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 …

BluPeak Credit Union to offer FlexPay

Starting in November, BluPeak Credit Union will offer its members access to what it calls an alternative to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans. How it Works Use your debit card to make purchases between $150-$1800 Within 60 days, select a FlexPay in your online portal or mobile app (terms vary, but could be 3,6, 9, or 12 months) The purchase amount will be added back to your checking account within 24 hours This sounds somewhat like a Buy Now Pay Later plan. But, unlike traditional BNPL plans, Flexpay payment plans won’t impact your credit score …

Vanilla issues impractical advice about its declined Vanilla gift cards

Many Vanilla gift card users have complained about their cards being declined at various stores. A message on could reveal the reason. “If you need help due to a declined transaction and have sufficient funds to cover the purchase, your Gift Card was most likely declined due to security and safety measures in place to protect your funds. Use your Card in-person or at a different merchant online and make sure to include the card security code.” The message suggests that the issuer could have declined a transaction to protect the customer from a potentially …

CashPass & other AI-enhanced services being introduced to PayPal and its Venmo subsidiary

PayPal announced that it will introduce new AI-enhanced services to its flagship PayPal platform and its Venmo subsidiary. Within the next few months, PayPal users will have access to CashPass, which is a personalized version of the company’s current offer platform. PayPal will use the customer’s shopping history from different merchants to display personal offers. Users will have the ability to opt in and out of personalized ads. The company’s sister company, Venmo, will also release new features for merchants and consumers. One feature will allow customers to subscribe or follow a brand that they shopped …

Why Service Credit Union could lose members with its new $500 checking account promotion

Service Credit Union is offering two checking account promotions worth $200 and $500. While that may sound like great news, this new promotion is bound to ruffle a few feathers of at least some existing Service Credit Union members. Through December 31, 2023, Service Credit Union ran its “best move” promotion (servicecu.org/bestmove) and offered $100 to members who opened a new checking account and received $300 in direct deposits for 3 consecutive months. Less than 3 weeks after that promotion ended, Service Credit Union introduced its new and current promotion (servicecu.org/get-up-to-500). With this campaign, members have …

Why a Fidelity brokerage account should be your banking hub account

Using an investment brokerage account as your banking hub account may seem impractical and it’s possibly not something that you’d even consider to manage your everyday finances. One might favor a bank or credit union for their traditional banking services. But, modern brokerages offer the same services, if not more. Fidelity is one such brokerage, and their standard brokerage account comes with all of the tools that one would need to manage their finances, including bill pay, checks, and a debit card. While these services alone may not be the catalysts to start using a brokerage …