Financial planning
As climate change threatens more homes, some properties are getting too costly to insure
Firefighters pull up to a burning house during the Kincade fire in Healdsburg, California, on Oct. 27, 2019. Josh Edelson | Afp | Getty Images As climate change threatens the U.S. with more natural disasters, it’s becoming increasingly costly for Americans to insure their homes — and it’s only expected to get worse, according to […]
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Embryos can count as dependents on Georgia state tax returns: For many families ‘there is no benefit at all,’ says analyst
Anti-abortion activists demonstrate outside the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, June 13, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters Residents of Georgia may now claim embryos as dependents on their state income tax returns. Any “unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat” may qualify for a $3,000 state income tax deduction for 2022, effective […]
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Employee stock purchase plans can carry ‘a big risk,’ says advisor. What to know before buying in
How employee stock purchase plans works Typically offered to all employees, ESPPs may allow you to purchase company stock at a discount of up to 15%, capped at $25,000 per year for tax-qualified plans. The plan collects after-tax contributions from each paycheck during an “offering period,” and uses the funds to buy company stock on […]
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More advisors turn to alternative investments to further diversify their clients in volatile market
Marko Geber | DigitalVision | Getty Images After battling downturns in the stock and bond markets, more financial advisors looking to further diversify their clients are turning to alternative investments, according to a recent survey from Cerulli Associates. Falling outside of traditional asset classes, alternative investments are typically added to portfolios for more diversification, income and the […]
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Investors have put $43 billion in dividend-paying funds this year. Before you ‘chase dividends,’ here’s what to know
With increased fears of a possible recession, investors seeking steady income may turn to stocks paying quarterly dividends, which are part of company profits sent back to investors. Historically, dividends have significantly contributed to an asset’s total return, sometimes providing a boost during economic downturns. From 1973 to 2021, companies paying dividends earned a 9.6% […]
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Inflation is still soaring — but here’s why it’s less likely to hurt some retirees
Inflation has continued to rise, but some retirees won’t feel the brunt of many soaring costs, experts say. Annual inflation jumped by 9.1% in June, growing at the fastest pace since late 1981, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Wednesday. Higher prices have many worried, even those earning six figures. Some 65% of Americans making […]
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These midyear tax strategies can trim next year’s bill from the IRS and reduce ‘unwelcome surprises’
seksan Mongkhonkhamsao | Moment | Getty Images 1. Review tax withholdings When starting a new job, you fill out Form W-4, covering how much your employer withholds from your paychecks for federal taxes. But you need to revisit those withholdings, especially for major life changes such as marriage, having children or starting a side business. […]
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Rate resets on 9.62% interest, taxes, inherited assets: Experts weigh in on 3 tricky questions about Series I bonds
The demand for Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset, has skyrocketed as investors seek refuge from soaring prices and stock market volatility. While annual inflation rose by 8.6% in May — the highest rate in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — I bonds are currently paying […]
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Here’s how much cash you need to ride out a recession at different life stages, according to financial advisors
designer491 | iStock | Getty Images With the threat of a recession looming, more financial experts are sharing how to prepare — including how much cash it may be smart to set aside. The end of June marked a turbulent six months for the S&P 500 Index, which dropped by more than 20% since January, […]
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Supreme Court limited EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s how investors can buy a carbon-conscious fund
The Supreme Court last week limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change — and that may leave eco-conscious investors wondering what they can do. Certain investment managers offer funds meant to promote values such as environmental preservation and social good, and those funds have become more popular […]
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