Andy | Saving to Invest

Would You Be Considered Poor Based on 2023 Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) Guidelines and Thresholds

In these tough economic times with rising inflation and high interest rates, many of us may feel quite poor. But feeling poor, versus being poor according to the government are two different things. In fact, the Census Bureau and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide actual numbers to…

$900 Grocery Stimulus Benefit under Medicare Advantage and SNAP For Seniors

With higher than normal inflation, many seniors on fixed incomes are looking for help to make ends meet and ensure they have access to healthy and nutritious food. There has been talk of a "grocery stimulus" or additional coverage under the Food stamp/SNAP program (Commodity Supplemental Food Program), but it…

10 Easy Ways to Save Money On Taxes And Maximize Your Tax Refund

There are several ways you can maximize your tax refund in the coming year, including the following ways: Contribute to a retirement account: Contributions to certain types of retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, can be deducted from your taxable income. This can reduce your tax bill and…

IRS Tax Transcript For Adjusted Amended Returns With No Refund or Offsets Delaying Payment

I see many readers on this site and across various social media channels post questions around their tax transcript in hope of getting help or an answer on their adjusted/amended tax return and/or to find out more with what is happening with their refund. In this article I'll summarize some…

Kentucky Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $720/Week, Partial UI Rules, Taxes, and What Else Is Available

Kentucky's unemployment insurance program — managed through the Kentucky Career Center and overseen by the Office of Unemployment Insurance — has seen significant benefit improvements in recent years. With a 2026 maximum of $720 per week, Kentucky now sits well above the median for states in its region. Here's a…

2022-2023 Private School State Voucher Programs – Maximum Payment amounts and Eligibility

Education choice is an important topic for a lot of American families. And over the last few years there has been a debate about putting more educational choice (and financial support) back in the hands of parents versus balancing the needs for adequate funding of public schools. This has manifested…

Where is My Business Tax Refund?

While the IRS provides several online tools and options to get information on your personal tax (1040) return, business owners have to instead call the IRS to get help with questions related to corporate refunds. The IRS have themselves stated that for any business related tax returns and refund information,…

How to Reduce Your Tax Bill Liability By Lowering Your Taxable Income and Claiming More Deductions

Much to my disappointment I ended up owing taxes when I filed my tax return this year. Or said another way I had a tax liability to the IRS. While paying taxes I legally owe is not itself a bad thing, after all I did not give an interest free…

IRS Tax Transcript Code 810 Refund Freeze and What It Means When Followed By Code 811

Transaction codes are used on IRS tax transcripts to provide information for individual and business filers into what is or has happened with their tax return processing, reasons for potential delays, when a refund will be paid or why it is delayed. Given the long delays in IRS processing over the…

Income Lookback Rule no Longer Available For Tax Filings

During the COVID pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) included legislation that provided a “lookback” rule that allowed tax filers to use prior year income levels to calculate qualification for many of the expanded tax credits and stimulus programs. This was done to allow the…

2024 Federal and State Minimum Wage Raises – Latest News and Updates

With rising inflation many states are raising the minimum wages for workers, often above the mandated federal minimum. This is good news for lower-income workers, where the minimum wage is barely enough to survive on. Note that the federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 and remains unchanged this year. However…

More Stimulus, Tax Credits or Breaks in 2023-2024 With Divided Congress?

The election certainly surprised many with Democrats retaining control of the Senate, while Republicans squeaked over the line to take control of the House with a small majority. Per my earlier update below, this does change the calculus of what may happen in the next two years as both parties…

How Much Will 2024 Social Security and SSI Increase After Record 2023 COLA Increase – Extra Monthly Payment Amount

[Updated for projected 2024 Increase] Soaring inflation and related Fed rate hiking actions had a silver lining for many eligible recipients in 2023, with a 8.7% increase (~$145 p/month) in Social Security (SS) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2023. The 2024 increase however is expected to much smaller as inflation cools,…

Is a Recession Coming in 2025? Signs to Look For and How to Prepare

Are we headed for a recession or we are already in one? That's the question many people asking nowadays. Even if your financial situation is relatively stable today, its important to pay attention to the economic headwinds. While we can all hope for the best, we should plan and prepare…