Personal finance

skynesher As Covid-19 restrictions lift and summer kicks off, it may be tempting to get distracted by vacations, concerts, barbecues and camping. But financial experts say it’s also the perfect opportunity for a midyear tax progress report. A tax checkup shows if you’re on track and may uncover ways to save over the next six

In this article DNUT Biden administration says it will fall short of its Fourth of July vaccination goal All the free beer, doughnuts and baseball tickets won’t be enough to keep up the pace of vaccinations. President Joe Biden’s goal of getting at least one shot in the arms of 70% of U.S. adults before the

Tourists visit the Wall Street bull statue in the Financial District, New York City. Drew Angerer | Getty Images Americans are feeling less comfortable about investing in the stock market long-term, even though it’s one of the best ways to get ahead. In 2021, 28% of Americans said that real estate was their preferred way

Brothers91 | E+ | Getty Images Anyone who is receiving — or already received — unemployment benefits in 2021 could discover they now qualify for no-cost or low-cost private health insurance. As of Thursday, zero-premium health plans that come with minimal or no cost-sharing — i.e., deductibles and copays — are available through the Affordable

Anchiy | E+ | Getty Images Many people have hired a tax professional to make sure they do not run afoul of the IRS. But who is regulating those tax preparers? You may be surprised to find out there are few government controls in place. Now, a bill that was just reintroduced in Congress last

kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images If you haven’t gotten your 2020 tax refund, you are in good company. At the end of the 2021 filing season in May, the IRS had a backlog of 35 million tax returns that still needed to be manually processed, according to a report released Wednesday by the National

Hero Images | Getty Images Many investors already know about the tax benefits of municipal bonds — also known as muni bonds or “munis.” Now these assets have also become popular among those who want to have an impact on climate and social change. In addition to tax savings and relatively low risk, muni bonds

Jason York | Getty Images State lawmakers around the country are increasingly tackling the retirement-savings gap head on. Maine has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law to require most employers that don’t offer a retirement plan to automatically enroll their workers in an individual retirement account through a state-administered program. The New York

Jose Luis Pelaez | Getty Images Investors who want to capitalize on emerging trends — i.e., electric vehicles or remote work — may want to check out “thematic” exchange-traded funds. These ETFs provide a way for investors to engage in so-called thematic investing, which generally means buying stocks or other investments that may benefit from

In this article GBTC OBTC Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images As the Securities and Exchange Commission punts decisions on approving bitcoin exchange-traded funds, companies have created other options to meet the growing demand for cryptocurrency. One alternative, bitcoin trusts, holds the digital currency, making it easier for investors to add cryptocurrency to their portfolios. “You’re

Oxford | Getty Images Your emergency savings could be in danger of losing value due to one thing: inflation. Costs are rising on everything from gasoline, which has jumped 20% during the pandemic, to bacon, which is up 18.7%. Meanwhile, persistently low interest rates mean it’s tougher to earn a return on your cash and

Getty Images Some part-time workers who stay on the job may get faster access to their company’s 401(k) plan. As part of retirement legislation pending in Congress, workers who book between 500 and 999 hours for two consecutive years would generally be eligible for their employer’s plan. That would be a reduction from the current

The Covid-19 pandemic and economic shock that followed has made it more difficult for many parents and students to afford college. Yet even fewer families applied for financial aid this year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, serves as the gateway to all federal aid money, including loans, work-study and grants, which are the most

VALERIE MACON | AFP | Getty Images A new bipartisan bill proposed in Congress would require the Social Security Administration to once again mail annual statements to everyone ages 25 and over who have paid into the system. The bill, called the Know Your Social Security Act, was proposed on Thursday by Republicans and Democrats

Many things have been in short supply during the coronavirus crisis, and that includes housing. When the country went into lockdown, Americans were on the move. The sudden shake up caused a spike in home prices. Even now, potential buyers continue to be shut out of the housing market as prices head higher and higher.

In this article CCF BAC PNC PYPL SQ COIN Hiraman | E+ | Getty Images There’s been a surge in consumer complaints about mobile payment apps and digital wallets, such as Venmo, Cash App, Coinbase and Zelle, as more Americans go cashless. That’s according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group,

Marla Snead (right), with daughters Kelsie Dillard (left) and Carlee Turner. Marla Snead In just a few weeks, millions of families will start to receive monthly payments from the federal government through its new, expanded child tax credit. For Marla Snead, 52, the money will mean the world. Snead and her youngest daughter, Carlee, 14,

d3sign | Moment | Getty Images The Earth is heating up and the effects — droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, to name a few — are getting more common and severe. Yet consumers can do something about climate change — in simple ways that also save money. “It’s a bunch of little things that add up,” said

As high school graduation festivities come to an end, a new milestone is ahead for families of first-year college students — making the first tuition payment.  Invoices for the fall semester are often sent out at the beginning of July and payments are typically due the first week of August. Yet some families still may

In this article US10Y A view of an apartment building in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.  Drew Angerer | Getty Images Retirees who are worried about inflation eroding the value of their income may want to check out real estate investment trusts. REITs are companies that own and/or operate properties like shopping