Money Matters

California: the land of sunshine, innovation, and, well, some of the highest taxes in the United States. From the beaches of Los Angeles to the tech hubs of Silicon Valley, residents find themselves obligated to a raft of state taxes. #1. State Income Tax Image Credit: Shutterstock / NATNN California boasts the highest state income … Read more

Are you constantly shocked by your property tax bill, or are you considering moving to another state and trying to gauge the fiscal landscape? What might your tax bill look like in these states in 2024? 1. New Jersey Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mihai_Andritoiu New Jersey holds the dubious honor of the highest property taxes … Read more

Retirement is looming for many Gen-Xers in the coming years, and choosing the right location has never been more important. There are many places where retirement might seem attractive, though certain cities may best be left alone. 1. Victoria, British Columbia Image Credit: Brandon Godfrey – CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wiki Commons. This story involves … Read more

The used car market is a minefield for unsuspecting buyers, where the odds are often stacked against you. Want to know what you’re really up against when buying a used car? #1. Hidden Histories Image Credit: Pexels / Pixabay Many used cars come with hidden accident histories. Sellers can use loopholes to avoid reporting damage, … Read more

Target has announced plans to end personal check payments at their checkouts, feeding into the ongoing decline of paper check use in the US.  Closing the Door on Check Payments For decades writing checks was a part of everyday life and finances for Americans – now, digital payments are the norm, and one major retail … Read more

Understanding the nuances of tipping can help you to deal with this practice more confidently. Recent cultural shifts have brought tipping expectations to even more industries, frustrating many customers who can’t figure out what is appropriate. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about tipping in the U.S. The Basics of Tipping in … Read more

Online scams and skimmers are on the rise. Technological advances have created even more places for scammers to trick people into exposing their card information. By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect your money and personal information.  The Rise of Skimmers and Online Scams Image Credit: Shutterstock / Azret Ayubov Hackers have responded to … Read more

California’s financial woes are escalating, surpassing initial projections. Initially, Governor Gavin Newsom anticipated a $37.9 billion shortfall for 2024-2025. However, updated data indicates the deficit could reach $73 billion. While the Legislative Analyst’s Office cautioned of a $68 billion shortage, the actual problem exceeds their estimations. Not Enough Money and Frustration Image Credit: Shutterstock / … Read more

AT&T customers have experienced their second major outage this year, adding to the list of issues that could drive users away from the telecommunications company. Major Outage Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mangostar One of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, AT&T, experienced widespread outages once again which continued for several hours. AT&T and Verizon Image Credit: … Read more

The U.S. housing economy has also felt the pinch. Homeowners are no longer keen to relocate as property prices continue to soar, and they struggle to pay their bills. What’s causing this phenomenon?  Less Is More Image Credit: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images In this case, less is more, as American homeowners struggle to keep … Read more