Finance

If you’ve been expecting a bigger Social Security check thanks to the new Social Security Fairness Act, and it hasn’t shown up yet, you’re not the only one wondering what’s going on. Let’s walk through what this new law actually does, where…

If you’re on Social Security and you’ve ever gotten one of those dreaded overpayment letters, you know how stressful it can be. You’re just trying to get by, and suddenly Social Security says, “Oops, we gave you too much money,” and wants…

Alright, here’s the deal: After a long break because of the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education is back at it, collecting on federal student loans starting in May 2025. If you’ve fallen behind on payments, that could mean they start…

Alright, let’s talk about something that’s on your paycheck but easy to overlook: Social Security taxes. Every time you get paid, a chunk of your earnings goes straight to Uncle Sam to fund Social Security—but only up to a certain point. In…

If you're relying on SNAP benefits to help cover the cost of food, you’ve probably wondered: “How long can I actually keep getting them?” It’s a fair question, especially as grocery prices keep climbing and budgets feel tighter than ever.…

If you live in California and could use a little extra cash in 2025, there’s some good news. The state is rolling out the Family First Economic Support Pilot Program, which offers $725 monthly payments to qualifying families. But who…

So, you’ve been thinking about how much money you should actually keep in your checking account, right? It seems like a simple question, but when you really think about it, it’s not always easy to figure out. You want to have enough to…

If you’re planning to apply for Social Security benefits anytime soon, there’s a new rule in town—and it could mean a trip to your local office. As of March 31, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has added an in-person identity…

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz online about a so-called "$5,000 DOGE refund" or “DOGE Dividend” that former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are supposedly backing. Some headlines make it sound like free money is already on the way.…

Let’s be honest—figuring out how much money to keep in your checking account can feel a little confusing. You don’t want to keep too little and get hit with overdraft fees, but you also don’t want to let your money just sit there doing…

If you’re a veteran or if you’ve recently lost a loved one who served, you know firsthand how complicated things can get when trying to navigate the VA system. The good news? The VA is finally making some changes to help survivors—people…

You’ve probably seen the rumors floating around—$2,500 stimulus checks supposedly going out in May 2025. If you’re like me, your first thought is, “Wait, really? Is this true?” So, let’s break it down together and figure out if there’s any…

If you’ve been considering applying for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps), one of the first questions that probably pops up is: How much can I have saved, or what can I own, and still qualify for benefits?…

If you’re on Medicare, you probably expect it to cover most of your health care needs. And while it does handle a lot, there are still quite a few things it doesn’t pay for—and some of them might really surprise you. Let’s walk through…

If you get Social Security—or plan to one day—you might’ve heard something in the news this week: Frank Bisignano was just confirmed as the new head of the Social Security Administration (SSA). That might sound like just another name in the…

Okay, so here’s a question you might have: How much of my paycheck is going to Social Security this year? In 2025, the most you’ll pay Social Security taxes on is $176,100. If you make more than that, you’re off the hook for Social Security…

If you’ve been keeping up with student loan news, you might have heard that collections are back. After five years of a pause, the U.S. Department of Education is starting to collect on defaulted federal student loans again. I know, it's…

Let’s face it—knowing exactly when your Social Security payment will arrive makes a big difference. Whether you’re planning to pay bills, buy groceries, or just breathe a little easier, having a clear date in mind helps. So if your birthday…

Okay, this sounds wild, but imagine this: you're going about your day, everything’s normal. You check your bank account—and boom, it's locked. Your Social Security benefits stop without warning. You try to get help and someone casually…

In a bold and history-making move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a massive $2 billion plan to send direct payments to millions of residents, with absolutely no strings attached. This isn’t your typical tax credit or rebate…

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are about to receive a financial boost, as new $400 stimulus checks are set to go out to roughly 450,000 eligible recipients. The payments are part of a state-level initiative aimed at providing relief to…

As tax season winds down, many American families are looking forward to receiving the Child Tax Credit (CTC) — a key benefit aimed at easing the financial burden of raising children. For the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025),…

Rumours of a massive $2,500 stimulus check for Americans in 2025 have caught fire online — but what’s fact, what’s fiction, and who qualifies for this eye-catching payment? Here’s the real scoop: while a $2,500 stimulus payment is indeed…

Millions of Americans are eagerly awaiting news about another round of stimulus checks — and for roughly 600,000 low-income seniors and disabled individuals, the wait might soon be over. A proposed federal relief measure could offer…

Sacramento, CA – May 7, 2025 - Thousands of low- and middle-income Californians could see $725 stimulus checks hit their bank accounts starting this month as the state rolls out a new financial relief initiative aimed at helping residents…

In a major financial relief initiative, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) of California has approved a $6,000 annual stimulus package for 2025, translating to $500 in monthly payments for qualified residents. This move is part of a broader…

Thousands of Alaskans are set to receive a welcome financial boost in 2025, as the state has officially approved a $3,200 stimulus payment through the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program — one of the most generous benefit payments in the…

If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan or thinking about joining one, here's some news worth paying attention to: in 2026, the government is giving these plans a bigger financial boost than expected. We're talking about a 5.06% increase in…

Waiting on your tax refund can feel like a game of hurry up and wait. If you’re expecting yours to come between May 5 and May 11, 2025, it’s helpful to know exactly when to expect it—and why certain people get theirs sooner than others.…

If you're a veteran with a 60% VA disability rating and no dependents, you're probably wondering, "How much should I be getting each month?" With bills piling up and prices going nowhere but up, knowing the exact amount helps a lot when…