Kristen Bahler

3 weeks ago | money.com | Andrea Agostini Ferrer |Kristen Bahler

For most people, buying items built to last a lifetime feels increasingly out of reach. Fast-fashion giants like Shein, Zara and H&M have taken over the clothing market, providing an endless stream of $20 winter coats and $5 bathing suits to online shoppers. Quality, long-lasting furniture isn’t as prevalent on Facebook Marketplace as it once was, and even the most basic Ikea couch now runs upwards of $700.

Jan 22, 2025 | southfloridareporter.com | Julia Glum |Kristen Bahler

Once the fanfare of Donald Trump’s inauguration fades, Congress has to get to work on taxes — and it won’t be pretty. At issue is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was a hallmark of Trump’s first term. Abbreviated TCJA, the law made sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code that slashed the average person’s income taxes by about $1,600 in 2018 (but benefited wealthy households the most).

Jan 20, 2025 | money.com | Julia Glum |Kristen Bahler

Once the fanfare of Donald Trump's inauguration fades, Congress has to get to work on taxes — and it won't be pretty. At issue is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was a hallmark of Trump's first term. Abbreviated TCJA, the law made sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code that slashed the average person's income taxes by about $1,600 in 2018 (but benefited wealthy households the most).

Jan 20, 2025 | money.com | Jordan Chussler |Kristen Bahler

With 2024 in the rearview mirror, investors who benefited from the S&P 500's 23.31% gain last year are hoping for more of the same in 2025. But with big banks forecasting tempered outlooks for the new year, pinpointing specific sectors within the market could offer greater returns than the broad indices. In December, JPMorgan Research set a 2025 year-end price target of 6,500 for the S&P 500, representing just an 11.49% gain from current prices.

Jan 7, 2025 | money.com | Leslie Cook |Kristen Bahler

Cash-out refinancing main takeaways Rising home values have translated into large equity gains over the past few years. As of 2024, homeowners hold an average of $315,000 in equity. A cash-out refinance allows you to tap into your home equity by taking out a new, larger mortgage, paying off the old loan and keeping the difference. You can use the money from a cash-out refinance for any purpose, including making home repairs or paying off high-interest debt.