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With the government seemingly stepping back from regulatory duties, consumers may have to act as their own financial watchdogs. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the independent federal agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to shield people from fraud and abuse by lenders and financial firms, has been muzzled, at least temporarily. “Everything is on … Read more

“Rely less on the airline to just offer you a good deal,” Mr. Leff said. “Often you want two cards: one that earns multiple points in the category where you spend the most, and one that pairs in the same ecosystem from the same bank that earns 1.5 or two points per dollar.” This means … Read more

It’s a tax season unlike any other: As millions of Americans dutifully file their returns, the Trump administration is calling for the abolition of the Internal Revenue Service and plans to fire as many as 7,000 workers — all while Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is seeking access to detailed taxpayer information. It is … Read more

Bolton Valley Resort, about 30 minutes east of Burlington, Vt., has long been overshadowed by larger, more famous neighbors. The family-owned ski area is halfway between Stowe Mountain Resort and Sugarbush, both owned by ski conglomerates that rely on multimountain passes. Stowe takes Epic and Sugarbush takes Ikon, and each resort has more than 100 … Read more

Did You Sell Concert Tickets or Clothes? You May Owe Taxes.

Last August, a hotel room in Europe priced at 200 euros was about $224. Today, travelers spending American dollars would pay only $208. On the rise since last autumn, the dollar is strong compared with a number of foreign currencies, including the euro, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar. And President Trump’s tariff threat … Read more

In January, my family and I arrived at Pomerelle Mountain Resort in southern Idaho to find fresh powder, inexpensive lift tickets, no lines and bargain burgers grilling at the base. What more could a skier ask for? Perhaps a faster chair, but we chalked that up to vintage charm. Last fall when I purchased the … Read more

Extra nights in cushy hotel suites, free premium air travel and even stays on private islands. Loyalty points and frequent flier miles, when strategically collected, can fund trips well beyond a traveler’s usual expectations and budget. But it isn’t easy to get these deals. Luckily for us, there’s an entire universe of experts who share … Read more

How much would you pay to go to the Super Bowl? Luxury packages for events like the presidential inauguration, the Olympic Games and the Super Bowl are nothing new, but in recent years, industry professionals have noticed a rise in “ultraluxe” travel — very expensive, private and customizable V.V.I.P. travel and event services. Take the … Read more

Ms. Harris suggests that her clients try “Frugal February” — avoiding discretionary spending and impulse purchases, and putting the money toward debt reduction or savings — because it’s a short month, and people often stay home anyway because of cold weather. The steps can be small, she said, like watching a movie on a streaming … Read more