damircudic / Getty Images Acronym: FCBA How the Fair Credit Billing Act Works for Consumers There are several types of billing errors you may dispute as a consumer, according to the Fair Credit Billing Act. These can include: Unauthorized charges: These are charges you never made. They may occur because someone stole your credit card. Under the FCBA, your total liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50; however, many credit card issuers offer zero liability protection on all fraudulent charges, which means you’re not on the hook for any charges made by a thief, as long as you follow certain procedures....

One example of a primary market transaction is the initial public offering (IPO) of Airbnb in December 2021. The company issued 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock. The IPO was a primary market transaction because it was at that time those 50,000,000 securities were initially created and the first time they were sold to investors. In the same registration statement where Airbnb announced their IPO, they also announced the sale of 1,551,723 shares from existing shareholders....

The chart below shows the discrepancy between the unemployment rate (U-3) and the real unemployment rate (U-6) between 1994 and 2021. What the Real Unemployment Rate Means for You The real unemployment rate includes several categories the U-3 unemployment does not: underemployed people, marginally attached workers, and discouraged workers. Underemployed people are part-time workers who would prefer full-time jobs. The U-3 report counts them as being employed and in the labor force....

For companies to be successful, their customers need to pay for things on time. When customers purchase goods or services on credit and then pay quickly, companies are usually in better shape financially. They can put that cash in the bank, pay down their own debt, or use the money to start making new products. When analyzing the balance sheet, investors can calculate how quickly customers are paying their credit bills, and this can offer insight into the health of the organization....

The act was needed because reverse mortgages are complicated products aimed at older adults. Without regulation and oversight, seniors could wind up in a loan program that is not in their best interest. With the act, the FHA (overseen by HUD) has the power to closely monitor and make quick changes to the program to protect the program’s integrity and in turn, protect consumers. Alternate name: reverse mortgage reform bill...

Section 1341 does not apply to canceled debts that you had to claim as income in a previous year when a creditor has a continuing right to pursue you for payment, even after the debt has been forgiven. Nor does it apply to small business owners who reimburse customers for returns. The key term in both these cases is that you did not have an “unrestricted right” to the income when you received it and reported it on your tax return....

The sheer cost of providing quality health care makes universal health care a large expense for governments. Medical coverage must be paid for by taxpayer-funded programs. A substantial portion of countries around the world have UHC, including Canada, much of Europe, Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, along with Australia and New Zealand. The U.S. has the distinction of being the only wealthy, industrialized nation without universal health care....

Seasonality The first is seasonality. For example, resort hotel room prices rise in the winter, when people want to get away from the snow. They drop in the summer, when vacationers are content to travel nearby. That is an example of volatility in demand, and prices, caused by regular seasonal changes. Weather Another factor affecting price volatility is the weather. For example, agricultural prices depend on the supply. That depends on the weather being favorable to bountiful crops....

Wealth managers and asset managers sound similar, but there are often differences in what these financial services firms provide for clients. In most cases, wealth managers offer holistic financial advice across multiple areas, while asset managers focus on investment management. What’s the Difference Between Asset Management and Wealth Management? Wealth management goes beyond investments and takes a big-picture view of your finances. According to Todd Pouliot, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), from Gateway Financial, LLC, wealth management focuses on things like:...

While it can be tempting to sign up for every card that you are offered, you should consider several things before applying for a credit card. Do your research on the credit card company, as well as a specific card’s account features, benefits, and any fees. You also need to be sure that you are financially ready to take on the responsibility of a credit card. Credit cards can be a powerful financial tool if they are handled correctly....

A career highlights/qualifications section of a ​resume is an optional customized section of a resume that lists key achievements, skills, traits, and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. It is also known as a resume summary. Review information on what to include on your resume, how to show your most important qualifications for a job, and examples of resumes with career summaries. What to Include The career highlights section, also known as a “career summary,” “career profile,” or “accomplishments” section, focuses on your relevant experience and lets the prospective employer know that you have taken the time to create a specific, tailored resume that shows how you are qualified for the specific job they are seeking to fill....

Find a Real Estate Agent First and foremost, a good real estate agent can answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction. Even if you are not ready to buy for a while, an agent’s advice will be invaluable. Avoid early disappointment. You cannot begin the process of determining a sales price until you get prequalified, nor can you look at homes until you know how much home you can buy....

The open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, which was created under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or “Obamacare,” generally begins in November each year. However, enrollment periods for employer-sponsored plans, private insurance, Medicare, or any other form of coverage all have different dates. What Is Open Enrollment? During open enrollment, employees have the option to enroll in benefits for the first time, change their current plans or coverage amounts, or drop coverage completely....

There are some steps you can take if you feel your boss does not like you and you’re in a difficult situation at work. Read below for suggestions on improving your relationship with your employer, and having a more enjoyable and productive time at work. Ask If Others Also Have Problems The first thing to consider is whether it’s just you who is having a problem with the boss. Are there other colleagues who report to your boss and have more positive relationships?...

Set Realistic Expectations Despite the turmoil in the investment markets, those who understand how investing works will tell you that when it comes to your retirement money, nothing beats a diversified portfolio. But what does that mean? It means you develop what is called an asset allocation model, which tells you how much of your retirement money should be in stocks versus bonds. You look at the historical returns and risk associated with your asset allocation model and the amount of money you need to withdraw each year....

So, what happens if you have already accepted a new job and the employer decides they don’t want to hire you? Here are some of the reasons an employer can rescind a job offer, when a job offer shouldn’t be withdrawn, and how to handle it if an employer withdraws an offer they have extended to you. Reasons Employer Can Rescind a Job Offer Organizations can withdraw a job offer for virtually any reason, except a discriminatory one....

Inflation fell to 7.7% in October, down from 8.2% in September as measured by the 12-month change in the Consumer Price Index, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday. That was bigger than the drop to 7.9% economists expected, and a sign that the relentless, steep price increases that have plagued the economy for more than a year may finally be easing. Within that overall figure, some important prices continued to rise swiftly, while others have slammed on the brakes....

It’s common to see a “pending sale” sign pop up after two or more months in a buyer’s market. Days on market are often much longer when there are fewer buyers than sellers. But it’s just as common to see the pending sign come down again. A sale could cancel due to seller’s remorse, but that’s a long shot. When Mortgage Loans Fall Through A buyer who doesn’t know any better might increase their debt load while they’re waiting for their mortgage loans to close....

As you’re preparing for the start of tax season next week, you won’t need to worry about either the $1,200 or the $600 stimulus checks the federal government sent out amid the pandemic-driven economic calamity. You don’t need to add the amounts to your federal income tax return, since they don’t count as gross income, according to the IRS website, meaning you won’t owe a penny on those stimulus funds....

Different accounts offer different kinds of tax advantages, so it’s important to understand the mechanics of how each one works. An IRA is a great vehicle for retirement savings, because it allows an individual to invest in almost any security in a tax-advantaged way. Traditional IRAs: Tax Savings Upfront You can contribute up to $6,000 total into all of your traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts annually in tax year 2022 and $7,000 if you’re 50 or older, and those limits are $500 higher in 2023....