Personal finance

Martin-dm | E+ | Getty Images Millions of Americans are scrambling to file returns as the federal tax deadline approaches. But U.S. expatriates have extra filing rules — and the burden is making some expats question their American citizenship. Nearly one-third of U.S. expats have plans to renounce their American citizenship or are “seriously considering

The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images Over the last few years, the Biden administration has repeatedly announced that it was forgiving student debt for small groups of qualifying borrowers. So far, it has canceled the loans for almost 3.9 million people, totaling $138 billion in relief. Those who haven’t qualified for the aid

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the Pieper-Hillside Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 13, 2024. Sara Stathas | Bloomberg | Getty Images The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made student loan forgiveness tax-free at the federal level through the end of 2025. President Joe Biden wants to extend that policy

Kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images Investing can seem overly complicated, and that complexity may paralyze Americans into doing nothing. But investing — and doing so smartly — doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, getting started can be relatively easy, according to financial experts. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist. Investing is

Jessie Casson | Digitalvision | Getty Images It’s hard to lose a spouse, and a costly surprise makes it even more difficult, especially for older women — higher taxes. But financial experts say there are several ways to prepare. In 2022, there was a 5.4-year life expectancy gap between U.S. sexes, according to data from

Pixelseffect | E+ | Getty Images Some grocery store products are providing less for your money. And everyone from President Joe Biden to Cookie Monster has noticed. Blame shrinkflation. The term — which is increasingly used in conversation — refers to products becoming smaller in size, weight or quantity as their prices stay the same

In this article BTC.CM= Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Chesnot | Getty Images The price of bitcoin notched record highs this week, and experts have tax tips for investors flocking to the flagship digital currency. Fueled by demand for newly approved spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds, bitcoin set a fresh record of $73,000 on Wednesday.

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Choosing when to claim Social Security is a decision that can carry big financial stakes for all older Americans, but it’s especially important for women. “It all comes down to longevity,” Mary Beth Franklin, a certified financial planner and Social Security expert, said

President Joe Biden announces the cancellation of an additional $1.2 billion in student loan debt for about 153,000 borrowers, at meeting with community at Culver City Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, CA. Irfan Khan | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty Images High inflation has prompted higher Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. But as the rate of price growth subsides, the annual increases for Social Security may fall in 2025 and beyond, predicts Mary Johnson, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst at The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan senior group. In 2024,

For decades, research showed that earning a degree is almost always worthwhile. Recent college graduates working full-time earn $24,000 more a year than those with just a high school diploma, according to newly released data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Additionally, finishing college puts workers on track to earn a median of $2.8 million over

In this article COST WPM-CA Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Fg Trade | E+ | Getty Images Among the cans of tuna and flashlights in doomsday preppers‘ closets, there is an increasingly popular staple — gold bars. The recent rise in value of the yellow metal is not just another chapter of favorable economic

Margot Robbie as Barbie in a movie from Mattel and Warner Bros. Mattel | Warner Bros. In the “Barbie” movie, the narrator says, “Barbie has a great day every day.” It might be because she gets to be what her heart desires. The film’s Barbies participate in a wide range of roles and professions, from

Equal Pay Day is a reminder of the persistent income inequality between men and women. As it stands, women earn just 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the National Women’s Law Center. “When you look at the cent number, it looks like it’s small,”

Overwhelming evidence suggests social media has a negative impact on self-esteem. That’s not only true for how people feel about their appearance and social status but also their financial wellbeing and economic standing. A new term, “money dysmorphia,” aims to describe the distorted view of their finances that nearly one-third, or 29%, of Americans say

A customer shops for food at a grocery store in San Rafael, California, March 12, 2024. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images The U.S. is still grappling with higher inflation, government data released this week shows. But there are some bright spots for consumers. Inflation is lower than its 2022 peak. And

Shoppers are seen in a Kroger supermarket in Atlanta on Oct. 14, 2022. Elijah Nouvelage | AFP | Getty Images Consumers continued to contend with higher inflation in February, according to new government data. The consumer price index — an inflation measure that tracks changes in the prices of consumer goods and services over time

Bankruptcy Court. Dayton, Ohio.  Stanrohrer | E+ | Getty Images The Biden administration’s new student loan bankruptcy policy is making it easier for borrowers to walk away from their debt in court, attorneys say. “We have gotten forgiveness for a number of clients under the new bankruptcy changes,” said Malissa Giles, a consumer bankruptcy lawyer

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images A free tax filing program from the IRS fully opened in 12 pilot states on Tuesday — and officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury have released state-by-state estimates of how many people qualify. “Direct File eligibility is limited to those with simple tax returns this filing season,”

miniseries | Getty After weeks of testing with roughly 1,500 returns, Direct File, a free tax filing program from the IRS, is now fully open in 12 pilot states, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. While the pilot focuses on “simple tax situations,” the Treasury estimates the pilot could cover about one-third of