Retire with MONEY

The Great Tax Refund Debate: Is Getting a Big Check from the IRS Smart or Dumb? by Ingrid Case You’re getting a federal tax refund! It’s like finding a forgotten twenty-dollar bill in the pocket of your winter coat — but instead of just twenty bucks, a refund could leave you with a windfall of hundreds or thousands of dollars. By last April 15, nearly 100 million Americans had received an average more than $2,700 back from Uncle Sam, according to IRS data.

Why a New Mom's Career Plan is Just as Important as Her Birth Plan by Jennifer Maerz When I was pregnant, I wrote down my hopes for my daughter’s delivery at the behest of: my birth coach, my acupuncturist, my yoga teacher, and every single one of my Mom Friends.

Traditional vs. Roth IRA: New Rules Could Affect How You Save for Retirement by Kerri Anne Renzulli More Americans are working longer — and saving for retirement into their 70s. Last year, Congress stepped in to give these older savers a new tax break, making it easier to use traditional individual retirement accounts. But figuring out whether to take advantage of the new rules requires some work.

"Am I a Terrible Person for Worrying My Future Boyfriend Will Be Broke?" by Julia Glum It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife… so if you know anyone looking, please have him email me. I’m only half kidding. Dating in New York City sucks, which is partially why I don’t do it.

4 Smart Money Moves I Made When I Got My First 'Real' Job — and How They're Already Paying Off by Kenadi Silcox Last spring, I got my first-ever “big girl” job. It was a relief — I’d spent almost an entire year using my brand new journalism degree to wait tables, and I was on the verge of going broke. But earning a regular bi-weekly paycheck has its complications.

Doing Your Taxes Online? The Price Is About to Go Up by Julia Glum Attention, procrastinators: If you put off filing your taxes, you’re probably going to pay more. At some point before April 15, judging from the crossed-out costs on TurboTax’s Products & Pricing page, the Deluxe service will increase to $60 (up from $40), Premier will become $90 (from $70), and Self-Employed will become $120 (from $90). On top of that, each will have an additional $45 fee per state file (up from $40).

H&R Block Wants to Put Your Tax Refund on an Amazon Gift Card. Here's Why That's a Terrible Idea by Ian Salisbury The average tax refund is $2,800. Financial planners implore Americans to save this annual windfall, or use it to pay down debt. Policy experts call it a lifeline for poor families. H&R Block, on the other hand, wants you to spend it on Amazon.com.

Is There a 'Best' Time to File Your Taxes? by Julia Glum Ever since elementary school, I’ve suffered from chronic overachiever syndrome. I used to thrive as the teacher’s pet, clapping erasers and asking “Are you going to collect the homework?” whenever they forgot. I finished tests early so I could write stories on my AlphaSmart typewriter for kids. I once broke my arm playing kickball because I kicked the ball *too* enthusiastically. (I wish I was kidding.

How to Make a Professional Website That Will Actually Get People to Notice You by Paul Schrodt Maintaining your own professional website can be critical to your success. Whether you own a business or toil in the corporate world, it allows you to broadcast your talents and experience for everyone to see. And with the right look and tricks, it can dazzle potential clients, and employers, without you ever having to speak to them.

Mortgage Rates Are Falling — and Coronavirus Is the Reason Why by Ian Salisbury More Americans are applying for new mortgages than at any time in almost seven years … and a big reason for the surge is the coronavirus that has gripped China and sparked fears of a worldwide pandemic. That may seem far-fetched, but it highlights the amazing inter-connectedness of the global economy in 2020, when an economic disruption in one part of the world can quickly ripple across nations.

Traditional Medicare Doesn't Pay For Dental Care. Here's How to Get Coverage by Elizabeth O'Brien Traditional Medicare doesn’t pay for dental work, so to get coverage you have to buy a stand-alone plan or enroll in one of the Medicare Advantage plans that offer some dental benefits. Yet most of this coverage is basic and leaves people underinsured against this major expense, according to a new study.

Most Americans Want the Rich to Pay Higher Taxes, According to Every Poll Everywhere by Brad Tuttle We may live in polarized times, but there’s one belief that Americans of all races, genders, and political persuasions can get behind: Tax the Rich! Survey after recent survey confirms, quite simply, that most people think the richest Americans should pay more in taxes.

5 Resume Skills That Will Impress Any Hiring Manager by Kenadi Silcox Knowing what to put on the “skills” section of your resume can sometimes feel like a top-secret code that only hiring managers have the answer to.

Everything You Need to Know About Active ETFs, the Funds Hyped as the Investing Industry's Next Big Thing by Rob Curran For years the investing industry has been touting actively managed ETFs as the next big thing, and, for years, investors have responded with a shrug. Now that’s finally starting to change. Exchange-traded funds are mutual funds that trade like a stock. ETFs have been a hit with investors, amassing roughly $4.4 trillion from U.S. investors.

The New Rules for Figuring Out How Much Home You Can Really Afford by Shaina Mishkin It didn’t take long for Amy Rutherford’s 6,000-square-foot dream house to become a nightmare. The day after she and her husband Tim moved into their new home in Parker, Colo. in 2008, Rutherford regretted spending money on square footage she didn’t need — even though she says it was well within her carefully-calculated budget.