Andy | Saving to Invest

When Will We Hit the Debt Ceiling Again? My 2026–2027 Timeline After the $41.1 Trillion Increase

The debt ceiling currently sits at $41.1 trillion, and as of September 8, 2026 we've already borrowed $40.13 trillion of it. That leaves roughly $970 billion of headroom — and the political calendar just made the timing a lot more pointed. I wrote the original version of this article back…

Should You Sell or Hold Your Crypto? A Decision Framework That Doesn’t Depend on the Price

Bitcoin has traded above $99,000 for stretches of 2026 and also seen six-day runs of over $1 billion in spot ETF outflows in the same year. By the time you read this, both of those facts could be stale. That's exactly the problem with most "should I sell my crypto"…

Is Crypto a Good Investment? What to Know Before You Buy in 2026

Spot Bitcoin ETFs now trade on Fidelity, Schwab, and E*TRADE just like a stock — you no longer need a separate crypto exchange account to get exposure. That's the biggest change since crypto went mainstream, and it's worth understanding before you put any money in. This is the starting-point guide…

Meaning of IRS Codes on WMR Or Tax Transcript For Your Refund Processing and Payment Status

I've been receiving numerous concerns from readers about the IRS messages and codes appearing when they check their refund status using the Where's My Refund (WMR) tracker, the IRS2Go mobile app, or their free IRS transcript. Many filers feel stressed and anxious when they see these codes, wondering what they…

2026–2027 Child Tax Credit: OBBBA Raises It to $2,200 Per Child — Full Eligibility Guide

If you have kids under 17, here's the OBBBA update that matters to you: the Child Tax Credit just went up to $2,200 per child, permanently. That's $200 more per child than the 2017 TCJA rate, and the credit will now adjust for inflation annually — meaning it should keep…

Tennessee Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $325/Week for 26 Weeks

Tennessee's unemployment insurance program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. The 2026 maximum of $325 per week is modest — Tennessee's cap has historically been one of the lower ones in the South, and I haven't seen a proposal…

Kansas Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $637/Week

Kansas' unemployment insurance program — managed by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) — increased its maximum weekly benefit to $637 in 2026, up from $589 in 2025. Kansas sets its maximum based on the statewide average weekly wage, adjusted annually, so another increase for 2027 is likely — KDOL…

Are Unemployment Benefit Payments Taxable at a State and Federal Level? 1099-G Forms and Withholding Explained

Yes — unemployment compensation is taxable income at the federal level, and in most states, at the state level too. It's reported on your tax return just like wages, and the IRS gets a copy of what you were paid. Here's how the withholding, the 1099-G form, and state-by-state tax…

Arkansas Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $451/Week

Arkansas's unemployment insurance program — run by the Division of Workforce Services (DWS) — provides a relatively modest weekly maximum and limits benefits to just 16 weeks. The 2026 maximum ($451/week) is already locked in — the real open question is whether Arkansas revisits the 16-week duration cap, something legislators…

Minnesota Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $914/Week

Minnesota's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) — increased its maximum weekly benefit to $914 in 2026, up from $857 in 2025. Minnesota sets its maximum at 50% of the statewide average weekly wage, adjusted annually, so another increase for 2027 is…

Why Even High-Income Earners Are Not That Far From The Edge of Poverty

Despite earning more than $100,000 in household income, many people still feel like they're living month-to-month — that a job loss or sudden medical emergency could easily move them from upper-middle-class down to low income. A 2026 Goldman Sachs survey put a number on this: 41% of households earning $300,000…

Nevada Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $631/Week for 26 Weeks

Nevada's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) — raised its maximum weekly benefit to $631 in 2026, up from $469 in 2025. This significant $162 increase follows Nevada's statutory formula, which ties the maximum to the prior year's average monthly wage;…

Alabama Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $275/Week

Alabama's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) — has the distinction of one of the lowest maximum weekly benefit caps in the United States. The 2026 maximum ($275 per week) is already locked in; the open question is whether ADOL adjusts it for 2027,…

Maryland Unemployment Benefits: 2027 Outlook, Current 2026 Amount Up to $430/Week via BEACON

Maryland unemployment insurance pays between $50 and $430 per week in 2026, with benefits available for up to 26 weeks. That cap hasn't changed in several years, but a law passed in the 2026 General Assembly session (SB 3) will tie Maryland's maximum benefit to 40% of the state average…