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The IRS has finally finished issuing refunds to taxpayers who overpaid their taxes in 2021, when stimulus relief tied to COVID-19 provided tax breaks for unemployment benefits to millions of Americans. By Vance Cariaga See: States Whose Economies Are Failing vs. States Whose Economies Are ThrivingCheck Your Mail: Tax Rebates and Stimulus Payments May Look Like Junk In an announcement last week, the IRS said it completed the final corrections to about 14 million returns, which resulted in nearly 12 million refunds totaling $14....

What Is Personal Capital? Personal Capital is a hybrid digital wealth management platform that uses robo-advisor algorithms and in-person financial advisors for a holistic investing approach. There are two distinct parts to this platform, making it ideal for two very different groups of users: By Andrea Norris Overview Stand-Out Features Additional Features Who It’s Best For Alternatives Getting Started Final Take Financial Planning Services 4.0 Portfolio Construction 4.0 Investment Expense Ratios...

You’ve undoubtedly noticed that things are more expensive when you go out to shop for the same items you’ve always bought. Even the popular Dollar Tree franchise, famous for selling everything for just $1, had to concede to inflation and started charging $1.25 per item instead. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ measure of inflation, the consumer price index, rose 0.8% in November 2021, and even higher for specific products, with predictions that it will continue to rise in 2022....

The first of round Social Security checks reflecting the new 5.9% cost of living adjustment went out this month, and recipients are now waiting on their second check, coming in February. The increase is the largest in nearly 40 years for those who qualify for the adjustment, and it could not come at a more welcome time. Inflation is now 7% and expected to keep rising as the pandemic wears on....

Amid a complicated and messy tax season, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is telling Americans that if they didn’t get the full amount of the third Economic Impact Payment, some might be eligible to claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit based on their 2021 tax year information. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Taxes 2022: Check the Status of Your Refund on the IRS App Find: 38% of Recipients Say the Child Tax Credit Is Reducing Their Refund — Will This Be the Case for You?...

During the past few years, millions of Americans have received stimulus checks to help with the economic downturn due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Now, with prices rising on everything from eggs to gas, and about six million unemployed workers in the United States, people are wondering if any sort of stimulus plan is in the works to help them stay afloat. By Sam DiSalvo Student Loan Forgiveness: Mark These 4 Dates On Your Calendar NowRead More: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now...

British rock star and legendary guitarist Eric Clapton is one of the bestselling musicians in history and has amassed a net worth of $450 million after six decades on stage and in the recording studio, according to Celebrity Net Worth. By Dawn Allcot See: Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and More of the Bestselling Grammy Winners of All TimeFind: Taylor Swift and 24 More of the Richest Musicians Eric Clapton’s Early Career His music career began in earnest in 1963 with the rock band the Yardbirds....

The Biden administration has an ambitious plan to battle food insecurity and diet-related health problems in the United States, having set a goal of “ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity by 2030,” according to a September 2022 White House news release. But achieving that goal will be a challenge with upcoming changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. By Vance Cariaga SNAP Benefits: Can You Use EBT Card/Food Stamps To Purchase Hot Food?...

Although much has been made about how the American economy recovered from the depths of the coronavirus pandemic and how low unemployment is, the truth is that things are still tough for many Americans. Some reports claim that only 39% of Americans could comfortably handle an unexpected $1,000 expense, which implies that other financial goals remain out of reach as well. By John Csiszar Retirement at Any Age: Get Top Retirement Tips for Every Stage of LifeRead: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...

When you’re facing tough financial times, it can be hard to see a way out. Whether you’re drowning in student loans, in a neverending cycle of credit card debt, going through a transition like a divorce — or a combination of multiple hardships — the stress of your financial situation can be crippling. But, there is usually a way out. It may require some sacrifice and the right strategy, but with time and effort, you can find yourself on the other side....

In America, racial inequality and economic inequity have always gone hand in hand. For generations of African-Americans and other minority groups, the banking system was an immovable obstacle on the path to equality and inclusion. From redlining to predatory payday loans, bankers and lenders long used the levers of financial power to dictate where or if people of color could buy homes, open businesses, or even save money in a bank account....

By Heather Taylor The Future of Finances: Gen Z & How They Relate to MoneyLearn More: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Retirement Goals Retirees are eligible to start claiming Social Security at age 62. If you are among the Gen Zers who want to retire before they turn 55, what should you focus on right now? Take the following steps to ensure a proper retirement. Establish Goals and Develop a Plan To Achieve Them No matter what age you plan to retire at, it’s critical to establish goals and develop a plan to achieve them....

There are a few certainties in life — such as death or taxes. If you have already agreed to be with someone until death do you part, it may be worth exploring what kind of tax benefits marriage can present. It may not be considered romantic, but offering your spouse tax deductions or even a higher tax return could be a great way to show you care. By Caitlyn Moorhead Tax Shelter Lower Bracket Benefits Estate Protection IRA Contributions Charitable Deductions Time and Expense Learn: 3 Ways Smart People Save Money When Filing Their Taxes...

As the holidays approach, it’s a wonderful time of year to give to charities, recognizing that not everyone has the same means. In 2021, Americans gave a record amount of nearly $485 billion to charitable organizations, according to Philanthropy Round Table, even as inflation has pushed prices to exorbitant highs. By Sam DiSalvo Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsFind Out: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...

Free money always comes at a cost. Many are now learning this the hard way, as scammers are increasingly trying to trick potential victims with offers of fraudulent government grants. By Selena Fragassi Consider: 5 EBT Scams To Watch Out ForExplore: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals Not only are the grants not real, but when unknowing consumers opt in, they are robbed of thousands of dollars. The increased activity and growing savvy of scammers has watchdogs issuing warnings to be on the lookout for such messages....

As a polite consumer, you take pride in being a good tipper. Unless you receive seriously bad service, you always tip well — but someone in your life doesn’t share this sentiment. By Jennifer Taylor Here It Is: Our 2022 Small Business SpotlightFind Out: 7 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Reach Your Retirement Goals Whether it’s a friend, family member or even your boss, their stingy tips — or lack of tipping at all — makes you seriously uncomfortable....

By Gary Dudak The Big Lead: March Jobs Despite a very tight labor market, private sector employment increased by 455,000 jobs in March — slightly more than experts expected — according to the ADP National Employment Report. Read the full story here Business Spotlight: Robinhood Robinhood announced it is extending trading hours, “to build a world where people have the flexibility to invest on their own timelines and on their own terms....

I know that NFL action returns in full force tonight, but before you sit down for Bills-Rams, take a few minutes to catch up on the top financial stories that could affect your own bills. By Gary Dudak The Big Lead: Stimulus Payments Coming to These States This Month Who can look forward to a surprise tax refund? How much will it be? And when will you receive it? Look for your state on this list to find out which states are receiving stimulus payments, tax refunds or other relief in September 2022....

The seller’s market that pushed U.S. home prices to record highs in recent years appears to be over. In 2023, you can expect more equilibrium between buyers and sellers, according to Rocket Mortgage CEO Jay Farner and other housing experts. By Vance Cariaga Learn: 2023’s Housing Correction Could Be the Largest Since Post-WWIISee: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000Discover: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed For a Housing Crisis...

An often-overlooked factor when it comes to planning a retirement nest egg is the negative effect of inflation. While it may very well be true that $500,000 or $1 million is enough to finance your retirement in today’s dollars, when you factor in inflation, those big numbers can shrink rapidly. By Rob Poindexter Take a Look: The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks AboutMore: 5 Best Southern Cities To Retire on a Budget of $1,500 a Month...