Personal Finance
Tax Refunds Are Larger This Year. Make Yours A Stepping Stone For Your Future
Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS. That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time period…
Homeowners Over 55 Pay a ‘Seniority Tax’ of About $2,400 a Year to Refinance. Here’s How to Beat It
If you’re over 55 and you’ve refinanced your mortgage lately, there’s a decent chance you got taken. Not by a con artist. By a lender with a license, a nice website and a loan officer who called you “sir” or “ma’am.” Bankrate calls it the seniority tax, and its August analysis puts a price on
Building Financial Independence For Women Through Financial Literacy
As women’s access to education and employment has steadily increased, so has their participation in the economy. However, significant challenges remain that include a wage gap between women and men, along with other barriers women face in growing their wealth. Such challenges can impact women’s…
Debt Settlement’s Legal Loophole |
Debt settlement companies technically aren’t allowed to charge fees until after lowering a consumer’s debt. But a loophole in the Telemarketing Sales Rule — and a mish-mash of federal and state laws — allows predatory firms the opportunity for exploitation. A growing corner of the $23 billion debt…
I’m 45 With 20 Years to Retire. Ignoring My 401(k) Match Could Cost Me Almost $115,000.
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost…
Your Long-Term Care Premium Just Jumped 60%? Don’t Cancel, Do This Instead
The letter arrives with a return address you barely recognize and a number you can’t miss: Your long-term care premium is going up 60%. You’ve got a few weeks to decide. And your first instinct — I’ll just cancel — is the one move that guarantees you lose. Here’s why. Suppose you’re 81. You bought
Average 401(k) balance hits record $155,800 in second quarter: Fidelity
Americans’ 401(k) balances reached a record high in the second quarter of 2026, new data shows. The average 401(k) balance climbed to a record $155,800 in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.5% from the previous quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier, according to Fidelity Investments’ Q2 2026…
Nintendo Launches Major Sale With Help From Tariff Refunds
Nintendo is giving players a chance to save on games, accessories and other products in what the company described as one of its largest promotions ever. The Customer Appreciation Sale will offer 30% off dozens of Nintendo Switch digital games and bundles, along with discounts on select physical…
2020 Toyota Corolla vs. 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Choosing the right used car for your lifestyle can be difficult. Used car marketplaces like CarMax and Carvana can simplify the used car search since their sites allow you to view inventory, vehicle specs and features online. If you know which used car, truck and SUV models are worth looking into…
11 Remote Jobs You Can Start Today With Zero Experience
Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com Sometimes, you just need a job. Maybe you need extra cash. Maybe you’re making a career transition and need some time to sort things out but still have cash flow. Or maybe you’re reentering the workforce after some time away to be a caretaker. Whatever the case may be…