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☆ The best fixed income deals for investors as interest rates surge higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Investors searching for income were buoyed by the move higher in the 10-year Treasury yield, but there are also some other opportunities to bring in some cash. "They can blend A with AA and AAA and you can get better yields," Weinberg explained. In fact, a good signal to buy munis is when their yields are at least 85% of corresponding Treasury yields, he said. Investors can also buy municipal bond funds to get exposure to the market. Investors can also get exposure through a diversified exchange traded fund, such as the iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF .

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☆ 'Bond ladders are cool again,' says advisor. Here's how to capture higher Treasury bill yields
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're eager to capture higher yields amid rising interest rates, you may consider a Treasury bill ladder, depending on your goals, according to financial experts. Backed by the U.S. government, Treasury bills, or T-bills, are widely considered a relatively safe asset, with terms of four weeks to 52 weeks. When one expires, you can reinvest the funds for a higher yield, which may be appealing as interest rates rise. More from Personal Finance:Here's how to buy Treasury bills as some yields reach 5%Some Treasury bills are now paying 5%. As of Feb. 27, six-month and 1-year Treasury bills were both paying over 5%.

Below, you'll find our top picks for the best banks for avoiding ATM fees. The best banks for avoiding bank ATM fees have free regional or national ATM networks, so you won't be charged for using an ATM. The Best Banks for Avoiding ATM FeesLendingClub Bank: Best online bank for avoiding domestic ATM feesConnexus Credit Union: Best credit union for avoiding domestic ATM feesChase: Best national bank for avoiding domestic ATM feesCharles Schwab: Best institution for avoiding international ATM feesTD Bank: Best regional bank for avoiding domestic ATM feesBetterment: Best online banking platform for avoiding domestic ATM feesWe've included brick-and-mortar banks, online banks, credit unions, and online banking platforms, so you can choose from a variety of options. Unlimited refunds on out-of-network ATM fees Check mark icon A check mark. You could also refer to the schedules of fees document to review ATM fees and ATM withdrawal limits."

☆ Here's how to buy Treasury bills as some yields reach 5%, according to financial experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With some Treasury bills now offering 5%, the assets have become more appealing to investors. Backed by the U.S. government, Treasury bills, or T-bills, are nearly risk-free, with terms of four weeks to 52 weeks. More from Personal Finance:Some Treasury bills are now paying 5%. For example, let's say you purchase $1,000 of one-year T-bills at a 4% discount, with a $960 purchase price. To calculate your coupon rate (4.16%), you take your $1,000 maturity and subtract the $960 purchase price before dividing the difference by $960.

☆ Six-month Treasury yield tops 5%. Here’s how you can put your idle cash to work
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Rates on U.S. Treasurys have spurted even higher, and that means you don't have to look too far to safely grab some yield for your cash holdings. The yield on six-month Treasurys have surpassed 5%, and even 1-month bills tout rates of 4.5%. Further, you can put the same concept to work with short-dated Treasurys to get a little more yield on your cash and do so safely. Risk management and ladders When interest rates are rising, you can reinvest the proceeds of the maturing bonds in your ladder into a longer-dated issue. In a falling rate environment, you can count on the bonds that have already locked in the higher yields.

☆ Some Treasury bills are now paying 5%. Here's what investors need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

T-bill yields have been low since the Great Recession, with the exception of 2018. Currently, shorter-term Treasury yields are higher than longer-term yields, which is known as an inverted yield curve. How interest rates affect bond valuesAnother factor to consider is the current economic environment, including future moves at the Fed. Although it's expressed in years, it's different from the bond's maturity since it factors in the coupon, time to maturity and yield paid through the term. "It's always the Fed; the Fed controls short-term interest rates," said David Enna, founder of Tipswatch.com, a website that tracks Treasury inflation-protected securities and other assets.

☆ How to boost your portfolio income when companies cut dividends
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Dividend stocks have long been a way for investors to earn income, but recent cuts may have some concerned about what to do next. However, those recent decreases are unusual, said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S & P Dow Jones Indices. Where to look for income Corporate dividends are just one source of income, and that income should be just one part of your overall portfolio, said certified financial planner Jamie Hopkins, managing partner of wealth solutions at Carson Group. Dividend funds Another option is an exchange-traded fund composed of dividend stocks. WDIV YTD mountain SPDR S & P Global Dividend ETF's year-to-date performance The ProShares S & P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF , also tracks the index.

☆ These savings accounts earn a 1,600% higher interest rate than traditional ones, but most Americans don't use them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

High-yield savings accounts have become an even better place to park cash you might need in the near future, while still growing your money. For a $10,000 investment, that works out to about $400 in annual interest, compared with just $55 a year ago. Traditional savings accounts currently have an average APY of 0.23% — about 1,600% less than the rates offered by high-yield accounts. Despite the higher interest rates, only about 20% of Americans have a high-yield savings account, according to a 2020 YouGov survey commissioned by Red Ventures. For more on how to sign up for a high-yield savings account, CNBC Select has you covered.

☆ How to access your IRS transcripts for an accurate tax return — and faster refund
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"Oftentimes, filing a complete and accurate return is much better than filing the return quickly," said Michael Prinzo, managing principal of tax at CliftonLarsonAllen. Companies prepare tax forms such as W-2s or 1099s every year, with copies for taxpayers and the IRS. How to use IRS transcriptsOne way to check which forms you need is by pulling an IRS transcript online, which summarizes some of your key tax information. How to access IRS transcripts online 1. Other uses for IRS transcripts

☆ You can avoid paying surprise taxes by picking the best investment accounts. Here's how
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're looking for ways to trim your yearly tax bill, experts may check your portfolio, since some assets are more likely to trigger taxes in certain accounts. Your 401(k) account offers tax-deferred growth, meaning you won't owe levies on yearly income, such as dividends and capital gains. By contrast, you may owe taxes for selling assets or receiving income in a brokerage account, which may be a surprise for some investors. If you have three types of accounts — brokerage, tax-deferred and tax-free — you can pick the best spot for each asset, said May, who is also a certified public accountant. Since bonds may have less growth but distribute income, they may be suitable for tax-deferred accounts like your 401(k) plan, she said, and investments most likely to appreciate may be ideal for tax-free accounts, like a Roth individual retirement account.

☆ Scoring the best deals on Presidents' Day holiday sales: 3 smart money moves to make as you shop
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"For two reasons – the impact of inflation during a pandemic era and interest rates – what appears to be a deal may not be." Before you charge the purchase to a credit card, remember this is one of the most expensive ways to borrow money. The annual percentage rate on a credit card is at an all-time high of nearly 20%. Credit experts say that a cash-back rewards credit card with a 0% interest introductory offer may be an even better deal. Look for lower loan rates at a credit union: Many car brands offer Presidents' Day deals that lower the purchase price or interest rates or make lease deals more attractive.

☆ Made a profit selling your home in 2022? Here's how to trim your tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SDI ProductionsDespite the cooling market, many homeowners made money selling their property in 2022 — and part of that windfall may be taxable. While most sellers fall under the thresholds for capital gains taxes, high-dollar home sales or long-term ownership can trigger an unexpected bill, experts say. Here's how it works: Home sales profits are considered capital gains, with federal tax rates of 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your 2022 taxable income. As a single home seller, you can exclude up to $250,000 of your profit from capital gains taxes and you can shield up to $500,000 as a married couple filing together, assuming you meet certain IRS rules. However, you may owe capital gains taxes if your home profit exceeds those thresholds.

☆ IRS unveils option allowing online responses to 9 of its notices. 'A step in the right direction,' says tax pro
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Hoxton/Sam Edwards | Getty ImagesAfter kicking off tax season with customer service and technology upgrades, the IRS this week unveiled a new option allowing taxpayers to respond more easily to certain agency notices. The new feature lets taxpayers and professionals respond to nine notices online by digitally uploading requested documents, rather than responding by mail, according to a news release from Thursday. "It's definitely a step in the right direction," said certified financial planner John Chichester Jr., founder and CEO of Chichester Financial Group in Phoenix. Chichester said allowing taxpayers and professionals to respond to notices online will "save everyone time and energy." If you receive one of the nine notices, it will include a link and unique access code, according to the IRS.

☆ Boost your portfolio income with this hybrid asset. Just be aware of the recession risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

For yield-hungry investors, preferred stocks offer a way to boost portfolio income. Preferred stocks are a hybrid asset. They have yields, which move inversely to the value of the preferred stock – the same way bonds do. "However, with bond yields rising, the place for preferred stock in a portfolio should be used sparingly." For those who want to stretch for yield and take on a little more risk, preferred stocks are another attractive possibility.

☆ How to pay 0% capital gains taxes with a six-figure income in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Here's why: The IRS made dozens of inflation adjustments for 2023, including the long-term capital gains brackets, applying to investments held for more than one year. This means you can have more taxable income before reaching the 15% or 20% brackets for investment earnings. Here's your capital gains tax bracketWith higher standard deductions and income thresholds for capital gains, it's more likely you'll fall into the 0% bracket in 2023, Lucas said. The rates use "taxable income," calculated by subtracting the greater of the standard or itemized deductions from your adjusted gross income. For example, if a married couple makes $100,000 together in 2023, their taxable income may easily fall below $89,250 taxable income after subtracting the $27,700 married filing jointly standard deduction.

☆ 3 questions that will help you decide where to save in today's high-rate environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And with so much uncertainty in the stock market and rising interest rates, it can feel more complicated than normal. Right now, high-yield savings accounts (such as the LendingClub High-Yield Savings account) and CDs are more appealing than they were a few years ago when rates were low. However, interest rates tend to have a bigger influence on short or mid-term planning, not long-term decisions. Wealthfront Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. For example, if you save $1,000 in a high-yield savings account at 4% interest you'd earn about $41 in a year.

☆ This is the No. 1 money habit of early retirees, says CFP—and it only takes 30 minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Short for financial independence, retire early, FIRE adherents aim to save and invest large portions of their income early in their careers in order to have enough money to retire decades before their mid-60s. Some early retirees start their own businesses and sell at a huge profit. "This is a huge, huge priority for them," she says. Here's why Camp says taking regular dives into your finances is essential if you want to increase your savings rate — whether you're planning to retire early or not. "People who have a healthy savings rate know where their money is going because they track it."

☆ Pre-tax vs. Roth 401(k): Deciding which to use for retirement is trickier than you think
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Prathanchorruangsak | Istock | Getty ImagesWhether you're starting a new job or updating retirement savings goals, you may need to choose between pre-tax or Roth 401(k) contributions — and the choice may be more complex than you think. While pre-tax 401(k) deposits offer an upfront tax break, the funds grow tax-deferred, meaning you'll owe levies upon withdrawal. By contrast, Roth 401(k) contributions happen after taxes, but your future earnings grow tax-free. Experts say these expected changes may also factor into the pre-tax vs. Roth contributions analysis. Plus, recent changes from Secure 2.0 have made Roth 401(k) contributions more appealing for some investors, she said.

☆ Rollovers from a 401(k) plan to an IRA: Weigh these 7 factors first
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Investment funds in 401(k) plans are generally less costly than their IRA counterparts. That's largely because IRA investors are "retail" investors while 401(k) savers often get access to more favorable "institutional" pricing. watch nowOf course, not all 401(k) plans are created equal. For example, more than 30% of 401(k) plans disallow periodic or partial withdrawals by retirees, and about 36% disallow installment payments, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America, a trade group. Company stockWorkers who own company stock in their 401(k) can get a tax benefit for keeping those holdings in-plan rather than rolling them to an IRA, Jenkin said.

☆ This savings account offers a 'triple tax benefit'—but 88% of users are missing out
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Traditional retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts, come with an upfront tax break. But a third type of account comes with tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth in your investments and tax-free withdrawals on certain expenses in retirement: health savings accounts. How health savings accounts workHealth savings accounts are only available to people enrolled in high-deductible health plans. But the HSA comes with some extra benefits. You're also allowed to invest your HSA money in stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.

Millennials have lived through two recessions and might be facing a third as their parents retire. Talking money with your parents isn't going to be fun, but it's a good idea to know their status. A major part of that preparation is figuring out where the money will come from to care for their parents. Decide who can provide the financial caretakingSo should millennials be saving for their parents' care? But Williams, the financial planner, doesn't advise millennials to focus their saving efforts on their parents' care.

☆ Bond yields are hot, but be smart how you invest. Here’s where to begin
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bond yields and prices move inversely to each other so, as rates rose, prices tumbled – and did so at an inopportune time since stocks were suffering, too. Thus, they have higher interest rate risk and greater price fluctuation. He likes short-term Treasury bond funds and ETFs. Another way to mitigate interest rate risk is to use a barbell: You hold equal amounts of shorter and longer-dated issues. "You don't have to reach too far in terms of credit risk and interest rate risk to capture healthy yield in today's environment."

☆ 35% of millionaires say retirement is 'going to take a miracle,' report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It suggests that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their investments (adjusted for inflation) each year in retirement. Given current market expectations, the 4% rule "may no longer be feasible," researchers at Morningstar wrote in a recent paper. "Maybe you have that $1 million but you've taken a 20% hit on it," Goodsell said. "Or meet with a financial advisor who can hopefully put you at ease or provide you with a plan to get you feeling better." "You can remove the guesswork," said Boneparth, who is also a member of the CNBC Financial Advisors Council.

☆ When it makes sense to buy extra paper Series I bonds with your tax refund, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jetcityimage | Istock | Getty ImagesIf you're trying to max out the yearly purchase limit for Series I bonds, your tax refund offers an opportunity to buy even more. While the annual purchase limit is generally $10,000 per person for electronic I bonds, you can buy another $5,000 in paper I bonds with your tax refund. Buying paper I bonds with your tax refund may make sense if you're eager to purchase as much as possible, said Ken Tumin, senior industry analyst at LendingTree and founder of DepositAccounts.com, a website that tracks I bonds, among other assets. Downsides of paper I bondsKeil said it's also important to consider the downsides of purchasing paper I bonds tied to your tax return. What's more, paper I bonds must be converted to electronic form before redemption.

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