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It used to be that having one good job would be enough to make ends meet. But times are changing — most recent reports indicate wages are not keeping up with inflation. Per CNBC, even though people may see salary jumps and raises, two-thirds of Americans have said it’s not enough to account for the greater cost of living. By Selena Fragassi See: 11 Grocery Items To Buy at Dollar TreeFind: What Is the Highest Income Level for Food Stamps in 2023?...

Saving for retirement isn’t at the forefront of our minds when we’re just starting our careers. We often are just figuring out what we want to do for work, rather than how we’re going to pay for life after it. That’s probably the reason why 1 in 4 people have nothing at all saved up for retirement. When you don’t make saving for retirement a priority, it can seem overwhelming at crunch time....

As a possible recession looms, small businesses may be wondering what they can do to be successful in yet another uncertain time. By Heather Taylor See Our List: 100 Most Influential Money ExpertsStimulus Updates To Know for Summer 2022 Moving forward, there are three key areas of a business — employees, cash flow and operations — to focus on for the company’s long-term health. See how your small business can succeed during a recession....

With the pandemic now entering its third year and the future still uncertain, the big question about the American workplace remains the same as it was in 2020: Should it still be an actual place at all? For many employers, the answer is a resounding “yes.” By Andrew Lisa See: Accelerated Hiring, More Remote Work and 3 Other Major Changes Experts Predict for the Job Market in 2022Find: Small Business Owners Say Remote Work Made Them Better Team Leaders...

Health insurance is one of those budget items that seems like an unnecessary financial drain all the way up until the point you really need it. Cutting back on your coverage can be scary, though many Americans have been forced to because of this year’s soaring inflation rate. By Vance Cariaga Learn: Before You Finalize Your Open Enrollment Choices, Check Out These TipsDiscover: If Your Credit Score Is Under 740, Make These 4 Moves Now...

Oil prices dipped to their lowest point of the year this week despite the recent announcement by OPEC and its allies to keep cutting supplies as fears of a global recession outweigh supply constraints. Prices of both oil and gas could keep tumbling into the new year and beyond amid a plunge in demand. By Vance Cariaga Dollar Tree: 5 High-Quality Items To Buy NowDiscover: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000...

Mandi Woodruff-Santos is the co-host of the “Brown Ambition” podcast. Her advice has been featured on “The Dr. Phil Show” and in The New York Times, Teen Vogue and more. By Gabrielle Olya What’s the one piece of money advice you wish everyone would follow? It’s not enough to save and budget. You have to pursue higher earnings and learn how to invest for long-term growth as well. What’s the most important thing to do to build wealth?...

Rising prices, a constricted global supply chain and the quickly spreading delta variant are the topics of discussion for the Federal Reserve two-day meeting taking place this week. While it’s likely that Fed officials will continue to support an eventual policy shift, these new risks pose a threat to a strong U.S. recovery, reports Reuters. By Josephine Nesbit Economy Explained: Inflation’s Ups and Downs: How It Impacts Your WalletRead: Treasury Secretary Yellen Expects ‘Several More Months’ of Inflation Before Decline...

When you take out a new credit card, it’s unlikely that you have a plan for what to do if the bank decides to pull it out of circulation. You might not even know that credit cards can be discontinued and taken away if you don’t do anything wrong, but they can — and it’s more common than you might think. If you have a card in your wallet that your bank has decided to put out to pasture, you might be wondering if you should just cancel it altogether....

By Dawn Allcot See: How Will Teens and Gen Z Invest Their Money? Think Low-Risk, ESG and RoboadvisorsFind: Gen Z Teens Exceed Past Generations in Financial Literacy With 10% more teens in the workforce than prior to the pandemic, 2021 represents an excellent opportunity for teens to start savings or investment accounts. But should they begin saving for retirement, college — or both? “If a teen is going to get started saving or investing, just getting started is the most important thing,” says Eric Roberge, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Beyond Your Hammock, a fee-only financial planning service for high-achievers in their 30s and 40s....

Social Security beneficiaries will soon see a big increase in their 2023 payments thanks to a record-high cost of living adjustment (COLA) — one that increases amounts paid out by 8.7%, starting with January checks. By Selena Fragassi See: 9 Safest Places To Retire Abroad for Less Than $2,000 a MonthFind: 10 Jaw-Dropping Stats About the State of Retirement in America Yet, at the same time, a new study indicated there’s a lot of “catching up to do” for the many seniors and retirees receiving these supplementary income benefits....

Mortgage relief programs designed to help financially strapped Americans weather the COVID-19 pandemic have either expired or will expire soon, putting hundreds of thousands of homeowners at risk of losing their homes. However, those worried about making their payments without federal help still have other options — and now is a good time to explore them. By Vance Cariaga See: 15 Mortgage Questions To Ask Your LenderFind: Should You Refinance Now With the Low Mortgage Rates?...

Consistently ranking near the top of “Best Cell Phone Plan” lists, T-Mobile is known for great data plans and network speed. But the “Un-carrier,” as T-Mobile bills itself, is also known for its superb perks and discounts. The latest T-Mobile Insider deal is a “win-win” discount for existing subscribers and their friends. By David Nadelle See: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on AutopayFind: How To Borrow Money on Cash App...

As the holidays are approaching, Americans are flocking to dollar stores for affordable holiday celebration supplies. By Maddie Duley Holiday Spending: Get Top Holiday Shopping and Savings TipsSee: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 With most items priced at $1, it’s no secret that shopping at dollar stores can help you keep more money in your wallet while stocking up on certain quality items. Particularly when it comes to party supplies and decor, shoppers can’t beat the vast array of options and low prices the store offers....

You know saving and investing are important, and to be honest, you could be doing better. April is Financial Literacy Month, making now a great time to get on track. By Jennifer Taylor Cut Costs: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity BillHelpful: 16 Budgeting Tips Every Single Woman Needs To Know One of the five key principles of financial literacy, according to the Financial Literacy and Education Commission — along with earning, spending, borrowing and protecting — saving and investing is a process that takes time....

A simple three-digit number can determine whether or not you can finance your next home or car, and it can also stipulate what interest rate you receive. If you’re planning on applying for a mortgage loan, credit card, auto loan or personal loan, continue reading to find out what a FICO score is and how it could affect your creditworthiness. By Kathy Evans What a FICO Score Is Factors Considered What’s Considered a Good Score Why FICO Scores Matter Improving Your Score FICO Scores vs....

Holiday shopping season is upon us, and that means the search for the best deals is on. Some deals are even sweeter when you use a credit card to purchase them, but then again, some circumstances might call for using cash instead. Determining which is best for you to use depends on your individual financial situation. Here’s a look at when it’s beneficial to use a credit card, and when to hit the ATM for some cash....

A new year brings hope for a better tomorrow. Most American residents, however, are hoping for a little financial relief in the here and now. Workers in 26 states (23 as of Jan. 1) will earn more money in 2023 thanks to state-mandated minimum wage hikes. By David Nadelle Depending on where you live, wage increases may stretch further for some Americans than others, according to a recent SmartAsset study. For its 2023 edition of “Cities Where Minimum Wage Goes Further” study, minimum wage stats from 79 of the largest U....

The age-old debate regarding Social Security is when to begin taking benefits. Although the so-called “full retirement age” for those born in 1943 or later is 67, retirees are given the option to begin drawing from Social Security as early as age 62, or as late as age 70. The longer you wait to begin benefits, the higher your monthly payout will be, and it will remain at that elevated level for the rest of your life....

On the eve of a week that many experts see as a crucial point for the economy, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that while “the economy is slowing down,” “this is not an economy that’s in recession,” adding, however, that “inflation is way too high.” By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy See: These Expert Tips Can Help You Prepare for Losing Your Job and Avoid Stress as Recession LoomsLooking To Diversify in a Bear Market?...