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Gas prices are up — there’s no doubt about that. But there are ways to make your trip to the pump less painful. There are apps that can help you save money when you fill up. Some are just for gas, others are more general travel apps and there are some that help you save on many purchases, not just gas. By Karen Doyle Gas-Specific Apps Directions, Gas and More Cash-Back Apps Stack Your Savings See: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now...

Even if you’re a six-figure earner with additional retirement savings beyond Social Security, the federal benefits program could make up a significant portion of your retirement income. After all, you’ve contributed money to the fund for most of your working life. And this year, with the maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax rising to $147,000 (up from $142,000 last year), you’ll be paying more than ever into the fund....

Budget surpluses are being given back to residents in a few west coast states this fall by way of tax refunds. If you live in Colorado or Hawaii, you should have seen a check in recent weeks. California residents will have to wait a bit longer but will see larger checks than most states. By Angela Corry Social Security Reminder: Here’s Which SSI Recipients Can Expect Two Payments in September 2022Food Stamps Schedule: When Can I Anticipate September 2022 SNAP Payments?...

There has been a lot of discussion ever since the pandemic struck about student loans in the U.S., from suspension of payments to outright loan forgiveness. By John Csiszar While the Biden Administration has been pushing hard to forgive many student loans, it has met some opposition, so temporary fixes have been put in place and extended time and time again. Although things may change, there are currently some important deadlines and dates in place regarding student loan forgiveness in 2023....

Wouldn’t it be nice to go on vacation and never glance at your bank account balance or credit card limit? However, that’s not practical for most people. Whether we’ve saved all year for a vacation (or that destination wedding), are using some of our tax refund to fund a getaway, or otherwise have a travel budget allocated, most of us have to keep an eye on our finances when we travel....

Now that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is disappearing in the rear-view mirror, many U.S. companies are asking employees to return to the office — most notably, Tesla. CEO Elon Musk recently sent a series of emails to Tesla employees making it clear he no longer wants executive staff working from home. By Vance Cariaga See: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These CitiesCash App Borrow: How To Borrow Money on Cash App...

The U.S. Department of Labor added an additional $90 million in grant money to help boost the employment prospects of various groups of Americans impacted by the COVID-19. By Vance Cariaga See: More Americans Are Moving Back to Pre-Pandemic Life — How Will It Affect Spending?Find: Despite Payment Freeze, Pandemic Worsened Financial Hardships for Millions in Student Debt In a statement issued on Thursday, the DOL said the extra funds will be used to provide reemployment opportunities for displaced workers, historically marginalized communities or groups, and those unemployed for an extended period or who have used up their unemployment insurance or other pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs....

Employers in the United States have once again boosted their salary increase projections for 2022 to better compete for workers in a tight labor market, but the pay hikes still might not be enough to help workers deal with rising prices. By Vance Cariaga See: Record 4.4 Million Quit Jobs in September as Labor Demand Outpaces Willing WorkersFind: OK, Boomers — You’re to Blame for the Labor Market Shortage Companies are now budgeting an overall average increase of 3....

The metaverse is rapidly growing, both in cultural awareness and in financial terms, accelerated by Facebook’s Meta name change last month. Since the concept is slowly starting to become more mainstream as several big-name companies are embracing it and some analysts are calling it “the next big investment theme.” By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: 10 Cheap Cryptocurrencies To BuyFind: Cryptocurrency Predictions for 2022 Igor Tasic, founder of metaverse advisory firm Meta Ventures, says that the metaverse goes beyond VR/AR and technology itself and has the potential to be the ultimate equalizer of the first half of the 21st-century by creating an actual global plaza for people to be included, integrating their physical and digital existence in an authentic hybrid experience....

Anyone who has ever applied for a job knows the agony between the time when you submit the application and the time when you finally hear back. But what you do — or don’t do — in those anxious minutes, hours and days could go on to be among the most consequential moments of your entire career. By Andrew Lisa See: How To Jump-Start Your Job Search and Find the Perfect Position in 2022Find Out: How To Interview For a Job When You’re Wearing a Mask...

By Kimberly Lankford See: Why Buying Property in These Vacation Destinations Could Be a Great InvestmentHave Any $200 Quarters Lying Around? It’s Worth Checking Your Spare Change But after having a taste of remote work, a lot of employees want to continue to work from home: 50% of the people surveyed said their preferred working situation for 2023 is to work remotely, 37% said they wanted to work outside the home and 13% preferred a hybrid system....

Women have suffered the most financially during the pandemic, but there are nascent signs the situation is improving. For example, the wage of American women rose and outpaced the wage of men in February, 4.4% to 4.1%, according to the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s wage tracker. Now, and in light of Women’s History Month, several experts are offering financial advice on how women can get raises, invest in real estate or retire early....

American Express, Member FDIC, is one of the big players in the rewards credit card game, and it offers a wide range of cards tailored to the needs of various consumers. While the American Express® Green Card was the original standard for elite credit cards, American Express has broadened its stable of cards to incorporate a variety of colors and benefits. By John Csiszar Groceries and Streaming General Points Travel Rewards $0 Annual Fee Navy Federal Credit Union Members Top 5 American Express Rewards Cards Here are the five best rewards credit cards offered by American Express, with explanations of how they differ and what type of user might be most appropriate for each card....

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway made a $500 million investment in Brazilian digital bank Nubank, the company announced this week, in a move that could seem surprising at first glance, but makes sense from a strategy perspective, some experts say. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Money’s Most Influential: Where Do Americans Get Their Financial Advice?Browse: Every Stock That Warren Buffett Owns, Ranked The digital bank was recently recognized as one of the most influential companies in the world by TIME and one of the most innovative by CNBC, according to the statement....

New asset types and new government aid have people wondering whether or not they will take a hit come tax time. Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have only recently begun to be treated like regular assets, and for the first time in history the government has given out multiple direct payments for those suffering during a global pandemic, so things can get a little confusing. By Georgina Tzanetos See: Investors Could Benefit from Tax Loophole for Crypto LossesFind: How to Avoid Paying Back the Child Tax Credit...

Americans who depend on their cars to get around are already feeling the financial pinch from the highest gasoline prices in more than seven years, and now they face a 5% spike in auto insurance rates in 2022, according to a new report from Insurify. By Vance Cariaga See: Biden Announces Insurance Companies Must Reimburse You For At-Home COVID Tests Find: Social Security Disability Insurance: What It Is and How It Pays...

Pros and Cons For a quick overview on Charles Schwab, take a look at the benefits and drawbacks. By Barb Nefer Pros and Cons About Charles Schwab Features Types of Accounts Fees Choosing Charles Schwab Drawbacks Competitors Tools and Research 4.8 Investing Options 4.9 Ease of Use 4.5 Fees 4.7 About Charles Schwab There is, in fact, a real Charles Schwab, although he went by Chuck when he linked up with two partners in 1963 to launch the Investment Indicator newsletter....

In the days since warehouse clubs were created, two reign supreme: Costco and Sam’s Club. Both tout two tiers of memberships for consumers, and both offer sign-up bonuses for customers. So which is the best of the best? By Nicole Spector Let’s compare the sign-up bonuses at both stores and whatever occasional added bonuses they offer. Costco “There are two membership tiers — a Gold Star for $60 per year or an Executive for $120 per year,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst at DealNews....

As one of the leading global airlines, flights with Delta are abundant and often affordable. However, with so many airlines offering similar services and destinations, you want to ensure you are getting the best mileage on your budget when it comes down to booking. By Caitlyn Moorhead Earning Miles Value of a Mile Airline Comparison How To Earn Delta Miles Miles for most airlines are essentially equivalent to a point system....

The Diem saga started in 2019 when Facebook announced a new digital currency called Libra. The mission was simple yet ambitious. Facebook wanted to create a simple global payment system and empower billions of people who don’t have access to traditional financial systems. By Scott Jeffries About Diem What Happened to Diem Value Silvergate’s New Stablecoin About Silvergate See: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Following a time of significant growth in the cryptocurrency sector, new coins were hot and highly anticipated....