Powerball’s jackpot is now $420 million and Mega Millions’ top prize is $494 million. Here’s how to handle a huge windfall

mphillips007 | iStock Unreleased | Getty Images There’s a whole lot of money up for grabs this week in two national lotteries. Powerball’s jackpot is an advertised $420 million for Wednesday night’s drawing. Mega Millions’ top prize is even more: $494 million for the next pull, set for Friday night. Of course, the chance of…

These are common (and costly) Roth IRA conversion mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them

Ridofranz | Istock | Getty Images Roth individual retirement account conversions may be alluring when the stock market dips. But it’s easy to make mistakes, financial experts say. The strategy, which transfers pre-tax IRA funds to a Roth IRA for future tax-free growth, may pay off when the market drops because you can buy more…

Here’s why more than 7 million student loan borrowers could miss out on federal forgiveness program

Freshsplash | E+ | Getty Images The White House has repeatedly said that its application for student loan forgiveness, which is expected to go live within days, will be simple. Still, consumer advocates say that any red tape around the relief is likely to cause millions of borrowers to miss out on it. “Those who…

Medicare’s annual fall enrollment period starts Oct. 15. Here’s what you need to know

momcilog | E+ | Getty Images It’s almost the time of year for Medicare beneficiaries to give thought to their 2023 Medicare plan. The program’s fall open enrollment period, when you can make changes that take effect Jan. 1, starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. This window is for coverage related to prescription…

Op-ed: ‘Is college even worth it?’ It’s certainly not the only path to a successful career

At an individual level, sometimes a trade school makes the most sense for your or your children’s financial future. Tom Werner | Digitalvision | Getty Images While my parents never had the opportunity to attend college, they were indeed very successful. Their success afforded me the opportunity to pursue higher education, but ironically, I doubt…

FA 100: How to invest heading into a recession, according to top-ranked advisors

Investors have recently witnessed some of the worst trading days since 2020. Stocks took a dive in September over fears the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hike cycle will cause the economy to stall, but with more hikes to come, along with slowing growth, geopolitical unrest and persistent inflationary pressure, this could be a prolonged period…

The tax extension deadline is Oct. 17. Watch out for these 3 common errors, advisors warn

fitzkes / Getty If you’re looking to meet the Oct. 17 tax extension deadline, make sure you don’t skip key forms as you’re rushing to the finish line, experts say. It’s critical to file a complete and accurate return to avoid processing delays, according to the IRS, including details from all the necessary forms. Furthermore,…

This is the best time to apply for college financial aid — here’s why you should file the FAFSA now

Ariel Skelley | Digitalvision | Getty Images Applications for financial aid are now available for the upcoming academic year. Although the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for 2023-24 isn’t due until June 30, 2024, it’s wise to apply as soon as you can. For a growing number of families, financial aid is key when…

CNBC’s No. 1 financial advisor shares his top 3 stock picks

Investors are rightfully worried about volatility. After stocks slumped in September, markets have had a strong start to the month and are now on track to notch the biggest two-day rally since March 2020. The key to navigating the recent ups and downs is “buying high quality stocks that pay dividends that tend to be a…

When investing in a company, CNBC’s No. 1 financial advisor agrees with Warren Buffett: ‘He likes cash flow’

George S. Farra (far left), co-founder and principal of Woodley Farra, and the team at Indianapolis-based financial advisory firm, which comes in at No. 1 on the CNBC FA 100 list for 2022. Portfolio manager George S. Farra is good at remembering his mistakes. More than a decade ago, he invested his clients in Hewlett-Packard,…

The CNBC FA 100 ranking recognizes advisory firms that help clients navigate their financial lives

Marko Geber | DigitalVision | Getty Images In times of uncertainty — turbulent markets, high inflation, geopolitical turmoil — we often write about what financial advisors are recommending to clients. This advice often boils down to “stay calm” and “don’t let short-term news lead to impulsive moves that have long-term consequences.” Many advisors also offer…

Why you should be wary of investing advice from celebrities like Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s crypto settlement could be a lesson for us all. The reality TV superstar agreed to pay $1.26 million to settle charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose she got paid to publish a post on Instagram about EthereumMax’s crypto asset, the agency announced Monday. “Clearly the SEC is making an…