Money Management

 Discover the battleground states that could shift the political landscape in the upcoming election. kovop / Shutterstock.com

As Election Day approaches, a lot of things have changed since the last presidential contest in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic motivated many people to move to new states, and that has changed the political makeup of these places. Recently, Realtor.com used proprietary data on geographic home shopping trends and 2020 election results at the county level to tease out how changes in the population…

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 Many people wonder what Social Security tells their spouse or ex when they claim benefits based on that person’s work history, but the answer is simple. fizkes / Shutterstock.com

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Welcome to Ask Money Talks News, a series answering financial questions submitted by Money Talks Newsletter subscribers. In this installment, we’re talking about what happens — or doesn’t happen, in this case — when you…

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 Here’s how make the most of your time, energy and earning potential. StudioByTheSea / Shutterstock.com

The side hustle, or side gig, has risen in popularity over the last several years, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. Maintaining a full-time job while pursuing a passion (or easy income) on the side offers the best of both worlds. You get the comfort and security of a steady paycheck and benefits, along with the opportunity to do what you love and make extra money on the side.

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 If you buy Treasurys from the TreasuryDirect website, prepare to be patient. PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock.com

The federal government is not exactly renowned for its efficiency. But the government’s slowpoke ways might have reached a new low for those who buy bonds through the TreasuryDirect website. If you want to move your Treasury bonds from the website to a brokerage account, you might have to wait up to one year, according to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal. The combination of a surge…

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 Start shopping for Medicare plans right away so you have time to get the help you need. fast-stock / Shutterstock.com

It’s that special time of the year again. No, not Christmas. It’s Medicare’s open enrollment period, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, when people enrolled in the Medicare program can join, drop or switch health coverage or a drug plan. Here are some of the best free resources from nonprofits and the government. Use them for enrollment help or at any time for answers to your questions and guidance in…

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 It doesn’t mean to, but your house could have anything from hidden pollutants to overlooked allergens. Here’s how to identify and deal with them. Johnson / Money Talks News

Home is where the heart is, but what if it’s also where your health issues are coming from? We often think of our homes as safe havens, but they can sometimes harbor invisible threats that affect our well-being. From hidden mold to unexpected pests, here are seven surprising ways your house might be making you sick—and what you can do about it. Mold is more than just an eyesore…

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