Personal Finance
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What to Do If the Government Wants Your Pandemic Money Back
The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a wave of life changing consequences including triggering job losses for millions of people overnight. Individuals and families across America lost their income, and in order to survive, many signed up for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).…
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21 Smart Investments to Make in 2021
With the coronavirus pandemic raging on, the outlook for 2021 remains uncertain. Many businesses are still shuttered and entire industries are struggling to stay afloat. But a vaccine is being rolled out, so there appears to be light at the…
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A Month-by-Month Guide to Managing Your Money This Year
A lot of New Year’s resolutions involve money and getting finances in shape — and if you made one of these promises to yourself this year or not, it’s not too late to plan for a fresh financial start. Whether…
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100 Top Money-Saving Tips for 2021
There are a lot of ways to waste money, and the pandemic hasn’t made anything any easier. But fortunately, there are also a lot of ways to save. From lowering your utility costs to coupon sites, this roundup of 100 money-saving,…
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States With the Highest and Lowest Credit Scores
This year has been a rocky one for the wallet, with a coronavirus-fueled economic downturn that put millions of Americans out of work practically overnight. Struggling to make ends meet, many Americans have resorted to using credit cards and other…
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23 Smart Investments You Should Have Made in 2019
Though a trade war with China continues and the stock market has seen patches of volatility and turbulence, this year has been good for investors. “Yes, the huge market decline in December 2018 made that possible, but even compared to…
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24 Jobs College Kids Can Find Near Campus
Between the summers of 1978 and 2016, the percentage of American teens seeking summer work declined by almost half, mostly due to increased focus on schoolwork. But the good news…
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32 Credit Card Mistakes You’re Probably Making
Credit cards now hold more than $800 billion of U.S. consumers’ $13.5 trillion in debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That isn’t as much as mortgage…
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33 Ways The Travel Industry is Picking Your Pocket
With so many cost variables to consider, budgeting a vacation can get difficult. And to make matters more challenging, many travel companies — from flight booking sites to boutique hotels…
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8 Ways to Give to Charity and Get a Tax Break
For many people, buying gifts for friends and family is just the start of holiday giving. The next step is giving to charities or people in need before the end…
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The Best New Ways to Make Money Part-Time, Ranked
The gig economy continues to proliferate, providing countless part-time jobs for those seeking to supplement their income. But is it working? A 2017 Pew Research Center study found that nearly…
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12 Things to Know About the Earned Income Tax Credit
Many low- and moderate-income households will get a significant tax refund this year because of the Earned Income Credit. The credit, which helps working individuals and families, can sometimes be…
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11 Reasons for Consumers to Beware of Big Banks
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially when it comes to choosing where to park your money. Big banks might dazzle customers with cutting-edge apps and ATM locations across the country,…
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The Pros and Cons of the Top 6 P2P Payment Services
Whether you’re splitting a dinner check or reimbursing a buddy for concert tickets, P2P (peer to peer) lending apps let you easily transfer cash — and possibly save money doing…
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11 Benefits of Banking with Credit Unions Instead of Banks
Credit unions remain an often overlooked and misunderstood alternative when it comes to consumer banking. Only about 16 percent of Americans use a credit union as their primary financial institution,…
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10 Smart Ways to Make the Most of Your Holiday Bonus
The holidays are especially joyous with an annual bonus from your employer. According to a recent survey by the consultancy Accounting Principals, 63 percent of surveyed companies are doling out…
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15 Things You Should Never Buy Online
There is a lot to love about online shopping: saving time, better selection, quick access to reviews, and easy price comparison. Some items are always best bought via the web.…
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13 Ways Gen-Xers Can Get Better Returns on Their Money
Generation X is creeping closer to retirement, but are the “slackers” ready? Gen-Xers may have a lot of financial ground to make up for several reasons, including a late start…
