Money
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Checking in a Second Bag Could Now Cost You More on American Airlines
It pays to plan ahead on American Airlines – and you may pay extra if you don’t. Customers who prepay for checked luggage can now get a $5 discount on their first and second bags for domestic U.S. and select international flights. Prepayment is available up until 2 hours before departure. However, if you wait to pay in person at the airport, a second checked bag will now cost you more on those same itineraries. This specifically applies to flights within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It…
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Unfair Taxes and the Bill That Aims to Fix It
The Social Security Fairness Act signed at the beginning of 2025 is now unfair, at least when it comes to taxes, according to some representatives in Congress. The Social Security Fairness Act eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduced Social Security benefits for about 3.2 million public-sector retirees who also receive pension income. The law’s effective date was…
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Tax Refunds Are Big This Year, IRS Data Show. Here’s How Big.
The number of tax returns the IRS has received so far this tax season is down from last year, but refunds are up double digits, IRS data show. The average refund through Feb. 6 was $2,290, up nearly 11% from $2,065 at the same time in 2025 while total returns received fell 5.2%. The IRS noted refund numbers should rise…
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6 Low-Stress Side Hustles That Don’t Require a Car or a Degree
You don’t need a master’s degree or a vehicle to build a reliable second income stream. While the gig economy is often associated with driving for rideshare apps or delivering food, some of the best opportunities require nothing more than a reliable internet connection and a bit of spare time. If you are looking to pad your savings or offset…
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How to Qualify for the New $25,000 Tip Deduction on 2025 Taxes
Roughly 6 million people reported income from tips on federal income tax returns in the past — and you can bet they’ll jump at the chance to see a bigger refund by claiming a new deduction on tip income on 2025 federal returns. We’re talking about waitstaff, food servers, fast food and counter workers, barbers and hairdressers. And bakers, blackjack…
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Gotta Catch ‘Em All! Logan Paul Sells Pokémon Card for $16.4 Million
How much would you pay for an ultra-rare Pokémon card? On Feb. 16, YouTube creator turned WWE personality Logan Paul sold a 1998 Pokémon Pikachu Illustrator card, encased in a custom diamond necklace, for $16,492,000 in a Goldin online auction. Bidding for the one-of-a-kind card and accessory began on Feb. 15 at $13.3 million. Solari Capital Founder AJ Scaramucci was…
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When You’re This Age, Your Home Value Starts Taking a Massive Hit
If you’re planning to downsize and fund your golden years with the equity in your home, you might want to check the calendar. It turns out that when it comes to real estate, timing isn’t just about the market — it’s about your age. A recent study suggests that once a seller hits 70, the price they get for their…
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How to Save 5% to 50% on Everything
Most people treat the price tag like it’s a law of nature. It’s not. In most cases, that number is just a suggestion—a “starting point” for the conversation. If you’re not negotiating your recurring bills, your big-ticket purchases, and even your medical expenses, you’re essentially leaving a pile of cash on the sidewalk. I’ve spent years haggling over everything from…
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How One Couple Erased $40,000 of Debt in 18 Months (Without Eating Ramen)
Mark and Sarah stared at a number that made their stomachs turn: $42,500. They weren’t reckless. But life, a roof repair here, tuition there had turned their balances into a suffocating weight. “We didn’t have an income problem,” Sarah admits. “We had a habit problem.” The solution was a double attack: finding smarter ways to earn extra cash while finally…
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7 Top-Rated Platforms for Building a Better Resume in 2026
Alina Troeva / Shutterstock.com Building a resume in 2026 looks very different from just a few years ago. Hiring teams rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS), job seekers are applying to more roles online, and AI tools now play a role in both sides of the application process. Choosing the right resume builder is more important than ever, but with…
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