This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
The stockmarket has been on a wild ride the last few weeks, and many investors are feeling the whiplash from the sudden ups and downs. Despite how stomach-churning market downturns can be, they can also be fantastic buying opportunities. Many stocks are essentially on sale right now, making it a smart time to buy.
Image source: Getty Images Getting a tax refund isn't a given. Some people submit their taxes only to see that they owe money to the IRS rather than the other way around. Read more: we researched free tax software and put together a list of the best options here 1. So don't just stick that refund into savings and call it a day.
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash As of late February, the average tax refund issued by the IRS this filing season was $3,213. But no matter what refund you get on your taxes , it's important to make the most of that money. Read more: we researched free tax software and put together a list of the best options here 2.
If you're searching for a reliable income stream from your investment portfolio, Ares Capital (NASDAQ: ARCC) is one stock that should be on your radar. However, Ares Capital hasn't escaped the turbulence of the recent stockmarket fluctuations. Since the beginning of February, its stock has fallen nearly 16% from its peak.
Image source: Getty Images The average tax refund for 2023 is $3,182, according to the latest IRS data. It's surprisingly easy to turn your tax refund into a small fortune, even if you don't have any investment experience. If you have credit card debt that's accruing interest, it's smart to apply your refund to your balance.
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash At this point, the 2024 tax season is thankfully in many people's rearview mirrors. And hopefully, you've either gotten your tax refund already or are expecting it to arrive any day now. As of early May, the average tax refund issued this year was $2,864.
16, 2024, the IRS had issued 20,883,000 tax refunds totaling $66.980 billion. These refunds are for taxes overpaid in 2023. RELATED: The Ascent's Complete Guide to Taxes Read more: we researched free tax software and put together a list of the best options here That is a lot of money to get in a lump sum. 10 $8,318.13
The stockmarket could make more financial sense Generally speaking, if you're investing for a future that's still a few decades away, you're going to get better long-term returns from the stockmarket than CDs. Over the last 50 years, the stockmarket has averaged annual returns of roughly 10%.
It carries more risk, because markets can rise or fall and the returns are not predictable. However, historically, stockmarket investments generate higher returns than savings. and is often used as a benchmark for stockmarket performance. Take, for example, the S&P 500. Even better? You can still earn high APYs.
That is why it's generally a good idea to load your retirement plan with stocks -- either individual companies, if you're comfortable choosing them, or S&P 500 index funds. You might also choose the wrong account in which to save for retirement and forgo tax savings in the process. Image source: Getty Images.
The stockmarket tends to go up over time, sometimes by a lot; the S&P 500 index is up 18% so far this year, and up 88% in the past five years. You can put money into this account to reduce your taxable income and let your money grow tax-deferred until you retire.
As great as it would be, the stockmarket doesn't always go higher in a smooth line. The heightened volatility caused by the recent tariff announcements isn't fun, but things happen that impact the market, whether it's tariffs or something else. Admittedly, it's been a challenging five years for Realty Income. The 10-year U.S.
Some of that will go to taxes, although you can contribute to retirement accounts with pre-tax income. That's in line with the stockmarket's average growth. After 30 years of investing in the stockmarket with an average income, you'd have nearly $1.5 They stay out of credit card debt.
The past few months have been extremely volatile in the stockmarket. In times like these, it's best to focus on making safer investments that can deliver more reliable returns, like high-quality dividend stocks. year weighted average debt maturity. There's growing angst that the U.S. could be heading toward a recession.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards With these CDs, your rate is only guaranteed for a short time, referred to as the call protection period. The stockmarket has an average annual return of about 10%. It's taxed as ordinary income.
To calculate your net worth , you add up all of your financial assets -- cash savings, retirement accounts, other investments, your home value, and any other property -- and subtract any liabilities -- your mortgage balance, student loans, credit card balances, and any other debt you might owe. That makes sense.
Your net worth is calculated by adding up all of your assets -- cash savings, investments, home value, and other property -- and subtracting your liabilities -- your mortgage balance, student loans, credit card debt, and any other money you might owe. Debt isn't inherently bad. The same is often true for student loans.
It's their money, and using it for purposes other than retirement may have saved them from taking on costly debt, so what's the harm? First, your early withdrawals from a tax-advantaged account (meaning, you fund it with pre-tax dollars) are subject to taxes and penalties. The impact could be huge, actually.
In some ways, the stockmarket is like a mood ring. When investors are optimistic, the stockmarket turns green, and prices rise. But when investors are pessimistic, the stockmarket turns red, and prices fall. Here's why, and what that means for the stockmarket. Basically, it's complicated.
In fact, recent student loan debt statistics show that loan payments account for about 6% of the average American's monthly expenses. Your student loan interest is probably tax-deductible, and the rate you are paying on these loans may be below the rate on other debt you'd take on (such as credit card debt).
Despite a recent uptick, the stockmarket remains below its all-time highs. All that uncertainty raises a very important question: When will the stockmarket hit bottom? Only money that you won't need to spend for at least five years should potentially be invested in the stockmarket.
With a Roth IRA, you contribute taxed income (take-home pay) but can withdraw it, and your investment gains tax-free when you retire. Most of your Roth IRA's value might be investment gains by the time you retire, and you'll pay no taxes on it. It's one of the few ways to (legally) get out of paying taxes.
Most brokers let you invest money for retirement in IRAs , which give special tax advantages. If I could turn back the clock, I'd buy stocks through my Robinhood IRA, likely saving me from needing to pay $11,000 in capital gains taxes after retirement. You get tax breaks, plus all the perks of investing in the stockmarket.
Or, you could save for healthcare in a tax-advantaged manner by funding a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). Investment gains in an HSA are then yours to enjoy tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses. All told, having extra money in an HSA is a good thing.
Investments -- buying assets such as stocks that you believe will grow in value -- carry more risk, particularly in the short term. For example, the average annual returns of the S&P 500, which often gets used as a benchmark for stockmarket performance, are around 8%. Make a plan to tackle your credit card debt.
With stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, and derivatives to choose from, the stockmarket gives everyday investors an endless array of options. Shares of the phone and internet service provider have fallen about 23% in 2023 as investors worry about a high debt load and potential litigation regarding lead-lined cables.
However, the merger also loaded up the new entity with debt. Below, the merger more than tripled the company's debt to over $30 billion. That financial anchor around its neck is a big reason the stock has languished for many years. Make no mistake, Kraft Heinz won't be a growth stock anytime soon. Is it perfect yet?
As the stockmarket has moved higher, one victim has been dividend yields. With the average payout for the S&P 500 down to just 1.25%, such stocks have lost a bit of appeal at a time when investors can earn a guaranteed return of around 5% in some certificates of deposit.
Then subtract all your liabilities, such as credit card debt and personal loans, from your assets to find out your net worth. Many employers offer retirement plans like a 401(k) to help you save in a tax-advantaged way. Plus, you can take advantage of tax-loss harvesting to help you reduce your tax bill.
During his annual Q&A with investors, Warren Buffett suggested that tax reasons were behind the hefty reduction in its Apple stake. The Oracle noted that while the peak marginal corporate income tax rate is currently 21%, fiscal policy changes are liable to increase this figure in the future. stockmarket -- and you should, too.
Invest long enough and you'll experience the stockmarket's ups and downs. I've seen numerous companies harm shareholders with massive debt-fueled acquisitions that put the balance sheet in peril. While Illinois Tool Works leans on debt, it doesn't do so too heavily. For dividend investors, that's especially so.
Although Buffett has been unwavering in his love for Apple as a business, and absolutely appreciates its historic capital-return program , he opined during his company's annual shareholder meeting in May that corporate tax rates were liable to climb in the future. TMUS Total Long Term Debt (Annual) data by YCharts.
That's why the IRS imposes a 10% penalty on distributions made before age 59 1/2, on top of applicable income taxes. Then, there's the potential for stockmarket volatility. Short-term market fluctuations shouldn't matter when you're investing for the long haul. Does it ever make sense to max out your 401(k)?
Turning $1,000 into $5,000 in seven years is no small feat on the stockmarket. That gap shows the power of compounding on the stockmarket, which will accelerate the gains from higher annual returns. The company took on a lot of debt during the pandemic and diluted shareholders. for the seven years. billion to $4.2
After announcing a trifecta of improving earnings numbers, a debt restructuring, and an at-the-market (ATM) stock offering last week, shares of the online used car marketplace are now up about 780% year to date and were, at one point, up over 1,000%. Well, Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) has had an interesting last few years.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards While CDs have a lot of benefits, there are certain times a CD isn't the right place to keep your money. You have high-interest credit card debt A CD that pays northward of 5% is certainly generous. When does a CD make sense?
I won't have to worry about paying taxes on those Roth dollars in retirement because I'm taking care of the tax bill upfront. Since I probably have a good twenty to forty years before I hang up my professional hat, I'm assessing my potential income sources and expenses in retirement to get a clearer picture of my needs. The best part?
Given the incredible return on his money and the fact that capital gains and corporate taxes are in a favorable place -- one that could change under a new administration -- a plausible explanation for Buffett's selling streak is that he's simply happy with his investment's performance.
After taxes, that will likely be in the neighborhood of $3,400. If you don't have any savings, you'll need to go into debt to cover it. When your income is already stretched to the limit, you likely won't be able to afford another debt payment. People often end up borrowing more and getting deeper into credit card debt this way.
Most investors are aware of the S&P 500 -- an index of 500 of some of the largest companies on the stockmarket. But fewer are aware of the Russell 2000 index, which is for small-cap stocks. I mentioned enterprise value and EBITDA because these are metrics commonly used for companies with high levels of debt.
Adding $100 to the stockmarket each month can be one of the most straightforward paths for young investors to fund their retirement. Better yet, wise investment choices and a long-term buy-and-hold approach could help you outperform the broad market. Data by YCharts. Similarly, its 1.7%
Get on top of any debts you have left Most people see their incomes decline in retirement. Having a plan to either retire with no debt or with a clear plan to knock that debt out with money you'll have available once you retire is typically a great way to live on less without affecting your lifestyle.
Pay off high-interest debt High-interest debt is the silent wealth killer. Would you like to earn a 25% annual return from the stockmarket? Carrying credit card debt destroys wealth. Pay off your credit card debt and don't let yourself carry a monthly balance. Think of it this way. Do you have a job?
But a much more common way to get wealthy is to do so via investing in the stockmarket over a long period -- perhaps in a 401(k) account. Living below your means Next, you'll have a hard time achieving millionaire status if you're living beyond your means and racking up debt. Some (but very few) hit it big in Las Vegas.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 5,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content