A lawyer’s trademark side hustle grows into $40K‑a‑month remote business: He can work from anywhere

Smiling lawyer standing on a colorful street in Mexico City where he runs his $40K-per-month remote business

An Indianapolis attorney who once billed $180 a month on Fiverr now tops $40,000, serving small‑business owners from both Dallas and Mexico City. When the courts closed in early 2020, junior litigator Derrick Morgan Jr. saw his paychecks shrink. A cousin’s last‑minute request for trademark help pushed him to try Fiverr, and, almost overnight, he discovered … Read more

No more waiting for Social Security: Millions of Americans will benefit from the new online portal available 24 hours a day

Magnifying glass highlighting the Social Security Administration's online portal offering benefits information and application options.

Starting in mid‑July, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will keep its My Social Security portal open all day, every day, removing the nightly and weekend shutdowns that frustrated users. Need to update your direct deposit after work? Or grab a benefit letter before dawn? The new schedule aims to make that possible while easing pressure on overloaded … Read more

It’s official: These are the new tax breaks awaiting American families following the passage of a major piece of legislation

U.S. Capitol building at sunset with dollar bills and Donald Trump representing new tax breaks for American families

Buckle up, taxpayers: the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) that cleared Congress in July rewrites the playbook for 2025‑2028 returns, offering perks well beyond the headline “no‑tax on tips” provision. Who stands to gain, and when should you act? Below is a concise guide to the biggest changes—charitable write‑offs, vehicle interest deductions, and larger family credits—that could … Read more

Good news for retirees: they could receive larger monthly checks in 2026, but healthcare costs will be higher

Donald Trump next to a Social Security card representing increased monthly checks and rising healthcare costs in 2026

Millions of retirees may see a slightly bigger cost‑of‑living adjustment next year, but some households could still struggle to keep pace with rising health costs. The federal government’s preliminary reading, released after June inflation data, suggests the 2026 Social Security COLA will land between 2.6 % and 2.7 %. That is a hair above the 2.5 % bump … Read more

Say goodbye to monthly pension payments: Social Security reserves will run out sooner than expected if the government doesn’t act

U.S. Capitol building with Social Security cards and dollar bills symbolizing federal benefits and financial assistance.

Millions of current and future retirees face smaller monthly benefits unless Congress acts soon. Social Security’s latest annual reckoning brings unsettling news: the 2025 Trustees Report projects that the Old‑Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund will run dry in 2034—one year earlier than forecast. If lawmakers stay on the sidelines, only about 81 percent of … Read more

Confirmed: Trump signs One Big, Beautiful Bill altering SNAP rules and raising age limits for millions

Donald Trump signs One Big, Beautiful Bill changing SNAP rules and eligibility requirements in the US

President Donald J. Trump’s sweeping law tightens work standards, raises the age cutoff, and bars undocumented immigrants from food‑stamp aid. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has long been a lifeline for families battling food insecurity, but the new statute marks the biggest overhaul in years. Non‑citizens without lawful status are locked out, states face … Read more

Goodbye to $5,000 stimulus checks: new concerns about the Social Security fund’s sustainability crisis

Elon Musk and Donald Trump facing each other over vanished $5,000 stimulus check.

A headline‑making pledge of $5,000 per taxpayer has collapsed, piling fresh pressure on an already fragile Social Security system. President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) vowed to cut $2 trillion in waste and hand 20 percent to households earning at least $40,000. By May, the savings were a fraction of forecasts and the “DOGE Dividend” was shelved. … Read more

Social Security to start withholding half of benefits for millions – this is the start date?

Social Security Administration building with American flag in the background against a clear blue sky

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to cut monthly benefit checks in half for some recipients starting in August. This change will impact millions of beneficiaries as the SSA works to recover overpayments made in previous years. If you’ve received a notice of overpayment, it’s important to understand what this means for you and … Read more

Confirmed: The government is changing the way Social Security payments are made, and will do so before September 2025

Donald Trump pointing in front of the U.S. Capitol building with a clear blue sky background

The government’s transition to electronic payments will soon affect nearly half a million Social Security beneficiaries. With a new executive order coming into effect by the end of 2025, all federal payments, including Social Security benefits, will be issued digitally. This means paper checks will no longer be an option for most beneficiaries. The new … Read more

Social Security beneficiaries should mark their calendars for six key payment dates in August 2025

Scrabble tiles spelling 'Social Security' with a background of the U.S. flag and a calendar illustration

August 2025 is shaping up to be an important month for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released its payment schedule, which includes six separate dates. Among these dates is a rare occurrence: two SSI payments in one month. Here’s everything you need to know about when … Read more

Confirmed: OBBBA’s impact on Social Security taxes is not what retirees were hoping for

One Big Beautiful Bill Act over the U.S. Capitol building, symbolizing Trump's proposed changes to Social Security taxes.

Former President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has generated a lot of buzz, with promises to eliminate Social Security taxes. However, new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office reveals that the bill’s provisions won’t fully eliminate taxes for all retirees, as many expected. Instead, it will primarily benefit low- and middle-income seniors. … Read more

Goodbye to low benefits: Social Security payments will increase in 2025, to the delight of millions of retirees

Upward arrow made of a U.S. dollar alongside Social Security cards, symbolizing the 2025 payment increase for millions of American retirees

Bigger monthly payments plus a new senior‑only deduction promise genuine relief for roughly nine out of ten Social Security recipients. Social Security beneficiaries will feel two pieces of good news at once in 2025: a cost‑of‑living adjustment that fattens every check and a brand‑new law that wipes out federal taxes on those payments for nearly … Read more

Social Security COLA for 2026 could be affected by new data collection changes Impacting retirees

2026 Social Security COLA with focus on data changes impacting retirees, with year change from 2025 to 2026.

A recent change in how inflation data is measured could impact Social Security benefits in 2026. Will retirees see a smaller Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) this year? Over 57 million retirees rely on Social Security benefits, which are typically adjusted each October for inflation through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). However, recent changes by the Bureau of … Read more

Confirmed: Support for struggling adult kids becomes silent debt engine eroding retirement prospects

Smiling mother and her adult daughter share dessert on the couch, reflecting parents’ growing financial support for grown children and its impact on retirement plans.

From delayed retirements to drained savings, baby boomers nationwide are footing bills of up to $5,000 a month for their grown‑up children. For Mary, a 66‑year‑old mother in Sherman Oaks, California, the empty‑nest dream evaporated when her 27‑year‑old daughter returned home in 2024. Now the couple spend about $5,000 every month covering food, transport, pet care, … Read more

Confirmed: Millions of seniors could face travel challenges with new Social Security identity verification rules

Close-up of a Social Security card with a digital face recognition overlay representing new identity verification rules.

Starting next week, millions of Americans—especially seniors—could face challenges accessing their Social Security benefits due to new identity verification rules. The changes, began on April 14, are aimed at reducing fraud, but critics argue that they could place an undue burden on vulnerable groups such as older adults and those without easy access to the … Read more

How to use the IRS tool to ensure your donation reaches the right charity

IRS desk with calculator and computer, showing IRS sign to signify charity verification tool use.

As natural disasters and charitable causes prompt many Americans to open their wallets, it’s essential to ensure that your donation goes to a legitimate charity. The IRS offers a powerful tool to help you verify whether an organization is truly tax-exempt and eligible for tax-deductible donations. Unfortunately, charity scams are on the rise, especially during … Read more

Millions of US retirees will receive more than $2,000 from Social Security on this day in July 2025

Close-up image of Social Security cards and money representing payments to US retirees in July 2025

Millions of retirees are waiting eagerly for their Social Security payments this month. Every month, retirees in the U.S. rely on Social Security benefits to support their financial well-being. With July 16, 2025, just around the corner, thousands of beneficiaries are preparing for the second Wednesday payment. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to … Read more

SSDI recipients advised by Social Security Administration to immediately report these 3 situations

Social Security Administration letter advising SSDI recipients to report important situations

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to help people who can’t work due to a disability. But, did you know that your benefits can be suspended or even stopped under certain circumstances? Here’s a breakdown of what could cause your SSDI benefits to end, and how you can avoid penalties. Once you’re approved for … Read more