Kate is a personal finance writer and Candidate for CFP® Certification with expertise in wealth management, income taxes, credit cards, mortgages, student loans, insurance, and retirement.
5 Last-Minute Moves That Can Help You Lower Your Tax Bill and Save Money
Procrastinators, rejoice: If you haven’t filed your tax return yet, there’s still time to save money. Although you may feel like you can’t change what you owe or the size of your refund, experts say the opposite could be true. Whether you’re expecting a bill or refund, there are tax deductions up for grabs, worth hundreds or even thousands in savings.
Should You Delete Your Stock Trading App?
As the pandemic consumes the nation, millions of housebound Americans have immersed themselves in a new hobby: trading stocks. Lured by the ability to make commission-free trades, online brokerages—like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade—have seen an uptick in users this year.
Best Budgeting Apps
Most people would prefer to spend less and save more, but the day-to-day reality of work, family life, and other commitments makes it impractical, if not seemingly impossible. Let’s face it, it’s tough to find the time or motivation for budgeting, and some folks skip it altogether.
What to Know About Joe Biden’s Tax Policy
With fewer than 50 days until the election, there is no better time to compare candidates—including those at the federal, state, and local levels—to see how each one may impact your wallet. Here’s a closer look at Joe Biden’s tax policy and how much it may cost your family.
Sezzle review: Buy-now, pay-later app for online shopping
Sezzle offers interest-free buy-now, pay-later financing for purchases with thousands of online retailers. If you want to spread out costs and can afford to make payments over time, Sezzle may be a good option. But fees kick in if a payment fails or you reschedule a payment more than once.
The Best Rewards Credit Cards for Back-to-School Shopping
As families prepare to send kids back to school, many worry about the high cost of supplies. Two in three parents are feeling stressed by the expense—which is up from 43% in 2019, according to CompareCards’ annual Back-to-School survey—and it’s easy to see why. The National Retail Federation says coronavirus may push parents to record levels of back-to-school spending, with an estimated $789.49 per family.
Student checking accounts: How to find and choose one that works for you
A student checking account could be the first step in establishing a long-term relationship with a bank. But it’s important to comparison shop. The best student checking accounts offer transparency and minimal fees for newer customers.
The One Thing You Should Never Do if You Can’t Afford to Pay Your Taxes
If you’ve got a tax bill you can’t afford, you aren’t alone. According to IRS data from 2019, Americans owed over $125 billion in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties between 2018 and 2019. Tax debt happens. Whether you skipped payments or didn’t withhold enough, your situation may be better than you think.
What to Know About the New Chase Freedom Flex Card
Last week, Chase unveiled new rewards credit card offerings—including the new Chase Freedom Flex—along with new cash back rewards for the existing Chase Freedom Unlimited. Both will be available on September 15, 2020.
Why You Need an Investment Policy Statement
The purpose of an investment policy statement is to turn your investing strategy into a measurable plan. It may protect you from emotional decisions sparked by fear and anxiety, and can serve as your roadmap for future choices for what to do with your money, regardless of what’s happening in the stock market. Here’s how to get started putting one together.
Unemployment benefits in Massachusetts: What to know
More than half a million people in Massachusetts filed for unemployment benefits in the first month of the coronavirus outbreak. If you lost your job because of COVID-19, here’s how to file for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts.
PenFed Personal Loans Review
PenFed Credit Union, one of the biggest credit unions in the United States,1 offers a variety of products—including personal loans. While the credit union is well known in the military, anyone can become a member.
The Ultimate Home Inspection Checklist
When you’ve fallen in love with a home, it may be tempting to breeze through the home inspection—or skip it altogether. This may be a costly mistake.
The First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide to Homeowners Insurance
As you start the homebuying process, it’s normal to focus on the biggest hurdle: qualifying for a mortgage. Your approval is a big deal and worth celebrating. But before filling the champagne glasses, you’ll need one more thing—homeowners insurance.
Pennsylvania tax rates: Things to know about taxes in...
If you live or work in Pennsylvania, you may have to pay state and local income taxes. But those aren’t the only taxes that apply in the Keystone State. You may also encounter property tax, sales tax or even an inheritance tax.