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Why your first job out of college is key for your career
More than half of college graduates work in jobs that don’t require a degree. Does this mean college is useless? Not so fast.
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U.S. stocks finished sharply lower on Tuesday driven by a sell-off in tech stocks
• But some assets rallied: Bitcoin reached an all-time high, briefly pushing above $69,000 midday Tuesday before falling back down to below $63,500.
• Gold futures also hit a record high of $2,141, buoyed by geopolitical uncertainty and bets for a Fed rate cut in the second half of the year.
What to be on the lookout for today
• February private sector payrolls in the ADP employment report, January job openings, and weekly mortgage applications. The start of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell two-day testimony on Capitol Hill.
• Mall brand earnings with Abercrombie & Fitch, Footlocker, and Victoria’s Secret. Also earnings from consumer goods companies Campbell Soup, The Honest Company, and Hamilton Beach.
Getting a tax refund? Here’s what to do with it
Are you expecting to get a refund check from your taxes but don’t know what to do with it yet? Let’s plan to put it to good use.
Federal tax refunds are higher so far this year with an average above $3,200, according to the IRS.
Check, please! If there’s a refund coming your way, here are some ideas on what to do with it.
Fund your safety net If you’re caught up in your immediate bills, take a look at your emergency savings. Experts suggest having three to six months of living expenses saved up in a separate account to cover any unexpected costs.
Add to your nest egg Even if retirement is still a ways away, the earlier you contribute the more time your investments have to grow, and a cash infusion from your tax refund could help with that.
Tackle debt If you’re chipping away at a debt load, your tax refund might help tackle a bigger chunk. Focus on paying down the debt with the highest interest rate first while still making the minimums on any other debts.
Today's top stories
Women dominate this slice of the workforce While women narrowly outnumber men in this category, the pay gap still persists. Read more >> Cancùn is out, Canada is in Travelers are increasingly taking trips to colder destinations to avoid record-setting heat waves. Read more >> What is a fully funded PhD program? Pursuing a graduate degree can be pricey, but there are ways to offset the costs. We’ll explain how. Read more >>Not-So-Breaking News
- The White House has announced a task force to address unfair and illegal corporate pricing and bring down inflated prices for Americans.
- Whole Foods is introducing smaller quick-shop stores in urban neighborhoods, with the first set to open this year on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
- Former Twitter executives are suing Elon Musk for more than $128 million in unpaid severance, claiming they were fired without cause.
Financial planner tip of the day
"The risks of overspending on a credit card might dissuade students from using them during their college experience, but having one and spending wisely can help college students build credit . Building credit can help a young person improve their credit score. Post-grad, a strong history of on-time payments and responsible spending could make it easier to rent an apartment, apply for a car loan, or start a personal cell phone plan."
Brian Walsh, CFP® at SoFi