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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If you have a 401(k) account and recently left your job or were laid off, you might be wondering what to do with your retirement investments. But even if you left your employer some time ago and still have a retirement account there, you have several options when it comes…
Hey, we know student loans are heavy. They can squeeze the life out of your income and feel like a weight you just can’t bear. If you’re looking for student loan help, the options can seem endless. From forgiveness to forbearance to consolidation . . . but how do you…
Key takeaways Both charge cards and credit cards allow you to make purchases that you can pay off at a later date. Credit cards allow users to carry a balance from month to month, but those balances are usually subject to credit limits and interest charges. Charge cards tend to…
You signed up for a timeshare. The pitch made it seem like the deal of a lifetime. But now you’re feeling trapped. You’re realizing that lump payment plus the growing annual maintenance fees plus the cost of traveling to your little slice of paradise isn’t really very paradise-like after all.…
Cindy Robinson/Getty Images Mortgage rates have been on a wild ride in recent years, plunging to record lows during the pandemic, then racing up to 8 percent just a few years later. Though rates have fallen below 7 percent since, many homebuyers are still anxiously watching the Fed for any…
If you’re covered in student loan debt, then you know how hard it is. It’s like a dark rain cloud following you around, casting a shadow on all the good things in your life. When that rain cloud sticks around long enough, it’s easy to feel hopeless, even desperate. And…
Citi is an advertising partner. Key takeaways The AAdvantage Dining program offers the opportunity to earn airline miles and Loyalty Points by dining at participating restaurants. By dining and meeting certain requirements, you can progress through different tiers of the program, including becoming a VIP member. You can redeem miles…
How First-Year Students Should Manage Credit Cards Responsibly Understanding how first-year students should manage credit cards responsibly means creating a clear system around spending and repayment. If your purpose is to use the card for money management, that might mean setting a cap based on income—for example, if you earn…
In a world of debit cards and auto-drafts, writing a check might feel super outdated. But guess what? Some businesses are old school cool and require a check if you want to buy something. (They might even charge a fee if you pay with anything other than cash or check.)…
Images: Getty Images; Illustration: Bankrate Key takeaways In an exclusive agency listing arrangement, a seller hires one real estate brokerage to market and sell their home. However, the seller can also bring in their own buyer — if that deal goes through, they won’t have to pay a commission. Some…
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