In the summer of 2018, I quietly announced to my family and close friends that I felt prepared to start repaying my student loan debt in full. My plan was to repay my seven outstanding loans that totaled $55,000 over the course of the next year. Little did I know that I would make my final loan payment on May 1, 2019, paying the loans in full within 10 months instead of 12 months....
Just as COVID-19 circled the globe without a passport, the inflation surge that followed didn’t recognize international borders either. The U.S. was just one of many countries where prices rose at their fastest pace in decades. By Andrew Lisa Pandemic-related economic disruption was the catalyst, but there’s no one culprit to blame for today’s high inflation. It’s a complex issue that’s become even murkier because nearly all of the contributing factors — from stimulus payments to oil imports — are politically charged topics that make finger-pointing irresistible....
In a fact sheet released on Jan. 28, the IRS urged people to use the information on their individual online taxpayer account for the most accurate figures on the amount to include when doing their taxes and claiming the child tax credit (CTC). The IRS would go on to say, via the fact sheet, that certain information provided by the CTC portal could potentially be out of date. By Georgina Tzanetos See: Child Tax Credit: You Could Get a Double Payment in February — Here’s Why Find: Didn’t Get Your Child Tax Credit?...
Your July 4 barbecue will be 17% more expensive this year, due to a 41-year high inflation, supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). This number comes in contrast with the estimated 21% increase posited by the Political Calculations blog, which utilized AFBF data as well as current Walmart pricing. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: Where To Use SNAP Benefits This Summer Find: Social Security Changes That May Be Coming for 2023...
U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act on July 21. The bill would remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances and enable states to implement their own cannabis laws. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Cannabis Tourism: 5 Things You Must Know Before You Plan a TripFind: Looking To Diversify In A Bear Market?...
When Mariah Carey says it, especially during the holiday season, it happens. The celebrity, known this time of year for her remake of the hit Christmas Carole “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” kicked off 12 days of giving from McDonald’s with a tweet on Dec 13. It’s never been easier to save money over the holidays. By Dawn Allcot Learn: So, You Want To Be a Millionaire? 7 Ways To Set Yourself Up for SuccessExplore: The ’12 Days of Christmas’ Will Cost You Over $40K in 2021 — How Inflation Is the True Grinch...
New York residents who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits get their payments on different schedules every month, depending on whether they live in New York City or the rest of the state. That’s the case in October 2022, as well. By Vance Cariaga Food Stamps: 5 Discounts New York EBT Cardholders Can Use To Save MoneyMore: New York City Offers Free Internet and Cable to 300,000 Public Housing Residents...
The crypto world is evolving at lightning speed and regulatory frameworks are trying to keep up the pace. Because of loopholes, ever-evolving laws and lack of international regulation, this has led to some confusion and legal troubles for a slew of new firms involved in cryptos. In turn, many are increasingly finding a way around it: Hiring former regulators to help them keep the law on their side as much as possible....
Investment markets are cyclical, both in terms of performance and in terms of investor interest. While there is always long-term demand for equities, there are many periods when net flows into equities and mutual funds are negative, as investors fear upcoming or ongoing market downturns. By John Csiszar Wealthy Millennials Aren’t Banking on Stocks: Here’s What They’re Investing In InsteadAlso: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...
Black Friday has come and gone, and the post-holiday sales will start in a few weeks. But if you’re in the market for a new phone and debating whether you should wait, one provider has a sweet holiday promotion running. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: 8 Amazing Holiday Gifts To Buy at CostcoFind: 3 Easy Tips To Turn Your Credit Woes Into Wows AT&T has increased its promotion for new and upgrading users for both new Apple or Samsung phones to $1000, from $800, CNET reported....
When you think of virtual wallets, you might jump to one or two conclusions. On the one hand, the idea of a virtual wallet might be everything a digital aficionado has been waiting for. But on the other hand, some would-be digital wallet users have concerns about the security of their financial information held within a digital wallet. By Sarah Sharkey About Virtual Wallets Advantages Disadvantages How To Get One Safety By exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a virtual wallet you can decide if it is worth it for you....
You might not be thinking about holiday travel yet, but given recent price trends, you probably should be. Americans are eager to travel after skipping trips over the past two years, and everything from flights to hotels to rental cars are booking up earlier than usual. By Gabrielle Olya See: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on AutopayFind Out: 11 Things You Should Never Buy at Walmart Best Time To Book Flights for the Holidays Travel blogger Denise Castaneda of Denise Cas typically books international flights three to four months in advance and domestic flights two months in advance but recommends booking even earlier this year....
Today, Americans are living on average 14 years longer than when the Social Security Act was enacted in 1935 and retiring three years earlier — spending an average of 20 years in retirement. According to a 2020 Social Security Administration trustees report, incoming revenues will only be enough to pay about 76% of scheduled Social Security benefits by 2034, USA Today reported. By Josephine Nesbit Helpful: How To Protect Your Retirement Savings During the Coronavirus Pandemic Retirement: A Troubling Look at the State of Retirement in 2021...
When looking for a job, pay is a big factor in deciding whether or not to apply. Employers in Colorado are now required to include compensation on their job posts, but that is before taxes and doesn’t include any benefits. If one posting is paid by the hour and one is salaried, how do you compare them? By Diane Fogle $30,000 A Year Is How Much An Hour? Other Factors Affecting Net Pay Takeaway $30,000 A Year Is How Much An Hour?...
Trading penny stocks is a high-risk, high-reward proposition that involves buying an equity stake in small companies whose shares trade for less than $5. Not all brokerages offer access to the so-called pink sheets, but investors can trade penny stocks on Robinhood, although the selection is limited. By Andrew Lisa Top Penny Stocks Cheapest Stocks Stock Exchange Requirements OTC Stocks ADR Stocks See: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...
For the average person, insurance is one of the most complicated and confusing services that money can buy. The people who sell it argue that it’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, but when it comes to insurance coverage — more isn’t always better. By Andrew Lisa Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsTake a Look Back: 2022 Year in Review...
Raising kids is expensive, and paying for child care is one of the biggest costs that parents have to contend with. By Gabrielle Olya “Every year, Americans spend around $42 billion on early care and education, which comes to about $500 a month,” said Andrew Latham, CFP, managing editor at SuperMoney.com and a dad himself. Dollar Tree: 5 High-Quality Items To Buy NowImportant: 3 Easy Tips to Turn Your Credit Woes into Wows...
When you decide to buy stock in a company, you do your homework. You know what the company sells, how they perform in the marketplace, and what the risks are that they face. You’re ready to make that purchase. But now you need to decide: Do you want to buy Class A shares? Or Class B, or Class C? What’s the difference? Here’s what you need to know. By Karen Doyle Different Share Types Share Classifications Different Share Classes Different Share Types Companies will sometimes issue more than one type of stock....
Bad weather and supply chain issues are set to keep coffee prices elevated in 2022. Arabica coffee futures closed on Feb. 1 at $2.37 per pound, below January’s high of $2.47, the Wall Street Journal reported. During the same time last year, futures traded at $1.30. This was up 76% in 2021, the largest annual gain since 2010. By Josephine Nesbit See: The Price of a Cup of Coffee Around the World Find: Here’s How Much Americans Are Spending on Coffee – And Smarter Ways To Use That Money Instead...
Times are particularly tough right now with inflation driving up prices on everyday goods and a possible recession on the horizon. But none of this is stopping Americans from spending; in fact, it may be making them spend more. By Nicole Spector See: Americans Each Have About $175 in Unused Gift Cards, High Inflation Makes it a Good Time to Spend ThemFind: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans...
