Happy Monday, MarketWatchers! Here are the top personal finance stories of the day.
Personal Finance
Here’s how much you need to make to be in the top half of earners in each U.S. city
A six-figure paycheck probably sounds like a lot of money to most people struggling to make ends meet across the U.S., but in the Bay Area, with its high-paying tech jobs and brutal cost of living, you’d have to make $110,040 to crack the top 50% of earners, according to U.S. Census figures.
My stepmother stole money owed to me and won’t tell me if my late father left a will
This daughter says her father put one of his properties in her name, but she is unsure how to claim it.
Are you on the waitlist at your dream college? Here’s what you should do
As applications to selective colleges continue to climb, counselors say waitlists are getting out of control
Your simple guide to the new capital gains tax rates
If you’re confused about how the new tax law affects capital gains and dividends, you’re not alone.
Starbucks CEO says he hopes to meet with the black men arrested at Philly store
A video of two black men being handcuffed and led out of a Philadelphia Starbucks for “trespassing” earlier this week drew fierce backlash on social media and ultimately led to an apology from CEO Kevin Johnson on Saturday
As Tax Day looms, new tax law is stressing out and confusing Americans
Taxpayers are struggling to figure out the new legal landscape.
The disgusting truth about hand dryers
Most people wash their hands several times a day, but drying them could be making them dirtier.
Under Trump’s tax law, you now have a year to avoid a nasty divorce
The administration’s tax code will eliminate the tax deduction on alimony starting in 2019.
Four moves you can still make to lower your 2017 tax bill
There’s not a lot of time before the April 17 Tax Day deadline.
Beware, the IRS is looking for these red flags this tax season
Tax experts give their opinion on what to avoid when filing your taxes.
Elsewhere on MarketWatch
Noted economist Clarida tapped by Trump for Fed vice chairmanship
Richard Clarida, an economist who also works for a bond-fund giant, has been tapped by President Trump to be the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Kellyanne Conway suggests Trump won the election because of James Comey
In a contentious chat with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America” on Monday, the White House adviser suggested that former FBI director James Comey tipped the scales in Donald Trump’s favor by reopening the probe into Hillary Clinton’s emails just 11 days before the presidential election.
Obamacare triggering upturn in preventative care — and risky drinking, too
The Affordable Care Act has delivered an increase in preventative-care utilization — but also an upturn in risky drinking, a study finds.
Washington would be crazy to break up Amazon
The notion that Amazon gets a sweetheart deal from the Post Office doesn’t hold water, writes Peter Morici.
U.S. retail sales pop up 0.6% in March after three straight declines
Sales at U.S. retailers rose 0.6% in March to end a streak of three straight declines, underscoring the improved financial picture of U.S. households and the resiliency of an economic expansion that could turn out to be the longest ever.
Home builder confidence slides for fourth straight month
A tracker of sentiment among home builders fell again as construction costs weigh more heavily.
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