2025 Income Tax Brackets Were Just Released. Where Do You Fall?
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash For many Americans, November is much too early to start thinking about filing their tax returns. However, the IRS recently announced changes to the tax code that will affect earners throughout the new year. These new rates may not apply until Jan. 1, but they could affect how Americans earn, […]
4 Reasons a Costco Membership Is Worth It — Even if You Live an Hour Away
Image source: Getty Images Even if you live far away from your nearest Costco location, getting a Costco membership can still be worth it. That’s because Costco is not just for weekly grocery trips or eating hot dogs at the food court — it’s an everything store, with great deals on online shopping and big-ticket […]
Is Your Retirement Savings Below Average for Your Age? Here’s the Latest Data
It’s tough to know if you’re really on track with your retirement savings until you crunch the numbers. You’ll need to factor in things like retirement expenses and any income sources you’ll have lined up. Of course, sitting down to think about all these things isn’t always easy — especially when you’re juggling other financial […]
Baby Bonds: What to Know Before Investing
Like other fixed-income securities, baby bonds typically feature a specified maturity rate and schedule of interest payments. Baby bonds, though, are issued in smaller denominations than most other types of corporate bonds, which can make them seem like an easy way to access the bond markets. But a smaller investment minimum doesn’t mean that this […]
Costco Membership Fee Too High? Explore These Wholesale Shopping Alternatives
Image source: The Motley Fool/Unsplash Investing in a warehouse club membership like Costco can be a great money move for many shoppers. The retailer sells bulk essentials at discounted prices. Maximizing the value of your Costco membership by shopping these deals can help you avoid overspending. However, not everyone can afford a yearly membership to […]
Social Security: Here’s What Happens to Your Benefit if Your Spouse Passes Away
Millions of older adults lean on Social Security heavily in retirement, and if you’re married, that could provide an extra boost in the form of spousal benefits. You can collect up to 50% of your partner’s full benefit amount in spousal benefits, and the average spouse of a retired worker collects just over $900 per […]
Six Tips for Avoiding Shell Company Fraud
Shell companies — companies that have no or nominal business operations or non-cash assets for an extended period of time — can be used for legitimate purposes. However, they can also be used by fraudsters as vehicles for stock manipulation. The shares of shell companies, for example, are prime targets for fraudsters looking to pull […]
Know Your Risk Tolerance
You probably know that investing involves risk. Different investment products and strategies involve different degrees of risk. Generally, the higher the expected returns of a product or strategy, the greater the risk that you could lose most or all of your investment. So what level of risk is too much? This isn’t a simple question, […]
Questions Employees Should Ask About Stock Awards
If you receive a stock award from an employer, you become a part-owner of the company and can benefit if its share price goes higher. Like any other investment, though, stock awards come with risks. If your company grants you a stock award or you’re considering a job that includes equity compensation, here are a […]
SIM Swapping Risks to Investors
Smartphones have been a boon to productivity and convenience. Many consumers have shifted their banking and investment transactions to the time-saving apps on their phones. But along with convenience, a reliance on mobile devices has attracted scammers looking to steal information and assets. A growing type of fraud exploiting mobile phone usage is known as […]
