Personal Finance
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Monster. Advancing in your career isn’t just about having the right technical skills; it’s also about how effectively you work with others. This is where soft skills come into play — those essential personal traits that help you navigate the complexities of any…
I was just reading a report in The Washington Post that asks a question that shouldn’t need to be asked: “Should you drink bottled water or tap?” Since I wrote my first book, “Life or Debt,” about 25 years ago, I’ve been telling anyone who will listen that bottled water…
I have stood in line at the bank, written checks for everyday purchases, filled out deposit slips, and balanced an account against a paper statement once a month, by hand. I have waited days for a payment to clear. I do not miss any of it. Online banking, autopay, contactless…
Home Depot opened its first two stores in Atlanta in June 1979, and I’ve been fixing my own house and rental properties pretty much ever since. That’s over 40 years of leaky faucets, dead water heaters, warped decking and ceiling fans that wobble. I’ve bought a lot of stuff in…
With new electric vehicle prices averaging nearly $55,000 and the federal government no longer offering $7,500 in tax credits for plug-in vehicles, at least two major automakers are confirming plans to participate in California’s new $3,500 instant rebate program for new EV buyers in the state. Hyundai, a multinational manufacturer…
If you’re new to budgeting, you may not need a complex system to track your finances. One of the most powerful steps you can take is just understanding where your money goes each month and where you can cut back. Envelope budgeting is a simple method that can help. By…
If you fear a tax audit each time you file, here’s a fact that might help you breathe a bit easier: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) selects less than 1% of income tax returns for audit each year. But what you may not know is that the IRS doesn’t need…
Medical expenses can quickly strain your budget, whether you’re paying for doctor visits, prescription medications or an unexpected surgery. If you had significant out-of-pocket healthcare costs during the year, the IRS may allow you to deduct some of those expenses on your federal tax return. The medical expense deduction is…
Visiting the Happiest Place on Earth is getting more expensive. Disneyland recently increased menu prices across the Southern California resort. Popcorn, for instance, now costs $7. Of course, you don’t have to purchase food or drinks when you visit. Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World welcome guests to bring their…
Apple, Google, OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI are racing to lock users into their own ecosystems through partnerships, proprietary models and increasingly closed platforms. Regulators are also paying close attention. In January 2025, the Federal Trade Commission warned that some artificial intelligence partnerships could increase switching costs, restrict access to…
