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…
Trending
Spotlight This Week
More Articles
Personal Finance
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…
Featured Articles
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…
Dept Managmnt
Tip 3: Learn How to Create a Better ‘To Do’ List When we make resolutions, we tend to resolve to do certain things.…
Banking
These entrepreneurs, traders and investors are making an outsized impact in fintech, crypto and traditional financial services.By Jeff Kauflin, Hank Tucker and Nina…
Credit Cards
All News
Feeling stuck in a Parent PLUS Loan? You’re probably looking for the easiest way out of it, including getting the whole debt forgiven. But is Parent PLUS Loan forgiveness real? And what are your options to get rid of this thing for good? Time to find out! Is Parent PLUS…
DW labs Inc./Shutterstock Key takeaways Wire transfers can be an expensive way to send money, costing the average consumer $27 and $44 for domestic and international outgoing wires, respectively. Your bank might charge you for incoming wire transfers. It can cost less to initiate an outbound wire transfer on your…
UPDATE as of June 30, 2023: The Supreme Court has blocked Biden’s student loan debt relief program—which means this forgiveness will not be happening. Well, it’s finally happening . . . maybe. President Biden recently announced his plan to forgive some student loan debt—up to $20,000 per borrower to be exact.…
Key takeaways There is no right number of credit cards to own, but in general, most people should consider having at least two in case of emergencies or fraud. Having multiple credit cards helps reduce your utilization rate and provides lenders with more information to better gauge your creditworthiness. If…
It’s the middle of summer, and your AC suddenly goes out. You don’t have a couple thousand dollars to get it fixed, but the temperature is rising, the kids are screaming, and you’re sweating from more than just the heat. So, you race down to your local credit union and…
Key takeaways Your credit card’s grace period is the time between when your credit card billing cycle closes and your bill is due. In most cases, credit card issuers don’t charge interest on your purchases during the grace period. Once the grace period ends, interest begins accruing on your balances…
Things were looking pretty good for cryptocurrencies and the folks who went all in to “invest” in them . . . for a little while, at least. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and even joke coins like Dogecoin all shot up in value in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic.…
Whether you’re switching banks or starting fresh, opening a bank account is a big step. So it’s important to get everything in order before you try setting up the account. But how do you prepare? What do you need to open a bank account? And in this digital age, do…
Key Takeaways In real estate, first-lien loans (primary mortgages) let you finance a home purchase, while second-lien loans (home equity loans or HELOCs) let you tap your home’s value for cash. The holder of the first-lien loan has repayment priority if a borrower defaults on their debt or goes bankrupt.…
Update as of June 2023: Federal student loan payments will resume October 2023—with interest starting back September 1, 2023. Let’s be real: It’s been a rough few years. Maybe you were hit hard financially, and it’s been a struggle to keep food on the table, let alone worry about your student…
Editor's Pick
