Finance
112 most-searched questions — answered clearly, no padding.
Where's my tax refund?
Check your federal refund status at IRS.gov/refunds (or the IRS2Go app). You'll need your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount. State refunds have separate trackers.
How to make money online?
The most reliable ways to make money online are freelancing, selling products, content creation, and tutoring — all require consistent effort and typically 6–18 months before generating consistent income.
How to invest money?
Start by maxing tax-advantaged accounts (401k to at least the employer match, then Roth IRA up to $7,000/yr), then invest in low-cost index funds. This is general information — consult a fee-only financial advisor for personal advice.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency — no bank or government controls it. It runs on a public ledger called the blockchain, and there will only ever be 21 million coins.
What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise over time, eroding the purchasing power of money. The US Federal Reserve targets 2% annual inflation. It's measured primarily by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
What is a good credit score?
On the FICO scale of 300–850, a score of 670–739 is "Good," 740–799 is "Very Good," and 800+ is "Exceptional" — most lenders want at least 670 for favorable rates.
How to build credit?
The fastest way to build credit from scratch is a secured credit card — you deposit $200–$500 as collateral, use it for small purchases, and pay the balance in full every month.
How to file taxes?
Gather your W-2s and 1099s, then use IRS Free File (free for income under $79,000) or paid software like TurboTax — the federal filing deadline is April 15.
How to save money?
Automate a fixed transfer to savings on payday before you can spend it — even $50/month adds up to $600/year — and audit subscriptions quarterly to cancel ones you forgot about.
What is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is a retirement account where you invest after-tax dollars that grow tax-free — you pay no taxes on withdrawals in retirement, making it ideal if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later.
How to pay off debt?
The debt avalanche method (paying highest-interest debt first) saves the most money mathematically, but the debt snowball (smallest balance first) works better for motivation — both beat making minimum payments.
How to create a budget?
Start by writing down your monthly take-home income and all fixed expenses, then use the 50/30/20 rule — 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings and debt payoff.
What is compound interest?
Compound interest is interest calculated on both your original principal and the interest already earned — $10,000 at 7% for 30 years grows to $76,000 without adding a single dollar.