Andy | Saving to Invest

2026-2027 Updates: Virginia (VA) Unemployment Benefits — Up to $478/Week Starting July 5

Virginia's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) — is about to get a meaningful boost. For 2026, the current maximum is $430 per week, but that jumps to $478 per week for new claims starting July 5, 2026 thanks to legislation passed earlier this year.…

Mortgage Refinancing in the Age of the Pandemic

Mortgage rates are at a record lows fluctuating right around 3%, down from nearly 7% in 2008 - so is it time to refinance your mortgage? With all the uncertainty the pandemic has brought refinancing your mortgage may be a significant financial lever for a lower monthly payment or to…

North Carolina Unemployment Benefits in 2026: $350/Week Maximum, 12-Week Limit, and What Else Is Available

North Carolina's unemployment insurance program, run by the Division of Employment Security (DES), is one of the most restrictive in the United States. The state cap of $350 per week is low compared to peers, and the 12-week maximum duration is tied with Florida for the shortest in the country.…

Are You Owed a Tax Refund Interest Payment? 2026 IRS Rate and Rules

You've probably heard the old line that getting a tax refund just means you gave the IRS an interest-free loan for the year. There's a wrinkle to that, though: if your refund is delayed, the IRS actually owes you interest. By law, the IRS must pay interest on a refund…

Michigan Unemployment Benefits in 2026–2027: $530/Week for 26 Weeks, Rising to $614 in January

Michigan's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) — saw its first significant benefit increase in years starting January 1, 2026. The maximum weekly benefit rose from $446 to $530 per claim filed in 2026, an $84/week improvement following SB 40 signed by Governor Whitmer. Michigan…

Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $370/Week, Partial UI Rules, and What Else Is Available

Wisconsin's unemployment insurance program, run by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. With a 2026 maximum of $370 per week, the benefit amounts are on the lower end for a Midwest state, but the program's partial unemployment rules and access to complementary state…

Ohio Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $842/Week with Dependents, Partial UI, and Tax Rules

Ohio's unemployment insurance program — run by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) — pays benefits for up to 26 weeks, with a meaningful boost for workers who have dependents. The dependent allowance can push the maximum weekly benefit from $624 up to $842, which is a…

Buying a Franchise in 2026? 10 Myths and 5 Risk Factors I Learned the Hard Way

I owned a second-tier franchise for one year before selling it for a $170,000 loss. That's an expensive way to learn what franchisors don't put in the pitch deck, but it means I know exactly what I'm talking about here. Franchises sell an appealing story: brand recognition, a proven system,…

2026 Stimulus Check Updates: No New Federal Payment — State Programs and What’s Being Proposed

No new federal stimulus check has been authorized for 2026. The last round of federal Economic Impact Payments went out in 2021, and a fourth check would require Congress to pass new legislation — which has not happened. That said, there are real payments going out to Americans in 2026,…

The Power of Compounding: $1 Million Now or a Penny Doubled for 30 Days?

Here's a question I've used to start more than a few personal finance conversations: would you rather have $1 million right now, or take a single penny — doubled every day for 30 days? Most people pick the million. Almost every time. They're wrong. By day 30, the penny-doubling path…

State Unemployment Phone Numbers and Getting in Touch With a Live Agent

One of the most common questions I get is simply: how do I reach a real person at my state unemployment office? Most state UI agencies push callers toward their website or an automated line first, and getting through to a live agent for a claim-specific issue can take some…

New Jersey Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $905/Week for 26 Weeks, Partial UI Rules, Taxes, and What Else Is Available

New Jersey's unemployment insurance program — managed by the NJ Division of Unemployment Insurance — provides some of the strongest UI benefits in the country. The maximum weekly benefit rose to $905 for 2026, up from $854 the year before, following the statutory annual adjustment. New Jersey ties its maximum…

New York Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $869/Week, Partial UI Rules, Taxes, and What Else Is Available

New York's unemployment insurance program — managed by the New York State Department of Labor (NY DOL) — is now among the most generous in the country. The maximum benefit rose from $504 to $869 effective with payments issued the week of October 13, 2025 — the first increase since…

Arizona Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $320/Week for 24 Weeks, Partial UI, and What Else Is Available

Arizona's unemployment insurance program, administered by the Department of Economic Security (DES), provides benefits for up to 24 weeks. With a 2026 maximum of $320 per week, Arizona's benefit cap is lower than most western states, though the program covers a solid range of workers and provides meaningful partial benefits…