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Bitcoin — as well as other cryptos — have taken a further hit since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. This event has re-ignited the debate, for some, that the crypto is not as good of a hedge as it’s purported to be (and not as uncorrelated to markets as Bitcoin bulls say). By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: Bitcoin Payroll: The Future of Hiring? Crypto Benefits Plan Could Attract Workers and Improve Employee Retention Find: Spot Bitcoin ETFs on the Horizon?...

The construction company Caterpillar (CAT) performed well in 2020, and its stock value reflected that, continuing to rise throughout the entire year. In early 2021, higher costs and a general decline in industrial stocks triggered a sell-off. Although shares haven’t returned to their 52-week high of $246.10, they have held relatively steady over the last six months. So the question is, should you invest in Caterpillar? By Katy Hebebrand About Caterpillar Pandemic Struggles Earnings Results Competitors Future Outlook Dividends Consider Before Investing Before you invest, it’s important to understand why Caterpillar trended so high before the sell-off and why it might go back on the upswing in the coming months....

Consider whether or not the iron ore and steelmaking company is worth the investment. By Katy Hebebrand About Cleveland-Cliffs Expansion Should You Invest What’s Next What Is Cleveland-Cliffs? Founded in 1847, Cleveland-Cliffs is a mining company based in the United States. Experts recognize it as the oldest iron ore mining company and the largest producer of iron ore pellets. The company showed consistency over decades of existence until 2020, which is when it shifted focus from iron ore to steel....

If you are married, spousal benefits can boost your personal monthly Social Security retirement benefit significantly — sometimes by as much as $800. By Georgina Tzanetos More: What Is the Average Social Security Benefit at Age 62?Social Security: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 In the past, same-sex marriages and non-marital legal relationships like civil unions were not recognized by Social Security for the purposes of receiving benefits on a same-sex spouses record....

If you still rely on controlled explosions encased in 350 pounds of metal and moving parts to get from here to there, consider this: The internal combustion engine was born in 1863; and, while it will survive its 160th birthday, it will take a big step toward extinction in 2023 as electric vehicles gobble up even more of its market share. By Andrew Lisa The new year will bring an exciting lineup of impressive new electric vehicles, new tax credits, greater affordability and, of course, renewed interest in cleaner, greener energy....

Elon Musk lost his title of richest man on the planet earlier this week to fellow billionaire Bernard Arnault. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: How Rich Is Former President Donald Trump?Find: Wealthy Millennials Aren’t Banking on Stocks: Here’s What They’re Investing In Instead Arnault, the chairman and CEO of the world’s largest luxury products brand — LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton — surpassed the new Twitter owner in both Forbes and Bloomberg rankings earlier this week....

Given rising interest rates and inflation, it’s no secret that Americans are feeling the crunch. According to the new Country Financial Security Index Report, conducted by Ipsos, only 53% of those polled feel financially secure in the third quarter of 2022. That figure compares poorly to 56% of respondents saying as much in the first quarter of 2022, and 61% in the first quarter of 2021. By Dawn Allcot See: The Minimum Salary You Need To Be Happy in Every StateFind: Looking To Diversify In A Bear Market?...

Every year, more and more people fall prey to scams. Data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that in 2021, consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud. That’s a 70% increase from 2020. Imposter scams are the most common scams, followed by online shopping scams. By Nicole Spector See: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on AutopayZelle Facebook Marketplace Scam: How To Recognize and Avoid This Scam What does one do if they’re bamboozled out of money by a con artist?...

It’s been an extremely trying time to be a small-business owner — many businesses have shuttered their doors over the course of the pandemic. But even if you’re one of the lucky ones who survived, it’s likely that you’re still struggling and may not have fully bounced back. I tapped my network of business owners, entrepreneurs and financial professionals to get their best advice on how small-business owners like you can boost your business in a post-lockdown world....

If you live or work in the United States, the federal government has your number — but which kind depends on your residency status. If you live or work in the U.S., you’ll need either a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The two numbers are not the same thing. They serve different purposes, and no one should have both numbers at the same time....

Millennials are beating the stereotypes about living large and being careless spenders. Having been through a recession and a pandemic, a new study finds that millennials are not only proactive about their finances but also optimistic about their financial outlook. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Resale: 5 Collector’s Items Worth Selling for Extra CashRead: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on Autopay The Advisor Authority study, by Nationwide Retirement Institute, found that millennials–those aged 26 to 41–are applying what they’ve learned after living through past financial crises....

Historically high consumer prices are having an increasingly negative impact on the finances of Americans, with the majority saying inflation is causing financial hardship — and a rising percentage of middle-income earners feeling the pinch, according to a new Gallup poll. By Vance Cariaga See Our List: 100 Most Influential Money ExpertsFind: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job The poll of more than 1,500 Americans, conducted in August and released last week, found that 56% of respondents now say price increases are causing financial hardship for their households....

By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Explore: Best Rewards Credit Cards for 2023Advice: If Your Credit Score is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now The survey finds that 28% of Americans have one credit card, 25% have two, 15% have three, just 8% have four and 9% have more than four. Almost 16% of Americans do not own credit cards, the survey notes. While experts’ opinions vary as to how many credit cards are really necessary, the consensus is clear: Don’t have more than you can handle, as the consequences might be detrimental....

If you’re just starting out in your career, you’re probably not putting too much thought into retirement. But even though it’s likely decades away, it’s never too early to start saving and planning. By Gabrielle Olya See: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time JobMore Options: 8 Remote Jobs That Pay at Least $20 Per Hour If you do want to start saving for retirement (which you should!...

For the most part, states have already paid out their second SNAP benefit payment for the year, and families are now planning for their third with March’s payment. By Georgina Tzanetos Learn: SNAP Benefits Available in Your State in 2022SNAP Benefits Increase in 2022: What It Could Mean for the Immediate and Long-Term Future SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also referred to as food stamps), is a federally funded assistance program that provides cash directly to low-income households for fresh produce and groceries....

With consumer prices and inflation at 40-year highs and the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) lagging, retirees are seeing their benefits stretched to the limit. By David Nadelle Rising Gas Prices: The True Cost of Going ElectricFind: 20 Best Places To Live on Only a Social Security Check Because costs are rising so much quicker than the COLA, many seniors are taking drastic savings measures and scrimping on essentials like food and medicine, according to non-partisan advocacy group The Senior Citizens League (TSCL)....

It was a bad year for food shortages in 2022, with categories including eggs and baby formula hit hard. Unfortunately, 2023 could see its own batches of food shortages. Here’s what consumers should start stocking up on now before prices soar and products likely become harder to find on store shelves. By Nicole Spector Corn Bread Vegetable Oil Baby Formula Champagne Canned Pet Food Do You Have a Tax Question? Ask a Tax ProRead: With a Recession Looming, Make These 3 Retirement Moves To Stay On TrackFind: 10 Things To Stop Buying in 2023...

Freelance work is more popular than ever. In December, a report from Upwork noted that freelancers contributed roughly $1.3 billion to the U.S. economy, more than a $100 million increase from the year before. It also found that 59 million Americans, about one-third of the entire U.S. workforce, did some freelancing in the past year. By Christian Long As more and more people continue to look into freelance work, either as a full-time career or extra income on the sides, they’re also looking for alternatives to the more run-of-the-mill banks as a means to handle this very specific type of income....

Generally speaking, selling a home tends to result in a big financial gain. Buying property is regarded as one of the most sound investments someone can make, given how reliably it increases in value over time. And, while buying a house is a stressful, costly endeavor, selling one comes with its own hidden costs. By Christian Long When selling a home, from fees and commissions to home repairs to market presentation, these hidden costs tend to add up quickly....

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently implemented an improved identity verification and sign-in process that requires facial identification through a selfie and a photo of an identity document — such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport — according to IRS.gov. Taxpayers will continue to access the IRS portal through IRS.gov but will now sign in using their ID.me account. By Dawn Allcot See: How To Sign Into ID.me To Access All The IRS Online Platforms Find: Tax Filing 2022: How To Set up ID....