Starting a Freelancing Career? Open a Business Bank Account

About 1 in 3 Americans have a part-time job on top of their full-time 9-to-5 job. It’s so common there’s a slang term for it: side hustle. Of the Americans who have one, almost 80% of them want their side hustle to become their only job. In essence, these Americans want to become freelancers: people who work for themselves instead of someone else. If working for yourself sounds good to you, you might want to start by opening a business bank account.

Free Budgeting Apps for People New to Saving Money

From weight loss to time management to learning sign language, there’s a phone app out there to help you accomplish nearly anything. But how many apps on your phone can you say are helping you reach your goals on a daily basis? To help you get on track with your saving and budget goals, a free budget app may be just the guide you need. There are a lot of reputable budgeting apps available, and many of them are free (and FREE is great for someone on a budget).

What are Annuities and When Should I Start One?

Understanding annuities can be complicated with so many types of annuities available. They’re sold by insurance companies, but they’re referred to as investments. They may be a smart choice for some people, but they’re not for everyone (and they may or may not be right for you). They provide income for life that you won’t outlive, provided you pick the right insurer. You buy an annuity for the long term, knowing it likely won’t outperform the stock market in that time period.

3 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Refund to Make It Grow

If you’re one of nearly 126 million people expecting to receive an income tax refund next year (and that’s almost 75% of Americans), that’s probably the largest windfall you’ll receive all year. What will you do with that money? In 2020, the average refund was almost $3,000. More than 65% of refund recipients said they planned to use their refund money paying down debt or spending it on everyday expenses; 15% planned to spend it on a major purchase, like a vacation or big-screen TV.

What Are Tax Brackets, and How Do They Work?

Understanding income tax brackets can be a difficult task for many taxpayers. But tax brackets are what determine how much taxable income taxpayers need to pay to the Internal Revenue Service each year. That’s why it’s important for everyone to learn about tax brackets, how they actually work, and which tax bracket they’re in, whether they’re married or single.