What to Do if You’re a Data Breach Victim (and You Probably Are)
Data breach notifications have become routine, with 80% of Americans receiving at least one notice in the past year and many seeing three to five letters. Federal and state laws compel companies to alert consumers promptly, yet complex investigations can delay delivery, as seen with Conduent’s recent breach affecting names, Social Security numbers, and medical information. The flood of letters often tempts victims to discard them, but experts warn that keeping these notices is essential for protecting identity. The article underscores the growing burden on consumers to manage and respond to breach communications.
The Best Playbook for Investing During a War Is Usually Doing Nothing
The New York Times argues that the best response to the Iran‑Israel conflict‑driven market turbulence is to stay the course. While short‑term speculation in energy, defense stocks, gold or Treasuries can appear tempting, academic research shows that most investors achieve better...
MrBeast Is Getting Into Financial Services With His Step App. Parents, Pay Attention.
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has taken control of Step, a teen‑focused banking app with over seven million users, through his Beast Industries umbrella. The acquisition follows a $200 million investment from crypto platform Bitmine, signaling a push into digital assets...
Is the U.S. Tax Code Anti-Feminist?
The article argues that the U.S. tax code is not gender‑neutral and often reinforces existing power imbalances. Professor Bridget J. Crawford and co‑author Anthony C. Infanti have examined this bias by editing a book that rewrites tax‑related judicial decisions through...
Tax Missteps Happen — Even When Two Financial Pros Are Married
The New York Times piece reveals that married financial planners still stumble over tax filings, citing a Roth‑conversion penalty and a missed $7,500 dependent‑care credit cap increase. The errors, each under $1,000, stem from logistical oversights rather than ignorance. The article highlights...
A Reprieve for Veterans Applying for V.A. Mortgages
House Republicans have trimmed a proposal to raise fees on Department of Veterans Affairs home loans after pushback from veterans groups and lenders. The revised plan leaves purchase‑loan fees unchanged but nearly triples the refinance fee to 1.4% and doubles...
It’s Time to Rethink the Standard Investment Advice. But Not Too Much.
The article warns investors that unprecedented market volatility—from a 25% drop in silver to record concentration among AI‑driven mega‑caps—calls for a reassessment of traditional portfolio guidance. It highlights stress in U.S. bond and money markets amid political attacks on the...
2025 Tax Returns: Here’s What to Know About Filing This Year
The 2025 filing season arrives with a landmark tax and spending bill that adds $129 billion in individual tax cuts, boosting average refunds by roughly $1,000. Key provisions include a permanent larger standard deduction and new credits that favor higher‑income households....