Personal finance

Solstock | E+ | Getty Images A great credit score can be important, but improving that number isn’t always easy. Nearly 4 in 5 Americans say they’re trying to improve their credit score, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. But 50% say they face barriers toward improvement, namely a low credit limit. The website polled

For most people, tipping is about service. Roughly three-quarters of adults said the quality of the service they receive is a major factor in deciding whether and how much to tip, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center.  However, now consumers are prompted to tip in advance — and if they aren’t

Allison Bornstein, author of “Wear It Well”. Photo: Jennifer Trahan It’s not often we’re told to buy less, at least on social media. More likely, we’re encouraged to wear Loro Piana cashmere baseball hats and carry $300 Smythson notebooks like Gwyneth Paltrow in the name of “quiet luxury” and justify such expensive purchases using “girl

In this article V Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Mark Makela | Getty Images Holiday shopping this year is expected to reach record spending levels, according to the National Retail Federation. But as consumers open their wallets, they may also be making themselves vulnerable to potential fraud, particularly when shopping at the last minute.

After a more than 80% jump in bitcoin’s price in the first half of 2023, crypto market watchers gave CNBC their expectations for how the cryptocurrency will perform in the latter half of the year. STR | NurPhoto via Getty Images As investors weigh year-end tax moves, there may be a lesser-known savings opportunity for

Engaged couple embrace. Bryan Miguel | Moment | Getty Images Holiday gifts aren’t the only pricey thing on shoppers’ lists right now. We’re also approaching peak engagement season for couples in the U.S., or the time between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, according to wedding site The Knot. Consumers in the market for a diamond engagement

d3sign | Moment | Getty Images As millions of Americans compare health plans on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces, experts say it’s critical to run projections and rethink popular tax moves before enrolling in subsidies. Marketplace open enrollment typically runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, but will extend to Jan. 16 because of

In this article UBSG-CH Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT President Joe Biden delivers remarks about the student loan forgiveness program on Oct. 17, 2022. Leah Millis | Reuters More people with federal student loans have been able to walk away from their debt in bankruptcy court due to a Biden administration policy change announced

The prolonged period of high inflation may finally be coming to an end, according to an analysis of recent data by UBS global wealth management. In October, the consumer price index, a closely followed inflation gauge, increased 3.2% from 12 months earlier, down from 3.7% in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday. The report marked

In this article WFC Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Tetra Images | Tetra Images | Getty Images Families preparing for Thanksgiving will find that turkeys are cheaper this year. The U.S. bird population recovered from last year’s avian flu, boosting supply and helping push down prices. This year, a 16-pound frozen whole turkey costs

Customers at a pop-up shop at a Forever-21 store in New York’s Times Square on Nov. 10, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Inflation continued its broad moderation in October, down significantly from pandemic-era highs that hadn’t been seen in more than 40 years. This dynamic — whereby prices for consumer goods and services

Person holding car key. Manusapon Kasosod | Moment | Getty Images Donating your used car to a charity may bring you joy for helping another person in need, especially as prices for both new and used cars remain high. However, don’t expect the move to make a huge difference in your taxes, experts say.  That’s

Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images If you’re planning to sell investments or rebalance brokerage assets next year, it’s possible you won’t trigger a tax bill for 2024.   The IRS on Thursday released dozens of inflation adjustments for 2024, including higher income tax brackets, increased standard deductions and boosted income thresholds for capital gains.

Thomas Barwick | Stone | Getty Images People who find it easiest to financially prepare for retirement have four behavioral traits. Yet just 10% of workers show all of these “optimal” characteristics, according to new survey findings from Goldman Sachs Asset Management in collaboration with Syntoniq, a behavioral finance research organization. The behaviors help retirement

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images For many Americans, planning for retirement may feel like a daunting financial goal. Now, there’s another risk on the horizon that may stoke their worries — the 2024 elections. Almost half of investors — 45% — surveyed by Nationwide Retirement Institute believe next year’s presidential and congressional contests will

Wael Alreweie | Istock | Getty Images Bitcoin investors are eagerly waiting for regulators to approve the first U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund, which could be significant for cryptocurrency investors, experts say. Last week, the price of bitcoin notched an 18-month high, climbing to $37,970, after BlackRock took first steps toward an ether ETF. The

In this article RDFN Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT A “For Sale” sign in Arlington, Virginia, on Aug. 22, 2023. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images Fewer people can afford to buy a house these days. On top of soaring home prices, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have been hovering near the highest level

Araya Doheny | Getty Images When Dave Bernstein, 87, started working at the U.S. Postal Service in February 1970, he was making $2.35 an hour. To supplement his income, he also took on other work. Years later, Bernstein decided in 1992 to take a voluntary retirement. “We knew there was going to be a reduced

Nosystem Images | E+ | Getty Images Many older women outlive their spouses and may not expect higher future taxes after suffering from the loss. But there are ways to prepare, according to financial experts.  American women have a significantly higher life expectancy than men, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and

Delmaine Donson | E+ | Getty Images Health savings accounts offer perhaps the best tax perks relative to other investment accounts. But most account holders use them in a way that dilutes their benefits, data shows. Just 19% of HSA participants invest their account assets, according to a new survey by the Plan Sponsor Council