Personal finance

FREDERIC J. BROWN | AFP | Getty Images Job hunting has been muted in 12 states that opted out of federal unemployment programs in recent weeks, suggesting the policy may not be working as planned, according to a new analysis. The states have ended the pandemic-era benefits — including an extra $300 a week —

As the economy quickly picks up steam in the wake of the Covid pandemic, some amount of inflation is inevitable. On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said price pressures have increased “notably” but could fade over time. The May consumer price index jumped 5% from a year earlier, according to a report by the Labor Department, the

kate_sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images The IRS on Tuesday started an online tool that will allow families to tell the agency they don’t want to receive advance monthly payments from the enhanced child tax credit, scheduled to start next month. Using the new Child Tax Credit Update Portal, families can verify that they’re eligible

In this article IVZ Thiago Prudencio | LightRocket | Getty Images As the Securities and Exchange Commission defers signing off on bitcoin exchange-traded funds, some companies are exploring other ways to meet investors’ growing demand for cryptocurrency. The SEC on Wednesday pushed another decision to approve Van Eck’s bitcoin ETF, extending the review and asking

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Carl Nassib of the Las Vegas Raiders flexes while smiling during warmups before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Ethan Miller | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images Carl Nassib, who came out as the first openly gay National Football League player on Monday, has strict

Amazon Prime Day is underway. But not every deal is too good to be true. The two-day shopping event, which started early Monday and runs through 3 a.m. ET Wednesday, is offering more 2 million deals — and some are better than others. “That is an incredible number,” said Dave Kender, the editor in chief

Choreograph | iStock | Getty Images For some Medicare beneficiaries, health-care coverage ends up costing more than it does for most of their peers — and it’s not by choice. While there are costs that individuals often are aware of — i.e., they purchase a supplemental policy or choose a more expensive plan — some

LaylaBird There could be one more big bump in the road as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic: a market correction. Moody’s Analytics economist Mark Zandi is warning there may be a 10% to 20% pullback in the markets prompted by the Federal Reserve’s current policies. In fact, the dip may have already started,

Peter Cade | Getty Images Many people know about their 401(k) perks, but their plan may have a hidden feature that allows for even more savings. When someone maxes out their 401(k) — $19,500 in annual contributions for those under 50 in 2021 — some plans may permit them to stash more money into their

Image Source | Getty Images It’s not uncommon to want to return to work after retiring. Whether for financial reasons or personal fulfillment, many older Americans find that retirement isn’t working for them. Yet before you make the leap, it’s worth considering how that extra income could affect other parts of your financial life. Of

Tom Werner | DigitalVision | Getty Images Retailers are making it easier than ever to make purchases with “buy now, pay later” loans. Also known as point-of-sale installment loans, they are a type of short-term financing that allow you to divide your purchases into monthly installments. Services that offer them, like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay and

ljubaphoto | E+ | Getty Images Like much of the travel and hospitality industry, travel agents took a huge hit when the pandemic struck in March 2020. However, after months of struggle and setbacks, a potential silver lining has emerged: Travel advisors’ effective advocacy for clients stranded or stymied during the global lockdown has now

Getty Images The other day I did something I haven’t done in over a year: I signed into my student loan account. Or, at least that’s what I tried to do. Turns out I’d forgotten my password and couldn’t get in. Instead of going through the steps to change it, I closed the browser and

Ungureanu Vadim | EyeEm | Getty Images In January, Anna Brekken had finally made 120 student loan payments, the number at which borrowers are supposed to get the rest of their debt cancelled under the public service loan forgiveness program. When she submitted her request for forgiveness, she looked forward to walking away from her

In this article AMZN Amazon driver Shawndu Stackhouse delivers packages in Northeast Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images It’s typically one of the biggest sales of the year. And in 2021, Amazon Prime Day could be even bigger. The annual two-day shopping event is set

Pedestrians wearing protective masks carry shopping bags in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images For many Americans, the post-pandemic normal is exciting. After more than a year stuck inside and forgoing travel, entertainment and more to curb the spread of Covid-19, many people are ready

For long-term investors, daily headlines are distractions. Westend61 / Josep Rovirosa | Getty Images It’s no secret that Social Security is underfunded, and many Americans are struggling to scrape by on their monthly benefit checks. Now, congressional leaders have raised a key question on reforming the program. “Should we vote now or should we kick

Anchiy | E+ | Getty Images The age when older Americans must start making withdrawals from retirement accounts could change yet again. Under a provision in proposed retirement legislation pending in Congress, required minimum distributions, or RMDs, would start at age 75 by 2032, up from age 72 — which only took effect last year

JGI/Jamie Grill | Tetra images | Getty Images Many workers who stash money in a 401(k) retirement plan get some sort of matching contribution from their employer — it just may be a while before that money is entirely theirs. While the majority (82%) of employers that offer traditional 401(k) plans say they match a

New York schoolchildren study at home during the coronavirus lockdown on April 6, 2020. Peter Titmuss | Education Images | Getty Images Parents without bank accounts, take note: The IRS will not send any of the upcoming enhanced child tax credit payments via debit cards, according to a Treasury spokesperson. The payments, which are set