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☆ How to Get a 401(k) Match for Your Student Loan Payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

By Aly J. YaleAfter a three-year reprieve, federal student loan payments resumed in October for more than 40 million Americans. In fact, in a recent survey 22% of student loan borrowers said they would need to reduce their retirement savings to make room for their renewed payments. Thanks to a provision in the Secure 2.0 Act, legislation aimed at improving retirement benefits nationwide, in 2024 employers will be able to start counting student loan payments as qualifying contributions toward retirement matching programs. That means if your employer offers to match your 401(k) contributions, you could get that matched money without ever depositing funds in your retirement account. However, if staying on top of your student loan payments has stopped you from leveraging your employer’s matching program—or contributing to your retirement account entirely—a student loan matching benefit can help you start saving.

Persons: Aly J, ”, Joelle, Jesse Moore, Sara Vipond, Mercer, ” Vipond, —, You’ll Organizations: Yale, Financial, Fidelity Investments, “, Treasury Department, Secure Locations: Framingham, Mass

☆ What Is the Mortgage Interest Deduction?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

That’s thanks to the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction, which lets you write off the interest you pay on your mortgage loan throughout the year. What is the mortgage interest deduction? The mortgage interest deduction is a type of itemized tax deduction that has been around in some form since a federal income tax was introduced in 1913. Mortgage pointsMortgage points—an upfront fee you can pay at closing to lower your interest rate—are another form of mortgage interest, just prepaid. Whether you should take the mortgage interest deduction comes down to the age-old question of itemizing vs. using the standard deduction.

Persons: Aly J, you’re, won’t, ”, Paul T, Joseph, Joseph & Joseph, We’ll, “, Aaron Cirksena, “ You’re, ” Cirksena, Jan Organizations: Yale, Home, Joseph &, Joseph & Joseph Tax, MDRN, IRS, — Locations: Williamston, Mich, California, Annapolis, Md, “

☆ Do I Get Taxed on a High-Yield Savings Account?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Today, you can even find some banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 5% APYs or higher, up from just 0.50% to 1% a few years ago. Has your high-yield savings account been racking up interest this year? How high-yield savings accounts are taxedThe interest you earn on a high-yield savings account—or any other savings account, money market account or certificate of deposit, for that matter—is subject to state and federal income taxes. What’s more, savings account and CD interest contrast with investment income, which is often taxed at lower rates. Some IRAs offer access to high-yield savings accounts.

Persons: Aly J, Uncle Sam, you’d, ”, Rob Burnette, that’s, They’re, Jan, You’ll, you’ll, Banks, you’ve, ” Burnette, you’re, Roth, won’t, Burnette, “ Organizations: Yale, Federal Reserve, Outlook Financial, IRS Locations: Texas, Illinois , Indiana , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Troy , Ohio

However, there are some key differences between the mechanics of credit cards and Helocs. Still, Helocs have far lower rates than credit cards, even for borrowers with strong credit scores. If interest rates climbed to 7% a year later, your payment would rise to $58 a month until the end of the draw period—unless interest rates move again or you draw more from the line. (Secured credit cards are an option for people with limited credit history; they require a cash down payment.) Consolidating credit card debt is another common use, since rates on credit cards can be as much as double what they are on home-equity loans.

Persons: Tanza Loudenback, Aly J, Helocs, you’ve, Robert Heck, won’t, Knight, Freddie Mac, You’re, Scott Fligel, ”, Eric Alexander, Heck, “, ” Heck, Alexander Organizations: Yale, Federal, Federal Reserve, Northwestern Mutual, Income Locations: homeownership, Morty, Charlotte, N.C, Dallas

☆ Heloc vs Home Equity Loan: When Are They a Good Idea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

And might a home-equity loan or Heloc work for your financial needs? How home-equity loans and Helocs workHome-equity loans and Helocs—home equity lines of credit—are tools for borrowing from your home equity, or the portion of your property you actually own. To use a home-equity loan or Heloc, you need to start with a good amount of equity. Lenders generally require that you maintain at least 20% equity in the home after taking out a home-equity loan or Heloc. “With a home-equity loan or Heloc—depending on the amount of equity you have in the home—much higher amounts are available.”Home-equity loan or Heloc?

Persons: Aly J, Jeff Levinsohn, Helocs, “ We’ve, ”, Susan Waite, don’t, Zillow, Alex Madonna, Louis, ” Levinsohn, Kyle Enright, ” Madonna Organizations: Yale, Point Breeze Credit Union, Center for Joint Housing Studies, Mortgage, Association, New, ”, Federal Reserve Bank of St, “ Locations: Hunt Valley, Md, “

☆ I Moved My Savings to a High-Yield Account, Now My Savings Rate Is Up 700%
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Meanwhile, my Charles Schwab Investor Savings account, which I intentionally opened to earn a higher rate on my long-term savings a few years ago, was paying just 0.48%. So I spent the early weeks of January shopping around, focusing on high-yield savings accounts I’d heard about from colleagues and in my reporting. (Check out these tips for choosing the best high-yield savings account for you.) I’d gotten comfortable with my old savings accounts, and it was costing me—a lot. So take this as your sign: If you haven’t checked your savings account rates lately it’s time to do so, particularly if you’ve had your account longer than a year or two.

Persons: Aly J, I’ve, Charles Schwab, wasn’t, Marcus —, Goldman Sachs —, I’d, you’ve Organizations: Yale, Charles Schwab Investor Savings, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Westside Theatre Locations: New York City, Canada, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal

☆ 15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: How Do You Choose?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +8 min

15-year mortgage rates vs. 30-year mortgage ratesHowever, mortgage rates vary by term length, too. Pros and cons of a 15-year mortgageA 15-year mortgage has some perks. “A 15-year mortgage would be ill-advised if a customer is tight on their budget,” says Chuck Meier, mortgage director at Sunrise Banks. “You can make the 15-year payment on a monthly basis, receiving the benefits of a 15-year mortgage,” Lindner says. “If the higher payment becomes a challenge, you can revert to the lower 30-year mortgage payment.”

Persons: Aly J, Freddie Mac, Melissa Cohn, you’re, ”, Chuck Meier, ” Cohn, Scott Lindner, ” Lindner Organizations: Yale, it’s, PMI, William, Sunrise Banks, TD Bank Locations: —

☆ How to Find a Real Estate Agent
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

According to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials, more than three million people hold active real estate licenses in the U.S. That’s a lot of people with a range of experience and expertise. That’d be “knowledge,” says Philip Hordijk, founder of real-estate brokerage Leven Real Estate. A note of caution: Think hard before choosing a friend or family member to help with a real estate transaction. Search online directories—with careThere are plenty of third-party real estate sites that offer agent directories, too, including Realtor.com and Zillow. Real-estate broker vs. agentThere is also a differentiation between a real-estate agent and a real-estate broker.

Persons: Aly J, ”, Jonathan Rundlett, “, Philip Hordijk, Kimberly Jay, I’m, ” Jay, Jeremy Kamm, ” Kamm, —, Jesse Sheldon, don’t, ” Hordijk, Christian Ross, Völkers, Desiree Avila, Charles Rutenberg, Johnny, you’re, ” Ross, Bret Weinstein, ” You’ll, you’ve, Sellers, Hordijk Organizations: Yale, Association of Real, License, National Association of Realtors, Compass, Real, Engel, Exxon Mobil, Houston Association of Realtors, NAR, News Corp, Street, Realtors Locations: U.S, Leven Real Estate, New York, New York City, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Avila, Houston, Denver, In Texas

If your school suspends your financial aid, you may be able to appeal the decision and get it back. Many schools require that students maintain a minimum GPA and complete a minimum number of credits per semester to qualify for financial aid." "They know that if students get less financial aid, then they will be less likely to stay and graduate." Components of a financial aid suspension appeal letterThe exact financial aid suspension appeal process varies by college, but your school may have a form you'll need to fill out to get the ball rolling. Financial aid suspension appeal letter exampleYou'll want to format your appeal letter much like a cover letter — with a header, date, and formal greeting.

Debate over the US debt ceiling puts the potential of a US Treasury default in focus. Failing to do so could lead to a US Treasury default if the government becomes unable to make payments on all of its outstanding debts. "This type of default — one that occurs due to not being able to raise the debt ceiling — would be unprecedented," Steeno says. 6 ways a US Treasury default could hurt your financesHere are some of the biggest financial impacts Americans would feel in the event of a US Treasury default:1. But a Treasury default could undo any progress they've been made.

☆ How to Get a Mortgage
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

“Houses cost more than the money invested to purchase them,” says Brian Rugg, chief credit officer at mortgage lender loanDepot. Research mortgage loan types and lendersThere are two basic categories of mortgage: private and government backed. “Look at customer reviews from past borrowers,” says Alex Shekhtman, a mortgage broker and founder of LBC Mortgage in New York. “Mortgage lenders use appraisals to protect their investment in the home,” says Liz Lopez, a real-estate agent at RelatedISG Realty. Since mortgage payments are made in arrears—meaning you pay on the first of the month for the previous month’s charges—you won’t owe a mortgage payment until the start of the second month following your closing date.

Cancel for any reason insurance is a type of travel insurance rider. What is cancel for any reason travel insurance? How much does cancel for any reason travel insurance cost? Travel Insured International Generali Global Assistance Seven Corners Cost of travel insurance $246 $262.29 $146 Additional cost of cancel for any reason insurance $108.24 $131.15 $61.32 Total cost of insurance (regular + cancel for any reason) $354.24 $393.44 $207.32 Policy cost increase as a percentage 44% 50% 42%Important: Most travel insurance companies offer free quotes on the company websites. What is the average cost of cancel for any reason travel insurance?

☆ Will Home Prices Drop in 2023?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

As of January, prices were down 13% from that June high, according to the National Association of Realtors. Will home prices drop in 2023? The University of California San Diego, for example, predicts prices will drop 5% nationally and as much as 18% in some cities. As a result, the U.S. housing market has been short on for-sale listings for more than a decade. “This is the easiest way to find out if you got a good price on your home in comparison to what else is on the market.”Finally, understand your finances.

☆ Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate—Here’s How to Improve It
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

How does your credit score affect your mortgage rate? “There is no single, specific credit score that will automatically qualify you for a mortgage.”What else determines your mortgage rate? How to check your credit scoreTo get your credit score, check your banking or credit card dashboard if you have one. Many come with automatic credit score monitoring, allowing you to check your score at any time. Make on-time paymentsThe best way to improve your credit score is to avoid late payments—particularly on student loans, credit cards and other types of debts that get reported to credit bureaus.

Important: The standard deduction is just one of many tax deductions for which you may be eligible. Standard deduction: 2022 and 2023The amount of the standard deduction is adjusted every year to account for inflation. How the standard deduction worksWhen you file your federal tax return, you can choose to use either the standard deduction or itemize your deductions, whichever amount is highest. Quick tip: If you're not sure whether to take the standard deduction or itemize deductions, talk to a tax professional. If your income is less than the standard deduction then you do not have to file a federal tax return.

How to shop for a mortgage in 5 stepsIf you plan to use a mortgage loan to buy a house, comparing your options is critical to getting the best deal. "Your credit score determines the rate you get, and the higher the score is, the better the rate becomes." With mortgages, you have two options: a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate, also called an adjustable rate. Insider's Featured Mortgage Lenders Rocket Mortgage by Quicken LoansAmeriSave Mortgage Corporation MortgagesNew American Funding Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. It could help save you significantly on your interest rate, payment, and long-term costs as a homeowner.

Cancel for any reason insurance is a type of travel insurance add-on. Travel insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects you from various losses that can occur while on a trip. If you add on cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, you can cancel for virtually anything as long as you do it within the required timeframe. Insider's Featured Travel Insurance Companies World Nomads Travel InsuranceAllianz Travel InsuranceTravelex travel insurance Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Editor's Rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.45/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On Travelex's websiteWill you get a full refund if you cancel your trip?

Choose where to open your IRAThe first step is to choose what type of institution you'll open your IRA through. Select your IRA account typeThere are several types of IRA accounts to choose from. They work similarly to a traditional IRA: They're funded with pre-tax earnings and withdrawals are taxable in retirement. Some will send the money directly to your new IRA account. If you rollover funds to a traditional IRA, you won't need to pay taxes on the funds (until you start making withdrawals).

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