But some states are sweetening the deal by giving residents who have gotten vaccinated a shot at winning millions. 4 States Offering Lottery Prizes for Getting Vaccinated Could your vaccine win you big bucks? If you live in one of these four states, your vaccination card could be the golden ticket. On July 4, the state will hold a grand finale drawing for $400,000. Anyone whos a Maryland resident and has received at least one vaccine dose in the state is eligible....

We were married for more than 10 years, and I have not remarried. I have consulted a couple of Social Security planners. -K. Dear K., I wouldnt count on Social Security connecting the dots here. Usually, the funeral home alerts Social Security when someone dies. The difference can be substantial. But this isnt about rooting for your former husbands demise. Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you....

Parents, we see you. Although more summer camps are open this year compared to last, you may be considering virtual camps again. Probably not as good as youd like. It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings. But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill? Ask one of these companies to help… They can even sing along to campfire songs from a curated playlist....

Location has always been a huge factor in buying a home. Can the kids walk to school? And is the school any good? Is there public transportation nearby? How far is it to the grocery store? Should I buy a house now? Can I get to work quickly? That busts the traditional notion of location wide open. Home office space is now on many buyers wish lists. There arefour financial questionsyou should answer before buying a house....

But the soaring cost of lumber is making that statement especially painful. Thanks to a lumber shortage, your everyday 24 is now more than the cost of a Chipotle burrito. The price of a Chipotle burrito today? About $7, more with extra fixings. Some resourceful DIYers in Alaska are even milling their own just to keep their projects going. Thats not the likely path for most of us but desperate times call for clever measures....

The pandemic has inspired many people to think creatively about getting the goods and services they need. For some, that means bartering with friends, neighbors and even strangers. Bartering cuts out the need to use money. Its an arrangement where people or businesses directly exchange goods and services without any monetary transaction. Jessie Stehlik, a photographer in Tampa, Florida, has always enjoyed bartering services with friends. Last year, she created a Facebook group to encourage trade within her local community....

Picture a stock-trading app with the sleek interface of Robinhood, only way more advanced but still totally free. Thatsmoomoo, a colorfully named and increasingly popular investing app. Thats just the beginning, though. Getty Images If youre a more experienced trader, moomoo puts some heavy firepower in your hands. The premier data feed for serious traders shows you bid and ask prices by market makers in real time. 7 Ways to Make Money if You Hate People Do you avoid people too?...

I currently owe about $100,000 for two children to attend college. I am also retired with income coming from my pension, savings and Social Security. Should I not have been paying these loans during the pandemic and wait until Oct. 1 to pay? Should I still pay? I hope there is some cancelation. -L. Dear L., Its tough to say whether in retrospect you should have stopped paying these loans....

In the end it is simply easier and more professional to stick with your real background. People do take notice. For example,Dr. Get creative and use DIY greenery or flowers as a background for your Zoom calls. It will show off your creative side. Photo courtesy of Olivia Smith Here are four ways to do just that: 1. Like so many others, I fall into the latter category. But even renters can be decorators by picking stylish wrapping paper to fashion into a Zoom background....

When a loved one dies, the financial fallout to deal with often adds to your grief. In some circumstances, Social Security survivor benefits can fill part of that void. As of April 2022, Social Security paid monthly survivor benefits to approximately 6 million people. Getty Images But navigating the maze of Social Security benefits can be confusing, especially when youre dealing with a loss. In this article, well cover how survivor benefits work, who qualifies and other commonly asked questions....

For a lot of people, the biggest change-slash-return-to-normal that means a return to the office. But can we just go back? And we were right. Getty Images Should You Work From Home After COVID? Your pandemic experience might not be the best gauge for whether you should work from home long term. This forced experiment has been riddled with extra challenges and complications you wont normally face. Probably not as good as youd like....

And, some of these creations become toys they can play with later or give to a younger sibling. Here are some tips and simple guidance for giving your kids the materials and mindset they need. Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week. Glue and popsicle sticks are just a few things kids can use to make creative projects. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder...

Does thinking about your budget make you groan? Are you so frustrated that you want to give up? If what youve been doing isnt working, theres a better way to master your money. Feeling overwhelmed? Create a budget that works for you with ourbudgeting bootcamp! Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week. This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed. Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire....