Emily Guy Birken

If you forgot about tax filing until you were clearing up the matzo crumbs, stray Easter eggs, or winter wardrobe this week, there’s no need to panic. The IRS allows you to take a six-month extension on filing your taxes—although you still have to pay what you owe by Tax Day.

Here’s what you need to know about the automatic tax filing extension.

In just the last few weeks, consumers watched helplessly as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank fell, and Credit Suisse came tumbling after. Such bank failures can feel terrifying because they remind us of the fragility of a system we like to assume is robust.
But the lesson from SVB’s failure is not that such downfalls are impossible to predict. Not only can we learn the warning signs of unsustainability before they make the front page, but also we can figure out the best ways to protect ...

In just the last few weeks, consumers watched helplessly as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank fell, and Credit Suisse came tumbling after. Such bank failures can feel terrifying because they remind us of the fragility of a system we like to assume is robust.
But the lesson from SVB’s failure is not that such downfalls are impossible to predict.

Several recent waves of high-profile layoffs are an uncomfortable reminder that many of us serve at the pleasure of the companies we work for. Whether you’ve been laid off, are hearing water-cooler whispers about reorganization, or simply want to be prepared, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure a job loss isn’t a catastrophe. Here’s how to survive—and even thrive—after a layoff.

Self-employment has a lot to recommend it. You get to set your own hours. There’s a direct correlation between your hustle and your paycheck. And, of course, you enjoy a warm relationship with your boss.

Then, of course, there’s the big fat downside: quarterly estimated taxes. You’re not only on the hook for both self-employment and income taxes, but the IRS also wants you to pay every quarter.

The large tax refund is one of the few universally agreed-upon personal finance sins. Getting a fat check back after filing your taxes is “giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan,” according to the experts who like to wag their fingers from January to April each year.
But what if this personal finance orthodoxy is wrong?

Financial media delights in scolding people for their money mistakes. Whether you are listening to a podcast in which the host is dumbfounded by a caller’s total debt or reading the countless hand-wringing articles lamenting the average person’s lack of retirement savings, the message is clear: Shame on anyone who doesn’t have their financial house in order.

My six-year-old recently asked my mom how she had money if she didn’t work anymore. I didn’t expect to explain the concept of pensions, 401(k)s, and social security to my first grader, but in doing so I also summarized the very different positions my mom—a boomer born in the 1950s—and me, a millennial born in the 1980s, find ourselves in when it comes to saving and planning for retirement.

“Should I prioritize paying off debt or investing for retirement?” It’s a common question facing young professionals. The frustrating answer they generally get from seasoned advisers is, “Both!” The reasons, of course, are obvious—eighty-sixing your debt will save you loads of money, while missing out on years of compounding interest can cost you loads of money. But how do you save when there’s barely a penny left after meeting monthly expenses?

Spring is in the air! The weather is warming, the birds are chirping, the flowers are budding—and the IRS is probably sending you some refund money. Quite a bit of money, if the average refund for the 2024 season remains at the current level of $3,213.
Financial experts may scold taxpayers for receiving a large tax refund, but there are definitely some major financial benefits to receiving a visit from the refund fairy—especially if you spend the money in a way that keeps it working for you.

For many of us, the idea of negotiating a bill is a completely foreign concept. At best, it sounds naive to imagine your service providers will give you a break just because you ask—and at worst, it calls to mind the type of Scrooge who insists on celebrating wedding anniversaries at restaurants with BOGO coupons.

When Ghostbusters debuted 40 years ago, its blend of comedy, action, and state of the art special effects made it an instant classic. The eminently quotable staple of every 80s childhood has launched a film franchise that can make all of us feel a little nostalgic.
Since Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is premiering this week, now is an excellent time to look a little closer at the messages underneath the witty dialogue and melted marshmallow.

Many professionals have embraced the freedoms and geographic independence of self-employment. But how to choose where to live?

“Cost of living is a big factor,” says Gali Arnon, chief marketing officer at Fiverr. “You need a gap between your income and your costs.” Work-life balance is also key, Arnon adds, as well as female-friendliness, higher wages, high-speed internet, affordable health insurance, coworking spaces and lots of freelance opportunities.

Here are the top eight places that meet all these standards and more.

Anyone who has ever been a freelancer, worked on commission, or relied on tips knows the boom-and-bust cycle of having an irregular income. How are you supposed to budget when you don’t know which months feature steak dinners and which ones require ramen noodles?

Thankfully, there are some simple (but not necessarily easy) steps you can take to smooth out your irregular income. Here’s how to stop the feast-or-famine cycle:

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a number of changes in how we access medical care, including the rise of telehealth. This service allows patients to consult their doctors from home via telecommunication services. Understanding how Medicare telehealth works and what it covers can help Medicare beneficiaries navigate this emerging medical service and receive the care they need.