How Much Will Student Loan Forgiveness Cost? Estimates for the cost of Biden’s student loan forgiveness program announced last week range from $240 billion to $1 trillion over the next 10 years depending on how it’s calculated. Biden’s action will wipe $10,000 off the balance of every federal student loan borrower who earns less than $125,000 a year, and forgive double that amount for those who received Pell grants for families that demonstrated financial need....

For instance, think about how long you are going to use something, if it will need to replaced or if buying a higher-quality item will last longer, even your personal habits when it comes to spending. It sounds counterintuitive, but there are actually situations where spending more will save you money in the long run. In this case, you can save money if you order groceries online, essentially paying someone to grocery shop for you....

In your response, you want to show that you’ve researched the company and can prove that you’re a good fit for the job. What the Interviewer Wants to Know Upon first hearing this question (especially if you’re unprepared for it), you might think that the hiring manager wants to learn more about what you want in your next job. To some extent, this is true: the employer definitely has to ascertain whether your career goals are aligned with the organization’s needs....

What the Interviewer Wants to Know At one level, interviewers are seeking to find out something obvious: your grades. After all, in the absence of a career or on-the-job experience, your grades—as well as your attitude toward schoolwork—are a stand-in for details on your work ethic and how you’ll approach employment. This question can also help interviewers get to know you a bit better, and have a sense of your values and priorities....

Review advice on when and how to send an email asking for a raise, what to include, tips for writing the message, and examples. When To Ask for a Raise via Email Especially when you’re working remotely, an email can be the easiest way to ask for more money. Your manager will have time to consider the best response. What Your Employer Needs To Decide The decision to grant a salary increase is not one that most managers make lightly....

If you have references ready in advance, it will help speed up the hiring process and avoid scrambling to find people who can attest to your qualifications at the last minute. Types of References You Can Use References are people who can speak highly of you and your character (a personal reference) and/or about your work experience, job qualifications, and skills (an employment reference). Hiring managers often contact your references by phone or via email to get a sense of you as a job candidate....

Knowing what you value in a job and workplace can help you evaluate career options to consider and assist you with choosing a job that’s the best fit for your values. What Are Career Values? Your career values represent the beliefs you have about what is important in your work, and what makes it meaningful to you. Simply put, your career values are what steer and drive you in your professional career....

Keep in mind, you don’t have to host your website at the same place you buy your domain name. For instance, many people will buy their domain name with a company like GoDaddy.com then host their website with a web hosting company like Bluehost.com. Here are six tips on how to buy a cheap domain name (that’s really good). 1. Don’t Settle with “Close Enough” Domains While everyone’s preference is a “....

Service Considerations Buying a vacant lot or land brings opportunities, but it also brings headaches and challenges that you don’t experience when you buy an established home. Here are things to consider when it comes to essential services: Before you jump into buying land, find out whether city or community water and sewer connections are available on the lot or land. If sewer hookups are not available, make your offer to buy land contingent on the ability to install a septic system rated for the number of bedrooms you require....

Review information on how to end a thank-you letter or email, examples of closings to use, and tips for choosing the best phrase to show your appreciation. Thank-You Letter Closings Letter greetings and closings may not seem critical, but they help form a well-written letter. When it comes to thank-you letters, the formalities are also important because letter readers have certain expectations of the style and tone of your letter....

Learn who can take business tax credits, and how to complete Form 3800 to recover them as part of your tax return. What Is Form 3800? IRS Form 3800 is used to record certain tax credits to reduce taxes for the year. Tax credits allow a business to reduce the tax owed on a dollar-for-dollar basis, or increase their tax refund. Tax credits are often set up to give incentives to businesses for certain activities....

Although college textbooks are starting to decrease in price due to the growing number of alternatives, they do still give many students sticker shock. A 2020 report by U.S. Pirg found that 65% of students had not bought their assigned textbooks because they were too expensive. But why are college textbooks so expensive in the first place, and how can you find cheaper ones? Here’s a bit of background on the textbook industry and eight practical ways you can cut textbook costs—and lessen the price tag panic....

What is the best way to explain an employment gap on your resume and during a job interview? It depends on the situation and what you did while you weren’t employed. Do You Need to Mention a Gap on Your Resume? If you haven’t taken a break yet, you can plan it carefully to ensure a smooth return to the workforce. If the gap was in the past, and you’ve been employed since it occurred, you don’t need to call it out on your resume....

What Is a W-2 Form? W-2 forms are used to report employee wages and salaries and tax withholding to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The W-2 is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). but you file these forms with the SSA, which shares the information with the IRS for income tax purposes. You must issue a W-2 form to each employee from whom you’ve withheld FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) taxes, which are Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as federal, state, and local income taxes....

Use Your Network, or Join Online Start by asking people you know if they use a credit union, and if they’re happy with their banking experience. You probably share a common bond with the people around you—and that’s typically all it takes to join a credit union. Yes, credit unions limit their services to people in the “field of membership,” but it’s typically easy to qualify. For example, you might be eligible to join multiple credit unions already based on:...

But returning to the workforce after an extended period away can be challenging. Some recruiters and hiring managers will be understanding about years away from the nine-to-five grind, but others may feel trepidation about hiring you. And, with time away from the workforce, your skills—along with your resume and interview skills—may need an update. It may be hard to feel confident and qualified, too. Tips for Getting Back into the Workforce After a Career Break Overwhelmed?...

It is possible to handle a bank dispute efficiently. Here’s why you might need to dispute charges and what to expect when you do, so you can complete the process as smoothly as you can. How To Dispute a Transaction With Your Bank You might find unwanted or unexpected transactions in your bank or credit union account for several reasons. For example, when your bank makes an error, you could see charges you’re not responsible for....

ETFs can focus on specific market segments or aim to replicate the returns of an entire stock market index. No matter what your investment strategy is, there’s likely an ETF out there that will meet your needs and goals. Start by learning how to invest in ETFs and then understand the role they can play in your portfolio. How to Invest in ETFs in 3 Steps You can invest in ETFs by following these three easy steps....

Going through an IPO is an exciting time for a business, as it uses IPOs to raise money for future projects and expansion. The process can also be an exciting time for investors, as they can buy shares during the initial public offering and be among the first people to have a stake in a young company. If you’re interested in investing in IPOs, learn how and if you can do so, as well as what the process looks like....

Here are a few of the basics about platinum investing and some examples of platinum ETFs to get you started on your research. Keep in mind that these ETFs should be looked at in the larger context of your goals and risk tolerance, as with any investment you make. What Is Platinum? Platinum may be most often noticed as an aspect of jewelry, especially rings, but it has many other uses....