Advisors

Catherine Mcqueen | Moment | Getty Images Inflation is gradually falling but remains high, meaning consumers’ budgets continue to be stressed by fast-rising prices. For some, that might mean making tough financial tradeoffs — an exercise that starts by coming to terms with the situation and making an honest assessment of your needs, said Lazetta

d3sign | Moment | Getty Images If you haven’t filed your taxes over the past few years, the window to claim old refunds is closing, according to the IRS. There are nearly 1.5 million people with unclaimed refunds from tax year 2019, worth almost $1.5 billion, with a median payment of $893, the agency said

Jetcityimage | Istock | Getty Images There’s been record-breaking demand over the past year for Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset. But rates have been falling and the yield will decline again in May, experts say. Newly purchased I bonds currently offer 6.89% annual returns through April, and the yearly rate may

Izusek | E+ | Getty Images Emotions can get the better of us when it comes to investing — particularly when financial markets get volatile. Behavioral finance tells us we are inherently bad investors, prone to making decisions based on emotions rather than evidence and self-interest. Just as we are a bundle of biases and

Srdjanpav | E+ | Getty Images This tax season, older taxpayers may find they owe more money to Uncle Sam than they expected. The reason: More of their Social Security benefits may be taxed following a higher 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment in 2022. This year’s record 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment may also prompt more benefits to be

Tax season is upon us, and along with it comes the ensuing bout of paranoia about the dreaded IRS audit. But, statistically speaking, getting audited is unlikely for most American taxpayers. In 2022, the IRS audited 3.8 out of every 1,000 income tax returns. Audit rates have been on the decline since 2010. Across all

Even when they don’t buy a fixer-upper, most people will end up doing some amount of repairs on a new home. About 95% of homeowners said they plan to take on a major home improvement project in the next five years, according to a recent report by Real Estate Witch. However, only 50% said they

Shapecharge | E+ | Getty Images Tax rules for Roth individual retirement accounts don’t require owners to withdraw money during their lifetime — a valuable proposition for retirees who don’t need to touch the money and want to let their investment continue growing tax-free. But those rules change once the account holder dies — meaning

Geber86 / Getty Tax procrastination happens. But if you’re still missing key forms or feeling overwhelmed, you can buy more time by filing a free tax extension. Nearly one-third of Americans procrastinate with their taxes, the top reasons being complexity and stress, according to a recent survey from IPX1031. You can avoid a late-filing penalty

Bill Oxford | E+ | Getty Images With the tax deadline approaching, the IRS has issued roughly 54 million refunds worth about $158 billion as of March 17, the agency reported Friday. In January, the IRS warned filers that refunds may be “somewhat lower,” and so far, the prediction has been accurate for many filers.

People wait outside the Silicon Valley Bank headquarters in Santa Clara, California, to withdraw funds after the federal government intervened upon the bank’s collapse, on March 13, 2023. Nikolas Liepins | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images It’s been an unsettling period for consumers and the financial markets as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images Parents with young kids or those expecting a child may wonder: What financial steps should I take to set my family up for success? Here are four of the top considerations, according to Rianka Dorsainvil, a certified financial planner and co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners. Dorsainvil is also