Hebebrand About NFTs NFTs in Online Gaming Challenges What Is an NFT? Non-fungible tokens are digital assets that correlate to digital investment, such as in art, video games, videos and music....
If you got engaged over the holidays, you may now be planning a 2022 wedding — and you should be prepared to spend more than usual for weddings in the coming year. According to wedding industry pros, inflation is affecting the costs of most aspects of a wedding, from the venue to the vendors. By Gabrielle Olya Here are the wedding expenses that will be more costly in 2022. See: Social Security 2022: How the COLA Will Increase Benefits for the Average Senior CoupleLearn: Tinder and Bumble Enter the Metaverse — How Crypto and NFTs Could Become Essential to Virtual Dating Apps...
All eyes are on the first Social Security payments of 2023, in which the record-breaking cost of living adjustment (COLA) will start to be reflected in the checks of 66 million beneficiaries. By Selena Fragassi Learn: Here’s Why 1 in 5 Americans Are Considering Switching BanksAdvice: With a Recession Looming, Make These 3 Retirement Moves To Stay On TrackFind Out: Can I Draw Social Security at 62 and Still Work Full Time?...
