Category: personal finance

Can a Married Couple Qualify for First-Time Home Benefits Twice?

December 31, 2022
BrightbudgetingEstatefirst homeFuture Planninghome buyersHomeownerinvestingpersonal financereal estateWealth Management
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Purchasing a home is probably the biggest expenditure you’ll ever have. So, of course, trying to save money is a goal many buyers have. That’s why qualifying for first-time home benefits is so important. But what if you’ve taken advantage of this program in the past? Is there a way to take advantage of it…

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8 Essential Real Estate Questions to Ask Potential Franchisors

December 30, 2022
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By Roxanne Klein There are many reasons why entrepreneurs may want to buy a franchise. Making a brand successful is a tremendous amount of work in today’s world. Competition for consumer dollars is fierce. It can be challenging to elevate a brand and achieve profits. These profits will stem from a well-thought-out and strategic business…

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Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Dec. 30)

December 30, 2022
Benchmark U.S. crude oilBrightBusiness & MarketsgoldGold and CommoditiesinvestingMarketspersonal finance
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Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery rose $1.86 to $80.26 a barrel Friday. Brent crude for March delivery rose $2.45 to $85.91 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 9 cents to $2.46 a gallon. January heating oil rose 5 cents to $3.36 a gallon. February natural gas fell 8 cents to $4.48…

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More Reasons to Shop With a Credit Card

December 30, 2022
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By Rivan Stinson From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Credit cards make retail transactions easier. But they also can provide some extra shopping perks that will give you more for your money. Issuers such as American Express, Capital One and Chase offer digital coupons to holders of their debit and credit cards. Simply sign into your account,…

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Tax Breaks for Charitable Gifts

December 29, 2022
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By Joy Taylor From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Question: Can I deduct charitable contributions that I made in 2022 if I don’t itemize? Answer: No. The 2020 and 2021 easing for charitable gifts of cash has expired. Beginning with 2022 returns filed next year, nonitemizers can no longer write off on page 1 of the Form…

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Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Dec. 29)

December 29, 2022
Benchmark U.S. crude oilBrightBusiness & MarketsgoldGold and CommoditiesinvestingMarketspersonal finance
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Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery fell 56 cents to $78.40 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for February delivery fell $1 to $82.26 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 1 cent to $2.37 a gallon. January heating oil fell 7 cents to $3.31 a gallon. February natural gas fell 15 cents to…

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Venal Congressional Leaders Slip One Past the Goalie

December 29, 2022
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While most Americans were busy preparing for holidays with family and friends, the retiring leaders of the Senate and House spent their final days before Christmas wrangling through Congress the $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. With the clock ticking on a government shutdown, the Democratic Party majorities in each chamber used the holidays and…

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6 Ways to Make Extra Money in Retirement

December 29, 2022
BrightbudgetingEarning Moneyextra incomepersonal financeretirement
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More than 1 in 4 retirees say they’re spending more than they can afford, according to an October 2022 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. With inflation at 7.1 percent in November, it’s not surprising that savings aren’t going as far as they used to. But there are ways to bring in extra income without…

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