Category

Money Management

House Tax Bill: $800 Tax Break for You, $44,000 for Millionaires

By Money Management No Comments

 The GOP’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” is even more beautiful if you make $1 million or more a year. 

Rich People Yacht
Andrei Mayatnik / Shutterstock.com

The recently passed House Republican tax and spending package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” reveals a stark disparity in who stands to gain from its provisions. Analysis from multiple economic experts shows the legislation overwhelmingly benefits America’s wealthiest households while potentially harming those with the lowest incomes. The Congressional Budget Office’s nonpartisan…

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20 Cities in America Where Home Prices Far Outpace Incomes

By Money Management No Comments

 These major metro areas have the highest home price-to-income ratios in America. 

Los Angeles neighborhood.
Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

While year-over-year wage growth in the U.S. remains above pre-pandemic levels, the benefit of rising wages for most households has been limited by increasing prices in many consumer categories. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is still reporting price increases of nearly 3% — notably above the 2% target inflation rate. Recent increases in the CPI primarily came from increases in the cost of…

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Gas prices take a turn ahead of Memorial Day travel

By Money Management No Comments

 Drivers might be surprised by what they find at the pump. Fuel prices have taken an unexpected twist. 

happy family driving
Zamrznuti tonovi / Shutterstock.com

Americans hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend are in for a break at the pump. CBS News reports that GasBuddy expects the national average to land around $3.08 per gallon, the lowest for the holiday since 2021. That’s about 50 cents cheaper than last year, offering drivers a bit of relief as the summer travel season kicks off. Not all states are created equal when it comes to fuel…

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House-Passed Tax Bill Proposes Cuts for All Income Levels

By Money Management No Comments

 Taxpayers at all income levels could see savings under the proposed tax bill, though the uneven distribution is drawing scrutiny as it moves to the Senate. 

Cutting taxes
mizar_21984 / Shutterstock.com

A tax bill recently approved by the U.S. House of Representatives proposes reductions for most American taxpayers, with benefits reaching households at a wide range of income levels. As the legislation moves to the Senate, analysts are examining how the structure of those cuts could shape future policy and public perception. According to a recent analysis by the Tax Policy Center…

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Many Sunscreens Don’t Deliver. Here’s How to Tell If Yours Leaves You Exposed.

By Money Management No Comments

 Has your favorite sun protection been evaluated by experts? Here’s how to find out. 

Woman looking at two different sunscreen products
absolutimages / Shutterstock.com

You should be applying sunscreen every day — year-round — to lower the risk of skin cancer. But all that lathering up might be in vain if you use the wrong product, according to two recent reports. Consumer Reports says there are “major performance differences” among sunscreens, with some products offering less protection than promised by the SPF (sun protection factor) number listed on the…

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Here’s How Much $10,000 in a 6-Month CD Would Earn You Now

By Money Management No Comments
[[{“value”:”Putting $10,000 into a 6-month CD will earn you about $225 at today’s top rates. Some banks are still paying just over 4.50% APY for short-term CDs.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Sure, it’s not life-changing money. But it’s way better than letting your cash sit idle.Another option for short-term cash storage is a high-yield savings account (HYSA). Although the interest rate may change at any time, today’s APYs are very similar to what CDs offer.Earnings on $10,000 with a 6-month CDSome of the top CD rates today are around 4.50% APY — a far cry from the national average of just 1.58% APY for 6-month terms.Here’s what $10,000 can earn with a 6-month CD, comparing the national average and a top CD rate:CD APYInterest Earned (6 Months)Final Balance1.58%$79$10,0794.50%$225$10,225Data source: Author’s calculations.The difference between 1.58% and 4.50% APY might not seem huge. But that’s $146 more for doing nothing extra except shopping around. Compare today’s best CD rates here so you can earn maximum interest.Is a 6-month CD right for you?If you’re looking for short-term stability and guaranteed returns, a 6-month CD is a great option. You can lock away your money for the rest of 2025 and know exactly how much you’re going to make.Here are a couple scenarios when a 6-month CD makes sense:You want to lock in rates, but don’t want to commit to a multi-year term.You like predictability. CD rates are fixed, so you’ll know exactly what you’re earning.You won’t need to touch the money early. Withdrawing before the CD matures usually comes with a penalty.But if flexibility is more important, you’ll want to keep your cash in a more liquid option. That’s where a high-yield savings account or no-penalty CD could be a better fit.A flexible alternative: High-yield savings accountsIf you like the idea of earning maximum interest on your cash, but don’t love the idea of locking it up, a high-yield savings account might be the better play.The top HYSAs currently offer APYs close to 4.00% right now. And unlike CDs, you can withdraw your money anytime without penalties or fees.This means you’d earn about $200 in interest on a $10,000 deposit, assuming rates held steady for six months. That’s slightly less interest than a 6-month CD, but in return, you gain flexibility.Not sure where to start in your HYSA search? Check out today’s best high-yield savings accounts, offering APYs up to 4.40%Start earning more interest todayWhether you get a 6-month CD or open a high-yield savings account, either one beats earning pennies in a low-rate account.Make the switch to keep your cash safe, while earning the most interest you can while rates are still this high.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

A generic calendar on a desk beside eyeglasses, an alarm clock, and a small hourglass.

Putting $10,000 into a 6-month CD will earn you about $225 at today’s top rates. Some banks are still paying just over 4.50% APY for short-term CDs.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Sure, it’s not life-changing money. But it’s way better than letting your cash sit idle.

Another option for short-term cash storage is a high-yield savings account (HYSA). Although the interest rate may change at any time, today’s APYs are very similar to what CDs offer.

Earnings on $10,000 with a 6-month CD

Some of the top CD rates today are around 4.50% APY — a far cry from the national average of just 1.58% APY for 6-month terms.

Here’s what $10,000 can earn with a 6-month CD, comparing the national average and a top CD rate:

CD APY Interest Earned (6 Months) Final Balance
1.58% $79 $10,079
4.50% $225 $10,225
Data source: Author’s calculations.

The difference between 1.58% and 4.50% APY might not seem huge. But that’s $146 more for doing nothing extra except shopping around. Compare today’s best CD rates here so you can earn maximum interest.

Is a 6-month CD right for you?

If you’re looking for short-term stability and guaranteed returns, a 6-month CD is a great option. You can lock away your money for the rest of 2025 and know exactly how much you’re going to make.

Here are a couple scenarios when a 6-month CD makes sense:

  • You want to lock in rates, but don’t want to commit to a multi-year term.
  • You like predictability. CD rates are fixed, so you’ll know exactly what you’re earning.
  • You won’t need to touch the money early. Withdrawing before the CD matures usually comes with a penalty.

But if flexibility is more important, you’ll want to keep your cash in a more liquid option. That’s where a high-yield savings account or no-penalty CD could be a better fit.

A flexible alternative: High-yield savings accounts

If you like the idea of earning maximum interest on your cash, but don’t love the idea of locking it up, a high-yield savings account might be the better play.

The top HYSAs currently offer APYs close to 4.00% right now. And unlike CDs, you can withdraw your money anytime without penalties or fees.

This means you’d earn about $200 in interest on a $10,000 deposit, assuming rates held steady for six months. That’s slightly less interest than a 6-month CD, but in return, you gain flexibility.

Not sure where to start in your HYSA search? Check out today’s best high-yield savings accounts, offering APYs up to 4.40%

Start earning more interest today

Whether you get a 6-month CD or open a high-yield savings account, either one beats earning pennies in a low-rate account.

Make the switch to keep your cash safe, while earning the most interest you can while rates are still this high.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More