MKR Blog
As Congress begins working on a new coronavirus relief bill, the White House looks to target aid more specifically and cap the overall expense of the package at $1 trillion. Here’s what else we know about a second stimulus package. Direct Stimulus Payment Another...
Since early March, the COVID-19 pandemic has been making a substantial financial impact on millions of people across the country. With 22 million jobless claims in just one month and a slowly moving economy, many homeowners are left wondering if their properties will...
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress at the end of March provides direct economic assistance to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the bill, certain provisions allow people to withdraw from their retirement...
The U.S. Government has already started sending stimulus payments to Americans from the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. But there is still some...
Whether you’re working with a robust tax refund, a work bonus, or an inheritance of some kind, here’s a list of positive moves to make with that windfall. Evaluate Your Debt There’s “bad” debt and “good” debt. Good debt is an investment that will grow in value or...
A new scoring model from Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind the FICO score, is set to be implemented later this year by Equifax and other major credit bureaus. The popular score is commonly used by lenders to determine your eligibility and interest rate for certain...
As an American worker, relinquishing part of your income to taxes is standard practice, but once you move out of the workforce, much of your retirement income is subject to taxes as well. Below are some possible taxes you could face in retirement. Social Security...
The start of a new year is a time for fresh starts and new goals, but it’s also the beginning of the oft-dreaded tax season, which means Tax identity thieves are on the lookout for information they can use in order to create fraudulent tax returns. Here are some tips...
Even those of us who have the best intentions with our money can fall victim to bad financial habits, which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Some of the most common bad habits we fall into include: Impulse spending Not budgeting (or not sticking to a budget)...
As the clock winds down to the end of the year, there are a few last-minute money moves to make in order to lower your tax bill. Maximize Your 401(k) and HSA Contributions While tax deductible contributions can be made to traditional and Roth IRA accounts until April...
Key Takeaways Not coordinating 401(k)s can cost couples real money. Research suggests couples who don't prioritize the highest employer match may lose an average of $14,000 in retirement wealth over their lifetime — not from saving too little, but from saving in the...
Key Takeaways AI can automate the basics of money management. From tracking spending patterns to suggesting realistic budgets and automating transfers to savings, AI-powered financial apps help people manage cash flow without the guesswork of manual tracking. AI is a...
Inheriting an IRA might feel like a financial win, but the rules today are different than they were just a few years ago. If you’re not up to date, an unexpected tax bill could catch you off guard. Here’s what changed, and how to plan around it. Changes Made by the...
The retail landscape has been reshaping since the pandemic, and what seemed like temporary changes have now solidified into permanent shifts in how consumers shop and what they expect from retailers. Here are the key trends shaping retail this year. Value-Oriented...
If you owe back taxes and you’re expecting a refund this year, you might be wondering if the IRS will keep it. In some cases, yes. In others, no. Whether the refund reaches your bank account depends on several factors. If you have unpaid federal tax debt, the IRS can...
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) could change your tax return in real ways. The bill offers potential relief for parents raising kids, workers earning tips or overtime, and seniors on fixed incomes. There are a few key areas to pay attention to. Here’s...
Running a veterinary clinic means juggling patient care, staff needs, and business operations. Technology can help ease that load, and in 2026, several trends are beginning to emerge for better efficiency, security, and staff and client support. Here are the...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of the best tools for saving on healthcare costs. And beginning this year, more Americans than ever will qualify for HSAs, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which was passed last July. Read on to learn what’s changing,...
When you retire, you don’t have to move your 401(k) right away, and for many retirees, leaving it where it is could be a smart move. Employers are increasingly adding features that make staying in the plan more appealing. Why? Partly because when employees with large...
The construction industry enters 2026 facing both persistent headwinds and emerging opportunities. Rising material costs, ongoing labor shortages, and policy uncertainty continue to challenge business owners. But at the same time, there’s an undercurrent of guarded...