Delaying big purchases, reducing debt: 76% of adults are making lifestyle changes to prepare for a potential recession

Tetra Images | Tetra images | Getty Images A majority of U.S. households are taking the possibility of an economic recession seriously, new research suggests. Eighty-four percent of respondents in a recent survey said they are concerned about a recession happening before the end of the year, and 76% said they are making changes to…

‘Black Friday is here’: Holiday sales are already on, with record-breaking deals

In this article WMT AMZN TGT Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT Amazon’s “Prime Early Access Sale” may be over, but the discounts have only just begun. “Black Friday is here,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews.com, as sales traditionally rolled out on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day start earlier this year. In…

These colleges promise no student debt: ‘Loans are not part of the deal’

Increasingly, college is an option only for those who can afford it or are willing to take on massive student debt. But not all schools see it that way. To make higher education more accessible, a growing number of institutions are eliminating student loans altogether.  More than 20 schools now have “no-loan” policies, which means…

Young, wealthy investors are flocking to alternative investments, study shows. What to know before adding to your portfolio

Getty Images Younger, wealthy investors are looking beyond the stock market for higher returns. Some 75% of high-net-worth investors between the ages of 21 and 42, compared to 32% of investors over 43-years-old, don’t expect “above-average returns” solely from traditional stocks and bonds, according to a Bank of America Private Bank study released Tuesday. The…

Missed a tax credit from last year? You can claim that money through Nov. 15

Tommaso79 | Istock | Getty Images People who do not typically file taxes have a new way to claim a federal tax credit aimed at low- to moderate-income workers that was temporarily made more generous last year. GetCTC.org, a simplified filing tool, was updated on Wednesday to include the earned income tax credit. The maximum…

Here’s what a new Biden administration labor proposal would mean for independent contractors

Rudi_suardi | E+ | Getty Images The Biden administration will soon issue a rule that may make it easier for workers to be considered “employees” instead of “independent contractors.” The U.S. Department of Labor issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on Tuesday, signaling its intent to issue a formal regulation that would redefine how employers…

Free weekly credit reports are available through the end of 2023. Why you may want to check yours now

vitapix | E+ | Getty Images Your credit score can make or break your ability to open a credit card or buy a new car or home at attractive interest rates. To boost your score, you need to know where you need to improve. Keeping tabs on your credit report — which outlines your debts,…

The best year-end tax strategies from top-ranked advisors – including a ‘once in a multiple-decade opportunity’

Tetra Images | Tetra images | Getty Images After several months of soaring inflation, stock market volatility and interest rate hikes, many investors are feeling weary about their finances.  But the prolonged stock market downturn offers a silver lining for some investors: opportunities to reduce their tax bill. Here are some of the most popular…

Social Security’s cost-of-living increase for 2023 would be largest in 40 years. Here’s what that means for benefits

Sollina Images | Tetra Images | Getty Images Retirees who are confronting higher prices due to record high inflation may get some welcome news this week when the Social Security Administration announces the cost-of-living adjustment for 2023. The bump to benefits is slated to be announced Thursday along with new consumer price index data for…

Congress is still considering changes to the retirement system, including catch-up contributions

Tom Brenner | Reuters There’s still a decent chance that changes to the U.S. retirement system will be enacted before the end of the year. Despite there being just a few months left before the next Congress convenes Jan. 3 — the midterm elections will be Nov. 8 — the push to improve Americans’ ability…

IRS delays guidelines, waiving penalties for some inherited retirement accounts until 2023

Zinkevych | iStock | Getty Images If you inherited a retirement account in 2020 or 2021, the IRS is waiving penalties for some heirs who needed to start taking required minimum distributions right away, according to a notice issued Friday. The new rule won’t apply until 2023. Typically, there’s a 50% penalty when you skip…

Here’s how to pay 0% capital gains taxes with a six-figure income

Luminola | E+ | Getty Images It’s natural to fixate on portfolio losses, especially with the S&P 500 down more than 20% for the year. But you may still have gains after years of growth, and the profits could qualify for a 0% tax rate, depending on your earnings. The thresholds may be higher than…