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There’s nothing better than jumping in the swimming pool to cool off on a hot summer day. But this summer, it isn’t that easy. By Jami Farkas See: Pandemic Shortages: Buy This, Not That Just Wing It: National Chicken Wing Shortage Causes Prices To Rise A shortage of chlorine — in particular chlorine tablets — is raising the prices for homeowners who must maintain their pools. And in some communities, local pools are being forced to close, at least intermittently, due to the lack of supplies....

With the days getting brisk and the nights downright chilly, ordering takeout is just what the weatherman ordered — but at what cost? By Nicole Spector According to recent research from Circuit for Teams, the average American places nearly 55 food delivery orders a year, spending almost $1,850 in the process. The same research found that delivery fees, service fees and tips make up roughly 36% of food delivery costs, which boils down to an average of $654 per customer, per year....

There is still a feeling of excitement when you get something in the mail, or rather when you get something in the mail that is not a credit card bill. Unfortunately, credit cards, and paying for them, are a necessary part of consumer life. By Caitlyn Moorhead About Billing Zip Codes Credit Card Postal Codes Finding Yours Changing Your Billing Address In order to make sure the correct transactions, billing information and identity are associated with your card there are several key pieces of information your credit card company keeps on file....

Three hundred thousand Connecticut households will soon reap the rewards of the largest tax cut in the state’s history, according to the state government. The 2022 Connecticut Child Tax Rebate is part of the 2023 fiscal year budget adjustment recently signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont. By David Nadelle Child Tax Credit Doubts: Why Inflation Makes Boosted Payments UnlikelyLearn: What You Need To Know About the Child Tax Credit in Spring 2022...

Looking to buy or sell something on OfferUp, the mobile-driven Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace rival, but concerned about scammers? Here are some common methods used by tricksters and a blueprint to avoid them. By Carl Corry About OfferUp OfferUp Scams Reporting Scams What’s OfferUp All About? First, a quick history and guide to the app. It was founded in 2011 by Nick Huzar and Arean Van Veelen — then-new fathers who, the company says, were inspired to start OfferUp when they “found themselves with more stuff than they wanted and less stuff than they needed....

With the new year almost here, many Americans are looking for ways to become happier, healthier and more productive. Not just in their personal lives, but in their professional lives, too. How can you improve your work life? There are at least seven proven ways. Have a look. By Nicole Spector Discover: 6 Types of Retirement Income That Aren’t TaxableSee Our List: 100 Most Influential Money Experts Take Scheduled Breaks Throughout the Day The lunch break is a work-day standard, but taking other, smaller breaks throughout the day is also highly recommended....

Only one state in the United States has seen rent price drops instead of rent hikes in 2022. According to the August 2022 Average Rent Report from Rent.com, one-bedrooms in Idaho registered year-over-year price drops. By Heather Taylor Is it time to move to Idaho? Not quite. Despite the price drop, there are additional considerations to factor in before making a move in pursuit of cheaper rent. Where Is the Rent Decrease Applicable?...

Two of the biggest economic stories of the past year are rising home and rental prices in the United States and an ongoing labor shortage that has left many employers short-staffed. This has created a unique problem: Many workers can’t afford to live where the jobs are, and many employers where the jobs are can’t find enough workers. By Vance Cariaga See: Labor Dept. Announces $15M in State Grants is Now Available to Update Benefits Delivery & Services Find: What Is the Current State of the Housing Market in Your State?...

High prices due to staff shortages dominated air travel throughout 2022, while the year closed out in a frantic flurry of flight delays and cancellations due to inclement weather and FAA system outages. What’s expected for flyers in 2023? According to Scott Keyes of Going, previously known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, there’s plenty to be excited about — especially for those looking for savings and roomier flights. By Nicole Spector See: Why Buying Property in These Vacation Destinations Could Be a Great Investment Read: Get Your Credit Score On Track With These 3 Tips for SuccessFind: How 2023 Recession Will Differ From 2008 and How You Should Prepare Differently...

Americans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits now have a lot more options to make online grocery purchases via Instacart. On Monday, the platform said SNAP electronic benefits transfer card payments can now be used to buy groceries on its app in 10 additional states. By Vance Cariaga SNAP Benefits: Can You Use EBT Card/Food Stamps To Purchase Hot Food?Find: Looking To Diversify In A Bear Market? Consider These 5 Alternative Investments...

The happiest time of the year is upon us, but you’re feeling stressed about holiday gifts. Specifically, everyone in your family isn’t on the same page about spending. By Jennifer Taylor Tips: 6 Holidays Purchases That You Should Only Make at CostcoWorth Checking Out: The 6 Best Deals From Costco’s November Coupon Book You need to stick to a budget, but you’re feeling pressured to spend above your means, because your family goes all out....

Bank of America offers seven balance transfer credit card offers with exciting promotions. Approved applicants enjoy 0% APRs on balance transfers for anywhere from 18 to 21 months, depending on the offer they apply for. After the promotional period, the APR will change to the variable rate of the particular card. By Joshua Rodriguez About Balance Transfers Transfer to a New Card Transfer to an Existing Card Next Steps When To Transfer What To Know Zero interest can lead to significant savings....

Saving up an emergency fund is no easy feat. Most experts recommend setting aside at least six months’ worth of expenses, which can translate to several thousand dollars. So if you managed to actually save up that money, only to have an emergency wipe it all out, it can be tough to find the motivation to start all over again. By Casey Bond Unfortunately, the pandemic left millions of people in this exact position....

When it comes to extra space, at least one bedroom in your home isn’t exactly palatial. Whether that room is yours, a child’s or reserved for guests, you’re searching for ways to get the most out of every square inch. By Jennifer Taylor Read: 11 Things You Should Never Buy at WalmartFind Out: 15 Worst States To Live on Just a Social Security Check It might seem impossible, but you can make a small bedroom look amazing — and fit all your necessities into it — with a little savvy planning....

When the pandemic struck in 2020, the federal government made billions of dollars available to help Americans survive the economic downturn and unemployment that ensued, eventually passing on some funds to the states for additional assistance to their residents. By Jami Farkas Read: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity BillAdvice: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000Find Out: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity Bill...

Tax season is officially upon us, and the IRS has tools to make filing a little easier. IRS Free File is a free online tool that allows you to prepare and file your federal income taxes. The service is offered in two forms – either as actual guided tax preparation through partner sites or through Free File Fillable Forms. By Georgina Tzanetos Guided tax preparation is offered through the IRS to provide free online tax preparation and filing through IRS private partners....

Ending months of back and forth, JetBlue acquired Spirit on July 28, which had terminated the deal with Frontier a few hours earlier. The acquisition creates the nation’s fifth largest airline. JetBlue will acquire Spirit for $33.50 per share in cash, for an aggregate fully diluted equity value of $3.8 billion. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: As Euro Continues To Slip in Value, How Much Is Your Dollar Worth if You Plan To Travel Overseas?...

The advance payments of the Child Tax Credit are well underway with the third payment to be deposited Sept. 15, but the millions of payments the IRS has sent out have not been without trouble. Heavy criticisms about the method of payment, late delivery of paper checks and difficulties in signing up for the credit have flooded an already overwhelmed tax agency. By Georgina Tzanetos See: Child Tax Credit Payments Are Being Deposited Today – Here Are the Other Important DatesFind: Didn’t Get Your Child Tax Credit?...

Need help preparing your tax return this year? You could be eligible for free tax return preparation. The IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs provide free basic tax assistance to those who qualify. By Josephine Nesbit See: Top Tips for Painless Tax Prep Find: Taxes 2022: Are Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Deductible? The VITA program offers free tax help to those who need assistance preparing their tax return....

On Jan. 5, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation that effectively ends at-will employment for fast food employees throughout New York City. According to labor and employment law firm Ogletree Deakins, the law is slated to take effect on July 4 and will make New York City the country’s first jurisdiction to create job protections for a specific industry. By Georgina Tzanetos See: Fast Food Restaurants Can’t Even Give Jobs Away Find: 4 Employment Barriers That Still Exist for LGBTQ Workers...