What Actually Controls The Price Of Gas In The US?
When gas prices rise at the pump, consumers often have a lot of opinions on why that may be and who is to blame. In truth, there are four factors to examine.
Read MoreArchive for April 2024
Back to Archive IndexAuto (2)
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Cars That Are Most Likely To Be Stolen
You can always expect certain cars to take the top spots on annual theft reports, but a new pattern emerged in 2022, most likely due to a social media trend.
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Banking (8)
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These Are The Worst Places To Keep Your Savings
When figuring out the worst places to keep your savings, consider safety, of course, but also earning potential and how accessible your money will be.
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Can You Borrow Money From Chime?
Chime is a banking app, but Chime isn't a bank. It's a fintech company that partners with banks. Among its services is SpotMe. Here's how it works.
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The Drawbacks Of Paying Off A Loan With A Credit Card
U.S. credit card debt stands at ~$1.13 trillion. Before adding to this total to pay off a loan, it's important you understand the full cost of the solution.
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The Do's And Don'ts Of Using Zelle
While Zelle may be grouped together with other P2P apps, it actually works quite differently. To better understand, we asked expert Matt Schulz to explain.
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5 Tips For Finding The Best Credit Card When You Have Bad Credit
While getting approved for a new credit card when you have bad credit can be a challenge, it's not impossible. In your research, keep these factors in mind.
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The Real Difference Between Regional And National Banks
When choosing between a regional bank and national bank, you'll want to understand certain differences like size, geographic reach, fees, and product offerings.
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What To Consider Before Buying A Foreclosed Home
If you're considering buying a foreclosed home, note there are unique considerations to this type of property that will change how you go about purchasing one.
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Is Credit Card Protection Insurance Really Worth The Cost?
Most consumers likely know about credit card fraud protection; fewer, however, may know about the insurance that cards offer for times of financial hardship.
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Budgeting (31)
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Countries Where You Never Need To Leave A Tip
Given the tipping culture in the U.S., it's understandable if you're unsure about leaving a tip in other countries. For these five, at least, you never need to.
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The Staggering Rise In Auto Insurance Rates Explained
While car owners have myriad choices today between ICE, electric, and hybrid models, they're also all experiencing something similar: high(er) insurance rates.
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How To Choose The Best Student Loan Repayment Plan For You
When it comes to paying off your student loan, you have options. These include plans with fixed rates, graduated rates, and income-driven arrangements.
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Buying A Home When Your Partner Has Bad Credit? Protect Yourself With These Expert Tips
If your partner has bad credit, it's important you find out sooner than later. Together, you can figure out a strategy to protect yourself while helping them.
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The 3 Most Serious Financial Challenges Families Face In 2024, According To An Expert
Money Digest spoke with finance expert Jason Tartick about the financial challenges families face today, at a time when change is the "only constant."
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Here's How Much The Average American Spends On Alcohol Each Year
In addition to how much Americans spend on alcohol purchases each year, we take a look at what they're spending their money on and how the market has changed.
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This Is The Exact Time Romantic Partners Need To Share Their Credit Reports
Your credit report contains sensitive, highly personal information, but there will come a time when you will need to share it with your partner. Here's when.
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How Does The US Stamp Price Compare To The Rest Of The World?
The price of a Forever® stamp seems to increase regularly, but certain perspectives may change once consumers see how USPS mail prices compare with the world.
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What Is A Postnuptial Agreement And Why Might You Need One?
For couples who forgo signing a prenup before marriage, this financial conversation can still happen down the road in the form of a postnuptial agreement.
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Better Know Your Wallet: The Cost Of Financial Illiteracy Is Skyrocketing For One Big Reason
Not knowing about money matters can cost you, but there's one area in particular where a lack of financial literacy can result in an outsized mistake.
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What You Can Do If You Know Someone With A Gambling Problem
More and more Americans are gambling these days. As of 2023, there were 486 commercial casinos in the U.S., while sports betting is now legal in 38 states.
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Neglecting These Home Maintenance Red Flags Will Cost You A Fortune
Not tending to home maintenance issues in a timely manner could prove a costly mistake, as problems like a hole, stain, or noise won't resolve on their own.
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Think Twice Before Making That Extra Mortgage Payment. Here's Why
If a financial goal of yours is paying off your mortgage, then extra payments is a way to go. It's also important, though, to weigh the full financial picture.
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Who Cleans Out Foreclosed Homes?
Per ATTOM, foreclosures in 2023 represented 0.26% of U.S. housing. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to foreclosures: the dirty job of cleaning them out.
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What Is Gap Insurance And Why Is It Important?
If you finance a new vehicle (either to buy or lease), a type of insurance you may want to look into is gap insurance, short for "guaranteed asset protection."
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Clever Tricks To Save You Money At Home Depot
Home Depot is a great place to shop for home improvement supplies, and these tips will ensure you optimize your budget in the process.
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How Do Parlays Work In Sports Betting?
While you've likely heard of parlay bets, you may be less familiar with how they actually work; specifically, how these "multis" impact risk versus reward.
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Financial Advice From Jim Cramer You Should Be Listening To
It's no surprise that Jim Cramer of "Mad Money" may have a financial tip or two worth listening to. Here, we take a look at ways to save and invest, per Cramer.
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The Best Ways To Get Discounts On Your Prescriptions
Per a 2022 study, brand drugs in the U.S. cost three times that of comparison countries. For consumers, discounts on prescriptions can at least somewhat help.
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Do Smart Thermostats Actually Save You Money?
According to Statista, over 63 million U.S. households used smart devices, like thermostats, in 2023, and this number is projected to pass 103 million by 2028.
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Things That Used To Be Free But Now Cost Money
Life is more expensive than ever these days, and that means you often have to pay for certain things that used to cost you nothing.
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Strange Ways People Go Completely Broke
Mismanagement of money is, of course, one way to lose it. Yet, there are other less-obvious ways people have lost their fortunes, offering lessons to learn.
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Are The AARP Membership Perks Actually Worth The Price?
In 1999, the American Association of Retired Persons changed its name to simply AARP and opened up its membership. Today, it has nearly 38 million members.
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How Much Do Americans Think They Need To Retire Comfortably?
In 2021, one in six Americans, or ~55.6 million, were aged 65 or older, per Census Bureau data. This number is expected to surpass 80 million by 2040.
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The Most Popular Myths About Buying A Home
When starting the homebuying process, it's important to debunk persistent myths. Things change, and what you may have thought to be true may no longer be.
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Are Pandora Premium Perks Actually Worth The Price?
When Pandora officially launched in 2005, it was a big name in a new space: internet radio. Today, it's still going, operating under a freemium business model.
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5 Crucial Warning Signs That You're Heading Toward Bankruptcy
Hundreds of thousands of people file for bankruptcy each year. To help avoid this option, we spoke with money expert Alaina Fingal on what to watch out for.
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The Average Date In America Costs More For Some Than Others
A typical dinner and a movie these days can easily cost more than $100. But fortunately, research has found people a lot more open to less-expensive date ideas.
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Genius Money Tips All Married Couples Need To Know
CFP, CDFA, and author Regina McCann Hess shared with Money Digest money tips for married couples, addressing credit and debt, taxes, and opportunities.
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A Financial Expert Explains Why Cruise Ship Retirement Isn't Actually Practical
With regard to the cruise ship retirement trend, we asked CFP Lawrence Sprung to help us break down the actual numbers and feasibility of retiring at sea.
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How Much Money Does The Average Person Spend In A Lifetime?
More than 50% (some say 60%) of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Given this, it may be difficult to believe just how much a person spends in their lifetime.
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Collectibles (5)
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The Oldest Coin In Circulation
The oldest coin in circulation isn't American, and "oldest" likely doesn't mean what you think. We'll explain, as well as go over the coin's design and history.
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The Unexpected Value Of Your Old iPod Today
The iPod came out over 22 years ago, in October 2021. When it did, the portable media player, capable of holding 1,000 songs, changed how we listened to music.
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What Do All The Symbols On The $1 Bill Actually Mean?
The $1 bill's design, especially its reverse, is filled with meaning. In fact, it took six years and three special committees to come up with the final design.
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This Is The Most Valuable Comic Ever Sold
In 1938, a comic book cost 10 cents. Accounting for inflation, that would be $2.20 today, a time when rare copies are going for millions and smashing records.
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This Is The Most Valuable Autograph Ever Sold
In 2018, a 1939 baseball with the signatures of 11 Hall of Famers sold for $623,369. The most valuable autograph ever sold, however, went for 15.7 times that.
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Earning (6)
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How Sports Betting Impacts The Economy
In February 2024, the commercial gaming industry marked 36 consecutive months of annual growth. What exactly, though, does all this money mean for the economy?
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You Might Be Chasing Ghost Jobs And Not Even Know It
Applying for jobs can be a daunting task, made only worse when the positions you're applying for aren't actually available at the time.
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Who Are The Richest US Presidents Of All Time?
As commander in chief, U.S. presidents earn a salary of $400,000 a year -- but a fraction of the net worth of the millionaire presidents on this list.
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The Real Reason Our Historically Strong Economy Isn't Benefiting You
For those who feel they're missing out on the country's strong economic showing, we asked expert Jason Tartick to help us get to the bottom of why this may be.
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States With The Highest Average Salary
Unsurprisingly, states with the highest pay have a big tech presence. In fact, the top three are each known for their tech hubs, and no, No. 1 isn't California.
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How Much Does An Investment Banker Make?
Though both are called bankers, an investment banker's job is quite different from that of a personal banker; their compensation is very different, too.
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History (1)
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McDonald's Happy Meal Toys That Are Worth A Ton Of Money
McDonald's always have Happy Meals. In fact, the kid-friendly box with a free toy inside didn't debut until 39 years after the chain was founded in 1940.
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Investing (12)
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Will Biden's Tax Hike Affect Your Retirement?
While President Joe Biden's budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 targets high-income earners, could it still affect taxpayers making far less? We take a look.
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How Often Does The S&P 500 Rebalance?
The stocks that comprise stock indexes, like the S&P 500, aren't the same forever. In fact, companies are added and removed (if they fall short) regularly.
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How To Know When It's Time To Sell A Stock
Emotions can get in the way of parting with a stock at the right time, which is why research is key, as the reality of the numbers can have a sobering effect.
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Does The Stock Market Do Better Under A Democrat Or A Republican President?
While stock market performance is often used to argue for or against a president, history tells us credit (or blame) for the stock market belongs elsewhere.
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Yes, You Can Borrow Money From Your 401(k). Here's How
While the hope is that you will never need to, there may come a time when borrowing from your 401(k) is your best strategy. If you do, know the ramifications.
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What Should You Do If You Own A Stock That Gets Delisted?
If you own stock that gets delisted, what you do in response will depend on a few factors, including whether or not the delisting was voluntary or involuntary.
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What Is A Stock Market Bubble?
When it comes to speculative bubbles, what exactly leads them to inflate so rapidly? Here, we take a look at the five stages of a bubble and how they pop.
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How To Open An IRA
Nearly 42% of U.S. households in 2022 had an IRA. While there's no age limit to open an IRA, there are other rules, like for contributions, you should know.
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Industries With The Highest Failure Rate For Small Businesses
The backbone of the economy, small businesses generate the majority of new jobs. This said, they also face an uphill climb when it comes to sustained success.
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The Differences Between A Real Estate Agent, A Realtor, And A Broker Explained
When buying a home, doing homework beforehand can prove helpful. One place to start is understanding common real estate terms, like agent, broker, and Realtor.
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The Ultimate Guide To Investing In Silver
As with other precious metals, silver is considered a solid way to diversify a portfolio, as well as hedge against inflation. Here are the ways you can invest.
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Are The Perks Of A Robinhood Gold Subscription Actually Worth The Price?
When Robinhood launched Robinhood Gold in 2016, it touted additional buying power and larger instant deposits. We take a look at some of the other perks today.
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Luxury (1)
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The 5 Most Expensive States To Live In
While you can likely guess a few of the most expensive states, a few others might surprise you, as well as their reasons for having such a high cost of living.
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Retirement (1)
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What Will Happen To The Housing Market When The Boomers Begin To Die Out?
As Baby Boomers age further into retirement, what happens to their homes will play a significant role in the future housing market.
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Shopping (11)
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Clever Tricks To Save You Money At Target
While Target is already known as a discount department store, getting even more savings is always welcome, and we've got a few tricks that offer just that.
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You Don't Have To Pay Sales Tax In These States
For most U.S. consumers, paying a retail sales tax is a given. However, there are five states with no state sales tax, and four have no local sales tax either.
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Things You Should Never Pay For In Cash
Fewer Americans use cash exclusively these days, but a majority still use it some of the time. Here are the things you should opt for a credit card instead.
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UPS Vs. FedEx: Which Is Cheaper?
Shipping a parcel? You likely thought of FedEx and UPS. These longtime rivals in express and courier services accounted for nearly 70% of the market in 2022.
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The Dark Sides Of TurboTax You'll Wish You Knew About Sooner
With a nearly 75% market share, TurboTax and tax preparation seem to go hand in hand. Yet, to make informed decisions, consumers should know the bigger picture.
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What Really Happens To Your Amazon Returns?
Per Amazon, in 2021, U.S.-based sellers sold 4.1 billion items to customers worldwide. This said, how are returned items for such a vast marketplace processed?
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Are The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks Worth The Subscription Price?
Subscriptions are the future of gaming, but Xbox has been in the game since 2017. Today, it offers four plans, led by its all-access tier, Game Pass Ultimate.
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The Average Price Of A Wedding Dress May Surprise You
Whether you buy a dress off-the-rack or have your bridal gown custom-made, the price of the dress will make up a relatively large part of your wedding budget.
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Are The Hertz My Car Subscription Perks Actually Worth The Price?
Car subscriptions began in 2010, but momentum in the market has grown in recent years. Rental car company Hertz has been offering its own, My Car, since 2019.
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Is TurboTax Premium Actually Worth The Price?
TurboTax offers three different products for do-it-yourself filers. Here, we review the Premium tier for investors, the self-employed, and small business owner.
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UPDF: How This AI-Powered PDF Editor Is Advancing The Format
If you've found past PDF editors have fallen short of your needs and expectations, then there's a new editor on the block you may want to consider: UPDF.
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Spending (1)
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Where Does The Money Go When A Professional Athlete Gets Fined?
Sports fines in a season can easily eclipse several million dollars, and when the accountants go to balance the books, here's where they can say the money goes.
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Taxes (3)
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How Much Did The OJ Simpson Trial Cost Taxpayers?
The OJ Simpson trial in 1995 lasted for over eight months, starting on January 24 and concluding on October 3. Here's a breakdown of the costs to LA taxpayers.
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Can You Deduct Losses From Your Roth IRA?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act severely restricted, or eliminated altogether, many previous personal itemized deductions. Here's what it meant for Roth IRA losses.
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What Do Most Americans Do With Their Tax Refunds?
The average tax refund in 2023 was $3,167, and IRS data so far indicates a bump in 2024. As for how to spend those refunds, many Americans have the same idea.
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