Author: Money Mechanics

Income for single-filers Income for married couples filing jointly Marginal Income Tax Rate $640,601 or more $768,701 or more 37% $256,226 to $640,600 $512,451 to $768,700 35% $201,776 to $256,225 $403,551 to $512,450 32% $105,701 to $201,775 $211,401 to $403,550 24% $50,401 to $105,700 $100,801 to $211,400 22% $12,401 to $50,400 $24,801 to $100,800 12% $12,400 or less $24,800 or less 10% Tax Brackets Can Be Used To Help Guide Your Withdrawal Strategy Patrick Huey, a CFP and owner of Victory Independent Planning, suggests that knowing where you fall within the tax brackets can help you make smarter decisions about…

Key Takeaways Americans in their 40s and 50s average a credit score in the low 700s, which is “good” but could be better.Credit scores tend to increase with age as people establish longer track records of responsible borrowing.Small improvements can unlock lower rates and meaningful long-term savings. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Curious how your credit score compares to others your age? One way to find out is by reviewing national averages published by the major credit bureaus. According to Experian, the average FICO score for Americans in their 40s and 50s is in the…

Key Takeaways Among the 14.9 million federal student loan borrowers ages 35 to 49, the average borrower in this age group holds about $45,295 in student loan debt.This age group has the highest delinquency rate among student loan borrowers. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Are you a federal student loan borrower between the ages of 35 and 49? Here’s how your balance and repayment status compare with other borrowers your age. About 14.9 million borrowers ages 35 to 49 hold $674.9 billion in student loan debt as of September 2025, according to the Department…

Key Takeaways The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald Trump lacked authority under IEEPA to impose many tariffs, potentially putting more than $160 billion in collections in question.The decision leaves unresolved whether businesses will receive refunds, with economists warning the repayment process could be complex and uneven, especially for small firms.While the ruling could lower long-term costs for consumers, Trump signaled he may reimpose tariffs using a different legal authority. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. Billions of dollars in refunds may be returned to businesses after the Supreme Court struck down a portion…

(Image credit: Getty Images)At some point in the future, somebody is going to go through all your stuff and throw out most of it. If you don’t do it while you’re still in good health, someone else will after you suffer a medical emergency or you pass away. Do your heirs a favor, reduce your own stress and (maybe) prevent some embarrassment. Cull your possessions now.It isn’t easy. Discarding things that remind us of loved ones often brings up grief and guilt. And it’s maddening to realize that the nice couch or rug we splurged on has no monetary value.Sociologist…

If your grocery bill keeps climbing even when you’re trying to be careful, the problem might not be what you’re buying, but how you’re shopping.A growing number of budget-savvy households are embracing a simple idea called “backwards shopping.” Instead of planning meals first and then heading to the store, the process flips: you start by taking inventory of what you already have, plan meals around it, and only shop for what’s missing.It’s not a flashy budgeting hack or viral gimmick. It’s just a more intentional way to buy groceries that can help you spend less, waste less and make better…

Key Takeaways You can start taking penalty-free withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement accounts.Establish a target savings amount by age 59 for what would suit your retirement goals using one of several strategies.Take advantage of catch-up contributions to maximize savings. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise. From a financial perspective, age 59 isn’t just another birthday. At that age, you are a half-step away from 59½, the point at which the IRS allows you to begin taking penalty-free withdrawals from IRA and 401(k) retirement accounts. The half-year matters because as soon as you cross it, retirement savings strategy…

Today, February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court delivered a major blow to President Donald Trump’s economic program by striking down his sweeping global tariffs in a 6–3 decision.The Court concluded that Trump lacked the authority to impose broad import taxes under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling that upends one of his administration’s signature economic tools and could have far-reaching effects on consumers, businesses, and U.S. trade policy.In a press conference Friday afternoon, Trump described the decision as “deeply disappointing” and “terrible.” From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better…

Key Takeaways President Donald Trump’s tariff policies did little to shrink the overall 2025 trade deficit.However, deficits did fall with several major U.S. trading partners including Canada, Japan and South Korea, while the imbalance with China hit its lowest levels in nearly two decades.U.S. deficits with Taiwan, Vietnam and Mexico surged higher.On Friday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that most of the tariffs were illegal. President Donald Trump’s tariffs helped lower the trade deficit with several major U.S. trading partners. But the total U.S. trade deficit for 2025 slipped by just 0.2%. The data was released just a day…

(Image credit: Getty Images)If you’re receiving a life insurance payout, you’ve already got more than you need on your plate. The last thing you want to deal with right now is an IRS audit for not paying taxes you didn’t even know you owed. The good news is you probably won’t have to.For the majority of beneficiaries, life insurance proceeds are not taxable. At both the federal and state level, the death benefit isn’t treated as taxable income. Even if you’re borrowing against your life insurance, you wouldn’t owe taxes on the cash unless the policy is canceled or lapses…