Category: personal finance

Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 2)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell 53 cents to $75.88 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for April delivery fell 67 cents to $82.17 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery was unchanged at $2.45 a gallon. March heating oil fell 5 cents $2.90 a gallon. March natural gas fell 1 cent to $2.46…


Self-Employed Gen-Z Mostly Ignorant About Quarterly Tax Reporting Requirements, Survey Finds

The majority of Gen-Z self-employed individuals, including freelancers and gig workers, are unaware of their obligation to pay taxes on a quarterly basis, with many feeling anxious about taxes and getting information about the topic from social media, according to a November survey. The survey was conducted among 1,000 Americans between the age of 18…


It’s Not as Difficult as You Think

Dear Dave, I’m single, and I make $35,000 a year. Next year, my salary and bonuses should be around $50,000. I have a little over $30,000 in debt right now, including student loans, and I’m not sure how I’ll be able to keep up with bills and everything else right now if I have to…


What You Need to Know About the Bill of Rights for Renters

The federal government has taken a step toward providing better protection for renters. President Joe Biden has released a document called a Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights. The white paper is merely a proposal that presents some principles, guidelines, and goals that laws in the future might contain to protect renters. In its…


Construction Loans—What You Need to Know

Are you thinking about building a home? Unless you have the cash on hand, you will need financing. Building a home is different than purchasing a home. You take out a different type of loan. If you plan on building, it’s essential to know the difference between a new construction loan and a mortgage. Construction…


On Saving Money and Spreading Manure

As you may know, the mission of this column is to discover ways to save time and money every day. You help me by sending me your great tips, tricks, and ideas; I help you by boiling it all down here. That answers what the column is for, but why should you read this column?…


British Monarch to Be Removed From Australia’s $5 Note

The late Queen Elizabeth II will not be featured on Australia’s five-dollar note going forward, instead, a new design that “honours the culture and history of the First Australians”—a term to refer to Aboriginal Australians—will replace the monarch. The country’s five-dollar bill has featured the late Queen since 1992 and was due to be replaced…


Meal and Entertainment Deductions—What You Should Know

Meals and entertainment have long been used as marketing tools by both big and small businesses. For many, they’re a legitimate business expense. But the Internal Revenue Service rules regarding deducting these expenses have changed over the decades. It’s essential to know the current rules for the tax year 2022. This lets you take the…


First Social Security Direct SSI Payments of the Year Worth Up to $914 to Arrive on Wednesday

The first Supplemental Security Income (SSI) direct payments of the year are set to be paid out on Feb. 1, with qualifying recipients expecting checks of up to $914. The SSI payments, which are meant to provide income support to people aged 65 and older, blind or disabled adults, and blind or disabled children, normally go…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Feb. 1)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for March delivery fell $2.46 to $76.41 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for April delivery fell $2.62 to $82.84 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for March delivery fell 12 cents to $2.45 a gallon. March heating oil fell 19 cents $2.95 a gallon. March natural gas fell 21 cents to $2.47 per…