Update: the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines have been updated for this article (below). 2025 FPL Guidelines are also included for reference. Every January, the United States Department …

This education tax credit and deductions overview has been updated for the 2025 and 2026 tax years. Many readers of this site are completing school for the first time …

Back by popular demand (well… 1 reader asked for it, at least), it’s that time of year when I give readers a glimpse into some personal highlights (and lowlights) …

PSA to readers who have had an interest in U.S. Treasury I Savings Bonds in recent years, as I have – you can purchase I bonds at treasurydirect.gov at …

Inflation and Your Locus of Control When it comes to inflation, let’s first talk about the things we can and cannot control. For starters, no individual – not even …

Update: the typical $30 Rakuten welcome referral bonus has temporarily been bumped to a best-ever $50 welcome referral bonus this February, 2026. Check out the full details at the …

The Universal Charitable Donation Tax Deduction was $600 for Married Filing Jointly & $300 for Other Filers. It Has Expired for 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. A New Variation is …

In light of most in-office work settings becoming at-home work settings for the last year and a half, there has been a lot of talk about <cue echoey outer …

Updates: the newest/current I bond rate for November, 2025 to May, 2026 has been set at 4.03% APR for new purchases. If you find that appealing, here is how …