Personal finance

People wait in line at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on Dec. 15, 2020 in New York City. Robert Nickelsberg | Getty Images Finally, there’s some good news for the millions of people on two key unemployment programs that expired before President Donald Trump signed the latest Covid relief bill — they likely will not

Ty Wright | Bloomberg | Getty Images For car buyers, the end of the year typically marks the best time to get a great deal. Things look a bit different this time around. While there are still discounts and special financing on certain makes and models, those incentives generally are not as generous as in

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images After months of back-and-forth negotiations, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agreed on another stimulus package that includes direct payments to many Americans for $600. Then President Donald Trump shocked Washington when he called the package a “disgrace” and suggested he wouldn’t approve of the bill unless the checks were

Federal stimulus checks are prepared for printing at the Philadelphia Financial Center May 8. Jeff Fusco | Getty Images News | Getty Images Another round of stimulus payments is on the way for the millions of Americans financially struggling because of the public health crisis. President Donald Trump on Sunday night signed a $900 billion

Volunteers from Forgotten Harvest food bank at a mobile pantry distribution before Christmas in Warren, Michigan, on Dec. 21, 2020. Emily Elconin | Reuters President Donald Trump signed the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill on Sunday, solidifying another round of aid to Americans. Still, millions of families are staring down a gap in benefits that

A drive-in “Let’s Feed LA County” food distribution event hosted by the Los Angeles Food Bank on Dec. 4, 2020 in Hacienda Heights, California. FREDERIC J. BROWN | AFP | Getty Images However, states must wait to begin issuing the funds. The president’s signature starts a chain reaction that will likely end with workers getting

Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images $600 a week When Congress issued a $600-a-week boost to unemployment benefits in the spring, as part of the CARES Act, the backlash was swift and fierce. The goal of the infusion, coupled with typical state benefits, was to fully replace lost wages for the average

AleksandarNakic | E+ | Getty Images The year is almost over. Yet you still have time to make some financial moves and set the stage for a fresh start in 2021. While there are timely tax savings to consider, it’s also a good time to assess your budget and other money matters. “We, as human

Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images Mega Millions players can let the daydreaming continue. With no one hitting all six numbers drawn Friday, the jackpot has jumped to an estimated $376 million. And Powerball, with the next drawing set for Saturday night, is at $341 million. Of course, due to taxes, those advertised

Federal stimulus checks are prepared for printing at the Philadelphia Financial Center May 8. Jeff Fusco | Getty Images News | Getty Images Americans likely won’t see $2,000 stimulus checks, and those $600 direct payments may be further delayed. House Republicans on Thursday blocked an attempt by Democrats to pass $2,000 checks, an amount President

hobo_018 | E+ | Getty Images As happens every time the calendar flips to a new year, Medicare cost adjustments are about to take effect. This generally means paying more for some parts of your coverage, effective Jan. 1. For Medicare’s 63 million beneficiaries — most of whom are 65 or older — certain costs

Volunteers fill cars with food at a drive through food bank. Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Benefits ‘cliff’ is inevitable President Donald Trump called the relief bill a “disgrace” on Tuesday, throwing his signature into question. Trump called for $2,000 stimulus checks for individuals, more than the current $600, a policy House Republicans rejected

Millions of struggling Americans will spend the holidays this year not knowing where their next paycheck will come from. And now, due to President Donald Trump’s last-minute opposition to the stimulus package lawmakers agreed on, they also won’t know if they can count on more unemployment benefits, another stimulus check and not being evicted from

FatCamera | E+ | Getty Images People using flexible spending accounts to put away money for dependent care could get a big break from the latest Covid relief bill: They will likely be able to use money left in those accounts over the next two years. The bill, which Congress passed on Monday, removes the

There won’t be $2,000 stimulus checks coming for the holidays. House Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats on Thursday to pass a standalone bill to raise direct payments to Americans to $2,000 from $600. The push to amend the $900 billion Covid relief bill came after President Trump demanded lawmakers increase the second round of

Lucy Lambriex People taking advantage of temporary CARES Act rules that allowed for easier loans and distributions from 401(k) retirement plans increased slightly through November, a month before the Dec. 30 cutoff. As many as 1.4 million people have taken a CARES distribution from Fidelity, about 5.7% of participants on their system, according to data

For many Americans, the classic carol “I’ll be Home for Christmas” will literally describe their plans this holiday weekend, as most opt to celebrate in place amid the ongoing pandemic. Only about a quarter of people nationwide will travel for Christmas and New Year’s, down from about one-third or so last year, and most of

Second stimulus checks are coming. But some people may be surprised to find out they may not be eligible for the money this time around. The latest coronavirus relief deal from Congress includes $600 stimulus checks per person, half of the $1,200 payments that went out earlier this year. Married couples who file jointly stand

izusek | E+ | Getty Images After six months of political haggling, the federal government is about to send most Americans a second pandemic-related stimulus payment. The quickest way to get that money? Direct deposit, says the IRS. “Direct deposit is the safest and fastest way to receive a payment, including a tax refund,” according

People wait in line at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen on Dec. 15, 2020 in New York City. Robert Nickelsberg | Getty Images The latest coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress will give some unemployed workers an additional $400 per week — an extra $300 on top of state benefits authorized for most claimants plus