Personal Finance News Are home improvements tax deductible? Sometimes — here are the rules. Some home improvements are tax deductible, but the IRS has strict rules about which are eligible. Find out if your project or remodel qualifies for a deduction. Yahoo Personal Finance • 1 hour ago How to apply for mortgage modification if you're struggling to afford monthly payments Mortgage loan modification changes the terms of your current mortgage to help you afford monthly payments. Learn how to avoid foreclosure with a loan modification. Most Americans are unsatisfied with how much money they’ve saved, Yahoo Finance/Marist Poll 2025 survey shows The 2025 State of Savings Report reveals Americans' biggest barriers to saving in 2024 and how they feel about their finances heading into 2025 Best money market account rates today: January 14, 2025 (earn up to 4.85% APY) Money market account interest rates today are well above historical norms. Find out where to get the best MMA rates. Best savings interest rates today, January 14, 2025 (top rate at 4.75% APY) The best savings account interest rates are still well above historical norms. Find out which banks and credit unions are offering the highest savings rates today. Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 14, 2024: Fixed rates go up These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. Most rates have increased today. It's crucial to find the best kind of mortgage loan. Lock in your rate today. What do you need to open a bank account? Wondering what you need to open a bank account? This list should have your bases covered. Learn more about the documents and other requirements needed to open a bank account. IRA expert: Why traditional retirement accounts have become the worst asset for estate planning Recent legislative changes have stripped IRAs of all their redeeming qualities, Ed Slott said in a recent episode of Decoding Retirement. How do I find my bank account number? There are certain situations when you need to know your bank account number. So how do you find it? Here are five ways. Author unpacks the meaning of 'true wealth' in new book The key to financial freedom isn’t found in striving for more but in redefining what “enough” truly means, author explains. Biden's consumer watchdog is taking a big last-minute risk The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been finalizing consumer-friendly rules, in hopes they'll stick under a second Trump administration. What you need to know to get hired in 2025 New job opportunities are emerging for 2025, even though hiring isn't as robust as a couple years ago. Here's how to land a gig. Credit Cards Worth $1K in Value Compare top rewards credit cards. What is the U.S. debt ceiling, and how does it impact you? The U.S. debt ceiling is a cap the government puts on the amount it can borrow to pay off existing debts. Learn how the debt ceiling works and why it exists. My Banking Direct review: An online bank with one of the best savings account rates available today My Banking Direct offers fee-free deposit accounts with competitive interest rates. Is My Banking Direct a good bank? Learn more in this in-depth review. Create a stock investing strategy in 3 steps An investing strategy aims to guide confident, effective trading decisions. You can develop a solid, personalized investing framework in three steps. Money market account rates today, January 9, 2025 (earn up to 5.00% APY) Looking for the best money market account interest rates available today? Here’s where to find the highest rates. Is a good time to open a money market account? Are credit card rewards taxable? Rewards you earn on spending may not be considered taxable income, but make sure you know all the details before it’s time to file. 5 online banks that pay you to open an account Did you know that some online banks pay you to open an account? Learn more about which online banks are offering new account bonuses. How to get a home loan in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant Undocumented immigrants can have difficulty getting a mortgage, but they have options. Learn which home loans undocumented immigrants can qualify for. Carnival World Mastercard: A popular pick for cruise enthusiasts looking for promo financing Prefer sailing with Carnival? Consider the Carnival World Mastercard, which includes promotional financing on Carnival cruises, plus discounts on Carnival shore excursions. How do bank reserve requirements work, and why do they matter? Bank reserve requirements ensure that banks have enough cash to handle their obligations and customer account withdrawals. Learn more about how bank reserve requirements work. What is an appraisal contingency, and should you include it in your offer letter? An appraisal contingency protects a home buyer in case the appraised value is lower than the agreed-upon purchase price. Learn how an appraisal contingency works. Federal watchdog bans medical debt from credit reports The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule banning medical debt from being included on Americans' credit reports. Can a felon buy a house? A felon can buy a house — though you may need to overcome barriers such as employment and credit history. Learn how to get a mortgage with a felony conviction. Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard review: A useful card for international travelers If you frequently fly to Europe, consider signing up for the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard to earn valuable miles on purchases. What is a healthcare FSA? A way to save on medical costs. A healthcare FSA helps you save for qualified medical expenses while lowering your tax bill. Learn the benefits and limitations of this savings tool. How to have 'the talk' with aging parents about money Talking about money with one’s parents isn't usually an appealing encounter — but as more millennials and Gen Zers find themselves with aging parents, these discussions are becoming increasingly important. Retirement expert: The need for unpaid caregivers is 'about to skyrocket' TIAA Institute head Surya Kolluri discussed the financial and emotional toll of caregiving and offered insights and strategies for families and employers. What do people regret the most when they retire? More than two-thirds of retirees wish they had saved more and on a consistent basis — and half wish they hadn’t waited so long to focus on it, according to a new report. A hidden benefit of Dry January: You could save hundreds of dollars this month Saving money is one of the often overlooked benefits of Dry January. Here's how giving up alcohol for a month can benefit your finances. Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card review: Could this be your next premium travel card? If you're a frequent traveler who can make use of the annual credits, airport lounge access, and travel protections, consider the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Traveling internationally? How to order foreign currency ahead of time. You may want to order foreign currency before an international trip to avoid high airport exchange rates and common scams. However, there are pros and cons to consider first. Is interest paid on a home equity loan tax deductible? Interest paid on a home equity loan may be tax deductible if you use the funds for specific purposes. Find out whether you qualify for this deduction. Guide to the envelope budgeting system The envelope budgeting system can be a great money management tool for visual learners and those who struggle with overspending. But it’s not for everyone. 5 ways to plan for long-term care costs in retirement JPMorgan strategist Sharon Carson discusses innovative approaches to tackle the unpredictable costs and needs of long-term care in retirement. Is life insurance taxable? Here’s when you might have to pay. Learn more about how taxes apply to life insurance proceeds and when you do (and don’t) have to pay taxes on life insurance. Is alimony taxable? We explain when alimony is taxable and when alimony payments are tax-deductible, and how other federal tax rules related to spousal support work. How much is your house worth? How to determine your home value. To determine your home value, you can get an appraisal or comparative market analysis or do your own research. Learn how to find out how much your house is worth. The best online mortgage lenders of January 2025 The best online mortgage lenders offer fast approval, low down payment options, and low fees. Find out which online mortgage company is your best fit. What is a jumbo money market account, and where can you find the best rates? A jumbo MMA may pay a higher interest rate in exchange for a higher balance. So where can you find the best jumbo money market rates? And are they worth it? Travel demand is on the rise in 2025 — along with more deals A record number of travelers are expected to take to the skies next year, seeking out destinations made popular on TV as well as outlying settings where relaxation is the goal. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card review: Great for casual Delta flyers If you fly with Delta at least once or twice a year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card should be on your radar — the perks alone can make it worth your while. A guide to checking account minimum balance requirements by bank It’s important to know the minimum balance requirements for a new checking account. Here’s a closer look at minimum balances for Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other major banks. Can you file for bankruptcy and keep your house? If you file for bankruptcy, you still might be able to keep your house or buy a home later. Learn how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy affect your mortgage. Best low- and no-down-payment mortgage lenders of January 2025 The best mortgage lenders for low and no down payments have programs for low-income borrowers, down payment assistance, and more. Find out which is best for you. Author Q&A: Why we need to change the way we think about aging Author Jeanette Leardi crushes stereotypes about age and offers new approaches for welcoming getting older — and dealing with how others think about you. How retirement savings will change in 2025 Saving for retirement will get a boost in 2025 thanks to higher contribution limits and the phase-in of provisions stemming from the Secure 2.0 Act. Understanding the Fed's rate decisions: Do we want high or low interest rates? The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions can directly impact your wallet. So what’s better: high or low interest rates? How to overcome the 'financial vortex' to save for retirement A significant number of Americans facing the "financial vortex" believe they will need to delay retirement. But that's not always a great option.
