Advisors

Momo Productions | Digitalvision | Getty Images Mergers and acquisitions happen all the time between companies of varying size and notoriety. These can be a great opportunity for businesses and owners to achieve their strategic or long-term goals, but often leave employees feeling uneasy and confused about what the deal means for them — especially

In this article BCSF Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Inflation, job concerns, and already high interest rates are putting the squeeze on many American consumers. Now, even high earners, defined as people with incomes of $150,000 or more, are showing signs of stress. These borrowers are increasingly having trouble meeting payments on credit cards,

I’ve got all the paperwork here Delmaine Donson | E+ | Getty Images More than half of U.S. consumers planned to make a financial resolution for 2025, according to a December poll by Discover Personal Loans.  Even if you didn’t ring in the new year with some money goals in mind, it’s not too late

The rally in bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices has generated excitement among some investors, but investment advisors are largely still skeptical that those volatile assets belong in a 401(k) plan or other qualified retirement savings plans.   Crypto was one of the fastest-growing categories of exchange-traded funds in 2024. The most popular of these funds, the

Just hearing those words ” estate planning ” makes most people zone out, as it’s tied to the end of their mortality, a topic they’d rather avoid. However, it’s important to consider what will happen to your personal belongings, finances and both tangible and digital assets as part of your estate plan. I would be

Srdjanpav | E+ | Getty Images If you are considering a year-end Roth individual retirement account conversion, you’ll need to plan for an upfront tax bill. Roth conversions move pretax or nondeductible IRA funds to a Roth IRA, which can kick-start tax-free growth. It’s a popular strategy among investors with large pretax balances, particularly in

Artistgndphotography | E+ | Getty Images There’s soaring interest in donating cryptocurrency to charity as digital currency investors seek to maximize their tax break and impact. “A lot of folks have begun to realize that crypto giving is hugely beneficial,” said Kyle Casserino, vice president and charitable planning consultant for Fidelity Charitable, a public charity

Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images If you’re planning a gift to charity this holiday season, you could score a tax break by donating cryptocurrency. But there are some key things to know before making the transfer, experts say. In 2024, there’s been a significant jump in crypto gifts to charity, according to Fidelity Charitable,

Pt Stock | Moment | Getty Images When Americans measure success, they’re not often thinking about their net worth or account balances. About 59% of polled Americans say that happiness — specifically, the ability to spend money on things that make them happy — is the most important benchmark of success, according to a new

Mixetto | E+ | Getty Images As year-end approaches, you may be eyeing a donation to charity — and certain gifting strategies can boost your tax break, experts say.   In 2023, U.S. charitable giving hit $557.16 billion, up roughly 2% compared to 2022, according to Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s annual report released

Marco Vdm | E+ | Getty Images Many employees have a health savings account, which offers tax incentives to save for medical expenses. However, most are still missing out on long-term HSA benefits, experts say. Two-thirds of companies offer investment options for HSA contributions, up 60% from one year ago, according to a survey released

A trader wears a Trump hat as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the opening bell on Nov. 6, 2024. Timothy A. Clary | Afp | Getty Images On Nov. 5, the presidential election handed a decisive victory for President-elect Donald Trump. In the days that followed, the markets

Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images Crypto investors could face higher taxes amid the surging price of bitcoin. But if you’re in the 0% capital gains bracket, you can reduce future taxes with a lesser-known strategy, experts say.  The tactic, known as tax-gain harvesting, is selling profitable crypto in a lower-income year. You can leverage the

Chesnot | Getty Images Amid the latest bitcoin rally, crypto investors face a looming deadline that could impact future taxes — and they must take action before Jan. 1, 2025. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS in July unveiled final tax reporting rules for digital asset brokers, with phased-in guidelines. Starting in 2026, brokers will

Trump supporters take photographs near the U.S. Capitol building as the sun sets the day U.S. President Elect Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2024.  Leah Millis | Reuters Now that Donald Trump has been elected president, many individual investors are wondering what that means for

  A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Money 101 newsletter with Sharon Epperson, an eight-week series to improve your financial wellness with monthly updates. Sign up to receive these editions, straight to your inbox.  Stocks soared in the days after President-elect Donald Trump won the 2024 election, and the Federal Reserve announced

Nopphon Pattanasri | Istock | Getty Images Investors have been able to get the best returns on cash, as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to bring down the pace of inflation. Now that the central bank is lowering rates — with a new quarter point rate cut announced by the Fed on Thursday —

Laylabird | E+ | Getty Images Most Americans will have a lower tax burden in retirement than during their working years. However, that may not be the case for some retirees, especially for higher earners and big savers, which could have a significant impact on their financial plans, according to financial advisors. “Substantial evidence” suggests

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a rally in Saginaw, Michigan, U.S., October 3, 2024. Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally and concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. October 28, 2024. Brendan McDermid | Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters Former

At the national level, the middle class is typically defined as households that earn between two-thirds and double the household median income. Based on 2023 figures, that means those with an annual income between $53,740 and $161,220. Compared to its peak, inflation in the U.S. has eased substantially. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,