Personal finance
That socially responsible fund may not be as ‘green’ as you think. Here’s how to pick one
Tetra Images – Erik Isakson | Brand X Pictures | Getty Images Investment funds that promote values like the environment and social good have become more popular. But trying to pick a so-called ESG fund — especially one that aligns well with your interests — may seem about as easy as drying a towel in […]
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House Democrats push Treasury, IRS for repeal of rule blocking state and local taxes cap workaround
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference announcing the State and Local Taxes (SALT) Caucus outside the U.S. Capitol on April 15, 2021. Sarah Silbiger | Bloomberg | Getty Images Three House Democrats are still pushing for relief on the $10,000 limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as […]
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‘Buy now, pay later’ loans make it tough to get a handle on your credit
Payment history often not reported BNPL companies generally don’t report to the credit-scoring companies when consumers use these loans. That makes it a challenge for a lender to know how many loans a consumer has outstanding. “That makes a big difference in terms of how much you should loan,” said Kenneth Lin, CEO of fintech […]
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The IRS is working to increase its audit rates for higher earners
Jeffrey Coolidge | Photodisc | Getty Images The IRS is working to boost its audit rates for the wealthiest Americans, according to a statement recently released with the agency’s annual Data Book, covering activities for the 2021 fiscal year. While plummeting audits have drawn scrutiny from Congress, percentages have doubled for filers making over $100,000 to more […]
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‘I work just 2 hours a day’: A 24-year-old who makes $8,000 a month in passive income shares her best business advice
Like millions of Americans, I found myself out of work during the pandemic. At first, I was laid off from my waitressing job. Then I began working for myself as an online fitness coach, but running the business required 10-hour workdays and I was only making $1,000 to $2,000 a month. So in July 2021, […]
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Consumers spend an average $133 more each month on subscriptions than they realize, study shows
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc | DigitalVision | Getty Images There’s a decent chance you don’t have a good handle on how much your subscriptions are really costing you. Consumers’ offhand guess of how much they spend monthly on subscriptions averaged $86, according to a survey commissioned by market research firm C+R Research. Yet when asked […]
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Investors revisit muni bonds amid higher yields and strong credit
David Jakle | Image Source | Getty Images It’s been a tough year for municipal bonds, with investors cashing out amid rising interest rates. However, higher yields and strong credit may be sparking a shift, experts say. While investors piled a record-breaking $96.8 billion of net money into U.S. muni mutual and exchange-traded funds in […]
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Need to tap your 529 college savings plan soon? Here’s how to handle a stock market downturn
Klaus Vedfelt | DigitalVision | Getty Images Months of stock market volatility may deliver a costly surprise to parents sending children to school this fall: smaller-than-expected 529 college savings plan balances. The average 529 account size was $30,287 in 2021, according to the College Savings Plans Network, but families may now have lower balances, financial […]
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This advisor started a financial non-profit to empower women. Here’s her top investing and entrepreneurship advice
Stacy Francis Source: Stacy Francis Stacy Francis never planned to become a financial advisor, especially one for women going through divorce. But a candid talk with her grandmother shifted her career trajectory. Her grandmother, Myra, was a victim of spousal abuse and, before passing, she confessed to staying in her marriage because she felt “financially […]
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Rising gas prices and inflation overtake Covid as top travel concern, survey finds
After more than two years of largely staying home due to the pandemic, most Americans are ready to hit the road. Yet inflation and record-breaking gasoline prices are weighing on would-be vacationers, even more than Covid concerns, according to a report. Roughly 60% of Americans said they would take more trips this year compared to […]
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