Image Source: Unsplash.com A generous donation once came with a predictable bonus: a lower tax bill. That assumption no longer holds true for millions of households, and the shift has reshaped how giving fits into financial planning. Many people still write checks or click “donate” with the belief that April will reward their generosity. In reality, tax law changes, income thresholds, and stricter rules around eligible organizations now block that benefit in many situations. Anyone […]

I watched Spinal Tap for the millionth time recently. It has a load of great lines including this one: There’s a fine line between stupid and clever. There’s also a fine line between cheap and frugal… Don’t Be Cheap I went hiking a couple of years ago with a group of folks. Afterward, we went […] The post Rant: The Fine Line Between Cheap And Frugal appeared first on 1500 Days to Freedom.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has faced scrutiny over his own millionaire status and multiple homes, rallied support in California for a proposed 5% tax on billionaires. At a packed theater in Los Angeles, Bernie Sanders delivered a blistering critique of extreme wealth, framing inequality as a moral crisis. “Do you know what the most significant addiction crisis in America is today? Read the rest

My London based daughter came home again on Thursday for a long weekend, this time to go wedding dress shopping with the ladies of the family. The girls had a get-together the evening before the big dress shopping extravaganza, and since wedding talk was firmly on the agenda, I was duly exiled to my sunroom for the night. I’m pleased to report it was a successful mission and the bride said yes to a dress. […]

Sammie Ellard-King I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it. Share to Facebook New research from Expedia has shown how travellers can cut hundreds of pounds from flight costs, with Friday now officially shown to be the cheapest […]

Building an emergency fund isn’t just smart financial strategy—it’s your lifeline in the face of unexpected trouble. In this guide, discover the importance of an emergency fund and learn 7 smart emergency fund hacks for…

Image Source: Shutterstock Child‑free couples often assume their tax return should be simple, but simplicity can sometimes hide missed opportunities. As Tax Day approaches, many DINK households leave money on the table because they don’t realize which tax deductions apply even without dependents. The truth is that couples with no children often qualify for more savings than they think—they just don’t claim them. Whether you’re trying to lower your taxable income, boost retirement savings, or […]

Taxes on Social Security could change in a major way under a new bill that reverses a tax bill for some public sector workers when they reach retirement. While the bill aims to fix a “tax trap,” it has ignited a fierce debate over why Congress is fast-tracking relief for a narrow segment of government employees while the broader Social Security trust fund faces an accelerated path toward insolvency. Read the rest