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The White House Office of Personnel Management issued a directive Friday to raise minimum wage to $15 for many civilian government employees. The change went into effect on Sunday, Jan. 30. The executive order, announced in November 2021, is designed to attract and retain good workers and provide economic security to federal employees. By Dawn Allcot See: Minimum Wage Will Increase to $15 for Federal Workers in 2022 — How Worker Retention Could ImproveFind: Minimum Wage is Going Up – Is Your State On the List?...

When the spread of the coronavirus turned the economy upside down in March 2020 and sent millions to the unemployment numbers, the U.S. Department of Education paused the requirement that borrowers of eligible federal student loans must make a minimum monthly payment. For those financially struggling, the lifeline also stopped interest from piling up, giving borrowers peace of mind that they weren’t taking on more debt. By Jami Farkas Student Loans: Financial Aid Tips & AdviceRead: Have Student Loans?...

Whether your New Year’s resolution is to improve your health and fitness, get organized or save money, Costco can help you achieve your goals. The warehouse club sells a number of health products, fitness tools and organizational items, many for less than what you would pay at other retailers. By Gabrielle Olya Save More: 10 Things To Stop Buying in 2023Helpful: Get Your Credit Score on Track With These 3 Tips for Success...

Although last year’s skyrocketing inflation rate has eased in recent months, high prices remain a concern for Americans. The vast majority of U.S. consumers still see inflation as a financial threat in the new year, according to a new survey from Doxo, a web and mobile bill pay service. By Vance Cariaga Released on Thursday, Jan. 19, the Doxo Insights Report 2023 survey found that nearly three-quarters of consumers are worried about how inflation will impact their ability to pay bills in the future....

Ikea was started to bring affordable furniture to the masses, and it’s now known for its unique designs just as much as its wallet-friendly products. While it’s a great place to shop for basic, staple pieces of furniture and decor, Ikea also carries a number of hidden gems that look much more high quality than their price tags. By Gabrielle Olya Read: 8 Best Food Products To Buy at CostcoFind Out: 10 Dollar Store Items That Aren’t Even Worth the Buck...

New data from the American Advisors Group shows that the overwhelming majority of seniors do not intend to sell their homes in older age and have no intention of ever moving. 82% of seniors say they want to live in their home for the rest of their lives and 92% of seniors said they would prefer to live their later years in their current home rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home the report says....

Among the many government stimulus programs launched to help Americans weather the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most effective was an expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) that provided families with larger-than-normal payments. By Vance Cariaga See: What is the Highest Income Level for Food Stamps in 2023?Inflation Relief Checks: How To Get Your Payment for October That program, part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, let families receive up to $3,600 per child under the age of 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17....

Your financial life no doubt has lots of moving parts. From managing your savings and investments to paying your bills and sticking to a budget, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and in need of some financial advice. The good news is that there’s no shortage of financial advice available from a multitude of sources, from the financial press to brokerage websites and beyond. The bad news is that not all of that advice is accurate....

U.S. businesses have gone to great lengths to deal with the country’s labor shortage — hiking wages, recruiting retirees back into the workforce, and even reassigning office staff into frontline jobs — so you wouldn’t think entry-level job applicants would have much trouble finding work these days. By Vance Cariaga But even in late 2021, many still find it difficult to land the right position because of traditional work-experience requirements, according to a new survey from Skynova, an online invoicing platform for small businesses....

GrubHub is one of the most popular food delivery apps out there right now, and it’s easy to see why. The convenience of having meals delivered rather than braving traffic or even crowds is appealing, and there are often discounts and deals through the app itself or with certain featured restaurants. But after ordering a delicious order of tacos or a sub sandwich, you may wonder, does GrubHub take cash? And if they don’t, what should a customer use to pay?...

No matter your transportation method, whether it’s booking a flight, riding the train or renting a car, the price of Thanksgiving travel has increased significantly since last year. By Heather Taylor Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsLearn More: If Your Credit Score is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now Let’s take a look at the cost breakdown per mode of transportation. Flights If you’re planning to book a flight home for Thanksgiving, don’t wait until the last minute....

No one could have predicted at the beginning of 2020 that the economy would fall into the worst recession since the Great Depression. Yet, the global coronavirus pandemic caused exactly that, as economies across the world shuttered their businesses and citizens were ordered to stay at home during the depths of the outbreak. In addition to the immense social and physical difficulties this caused, the economic effects were similarly catastrophic. Although the coronavirus hasn’t completely gone away, the effectiveness of the Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines has allowed life in the U....

Over the past several decades, there have been some major shifts in the banking industry as the world has moved into the digital sphere. Consumer demands and rapid technological advancements have led to financial institutions adopting new practices to retain relevance and cater to a more user-friendly experience for their consumers. By Maddie Duley Today, financial institutions no longer need “brick and mortar” buildings, and contactless payment options are regularly used....

Grant Cardone, 64, is a sales trainer, speaker and entrepreneur who has worked in real estate and the auto industry. His 10X Growth Conference, which launched in 2017, which is based on his bestselling book “The 10X Rule,” is the world’s largest entrepreneur and business conference. In addition, he has published eight books to help people attain their business and financial goals. By Michelle Tompkins See: Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran and Other Successful Entrepreneurs’ Best Small-Business AdviceFind: How Much is Lori Greiner Worth?...

Sen. Rand Paul (59) is a physician-turned-politician who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate for 11 years. He first made frequent national headlines during his 2016 campaign to run as a Republican candidate for the presidency. He and former President Donald Trump had an acrimonious relationship, but he now enjoys the endorsement of his former rival. By Michelle Tompkins See: Everything’s Bigger in Texas — Including Taxes, Which Are Outpacing CaliforniaFind: How Rich Is Meghan Markle?...

The last thing any of us needs to deal with is shelling out money for, of all things, our New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, so many popular NYE promises–such as vowing to get physically healthy–can come with hidden price tags. By Nicole Spector See: Here’s Why 1 in 5 Americans Are Considering Switching BanksRead: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their TaxesStudent Loan Forgiveness: Will You Qualify for $0 Payments Under Biden’s New Plan?...

Going through a divorce is a major life transition, and it’s a major financial one as well. And no matter what age you get divorced, it’s likely to have an effect on your retirement plan and strategy. In this “Financially Savvy Female” column, we’re chatting with Rob Stevens, retirement income specialist at TIAA, about how to fully prepare for retirement post-divorce. By Gabrielle Olya Important: 7 Things Every Woman Should Know About Social SecurityFind Out: 6 Signs You Can’t Afford To Retire...

Getting together with your friends might be the highlight of your week, month or year — it’s something that everyone looks forward to. If your friends are on different budgets, however, getting together can bring some unwanted stress along with joy. By Jordan Rosenfeld Read: Rising Gas Prices: The True Cost of Going ElectricLearn: 27 Ugly Truths About Retirement With a little communication and careful planning, here are several solid tips to planning social events with your friends when everyone is on a different budget....

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service reports the existence of uncollected funds that belong to American taxpayers. NBC affiliate WAND (in central Illinois) recently reported that 55,767 Illinois taxpayers could be due roughly $55 million, total, in tax refunds from 2018. By Dawn Allcot Discover: Social Security COLA Increases Add This Much Cash To Your Pockets Each Month More: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities...

A furry addition to your family is a great responsibility that entails considerable expenses. Pet insurance will help you manage both routine and unexpected veterinary bills. By Daniela Rivera-Herrera Vet Emergency Costs Policy Types What Pet Insurance Covers Determining Costs Choosing the Right Plan After all, there’s no way you can anticipate when your pets will have a medical emergency and how much it will cost. Your fur baby can still catch a severe disease or get injured no matter how careful you are....