Ghost Pepper? Has Pepper, the discount gift card app, burned out?

Usually, I’d wait until after a fintech has officially died before using its silly name against it. But, I couldn’t wait. Each day, it seems as though Pepper posts what some would consider useless deals. It’s making some wonder if the app has finally died. The deals have certainly fizzled. Some suggested that the once-sizzling deals caused Pepper to burn through their seed money. Perhaps Pepper’s deals were too hot and they had to cool things down. Some customers have even reported being ghosted by Pepper. I, for one, am still waiting on a response after more …

How tastytrade can eat profits & affect trading behavior of active traders

Investment brokerage tastytrade has enticing promotional offers. But, it’s important to consider how much these offers will actually cost you to use tastytrade. Margin Interest Rates For starters, their lowest margin rate is 8% if you have a $1 million margin debit balance. That rate is more than one percentage point higher than some brokers’ lowest rates. That means that your $1 million margin balance would cost you $10,000 more a year at tastytrade. Don’t have a million dollar account? Maybe you’re an active day trader with Pattern Day Trader status. You’re required to maintain a …

E*TRADE is offering select customers a $250 checking account bonus

Some E*TRADE customers have received an email offering a $250 bonus for opening a new Morgan Stanley Private Bank (MSPB) checking account. Morgan Stanley Private Bank and E*TRADE are both owned by Morgan Stanley. The offer is not available to anyone who’s had a Morgan Stanley Private Bank Checking or Max-Rate Checking account within the past 12 months, and only accounts opened between 11/12/2024 and 12/15/2024 qualify for the offer. As long as you can meet the direct deposit requirements, the bonus is super easy! Here’s How to Get Your $250 Sign up for a …

BluPeak’s FlexPay is officially live

BluPeak announced today via email that its FlexPay service is officially live. Email from BluPeak: FlexPay is here! Starting Today, eligible debit card members will be able to divide their purchases into smaller payments over time. Get your purchase amount deposited back today! Here’s How it works: Make purchases with your BluPeak debit card. View available FlexPay offers on eligible purchases in your online banking or mobile app. Select the installment plan that works for you. See your purchase amount deposited back into your account in 24 hours. As we initially reported, BluPeak confirmed …

Why getting a big tax refund from the IRS is actually a bad thing, and how to avoid it

As tax season approaches, many taxpayers look for ways to maximize their refund. In reality, they should want to receive little to no refund. After all, a tax refund means that your tax liability was less than the amount that you paid. The ultimate objective of seeking a tax refund is to demonstrate that you have a lower tax liability. This is best achieved through proper tax planning. It’s a long-term strategy that should be planned and modified throughout the year, and not just in April when you file your taxes. What Tax Planning Can Do …

Start Planning Your Retirement: An Overview of Retirement Accounts

Retirement planning can feel intimidating and overwhelming, leading many employees to delay contributions to their retirement plans. This ultimately results in them missing out on valuable tax savings and benefits. Just a few of these benefits include lower or deferred taxes, employer contribution matching, tax credits, and reduced student loan payments. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, the good news is that you can still contribute to a retirement account by setting up an IRA or HSA. Take a look at the different retirement account options that may be available to you! Retirement …

When to expect your tax refund from the IRS and how to check the status

In most cases, you can expect to receive your refund up three or 4 weeks after you file. However, in some cases, the IRS may need more time to process your return, which could cause delays in you getting your refund. For instance, if your tax return needs to be reviewed or corrected, your refund may not arrive within the quoted 21-day-window. The IRS will send you a letter if this occurs. In addition, the IRS states that amended returns take about 3 weeks just to show up in their system, and up to 16 weeks to be …

Why the possibility of job loss is the perfect reason to contribute to your 401(k)

Many employees don’t contribute to their 401(k) because they have an immediate need for their entire paycheck, or they fear being without money in the event of a job loss. But, hardships, especially the loss of a job, would actually make those 401(k) funds more easily accessible. Normally, employees can’t withdraw from their 401(k) before the they turn 59.5 years of age without facing penalties. However, hardship withdrawals, loans, and 401(k) rollovers can provide penalty-free access to those funds. 401(k) Hardship Withdrawals If you’re not 59.5 years of age and need to access funds that you …

NYSE to extend trading on its Arca exchange

The New York Stock Exchanged announced on Friday its plan to extend trading on its Arca exchange to 22 hours a day. Proposed Arca Trading Windows Investors can currently trade on the exchange from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The proposed change, which is subject to regulatory approval, would extend trading for 6 hours a day. Trading would be available from 1:30 am to 11:30 pm Eastern Time everyday, except weekends and holidays. The extended trading window will apply to all U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, and closed-end funds available on NYSE Arca, which is the …