36 articles
I Bonds pay 4.26 percent through October, but the November 1 reset is estimated at 4.90 to 5.41 percent with a higher fixed rate. The worked math on waiting versus buying now.
The Saver's Match replaces the Saver's Credit in 2027: 50% of the first $2,000 saved, up to $1,000 deposited into your account. Full-match limits and worked examples.
Medicare Part D in 2027: deductible rises $615 to $700 and the out-of-pocket cap $2,100 to $2,400. Two worked drug years show who pays $300 more and who pays nothing extra.
The IRS has not published 2027 tax brackets yet. What is official for 2027, what Bloomberg Tax projects (standard deduction $16,600 / $33,200), and what to plan on.
The Farm Bureau benchmark Thanksgiving dinner for 10 was $55.18, turkey $21.50. Scaled and shopped early, dinner for 6 works out to about $33.
Halloween 2026 spending will hit $13.5 billion, $115.14 per person (NRF). A 9-day checklist to cap candy, costumes and decor before October 31.
SNAP maximums rose about 3% on October 1: $1,023 for a family of four, $306 for one person. The full FY2027 table and a worked benefit calculation.
Milliman projects the 2027 401(k) limit at $25,500, up from the official 2026 limit of $24,500. The full projected table and the per-paycheck math.
At least 3.8 million people are losing their Medicare Advantage plan for 2027 and 181 counties will have none. What to check before the Dec. 7 deadline.
A Roth conversion counts for 2026 only if it settles by Dec. 31. Worked bracket math: filling the 12% bracket on $20,800 costs $2,496, spilling costs $4,576.
Treasury auto-enrolled over 60 million kids in Trump Accounts in October 2026, but the $1,000 seed and $250 Dell gift only land after a parent claims. Steps here.
The dependent care FSA limit rose from 5,000 to 7,500 dollars for 2026, the first increase since 1986. Run this open enrollment math before you elect an amount.
Bloomberg Tax projects the 2027 standard deduction at 16,600 dollars single and 33,200 dollars joint. Here is how to use projected brackets in year-end planning.
Claimed Social Security early and still working? In 2026, every $2 you earn above $24,480 costs $1 of benefits. Here is the math before holiday shifts.
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct 15 to Dec 7. CMS projects Advantage premiums down 16.5% for 2027 while Part D edges up. Here is how I would shop it.
Series I bonds pay a 4.26% composite rate for bonds issued through October 31, then the rate resets November 1. The lock-up, limits, and math that matter.
The EIA's Oct 6 winter outlook splits households by fuel: gas $640, oil $2,115 for Nov-Mar. Budget the monthly amount now, and check LIHEAP windows.
Medicare IRMAA is set by your 2024 income. Retired or divorced since then? Form SSA-44 can cut your Part B premium from $284.10 back to $202.90. Here is how.
Harvest losses in October, not December: offset gains, deduct up to $3,000 of income, carry the rest forward, and dodge the 61-day wash-sale window. The plan.
2026 limits: HSA $4,400 or $8,750, health FSA $3,400 with a $680 carryover cap. Here is the use-it-or-lose-it math to choose your election before open enrollment closes.
2026 limits are $24,500, $32,500 at 50+, and $35,750 at 60-63, and high earners must go Roth on catch-ups. Here is the per-paycheck math to fix your rate now.
The 2027 COLA is announced October 14 and estimates sit at 3.4 to 3.6 percent. Here is the net raise after the projected Part B premium, with real math.
Marketplace open enrollment opens November 1 with a median proposed premium jump of 15 percent. The October prep that protects your January 1 start date.
The Oct. 15 tax extension deadline is 11 days away. Filing on time costs 0.5% a month; filing late costs 5%. I run the real IRS penalty math.