When high-yield savings accounts drop to 3.5%, where should you park cash? I Bonds offer inflation protection but lock you in for 12 months. Treasury Bills offer higher rates but no inflation adjustment. Here's the complete comparison of returns, liquidity, taxes, and which wins for different time horizons.
Most investors pay thousands more in capital gains taxes than necessary because they don't harvest losses strategically. Tax loss harvesting lets you offset gains by selling losers, saving $3,000+ annually. Here's the complete strategy including wash sale rules, robo-advisor automation, and when to harvest manually versus automatically.
Most parents don't realize 529 college savings plans offer immediate state tax deductions—up to $10,000 or more in states like New York and Illinois. Here's the complete 2026 guide to maximizing tax benefits, which states offer the best deductions, and strategic contribution timing for families planning education expenses.
Self-employed workers and freelancers can contribute up to $69,000 to a Solo 401k in 2026—nearly 10x more than a regular IRA. This includes both "employee" and "employer" contributions you make to yourself. Here's how to set one up, which provider to choose, and how to maximize contributions.
High-yield savings account rates peaked at 5.5% in 2023 and have been falling ever since. By 2026, most banks are paying 3.5-4.5%. Here's who still offers competitive rates, which accounts have hidden fees, and when you should stop parking cash in HYSAs and move to better alternatives.
Choosing between Roth and Traditional IRAs isn't about which is "better"—it's about tax arbitrage. For high earners, the decision hinges on whether your tax rate today is higher or lower than retirement. Here's the actual math with scenarios showing when each strategy wins, including the backdoor Roth wildcard.
Remote work deductions could save you $1,500-3,000 annually—but W-2 employees and 1099 contractors have completely different rules. Learn what you can actually deduct, how to calculate home office expenses two ways, and avoid audit triggers. Includes state-specific requirements and real-world examples from high earners.
High earners over $161K can't contribute directly to a Roth IRA—but the backdoor method lets you contribute $7,000 tax-free anyway. Learn the two-step process, avoid the pro-rata rule trap that costs thousands, and execute a clean conversion. Includes step-by-step guide with real examples from high earners.
A new $6,000 tax deduction for seniors 65 and older went live in 2025, stacking on top of existing deductions. But it phases out at $75K (single) or $150K (joint) income, and expires in 2028. Here's how to claim it.
High-yield savings accounts paid over 5% in 2024. By January 2026, most offer 4.00-4.35%—and they're still falling. This analysis examines where to allocate cash when HYSA rates no longer justify keeping substantial balances in savings: Treasury bills, CDs, money market funds, and ultra-short bond ETFs, with specific guidance on when each makes sense.
