If you receive income, or have any taxable or reportable activity, such as a business or other entity, the government expects you to pay taxes. And to file taxes, the IRS requires that you provide a Taxpayer Identification Number. What is a Taxpayer Identification Number? A Taxpayer Identification Number, or…
fizkes/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Your credit limit — that is, the maximum amount available for you to spend using a credit card — is usually a mystery until after you get approved for a new credit card. Therefore, it’s understandable that you may be grappling with disappointment if…
d3sign/ Moment/ Getty Images Key takeaways The Credit CARD Act of 2009 standardized the allocation of credit card payments among different balances. Card issuers must allocate credit card payments above the minimum payment according to the highest interest rate balance first, in descending order. Making only the minimum payment can…
SDI Productions/Getty Images Since 2003, the IRS has provided an online tool that lets you track the status of your refund electronically. You can access the “Where’s My Refund?” tool as soon as 24 hours after you e-file your tax return (or four weeks after mailing a paper return). You…
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Millions of student loan borrowers face an uncertain future as a second Trump administration prepares to return to Washington. But…
The 2024 presidential election has ended, and Donald Trump is poised to retake the White House, with big implications for…
Donald Trump’s return to the White House combined with Republican control of the Senate, and perhaps the House, will place…
Undergrads and recent grads—young, healthy, and debt burdened—are being offered five figures to donate their eggs to other women undergoing…
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Key takeaways A 0 percent APR credit card can be a great financial tool, but there are debt traps to be aware of when using one. Always make the minimum payments on your credit card to avoid consequences like late fees, damaged credit and penalty…
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Key takeaways Declaring bankruptcy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose your car. If you’re declaring Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you could keep your vehicle if…
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency championed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2011 to protect consumers against predatory financial…
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Key takeaways The Southwest Companion Pass is attainable by using Southwest credit card welcome bonuses to meet the 135,000-point requirement. Applying for a…
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If you’ve ever wanted to trade cryptocurrency, you might notice something different about the market hours: There aren’t any. Cryptocurrencies don’t need to be traded on any type of central exchange because they operate on the blockchain, making them available for buying and selling 24/7, 365 days a year. Here’s…
Passive income can be a great way to help you generate extra cash flow, whether you’re running a side hustle or just trying to get a little extra dough each month, especially as the sting of high prices hits consumers hard. Passive income can help you earn more during the…
Key takeaways Home equity loans, HELOCs, and cash-out refinancing are three popular ways to borrow using your home as collateral. A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage while home equity loans and HELOCs involve taking on an additional debt. With all three, the amount you can borrow will depend on…
Unusual options activity is one of the best ways to see how traders are betting on a particular stock or fund. Each day the exchanges report that day’s volume for each strike price, allowing everyone to see how many contracts changed hands. So traders may be able to deduce what…
Key takeaways Ask your agent which type of life insurance, term or permanent, best suits your needs. Confirm with your agent if your policy offers living benefits, like access to cash value or critical illness riders. Discuss potential exclusions, like the contestability period or high-risk activity exclusions, so there are…
Key takeaways The best renters insurance companies in California are American Family, Mercury, Nationwide, Lemonade and USAA, according to our research. The average cost of renters insurance in California is $177 per year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Californians may want to consider optional earthquake insurance and valuables…
Career woman. The kids’ taxi driver. Master of the budget. Grocery shopper, chef, and cleaner-upper. Single moms carry these titles and more day in and day out. Talk about busy schedules filled with meaningful responsibilities! Over the years, we’ve had a countless number of single moms call and write in…
Marriage and debt are like pregnancy and . . . nausea. For most people, you can’t have the exciting part without the latter. In fact, 63% of marriages start out in debt.1 Take Grace’s story, for example. She was completely debt-free with $10,000 in the bank before she got married.…
You’ve watched so many episodes of Fixer Upper you can practically guess what new home remodel miracle Chip and Joanna Gaines are about to pull off. And sure, their projects look hard, but you’re up for the challenge. Now you’re thinking of buying a fixer-upper yourself. Whether you’re a first-time…
Key takeaways Black Friday can be an excellent time to buy a car — if you can manage to find incentives for the car you want. Increased vehicle inventory will make it easier to find holiday car deals this year compared to last. If you want to save money and…
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