Reach your goals
Five reasons to file your taxes sooner
There are two types of tax filers: those of us who file our tax returns as quickly as possible, and those who put them off until mid-April. If you’re one of the millions procrastinating, here are some reasons to apply early this year.
You will get your refund sooner. You can invest this money, pay off debt, or purchase purchases you were planning to make when your refund arrives. Additionally, invoices signed during 2025 may result in a higher refund than in previous years.
It reduces the risk of identity theft. Filing your tax return early prevents scammers from stealing your refund before you receive it. Here’s why: Once your Social Security number is used on a tax return, it can’t be used again for that tax year.
You will have more time to track down documents. If you’re claiming deductions, you may need to find receipts, mortgage interest statements and details of charitable donations.
You can avoid an unpleasant surprise. If you’re not sure what your tax bill will look like, it’s better to find out sooner rather than later. Even if you don’t file early, calculating your bill in advance gives you time to decide how to pay or request an extension from your state tax office. (If you need more time to pay your federal tax bill, you may want to file Form 4868.)
Tax preparation may cost you more if you wait. Accountants, tax preparation companies and even some tax software companies are raising their fees in April. If you find yourself facing a complex tax issue, it may be difficult to find professional help on short notice.
Source: money.com
Mortgage IQ
Improved housing affordability and purchasing power
Prospective homebuyers may finally be able to move this year. Housing affordability has seen some big improvements, including rising incomes, lower mortgage interest rates, and declining housing prices. Combined, these factors have boosted buyer power by approximately 10% year over year.
Through 2025, median household income rose 3.5% year-on-year while house price growth stalled in many regions. Combined with lower interest rates for qualified buyers, this boosted purchasing power by about $36,600 compared to November 2024.
Forty-seven of the 50 major metropolitan areas recorded year-over-year improvements in affordability, confirming that the gains are broad rather than regionally limited. However, affordability remains well below pre-pandemic numbers, when falling rates and growth in at-home work caused housing stock to fall more than 50% below historical norms.
Source: nationalmortgageprofessional.com
Financial news
Flying soon? Make sure you have a real ID
If you plan to travel soon, you will need to check your driver’s license or state ID card to make sure it is a REAL ID. It is marked with a star.
If you’re not aware of the REAL ID requirement that began earlier this month, you may be asked to pay $45 or more to pass through airport security without it.
The federal government began requiring travelers to have a Real ID — or another document such as a U.S. passport or passport card — to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities or nuclear power plants as of May 7, 2025. However, the TSA only began charging travelers who cannot produce a Real ID or passport on February 1. They will have to pay $45 to use the TSA’s ConfirmID system before they can board their plane.
Once granted, the ConfirmID verification is valid for a 10-day travel period. So, if vacationers without Real IDs are heading out for two weeks to their favorite beach or resort, they’ll have to pay again when they get home.
Travelers who do not have an accepted ID can complete the ConfirmID process before arriving at the airport by visiting TSA’s ConfirmID web page. The website provides payers with a receipt that can be printed and presented to TSA personnel.
Source: cnbc.com
Did you know?
Running inflation leads to contraction of entertainment budgets
Inflation has contributed many additions to our vocabulary. Repackaging groceries to hide low content has become a downturnWhile rising beef prices turned into meat inflation. The recent increases in streaming services are called “streaming inflation.”
If you haven’t recently checked your monthly or annual costs for streaming services, they may be more than you think. Several major entertainment companies have recently raised subscription prices.
During 2025, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, Spotify, and Apple TV have raised their prices or announced plans to do so. Paramount+ joined the list last November, saying its prices would rise during the first quarter of 2026.
Here are some ways to get streaming at an affordable price.
Switch to cheaper, ad-supported versions. Last October, an analytics company found that this strategy was becoming popular with streamers. Viewing on ad-supported levels jumped 16 percentage points year over year for Disney+, and 11 percentage points for Netflix.
Switch to free streaming services. Watch time on these services, which include Tubi and Plex, rose to 1.8 billion hours from 1.3 billion last year.
Consider bundling your favorite services. After taking notes on the services you watch the most, decide which ones you want to keep and look for bundled discounts. It’s a good idea to look them up online, as they change frequently.
Check with your cell phone provider for streaming privileges. If you’re shopping for a new cell phone provider, be sure to check for any additional perks, such as free access to one or more streaming services. Upgrading your current cellular service may also get you free streaming subscriptions.
Initiate the cancellation procedure. Some streaming services will automatically offer you a discount in hopes that you won’t end up leaving. Go ahead…click “unsubscribe” and call their bluff.
Source: Investment website
Personal finances
These credit cards earn points and add upgrades
Depending on your income and credit history, you may qualify for your choice of a variety of credit cards, including those considered premium or luxury cards. Their sources often describe them as lifestyle enablers who do much more than just getting you a free economy class flight. Issuers of these cards are expanding upscale travel, dining and health benefits, recasting them as everyday savings tools rather than luxury add-ons.
Competition between premium card issuers is heating up, creating a race to offer richer perks. However, they often charge higher annual fees than other cards. One of the biggest competitors: the American Express Platinum Card. Although the annual fee is $895, travel cardholders have access to thousands of airline lounges. They will also be entitled to statement credits for shopping at various retailers, Uber rides, and Equinox gym memberships.
Given how competition among luxury cards changes perks, cardholders whose card-related benefits don’t justify the annual fee may want to switch to another card. For example, if the cardholder’s household frequently uses the food delivery app included in the card’s discount program, that could cover the card’s annual fee.
Source: Tamkeen.com
food
Berry Nutella Heart Pancakes
These romantic Valentine’s Day treats combine raspberries, chocolate, and hazelnuts for a heavenly treat. Kids love helping create these Berry Nutella Heart PancakesEspecially when it comes to cutting the dough into a heart shape.
Around the house
Transform your surroundings by recycling
Whether you’re looking for low-cost decorating options or enjoy repurposing old items, upcycling is something to keep in mind. This can take you everywhere from flea markets to thrift stores or your attic or basement. Your tastes in decor can be anything from vintage to eccentric to historical.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Vintage frames can be your answer for displaying prints or stock photos due to the high cost of a custom frame. Measure your prints before you go shopping, or take them with you – you may find a framed print at a yard sale or thrift store that will complement your artwork.
Wooden ladders have mostly been replaced by metal versions, which means you may find them cheap or gathering dust in a relative’s garage. Can be painted and used as a shelf for plants, books or candles.
Marble residue may be disposed of by flooring or cabinetry manufacturers. They are often sold online, which means you can get what you need for decorative purposes. They can even create an attractive backsplash for your kitchen sink.
Metal and iron items can come back to life inside your home and in your garden. Old bathtubs and livestock feeders can hold outdoor plants or even a raised garden. An antique door knocker can live on the wall as decor, or on the door as a hanger. Old cabinet knobs may be just what you need to spruce up a chest of drawers or dresser.
Old jewelry, including single earrings that have lost their mates, can be reused throughout your home. Wrap one or two old necklaces around a plain flower vase or glue brightly colored plastic earrings to a hummingbird feeder (red, orange, pink and yellow attract the most birds). Our single clip earrings also make great refrigerator magnets!
Source: BBC.com
