T/personal-finance

  1. His Life Savings Were Mailed to Him by Paper Check. Now, It’s Gone. Business, Yesterday

    A thief stole 401(k) checks out of the mail. But why was Paychex, a major industry player, using paper at all given how often check fraud happens?

  2. Why Are So Many Retirees Filing for Social Security Earlier? Business, May 16

    An additional 276,000 people filed for Social Security benefits so far this fiscal year, up 13% from a year ago. Anxiety appears to be a driver.

  3. Want a Gift for Opening a 529 College Savings Account? Your Money, May 16

    Some state plans give cash incentives in May to spur contributions.

  4. Movie Tariffs Could Open a Pandora’s Box Business, May 16

    Hollywood offers a service, and services are what really drive the U.S. economy. President Trump’s proposed tax could set off a second, and more damaging, trade war.

  5. Is the Answer to Expensive Cars a Pickup Truck Without Power Windows? Business, May 13

    Slate Auto, a start-up backed by Jeff Bezos, plans to sell a small, spartan electric truck that comes with no paint, stereo or touch-screens.

  6. The Energy Star Program May Go Away. Who Could Preserve It? Your Money, May 13

    Cuts at the E.P.A. jeopardize the program that certifies efficient home appliances. Manufacturers could run a similar one themselves, but they may not want to.

  7. How to Deal With Economic Uncertainty? Emergency Savings Are a Start. Your Money, May 10

    One bit of advice: Putting aside $2,000 to cover surprise expenses, like a car or home repair, can help you avoid credit cards. Experts have more tips on saving.

  8. How Much Are We Paying for Newsletters? $50, $100 … How About $3,000 a Year. Business, May 10

    More people are spending money on newsletters from their favorite writers. They’re also having trouble keeping track of how many they subscribe to.

  9. What the Fed’s Rate Policy Means for Your Finances Business, May 7

    Here’s how the central bank’s interest rate stance influences car loans, credit cards, mortgages, savings and student loans.

  10. What Your Estate Plan May Be Missing Business, May 3

    Although a will is crucial to making sure your assets go where you want them when you die, you are likely to need something else, too: designated beneficiaries.

  11. Tips for Navigating the ‘Chaotic System’ of Student Loan Repayments Business, May 2

    Experts say recent graduates with loans should choose the repayment option that makes the most sense for them now and expect to make adjustments later.

  12. Don’t Count the Dollar Out Just Yet Sunday Business, May 2

    As President Trump’s tariffs rock the world, German bonds and the euro are benefiting. But U.S. strength endures, our columnist says.

  13. Colleges Know How Much You’re Willing to Pay. Here’s How. Sunday Business, May 1

    Schools turn to little-known consultants, owned by private equity firms, to find applicants and calculate scholarships. Here’s how that affects the price you pay.

  14. Trump’s Cuts to Science Funding Could Hurt U.S. Economy, Study Shows Business, April 30

    Reducing federal support for research and development could cause long-run economic damage and reduce government revenue.

  15. Student Debt Collections Restart on May 5. Here’s What to Know. Business, April 29

    More than five million borrowers are in default, and millions of others are projected to be on the precipice.

  16. How to Talk to Your Children About Money in These Uncertain Times Business, April 25

    Children may not understand the stock market or inflation, but they can pick up on their parents’ financial worries. Experts offer advice on dealing with the subject.

  17. Bracing for a Slow-Moving, Self-Inflicted Economic Storm Sunday Business, April 25

    The markets face a baffling prospect: continual disruptions from the White House with potentially severe consequences.

  18. Gen Z Re-evaluates Its Budgets as a Global Trade War Rages Business, April 19

    Some young adults with disposable incomes for the first time in their lives are trying to make sense of how tariffs are affecting how they should save and spend.

  19. For L.A. Residents Whose Homes Burned, Aging Complicates What Comes Next Sunday Business, April 19

    Losing your home in a disaster when you’re at or near retirement age can derail your finances and jeopardize the funds you were counting on.

  20. The Fed Is Stuck Fighting the Last War Sunday Business, December 13

    Mired in a battle to contain surging prices, the central bank also needs to be nimble enough for the economic downturns to come, our columnist says.

  21. Thousands Are Eligible for Tax Refunds From 2020 Business, April 19

    The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their returns for that year are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

  22. Trump or Biden? The Stock Market Doesn’t Care. Sunday Business, April 12

    Prediction markets say former President Donald J. Trump has a good chance of winning. So far, the stock market is fine with that.

  23. More States Now Require Financial Literacy Classes in High Schools Business, December 1

    The surge in offerings is a response to the pandemic, which revealed glaring income inequality, as well as inflation and the resumption of student loan payments, an expert said.

  24. Look at the Stocks Leading the Market Now Sunday Business, July 7

    Devastated at the height of the pandemic, cruise lines have become top performers.

  25. Student Loan Pause Is Ending, With Consequences for Economy Business, June 21

    Three years of relief from payments on $1.6 trillion in student debt allowed for other borrowing and spending — and will shift into reverse.

  26. It’s Not Just the Debt Ceiling Sunday Business, May 26

    A host of issues face the markets, beyond the prospect of a possible default on U.S. debt. Hedge your bets and ride it out, our columnist says.

  27. Forgot to File Your 2019 Taxes? You Still Can if You Want Your Refund. Business, April 28

    The forms were originally due in the early days of the pandemic. The I.R.S. estimates that 1.5 million people are owed money, but they must file by July 17.

  28. Funeral Homes Don’t Have to List Prices Online. That May Change. Business, April 14

    The rule on price disclosure was written before widespread use of the internet. Regulators are considering an update.

  29. Britain Wants Its Early Retirees Back, but Their Days Are ‘Never Boring’ Business, March 14

    The country’s work force is smaller than it was before the pandemic, sapping economic potential. The government is going to try luring more people off the sidelines.

  30. I Spent Two Years Revenge Spending. It Was Hard to Stop. Sunday Business, March 2

    The pandemic gave consumers an excuse to spend more to make up for lost time. Those who went overboard are trying to reverse course.

  31. At German Christmas Markets, Smiles Shine Bright but Budgets Are Tight Foreign, December 23

    In Nuremberg, the stalls are open without Covid restrictions, and big crowds are returning to sip mulled wine and socialize. But amid economic uncertainty, visitors are spending less.

  32. Their Budgets Flush, Many States Are Sending Checks to Residents Business, November 18

    Up to 20 are using some of their budget surpluses to help taxpayers deal with high inflation. But some economists worry that the payments could fuel inflation.

  33. Deadlines for Using Up Flexible Spending Accounts Return Business, September 16

    Relaxed rules during the pandemic let workers carry over more of the pretax money, which must be spent on health costs or forfeited, but they’re expiring.

  34. I.R.S. to Refund Late-Filing Penalties for 2019 and 2020 Returns Business, September 9

    But to be eligible for the relief, taxpayers have to file the returns by Sept. 30. The agency says the average refund will be $750.

  35. This Is Going to Hurt Sunday Business, June 17

    Inflation is expected to remain high later this year even as the economy slows and layoffs rise. Already, signs of financial stress are surfacing.