The penalty for underpaying your taxes is about to sting a bit more than in the past. The IRS announced Nov. 29 that the interest rates it charges for underpayments will rise for the first quarter of 2023, Jan. 1-March 31. The rates the federal agency pays for overpayments also will rise. (Yes, if you … Read more

Target’s best sale of the year wasn’t on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. This year it falls on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 — this weekend — when Target gift cards are 10% off in stores and online. That might not sound like much of a deal at first, but hear me out. If you … Read more

View Apart / Shutterstock.com Living abroad can be an attractive and affordable way to spend retirement. And many countries offer visas specifically for American retirees. While often temporary, they are usually the start of a pathway to permanent residence. There are certainly potential challenges to retiring abroad, including dealing with taxes, assuring you’ll have access … Read more

pikselstock / Shutterstock.com As the holiday season gets into full swing, Santa has arrived early with some fabulous freebies. From complimentary coffee this month to a chance to get a free frosty treat every day in 2023, we’ve rounded up some of the best — and most delicious — deals for December. Read on to … Read more

Krakenimages.com / Shutterstock.com In the midst of a slowing market, many homebuyers are saying: “No deal.” About 60,000 people backed out of homebuying contracts in October, according to real estate service Redfin. That figure represents approximately 18% of the homes that were under contract for sale that month and is a new record. “Sale prices … Read more

tommaso79 / Shutterstock.com A friend once told me she planned to buy a snowblower. My first thought was, “Why?” She lived in a fairly mild region that, in some years, doesn’t get any snow at all, let alone enough to require mechanical intervention. She had three healthy teenagers at home, and shovels are much cheaper. … Read more

mavo / Shutterstock.com C’mon, everyone, get happy! If that sounds too hard, maybe you’ve been going about it all wrong. It’s time to stop waiting to hit the jackpot, meet Mr. or Ms. Right, or land that sweet job. True happiness doesn’t come from external factors like those. Instead, take a cue from happy people. … Read more

Holiday shopping is a more intimidating prospect than usual again this year, as consumers contend with lingering supply-chain problems and continued inflation. Amazon makes it easy, though. No matter who is on your gift list, you’ll never be short on ideas or great savings. Head over to Amazon’s “Most Wished For” selection, which features products … Read more

fizkes / Shutterstock.com Retailers are exceptional at getting us to part with our hard-earned dollars — even for stuff we don’t need. When your favorite store slashes prices or makes it all too easy to purchase something — hello, Amazon Prime — it may be understandable if you occasionally succumb to the instant gratification of … Read more

Trzykropy / Shutterstock.com Are you stuck in the all-too-common habit of living paycheck to paycheck? You don’t need me to tell you that’s a self-defeating cycle. You simply can’t get ahead that way. But escaping isn’t easy, especially if your paycheck is tight. Change involves not just the hard work of making a new habit, … Read more