Author: Brian Lund
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Minimum Payments: The Math Your Statement Already Shows
Every credit card statement includes a federally required box showing what minimum payments really cost — and the payment that clears you in 3 years. How to read it.
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LIHEAP Can Pay Cooling Bills Too: How to Apply
The federal energy assistance program isn’t just for winter heat. Many states pay summer cooling bills and even help buy air conditioners. How to apply for LIHEAP.
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The New Deduction for Workers 65 and Older, Explained
The 2025 tax law added a $6,000 deduction for people 65 and older, on top of what seniors already get. Who qualifies, the income limits, and how to claim it.
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Side Hustle Taxes: The Quarterly Payment Basics
Earning side income with no taxes withheld? Here’s how IRS quarterly estimated payments, the $1,000 rule, and the safe harbor actually work in 2026.
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ATM Fees Add Up: How to Stop Paying Them Entirely
Every out-of-network withdrawal can trigger two separate ATM fees. Here’s how the charges work, where they’re disclosed, and six ways to pay zero.
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Is Your Money Safer in a Credit Union? NCUA vs. FDIC
Credit unions carry NCUA insurance, banks carry FDIC. Both cover $250,000 per person, per institution, per ownership category. Here’s how to check yours.
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Medicare Part D in 2026: The Cap on Your Drug Costs
In 2026, Medicare Part D out-of-pocket drug costs stop at $2,100 for the year. How the cap works, what counts toward it, and how to spread the bills out.
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Traditional vs. Roth: How to Think About the Tax Bet
Traditional or Roth comes down to one question: is your tax rate higher now or in retirement? The math, the 2026 limits, and the tie-breakers.
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What the May Jobs Numbers Mean for Job Switchers
May added 172,000 jobs and unemployment held at 4.3%, but quits are near decade lows. What Friday’s report means if you’re thinking about switching jobs.
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Unpaid Overtime: How to File a Wage Claim That Sticks
Owed time-and-a-half you never got? Filing a federal wage claim is free and confidential. What to gather, how the process works, and the deadlines.