Key takeaways Figuring your AGI is a crucial step on the path to calculating your taxable income and, in turn, your tax bill. Your AGI determines your eligibility for a variety of tax deductions and tax credits. (Sometimes, your modified adjusted gross income comes into play — more on that…
Key takeaways The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that you can use to reduce your taxable income. You have to choose between claiming the standard deduction and itemizing (that is, claiming expenses that you paid). The standard deduction amount usually increases each year for inflation. Also, the standard…
Key takeaways The deadline to file federal income tax returns this year — to report income earned in 2025 — is April 15, 2026. If you file an extension, you have until Oct. 15 to file your federal tax return. If you file an extension you have until Oct. 15…
If financial stress has been weighing you down, you aren’t alone. Around 43% of Americans cite money as a factor negatively impacting their mental health, according to a recent Bankrate survey. January is the perfect time to reset your financial mindset and create routines that bring peace of mind all year long. By building good money…
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The nation’s 75 million Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefits…
Historically Black colleges and universities are on the frontlines of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new limits on parent…
The big new fees JPMorgan Chase is planning to charge some financial technology companies may well trickle down to consumers,…
With artificial intelligence beginning to eat away at many white-collar entry-level jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates…
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Key takeaways Savings accounts are deposit accounts available at banks and credit unions. They allow you to keep your money safe while it earns interest. Online banks tend to offer the highest interest rates for savings accounts. You can withdraw your money from a savings…
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Tip 3: Learn How to Create a Better ‘To Do’ List When we make resolutions, we tend to resolve to do certain things.…
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These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
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Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Roth IRAs play different roles in retirement planning. CDs provide fixed interest and are federally insured, which can make them attractive if your priority is safety and predictable returns. A Roth IRA, by comparison, offers the opportunity for long-term, tax-free growth and withdrawals, giving you…
When planning for retirement, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how to generate consistent, tax-efficient income. Two common options, annuities and Roth IRAs, serve very different purposes, but can both play a key role in your strategy. A Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, while…
Managing multiple 401(k) accounts from past employers involves tracking different fees, investment options, and statements. Consolidating these accounts can simplify monitoring, reduce costs and keep investments aligned with retirement goals. A financial advisor can help you evaluate consolidation options and determine a strategy for your retirement savings.Ways to Consolidate Your…
Home prices remain near record highs. Mortgage rates have retreated but remain well above their pandemic lows. Add it up, and homebuyers are feeling discouraged. With housing affordability squeezing buyers, one in six (16 percent) of aspiring homebuyers have given up on purchasing a home in the past five years…
Key takeaways A 401(k) loan may help you access money from your retirement plan, but they’re not always available. A 401(k) loan can help you avoid the costly expenses associated with taking an early withdrawal from your account. You’ll need to pay back your 401(k) loan just as you would…
The Chase Freedom Flex® traditionally leans heavily into holiday shopping with its fourth quarter bonus categories. This year, however, travel is taking center stage. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, the Freedom Flex will give an extra 4 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in quarterly spending on…
Key takeaways The key difference between an ordinary annuity and an annuity due is when payments are made, which can affect the overall value. Ordinary annuity payments are made at the end of each period. Annuity due income payments are made at the beginning of the period. An annuity is…
Key takeaways The SECURE Act 2.0 became law in the last days of 2022, and its rules provide assistance for retirement savers, small businesses and many others. The law enabled a host of things, including the starting age for required minimum distributions, the removal of RMDs for employer-sponsored Roth accounts…
Key takeaways You can typically cash in your savings bond at your bank, in person. Regardless of how much money you receive, you can cash in your childhood savings bond and reinvest it, save it, or spend it. If you have a savings bond socked away for a while, or…
Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock Key takeaways A mortgage application collects information about your finances and the property you want to buy so that a lender can decide if you’re eligible for a loan. Most lenders use the standard Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA) or a variation. To prepare for a mortgage application,…
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