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It's easy to see pet insurance as optional for most pets, but the cost of pet care can be high. Most pet insurance plans cover the big costsMany people also believe that pet insurance doesn't cover that much. There are two types of pet insurance — illness and accident insurance and accident-only insurance. Make sure the math works in your favorLike with human health insurance, pet insurance has a monthly premium you'll need to pay to maintain coverage. Looking to the futureWhile it's not always pleasant, thinking through all the scenarios can help you pick the best pet insurance policy for you.

Persons: —, there's, It's, it's Organizations: Service, American Kennel Club, American Pet Health Insurance Association Locations: American

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. This week, a reader gave their money to their daughter whom they live with for a down payment. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,I gave my daughter and her husband money to put a down payment on a house, but we never discussed whether it was a gift or a loan. At the time, we gave money to our other children rather than leave it to them after we died.

Persons: —, It's, it's, Lay, doesn't Organizations: Service

By hiring an accountant, we'll be able to get the most out of tax season and save for retirement. Short-term capital gains are profits you've made on stock that you've held for one year or less. Long-term capital gains are gains on investments you've held for longer than a year and range from 0% to 20%. What tax rate you'll pay on these gains depends on your taxable income, or what tax bracket you fall into. Little-known tax moves like this are another reason hiring an accountant is worth every penny.

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I have many financial goals, so instead of one big savings account, I have one for each goal. Years ago, I heard some advice from a financial influencer that stuck with me: If you have numerous savings goals, set up different savings accounts and give each a name to correspond with their purpose. I opened up six new Capital One 360 Performance Savings accounts in the new year to help me achieve my financial goals. TaxesI'm embarrassed to say that I have never set aside money for taxes in all my years as a freelancer. While I usually had the funds available, peace of mind comes with having a separate savings account to cover taxes.

Persons: —, I've, It's, it's, I'd, haven't, Sam Organizations: Service Locations: homeownership

But some smaller, more specialized tax credits and deductions could score you hundreds (or even thousands) of extra dollars back as well. Here's an overview of some overlooked federal and state tax credits that filers often miss. At first glance, this might seem counterintuitive — why wouldn't you deduct state income tax, which is usually a larger sum? AdvertisementEven if your state has an income tax, you may still come ahead by itemizing sales tax instead, depending on your tax profile. The IRS provides tables and tools to calculate if claiming sales tax delivers more savings than claiming income tax.

Persons: You've, filers, it's, you've, doesn't Organizations: IRS, Care Locations: California, Texas, Florida, Nevada

I thought it wasn't worthwhile to invest in an estate plan if I didn't have any assets. In the United States, the primary intellectual property categories are patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. You can also detail the uses of your intellectual property that are allowed in the future." Since your family might not know the full extent of your intellectual property, Hayes recommended making a list of any intellectual property you might have. "Everyone in today's world has digital assets," Hayes said.

Persons: —, Monique Hayes, Hayes, It's Organizations: Service Locations: United States

Read previewAbout a year ago, I signed up for an American Express checking account. I canceled my American Express Rewards checking account just a year after opening. It came as a shock to me that it wasn't available with an Amex checking account and defeated a large purpose of opening this account. It was hard to deposit and transfer moneyAmerican Express makes it incredibly difficult to fund the Amex Rewards checking account. The APY wasn't competitiveBecause of its limited functionality, I ended up using my Amex Rewards checking account as a sort of savings account.

Persons: —, Bill Organizations: Service, Business, American, Express, American Express, Capital

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. If you sue the granddaughter after the grandmother helped you in your earlier court case, any goodwill you two share will disappear. That said, if you don't sue, you'll never receive the justice you deserve — not to mention the money you're owed. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

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Investing apps that encourage you to invest like the rich are focused on active trading. The wealthiest 10% of US households own nearly 67% of the wealth in our stock market, according to data from the Federal Reserve. Investment apps are made for trading, not savingI put investors into two buckets: traders and savers. Most investment apps are designed to make users act like traders: They encourage you to pick individual stocks, trade them frequently and keep a close eye on their performance. Unless you're investing for the thrill of big wins and losses, stop seeking get-rich investment strategies from people who were already rich.

Persons: —, Michael Jordan, Read, Stephen King, Gary Vee, I'm, Rich Organizations: Service, TikTok, Echo Trade, Federal

We can't predict what the Fed will do or how that will impact mortgage rates. Yes, even as high interest rates make buying a home with a mortgage more expensive! On one hand, interest rates may drop so buying a home with a mortgage is more affordable. Or we could say there's still massive demand in the Boston market despite the jump in interest rates. Get the lowest mortgage rate you canPretty obvious advice if you want to get a mortgage now, right?

Persons: —, doesn't Organizations: Service, National, ARM Locations: Boston

Many people leave too much money in their high-yield savings account instead of investing it. Most experts recommend keeping at least three to six months of expenses in a dedicated savings account as an emergency fund. Ideally, these funds are kept in a high-yield savings account that earns enough interest to keep up with inflation and then some. The fact is, interest rates for savings accounts and CDs fluctuate based on market conditions. Get Exclusive Savings with Raisin: Open one of the best savings accounts with a no-fee Raisin account in minutes and spread your savings across an exclusive network of over 30 FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions.

Persons: —, Lawrence, Regina McCann Hess, Hess, Jeff Rose, Will, Shinobu Hindert Organizations: Service, Nasdaq, Vanguard, Fidelity

Then, open separate business checking, business savings, and business credit card accounts to keep your personal and NIL business finances separate. To determine if you need to make quarterly estimated tax payments, consider having a CPA run a tax projection for you. Federal quarterly estimated tax payments typically include federal income taxes and self-employment taxes, which are 15.3% of your net income. State quarterly estimated tax payments vary by state, so check with your tax professional. Plan for multiple state income tax return filingsAs a student-athlete, it is likely that you will earn NIL income in multiple states.

Persons: — Organizations: Student, Service, NCAA, IRS, CPA, Block

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. This week, a reader feels her boyfriend is taking advantage of her financially. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. I feel like my boyfriend is taking advantage of me. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, I've, I'm, it's, Let's, he's, they've Organizations: Service Locations: dinnertime

As long as my child is under 17, with just a few criteria, I'm eligible for the child tax credit. You're eligible for the child tax credit until your child is 17I didn't know much about the current child tax credit and asked Miller if I was eligible. "If you have a child under the age of 17, you could qualify to receive a child tax credit on your tax return," he said. But since the deadline to file 2023 taxes is April 15, some people have already filed their taxes. "This is similar to what they have done in the past, so there's no need to wait on filing your 2023 taxes."

Persons: hasn't, —, I'm, Paul Miller, Miller Organizations: Service, IRS, Relief, American Families and Workers, Senate

That's why, in the fall of 2019, I decided to purchase a disability insurance plan. Why I bought disability insuranceI've written about disability insurance for years, but never really considered getting a plan myself. How I chose my disability insurance policyThere are two types of disability insurance, short-term and long-term. I bought long-term disability insurance with a 90-day waiting period. There are five states that require employers to provide short-term disability coverage, also known as temporary disability insurance.

Persons: I'm, —, You'd Organizations: Service, Social Security Administration, Social Security, Union Locations: New York

I wondered if ChatGPT would give me good retirement adviceSpeaking of tiresome work, I've spent many years putting off my retirement plan beyond my husband's 401(k). First, I asked Rush and ChatGPT the same question: What are the best retirement strategies for self-employed people? They recommended similar types of accountsRush and ChatGPT had similar suggestions regarding which kinds of retirement savings accounts freelancers should consider. ChatGPT also mentioned determining your risk tolerance and diversifying your investment portfolio accordingly, as well as including healthcare expenses in your retirement plans by contributing to an HSA, and reassessing and adjusting your retirement plans regularly. I'm happy getting retirement advice from a humanBut Rush had a few other suggestions that ChatGPT didn't list in its response to my question.

Persons: ChatGPT, I've, Justin Rush, Rush, it's, they've, doesn't Organizations: Service, Business, Google, IRA

Go beyond financial literacy"Gone are the days that we can hide behind the illusion that more financial literacy is enough," says Rahkim Sabree, AFC, financial therapist and counselor. Currently, 25 states require financial literacy education for students; however, rarely, if ever, does financial literacy address larger systemic issues that exist. Black students owe an average of 188% more than what white students borrowed by the fourth year after graduation. One 2016 study found that if current trends continue, closing the wealth gap would take more than 200 years. AdvertisementYounger Black Americans have now become the fastest-growing demographic of new investors in the stock market.

Persons: —, Martin Luther King, Jr, Moritz Kuhn, Moritz Schularick, Ulrike I, Rahkim Sabree, We've, Kristin Afelumo, Lazetta Rainey Braxton, Braxton Organizations: Service, Business, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Black, National Bureau of Economic Research, Economic Policy Institute, AFC, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Netflix, Lazetta, Associates Locations: America, Evanston , Illinois, Black

Read previewRunning a small business is challenging and securing funding is often a major hurdle. Given the high rates of small business failure linked to funding issues, it is apparent that financial preparation is key. I'm a financial planner, and I've identified seven documents that small business owners should have — especially if you need a small business credit card, grant, or a business loan. To ensure your small business is well-prepared to secure funding, it is essential to have the following financial documents in place. 1. Business credit reportUnderstanding and managing your business credit score is essential to secure funding.

Persons: —, I've, Bradstreet, Dun & Bradstreet, DUNS, Experian Organizations: Service, Business, Dun &, Insurance Locations: Dun, Experian

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess insurance products). This week, a reader paid half the cost of their brother's funeral out of their own pocket. He had life insurance, with the money going to my mother and my two adult kids. Try saying something like, "I didn't have the chance to prepare for my brother's funeral expenses financially. You weren't wrong to ask, and you certainly weren't wrong to assume your brother's life insurance would cover the funeral costs.

Persons: —, didn't, Dear, what's, I'm, weren't, isn't Organizations: Business, Service Locations: Florida

If you get a tax bill you can't afford, you can apply for a payment plan to pay it back over time. That's the day your tax return and payment for any tax owed is due to the IRS and most local tax agencies. That's because filing your tax return can come with some surprises — the least pleasant of which is a tax bill you weren't expecting. Prepare for next yearThe best way to avoid a surprise tax bill is to pay what you expect to owe in taxes year-round. If you're self-employed (including any freelancing on the side of other employment), make quarterly estimated tax payments to stay ahead of your liability and avoid additional penalties.

Persons: —, that's, they'll Organizations: Service, IRS, Google

During her workshops, she focused on finances and how to secure grant funding for their businesses. I spoke with her about how Black entrepreneurs can set themselves up for financial success in both business and personal finance. In 2023, we saw an increase in the number of grants available for Black entrepreneurs. Lastly, she said, "Create a grant funding budget. Books and podcasts for Black entrepreneursFinally, I asked Bobb what resources Black entrepreneurs should look to for more ideas.

Persons: Renee Bobb, —, Bobb, Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, Brown, Mandi Woodruff, Tiffany Aliche, Dennis Kimbro, Daymond John Organizations: Service, Bunker Labs, Entrepreneurship, Music, Tennessee Titans, American Express, Black Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Agency Locations: Black

☆ Financial advisors say dividend stocks can be good for young investors, but they still require a deliberate strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Kena Shah | Avril Ayers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"Dividend funds hope to offer dividend income. AdvertisementDue to their slower growth, dividend-paying stocks are often more reliable than growth stocks, making them a good addition to a young person's investment portfolio for diversification. For example, adding a few dividend-paying stocks to a portfolio of volatile growth stocks can offer diversification. Particularly for young people just getting started with investing, dividend stocks are a good way to learn, says Michael Dinich, a financial advisor. Dividend-paying stocks are also safe for the most part in comparison to growth stocks.

Persons: —, Casey Hayden, Alissa Musto, Julie George, George, Michael Dinich, Hayden Organizations: Service

Generational wealth makes investments more importantIn short, generational wealth is the wealth that’s passed down through a family from generation to generation. AdvertisementIn order to understand generational wealth, I had to understand the history of Black people in America. He and his siblings didn’t receive generational wealth when their parents died, and they also didn’t have the same opportunities as white families. AdvertisementNow that I understand generational wealth, I’m still frustrated, but I no longer feel like I’m inadequate or unintelligent, because I now understand the privileges that I didn’t have. Fortunately, now I can take my frustrations about generational wealth and use it when I go to the voting booth.

Persons: I'm, I've, That’s, didn’t, you’re, we’d, grandpa, I’m Locations: America, Modesto , California

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader's husband isn't willing to consider renting out part of their home. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. AdvertisementIf your husband isn't fully onboard with the idea, then it's a no-go. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

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Our experts answer readers' tax questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess tax products). I always start tax prep at the end of December, but doing so felt especially important this year. Finally, I send tax forms to the people whom I subcontracted with. I like the idea that he’s spending a bit more time on my taxes during the quiet start to tax season. Starting my taxes early lets me plan and feel in control, which reduces my stress about my tax bill.

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