A quick glance at your mortgage statement likely reveals that your monthly payment is divided among principal, interest and escrow. The terms principal and interest...
Financial
From expert advice on investments and budgeting to discussions about economic trends and retirement planning, these articles aim to equip readers with the knowledge they need to manage their personal finances, make informed monetary decisions, and otherwise navigate the complexities of the financial world. Whether readying savings for the future or maneuvering day-to-day costs, the insightful advice equips readers to take control of their fiscal picture and achieve economic stability.
All Financial Articles
Tax Deductions 2025: Don’t Overlook These Write-Offs
Whether you take the standard deduction or itemize for the 2021 tax year, here’s what deductions you can take, including what has changed.
Tax Planning for 2025
The 2024 tax filing season is over, and now is the time to think about 2025 tax planning—there are two months left to give the...
Gift Tax Rules: How to Gift Money to Family
A married couple helps their adult child make a downpayment on his first home. A woman pays her aging mother’s hospital bills. An older couple...
How to Change Your Spending Habits to Stop Overspending and Start Saving
Many of us worry about becoming better earners, savers and investors, but we rarely pay much attention to how we can improve our spending habits....
Are Tariffs Good or Bad?
Tariffs made big headlines this year. Until recently, tariffs were typically an arcane international trade issue discussed mostly by economists. But tariffs have been thrust...
Are Interest Rates Going Down?
Yes, interest rates are going down again. After nearly a year-long pause, the Federal Reserve resumed its short-term interest rate–cutting campaign in September 2025, dropping...
What Is a Wash Sale?
Some investors looking to claim portfolio losses on their taxes may be unaware of the wash sale rule. To find out what a wash sale...
How To Do a Backdoor Roth IRA
A so-called “Backdoor Roth” is a technique for retirement savers to get the benefits of a Roth IRA even if their income exceeds limits that...
How Much Is Capital Gains Tax? What You Should Know
If you sell an asset at a profit, you’ve generated a capital gain. Does that mean you will owe the IRS capital gains taxes on...
What Are the Different Tax Brackets for 2026?
Federal income tax rates haven’t changed dramatically for the better part of a decade—they’ve ranged from 10% up to 37% since 2018. But while rates...
Are Home Improvements Tax-Deductible?
Homeowners are expected to spend $526 billion this year on upgrades to their homes. Given the steep cost of renovating an unfinished attic space or...
