States levy gas taxes and fees in multiple ways, making for a wide range of tax rates that can contribute—along with the distance from refineries and environmental regulations—to significant price disparities across state lines. For instance, tax rates are one reason California drivers pay, on average, $5.87 a gallon, over $2 more than Oklahoma motorists. While gas prices have fallen a little from their recent peaks, the national average on Tuesday was still $4....

According to a letter mailed to cardholders this month, the annual fee will jump up to $79 from $59 in February. The increase will apply to existing accounts on the next anniversary date. Cardholders will no longer earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, either. Instead, those with the Mastercard will earn 3 points per $1 spent with Spirit, 2 points per $1 spent on dining and grocery store purchases, and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else....

Learn more about startup capital, what it can be used for, and what sources it may come from. What Is Startup Capital? Startup capital is the money used to start a business. It covers the expenses necessary for getting a new company up and running, such as: Renting or leasing spaceFurnishing the officePaying bills or utilitiesBuying equipment and suppliesHiring professional services (accountant or lawyer)Stocking inventoryPaying employees The costs of starting up will vary depending on the type of business, the industry, the location, and other factors....

Once you know how much you spend on working, you’ll have a better idea of your “real” take-home pay. This will help you figure out the financial implications of staying at home with your child vs. staying in the workforce. (There are non-financial considerations as well, such as job satisfaction and socialization. This article’s intent is to only focus on the financial aspects of that decision.) What Are the Direct Costs?...

Removing negative information will help you achieve a better credit score. A better credit report is also the key to getting approved for credit cards and loans and to getting good interest rates on the accounts that you’re approved for. To help on your way to better credit, here are some strategies to get negative credit report information removed from your credit report. Submit a Dispute to the Credit Bureau The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a Federal law that defines the type of information that can be listed on your credit report and for how long (generally seven years)....

How Tax Freedom Day Is Calculated The Tax Foundation calculates Tax Freedom Day by using the total amount of taxes paid the previous year. It considers historical trends and the most recent economic data. It then makes a projection of the tax burden for the upcoming year. It usually publishes that forecast in early April of each year. For example, in 2019 the Foundation projected $3.4 trillion in federal taxes and $1....

The IRS typically announces inflation adjustments for the upcoming tax year in October or November. The agency announced more than 60 tax provisions for the 2023 tax year (the return you’ll file in 2024) on Oct. 18, 2022. Knowing what they are and how they work can help you plan your tax strategies and your spending in 2023. The 2023 Tax Brackets The U.S. tax system is progressive. You pay a higher percentage in taxes as you earn more....

Through this plan, family members and friends can contribute to a child’s college fund. Since January 1, 2018, 529 accounts can also be used for expenses at an elementary or high school. College plan money must be used for qualified expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board (with certain limitations), books, supplies, and any equipment required for enrollment or attendance. The maximum amount that can be saved for a single beneficiary is $540,000 as of 2022....

There are a variety of tax-sheltered plans that will accumulate retirement savings. Each plan has its own unique set of rules for determining what is considered taxable income in retirement. Here is a list of the basic retirement plans that every taxpayer should understand. Individual Retirement Accounts Any taxpayer with earned income (from wages or self-employment) can fund an IRA (individual retirement account). Your IRA contributions may be tax-deductible. There are traditional (deductible) IRAs, Roth IRAs, and non-deductible IRAs....

A pandemic- and stimulus-driven burst in sales sapped the existing inventory of new cars and trucks, and manufacturers couldn’t make more due to a global semiconductor shortage that’s causing shutdowns at car factories. That’s left fewer new vehicles on car lots—inventory is down 36% compared to last year, according to Edmunds—but dealers are still seeing strong demand as people continue to avoid mass transit and the vaccine rollout helps hasten a return to in-person work....

Still, there are a wide variety of options available—ranging from scanners with high resolution for enhanced images and text to compact models for traveling professionals to scanners with a suite of software features. Whatever your business needs are, here are the best receipt scanners to consider. Along with a built-in battery, the scanner includes a USB 3.0 cable for a hardwired connection when needed. This unit lets you scan documents to specific file locations, email, and even microSD memory cards with the included reader slot....

Enter the ABC Trust system of estate planning for married couples, also known as “gap trust planning” and making the “state QTIP election.” A handful of states allow the payment of both federal and state estate taxes to be deferred until after the surviving spouse’s death. So let’s take a look at how an ABC Trust plan may work for your estate. Traditional AB Trust Planning In order to understand how the ABC Trust system works, you’ll first need to understand how the AB Trust system works....

We’ll be keeping an eye on shoppers over the next few days. The government’s monthly report on retail sales comes out on Wednesday, and major retailers Walmart and Target report their quarterly earnings on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Previously, Walmart rang the alarm when it lowered expectations for its upcoming earnings, warning investors that it’s anticipating lower profits. As shoppers have pulled back spending on larger items like televisions, Walmart said it was trying to shift excess inventory by slashing prices....

That’s a little bit better than the 200,000 jobs economists were expecting and is a boost from August’s 185,000 additional jobs. What’s more, wages, at least in the private sector, are now 7.8% higher than last year, not too far behind inflation which currently sits at an annual rate of 8.3%. But That’s Good News… Right? Yes… and no. Of course, it’s a good thing that people are employed and their salaries aren’t too far behind inflation....

The GFE has been replaced by the Loan Estimate, and the HUD-1 by the Closing Disclosure. If you purchased a home after October 3, 2015, you should have received these documents. The new document is very similar to the original. Let’s look at what they cover. The Purpose of a Good Faith Estimate In 1974, Congress passed the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) with the intent of protecting consumers by requiring the disclosure of all costs associated with a real estate purchase or loan transactions....

The writers of those ads chose the right words. Knowing the right real estate advertising words to use can help you compose an effective ad that will set your listing apart and get your home sold. Here are steps to help you craft the perfect ad. Brainstorm Words to Describe Your Home Start by listing all the adjectives and nouns that come to your mind when you think about your house....

It’s important to have an understanding of the markets and methods for forex trading. That way, you can better manage your risk, make winning trades, and set yourself up for success in your new venture. How to Get Educated About Forex To trade effectively, it’s critical to get a forex education. Spend some time reading up on how forex trading works, making forex trades, active forex trading times, and managing risk, for starters....

“The Great American Bond Bubble” described an environment where bonds were thought to be artificially high, although actual returns didn’t seem to support this. Talk of a bubble comes in and out of the media, which can cause unrest among investors who are concerned about their portfolios. Understanding more about a bond bubble can help you consider whether you need to make any changes to your investment portfolio. What Is a Bond Bubble?...

When buyers attempt lengthy negotiations, they open themselves up to losing the home they are trying to buy. Learn more about one of the counteroffer mistakes homebuyers make during negotiations. Don’t Haggle Over the Price Days on the market don’t always make a difference in the sales price. Many homes that have been on the market for three months or longer sell at list price. In fact, in 2019, buyers typically bought their homes for 98% of the asking price, regardless of the time on the market....

In general, a cushion is a small balance (less than $1,000) that you maintain in your checking account for the sake of avoiding overdrafts. An emergency fund, on the other hand, is a large balance that’s meant to sustain your living expenses for months after a major event like job loss or a medical emergency. Keep reading for more on the differences between these two funds and why they’re both important....