April 2026

Travel Tips 2026: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know

Travel tips 2026 are more important than ever as geopolitical tensions, airport disruptions, rising airfare costs, and long TSA lines make travel more complex. Staying informed, planning ahead, and remaining flexible can help ensure a smoother trip. Geopolitical tensions One of the biggest factors shaping travel is global instability. Political unrest, military conflict, and security […]

Stock Market Surge: S&P 500 Hits Record High

Stocks surged last week with the easing of geopolitical tensions that had weighed on equities for weeks. The S&P 500 crossed the 7,000 point barrier, while the NASDAQ achieved its longest winning streak (12 straight sessions) since 1992. Investor optimism was fueled by the ceasefire announced last week and the reopening of the Strait of […]

Tax Refund Tips: 3 Smart Ways to Use Your Refund

As of April 3, 2026, the IRS issued almost 70 million income tax refunds for the 2026 filing season, with an average refund amount of $3,462, about 11% higher than last year.1 For recipients, such a sudden influx of cash raises an important question: What’s the best way to use the money? In a recent […]

Stock Market Rally Continues as Oil Prices Fall

The U.S. stock market enjoyed a second straight rally last week as geopolitical tensions shifted, at least temporarily, from escalation to diplomacy. After a period of high volatility and risk aversion, investors were encouraged by the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed the […]

SAVE Plan Ending: What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Know

On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education announced next steps for borrowers who are currently enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Repayment Plan, which is being discontinued. The Department is sending guidance to the 7.5 million borrowers currently enrolled in SAVE on what they need to do next.1 Here are the […]

Market Rally 2026: Stocks Rise on Tech Surge

The U.S. stock market was closed last week on Good Friday. Wall Street enjoyed a tech-led rally despite the escalation of the conflict with Iran and a pivot in fiscal policy following President Trump’s request that Congress approve a $1.5 trillion total defense budget for 2026, funded, in part, by a 22.6% cut in domestic […]

Tax Scams 2026: IRS Dirty Dozen List Explained

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for the 2026 tax season.1 The Dirty Dozen is part of a broader campaign to educate taxpayers about identity theft schemes and other forms of fraud, particularly during tax filing season. Notable developments for this year are the prevalence of scams […]