Category: personal finance

How to Avoid Paying Taxes on Annuities

Taxes can be a major burden for retirees and people saving for retirement, so choosing the right investment vehicle is essential. However, once you retire, one of the most important things to consider is how you will receive your income. Many people choose to annuitize their retirement savings, which can be a great way to…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (June 23)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery fell 35 cents to $69.16 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for August delivery fell 29 cents to $73.85 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for July delivery fell 3 cents $2.52 a gallon. July heating oil fell 6 cents to $2.41 a gallon. July natural gas rose 12 cents to…


How Major US Stock Indexes Fared June 23

Another drop for stocks helped drag Wall Street to its first losing week in the last six. The S&P 500 closed 0.8 percent lower Friday, pulling back further from last week when it reached its highest level in more than a year. The Dow and the Nasdaq composite also fell. Stock markets abroad also fell…


Why You Should Check Your Credit Report Annually

Negative information in your credit report can be detrimental to your finances. This information can prevent you from buying a home or car. Because of this, monitoring your credit report is imperative. But where do you find your credit report, and how do you read it? If you find a problem, how can you fix…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (June 22)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery fell $3.02 to $69.51 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for August delivery fell $2.98 to $74.14 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for July delivery fell 7 cents $2.55 a gallon. July heating oil fell 9 cents to $2.47 a gallon. July natural gas rose 1 cent to $2.61 per…


How Major US Stock Indexes Fared June 22

Stocks drifted to a mixed close on Wall Street after central banks around the world showed they’re not done cranking interest rates higher in their fight against inflation. The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent Thursday. Most stocks in the index fell, but gains from some big technology stocks countered losses elsewhere. The Nasdaq rose 1…


Your Financial Life Depends on It

Dear Dave, I’ve been struggling for about a year, ever since I made a stupid new-college-graduate decision to finance a car. It’s a 2018 Jeep Compass, and I owe $21,000 on it. The trade-in value is about $11,000, so I really got stung on the sticker price and everything else. I also have $85,000 in…


Should You Offer a 401(k) Match to Your Employees? Here Are 3 Things You Must Consider

By Matt Baisden Employer matching contributions to retirement plans are often seen as costly commitments by business owners. As it stands, 48 percent of private sector workers in the United States don’t have access to a 401(k) or pension plan, according to an AARP study. Yet, for employers, they are worth investing in. Companies are…


How to Donate Money to Reduce Taxable Income

When you need to reduce taxable income and have already used up other options, you can donate money to charitable organizations. There are several ways to make a tax-deductible donation by following some guidelines. In most cases, you will need to itemize your deductions. To do so, you will need to have more deductions than…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold, and Other Commodities (June 21)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for August delivery rose $1.34 to $72.53 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for August delivery rose $1.22 to $77.12 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for July delivery rose 1 cent $2.62 a gallon. July heating oil rose 8 cents to $2.56 a gallon. July natural gas rose 11 cents to $2.60 per…