Cassie Bottorff

Over 7 million Americans missed out on this $2,500+ tax credit. Don’t be one of them The EITC was designed to help low- to moderate-income working Americans, but many don’t even apply for it.

The EITC was designed to help low- to moderate-income working Americans, but many don’t even apply for it. Are you missing out on a bigger refund?

fortune.com/article/what...

Here's how much you need to make to afford a $400,000 house today We walk you through how to calculate your DTI, what the 28/36 rule is, and why all this matters.

How much house you can afford depends not only on income, but also factors such as DTI ratio, down payment amount, and the mortgage rate you're offered. In this @fortune.com piece we walk you through some calculations that can help you determine your target price range when you start home shopping.

I’ve been using YNAB to budget for more than a decade. Here are the biggest pros and cons of this cult favorite budgeting platform If you’re a fan of zero-based budgeting, there’s no better platform on the market than YNAB—but it’s not perfect. Here are some of the biggest pros and cons.

I've used YNAB for over 10 years and now I can't imagine life without it. If you're looking to create some new financial habits this year, I highly recommend signing up for this powerful budgeting platform. Here's why:

Millennials boost savings by 30% on average despite economic challenges Survey results show millennials demonstrating a commitment to financial wellness even as they grapple with debt and rising living costs.

As a millennial, I've seen my generation get blamed for many things. But what I love seeing is that in spite of that, we are pressing forward and working hard to secure a stable financial future. Check out this encouraging study from Piere:

Carrying high-interest debt? Here’s when to consider a balance transfer—and when you shouldn’t Just because a credit card offers an attractive introductory promo doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily come out ahead.

My husband and I recently took advantage of a balance transfer offer that will save us over $1000 in interest payments. Using new debt to pay off old debt isn't always the right choice, but I'll walk you through the questions you should ask yourself before taking advantage of appealing promo offers.

Which prices were still seeing big gains in January? Which parts of inflation are looking more normal? The January Consumer Price Index showed that while average price gains are moderating, some everyday prices are seeing big price gains.

After falling steadily in 2024, inflation is on the rise again. The latest #CPIreport shows how it'll impact your budget.

fortune.com/article/janu...

Wondering how soon you’ll receive your tax refund? We’ll show you how to check on the status of your refund. Google search queries for “where is my tax refund” are off the charts. There are multiple ways to check in on the status of your tax refund.

If you're one of the millions of Americans who are anxiously awaiting their tax refund so you can pay off debt or build your savings, there are a few ways to discover when you'll receive your payout.

Having to fight Elon Musk at DOGE before we’ve even battled Trump feels like having to defeat the forces of Saruman first at Helm’s Deep.

Did you earn a bonus on a new bank account last year? That’s taxable income Don’t get caught off guard. IRS rules say that interest earned on bank accounts is taxable income.

Did you open a new bank account last year? Do you think you're safe from paying income taxes once your paycheck hits your bank account? Think again. Here's what you need to know:

The best savings account bonuses of February 2025 Savers can earn up to $525 with qualifying activity on new savings accounts, but it’s not always worth it.

If you already have an emergency fund built up, Wells Fargo is offering $525 to new savers. But if you qualify for that reward, you might be better off getting a $900 bonus from Chase by opening both a savings AND checking account. This is a great one to take advantage of!

How the Federal Reserve impacts your bank accounts Most people pay little attention to the Federal Reserve and monetary policy. But they have an outsized impact on your bank accounts.

The Federal Reserve kept its thumb squarely on the pause button at this week’s meeting. That’s good news for your bank accounts, since another rate cut would probably mean a lower return on your money.

Here's what you should know:

How to file your taxes online The IRS has provided some new options for filing taxes online this year. Here’s what you need to know.

It's opening day!!!

...of tax season. Get your game face on and check out my new article to see what's different this year 👀

Inauguration week was a collision of two Christianities (RNS) — Between the Christianity of Trump and the Christianity of Christ, we recognize the widest possible difference.

"A tree is known by its fruit. An apple tree doesn’t need a sign to tell you what it is. If it isn’t like Jesus, it isn’t Christianity."

Rarely do I see articles that so perfectly sum up the frustrations I have with the church in America these days. Please read this.

The best checking account bonuses of January 2025 Here are the best checking account bonuses of January 2025. Savers who are up to the challenge can earn up to $1,550 by stacking rewards—but it’s not easy.

You may be lured in by "free money" when you open new bank accounts, but there are some risks you should be aware of. Here are some tips to help you maximize rewards.

Fascinating. I wonder what they've changed this time...

How to sell your house: 8 steps to help you sell in 2025 Are you a homeowner selling your house for the first time? Follow our guide to understand the steps you need to take.

Thinking about moving in 2025? Markets might be cooling off, but there are still some tips you can take advantage of to sell your home quickly. Here's my advice:

fortune.com/article/how-...

How to build an emergency fund in 5 easy steps Setting aside a few months’ worth of expenses may not be as difficult as you think.

Nearly 40% of Americans wouldn't be able to pay for a $400 emergency in cash, potentially pushing them deeper and deeper into credit card debt.

If you feel like building an emergency fund is an impossible task, I've broken it down into 5 simple steps for you. Check it out: