How to make high interest rates work in your favor
That’s not good news for people borrowing money, but it’s a great time to have savings accounts, says Ted Rossman, chief credit card analyst at Bankrate. “The biggest benefit is for savers,” Rossman says. “You can still get over 5% on a totally liquid totally federally insured savings account. The top one-year certificates of deposit […]
CPI inflation is still high. How to measure what that means for you
A customer shops at a supermarket in Tokyo on Feb. 27, 2024. Kazuhiro Nogi | Afp | Getty Images New government inflation data released Wednesday came in hotter than expected. That may not be a surprise to consumers who are still feeling the weight of higher prices. Inflation — as measured by the consumer price […]
How to layoff-proof your finances
With a number of major companies announcing layoffs at the beginning of the year, you may be wondering how to get your own finances in shape in case your job is next on the chopping block. The key to layoff-proofing your money is planning, says Anne Lester, a personal finance expert and author of “Your […]
Here’s how to take advantage
TikTok‘s latest financial trend, “loud budgeting,” has been gaining steam, and experts say it’s easier to accomplish than many might think. The concept encourages consumers to take control of their finances and be vocal about making money-conscious decisions, rather than modeling purchase behaviors after celebrities and their bottomless pockets. It can be as simple as […]
Laid off? Here’s how to find new work faster
Skynesher | E+ | Getty Images New government data shows a surprisingly strong job market for the month of January. But there are signs of weakness in the labor market, based on tens of thousands of workers who have been laid off since 2024 started. U.S. employers announced 82,307 job cuts in January, up from […]
Here’s how to get a faster tax refund, expert says
D3sign | Moment | Getty Images Tax season has kicked off and the IRS has started to process 2023 returns. If you’re expecting a refund, there are a few ways to get the money faster, experts say. Often, “self-inflicted mistakes” cause refund delays, according to Mark Steber, chief tax information officer at Jackson Hewitt. The […]
How to make the most of it
Just months ago, we were coveting Loro Piana cashmere baseball hats and $300 Smythson notebooks in the name of “quiet luxury” and justifying such expensive purchases using “girl math.” But in 2024, there’s a new idea taking hold that overtly rejects the urge to overspend and promotes speaking up about saving money — welcome to […]
How to protect yourself from tax identity theft this season
5M3photos | Moment | Getty Images As the start of tax season approaches, experts are warning filers about tax-related identity theft, an issue that often halts returns and delays refunds. Tax identity theft happens when criminals use your personal information to file a return in your name and claim your refund — and “it continues […]
How to set an annual budget
ShareShare Article via FacebookShare Article via TwitterShare Article via LinkedInShare Article via Email In 2023, 40% of Americans said they don’t make New Year’s money resolutions and 68% said they have no written financial plan at any point in the year. But having a budget and an awareness of exactly how much is coming in […]
How to prepare for shifting interest rates: 3 financial strategies
Shoppers walk with items during Black Friday deals at a Target store in Westbury, New York, U.S., November 24, 2023. Shannon Stapleton | Reuters After more than a year of dealing with rapid inflation, consumers have become numb to higher prices. But as inflation cools, experts say there are strategies that can help you weather current conditions […]