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By Dawn Allcot Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam: How To Recognize and Avoid This ScamMore: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now More From Your Money: Choose a high-interest saving, checking, CD, or investing account from our list of top banks to start saving today. Recipients of other government assistance programs — including Medicare, Direct Express (DE), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF) and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program — may also qualify....

The rise in online ordering options for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients has led to a similar rise in SNAP customers using the Instacart grocery delivery and pickup platform. By Vance Cariaga SNAP Benefits: Can You Use EBT Card/Food Stamps To Purchase Hot Food?Social Security: New Bill Could Give Seniors an Extra $2,400 a Year Now Instacart aims to connect even more low-income households to its service with the announcement of a new, discounted Instacart+ membership for SNAP participants nationwide....

A petition for a stimulus check just for seniors has been put out by the Senior Citizens League aimed to help social security recipients. The group’s president wrote to Congress trying to get an additional $1,400 to help this “financially fragile” group afford basics like food and heat as inflation continues to rise. By Angela Corry See: Stimulus Update: States Give Out Thousands of Bonus $1,000 Checks – Will You Get One?...

President Joe Biden announced his administration’s much-anticipated plan regarding student loan forgiveness on Aug. 24. However, economists’ views about whether the plan would further exacerbate inflation wildly differ. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy SNAP Benefits: How Long Do They Last?Find: Will Student Loan Forgiveness Include Parent Plus Loans? Under the plan, there will be up to $10,000 in federal student debt relief for most borrowers, up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, as well as an extension of the student loan repayment pause — “one final time” to Dec....

By Gabrielle Olya Tips for Retiring on a Budget Whether you have just a little bit saved for retirement or will be living off Social Security alone, here’s how you can make the most of the resources available to you: 17 Tips To Live Comfortably Off Just a Social Security Check Social Security: How To Make Your Check Stretch Further 5 Retirement Saving Tips for People Who Have $0 Saved 6 Budgeting Tips Every Retiree Needs To Know Top Financial Resources for Retirees Where To Retire on a Budget of $3,000 a Month or Less Whether you want to retire in a big city or a small town, you can live comfortably in some places for $3,000 a month or less....

The Federal Reserve’s expected move to start tapering its monthly bond purchases beginning on Wednesday is a clear signal of confidence in the U.S. economic recovery from COVID-19, though questions remain about how the move will affect inflation, interest rates and the stock markets. By Vance Cariaga See: 9 Ways to Fight Inflation So You’re Not Spending MoreFind: Should You Refinance Now With the Low Mortgage Rates? One thing most experts agree on is that the Fed isn’t likely to raise its key short-term interest rate from near zero either during a two-day meeting that starts today or in the near future, USA Today reported....

While going on vacation can be fun and exhilarating, it also can be stressful. But the more planning you do ahead of time, the better off you will be. By Crystal Mayer The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to MoneyMore: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 After you’ve booked your hotel and transportation, you need to decide how much money you need to have on hand....

If you’re a fan of the Oracle of Omaha’s measured and patient investing style, you might want to take notice of this value fund, which employs a “Buffett-like style of seeking high-quality value stocks… not just the cheapest ones, but those with strong businesses that can weather a storm,” according to Barron’s. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: The First Jobs of Billionaires Like Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos Find: 11 Ways Warren Buffett Lives Frugally...

To give yourself the best chance at success when it comes to your investments, consider implementing a portfolio management approach. Portfolio management is a system adopted by many financial advisors that takes numerous variables into account for your investments. The process can help you stay on the right track when it comes to your goals, and gives you an opportunity to systematically diminish the risk in your portfolio. It’s also a good method to turn to when you feel like your investment portfolio needs help....

More and more U.S. states are passing bills to set their own minimum wage laws and help their inhabitants live more comfortably. However, many states still follow the federal standard — including Texas. As of 2022, the Lone Star State is one of the U.S. states that still pays its citizens $7.25 an hour as provided by federal law. By Daniela Rivera-Herrera Minimum Wage in Texas Why the Minimum Wage Exists Cost of Living Types of Minimum Wages Texas Minimum Wage Act What Is the Current Minimum Wage in Texas?...

For many people, one of the top financial priorities in a post-coronavirus economy will be paying down debt. A poll conducted earlier this year by Creditcards.com found that 51% of American adults with credit card debt added to it during the pandemic. That was up from 23% in May 2020. Of those polled, 44% specifically blamed the pandemic for adding to their debt loads. By Vance Cariaga See: Parents Quit Jobs, Build Debt to Pay for Child CareFind: Is It Time to Revise Your Financial Goals for the Post-COVID Economy?...

If there’s one thing finance experts agree on this holiday season, it’s shopping early to get the best deals. And even if you aren’t planning to buy immediately, it’s best to begin tracking prices so you can shop as soon as prices drop. By Dawn Allcot See: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on AutopayFind: If Your Credit Score is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now “We tend to see the lowest prices in the week leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as during these actual dates,” said Radhika Duggal, chief marketing officer for money-saving app SuperShop....

In general, things are looking pretty good for American workers. The unemployment rate is around where it was before the pandemic struck and sent the economy spiraling, and employees are still quitting their jobs in droves as the Great Resignation continues. By Nicole Ellis Discover: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job More: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals But we all know by now (especially after 2020) that things can change at any minute....

A looming recession often makes people rethink their career choices, either because they fear being laid off or because they need a salary boost. But a recession can be a tricky time to try to switch jobs or start a business. Some industries and businesses are more recession-proof than others and knowing which ones they are can help when a recession strikes. By Karen Doyle Businesses Industries If you want to know what companies do well in a recession, think of those that provide goods and services that people and companies can’t do without, or those that provide a way for consumers to save money on what they need....

By Andrew Lisa We spoke to experts who offered their insight on what you can do to get the most out of your bank or credit union in the new year. More From Your Money: Choose a high-interest saving, checking, CD, or investing account from our list of top banks to start saving today. Take Advantage of Today’s High Yields — They Won’t Last Forever Less than 15% of the study’s respondents said that better rates were the most important factor when choosing a bank....

With supply chain issues leading to shortages on everything from microchips necessary to produce smartphones, video game consoles and televisions to clothing, sporting goods and even pet products, holiday shopping may pose extra challenges this year. By Dawn Allcot POLL: How Much Will You Spend Over the Holidays Relative to Last Year?Find: How To Save Money on Shipping (Especially Around the Holidays) Of course, it’s not too late to start shopping if you haven’t already (which 52% of Americans have!...

The pandemic has caused some highly unusual economy trends. Many products have gotten more expensive due to supply chain issues, and remote work has led people to search for cities with a lower cost of living. By Bob Haegele Oftentimes, that has meant moving to secondary markets and rural areas with lower population densities that still offer the basic amenities people need. As the pandemic has progressed, people have gotten more creative with their moves, but even cities like Austin, Texas are becoming too expensive for some people....

There’s something about the words “stock options” that gives a royal feel to an employee compensation package — but equity isn’t just a badge of prestige. By Andrew Lisa “Employee stocks are a great way to start an investment portfolio,” said Anthony Martin, CEO of Choice Mutual. “When managed correctly, they can become quite lucrative.” “Managed correctly” is the key phrase. Find Out: How Much Will Pfizer and Moderna Be Worth by the End of 2022?...

The opportunity to multiply an initial investment by 10 is one that most people wouldn’t pass up. However, the truth is that turning $1,000 into $10,000 is probably not going to happen overnight — or even in a few weeks. And while achieving this financial goal is definitely doable, you might wonder which way is the straightest path there. By Cynthia Measom See Our List: 100 Most Influential Money ExpertsRead: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...

With over 4,700 Walmart stores in the U.S., many consumers regularly make Walmart part of their shopping routine. And why not? The retail behemoth offers everything from applesauce to zippers in its stores, which makes it a one-stop shopping source for many. By Cynthia Measom While Walmart has legions of loyal customers shopping its brick-and-mortar locations as well as online, it still continues to strive to offer bigger and better things....