Even the most socially agile person can find themselves dumfounded by some of life’s more awkward situations. There is no obvious way to deal with a friend negging you or an in-law asking you rude questions. It’s in these moments, though, that Harvard-trained etiquette expert Sara Jane Ho sees herself as a resource. Ho is … Read more
Tanya Constantine | Getty Images Once you start Social Security retirement benefits, you are generally guaranteed to receive monthly checks for life. But that will stop once you die — with some exceptions for your loved ones. A one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 may be available, provided your survivors meet certain requirements. For example, … Read more
Ezra Bailey | The Image Bank | Getty Images Workers are poised to get smaller raises in 2024 — and their annual pay bumps are unlikely to increase again anytime soon amid a cooler job market, labor experts said. U.S. companies plan to give salary increases of 4%, on average, this year, down from 4.4% … Read more
Klaus Vedfelt | Getty Images To live your best life in retirement, it helps to make the most contributions while you’re working. Employees who participate in 401(k) plans can put up to $23,000 in pretax or post-tax Roth contributions in 2024. But there’s another limit, $69,000, including employee and employer contributions, that may let workers … Read more
A new Free Application for Federal Student Aid soft launched over the holiday weekend with much anticipation after a long delay. However, for now, the 2024–25 FAFSA form is only available for short periods of time as the U.S. Department of Education works to “resolve minor issues,” according to a department spokesperson. This soft launch period … Read more
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on the student debt relief plan as Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona (R) listens in the South Court Auditorium at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on October 17, 2022 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong | Getty Images How Plan A, Plan B student loan forgiveness compares Nearly 40 million Americans would have … Read more
Investor Steve Eisman of “The Big Short” fame is questioning the level of bullishness on Wall Street — even with the market’s tepid start to the year. From enthusiasm surrounding the “Magnificent Seven” technology stocks to expectations for multiple interest rate cuts this year, Eisman believes there’s little tolerance for things going wrong. “Long term, … Read more
Adamkaz | E+ | Getty Images If you’re a retiree who relies on Social Security benefits for income, you will see some changes in 2024. You will get a benefit boost to adjust for inflation. But just how much extra money you see will depend on the size of your Medicare Part B premiums and … Read more
A super rare 50 cent coin dating back almost 60 years has been spotted in loose change — leaving many scrambling to check their wallets. An Australian woman thought she was given the wrong change over the weekend — but upon a closer look, she realised it was a round-shaped 50 cent coin from 1966. … Read more
A simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid is finally online after a significant delay. However, as part of a “soft launch,” the new FAFSA form has only been periodically available. It’s likely few, if any, of the millions of students applying to college for the 2024-25 academic year have been able to successfully submit an application, … Read more
