Paisely 
Sunlight streams in through the small kitchen window of the modest bungalow that Elaine Parker calls home in Tulsa. At 72 years of age, Elaine greets every day with a ritual: a cup of black coffee followed by a careful assessment of her monthly budget. Given that she worked for 43 years as a pediatric … Read more
Have you ever found a coin in your pocket that might change your life forever? For instance, two of the rare dimes and the Bicentennial Quarter, each valued at a colossal $70 million, are still floating around. Coin collectors and some lucky individuals have already discovered these within their everyday transactions. Maybe the same applies … Read more
In the early morning, light filtering through the window of Margaret Wilson’s kitchen in Winnipeg caught the rising steam from her tea. Margaret is 76 and reviews her monthly budget, a practice that is becoming harder and harder with time. “My husband passed away three years ago,” she says, cupping her hands around the mug … Read more
In the fall of 2021, Tom Jenkins cleaned out the garage of his father, who died last year, hoping to clear up the clutter. While searching through the dusty space, he found a small wooden box. Inside was a plastic sleeve containing what seemed to be a regular 1976 Bicentennial quarter among fishing lures and … Read more
Finally, the check that I had been anxiously awaiting for what seemed like an eternity arrived on a Tuesday, about three weeks into the nationwide lockdown. I was laid off, like millions of Americans, when my employer-a small catering company in Pittsburgh-had to shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. My savings would have lasted for … Read more
I hardly ever hear the jingle of coins in my pocket nowadays. Like most Americans, I’ve developed the habit of tossing spare change without a second thought into jars, cup holders, or between couch cushions. But after chance conversations with veteran coin dealer Tony Mendez in a local flea market in the spring, I have … Read more
Maria, who sat across from me, had been a high school guidance counselor for three decades and had seen almost everything when it came to guiding students through the notoriously onerous FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). “I’ve been doing this for years, but I’ve never seen such a dramatic shift in the system. … Read more
Indeed, in 2025, the Child Tax Credit indeed is a primary financial support for millions of American families, propelling parents for the ever-increasing costs of raising children. According to the present Child Tax Credit, parents can receive anywhere from $2000 for each qualifying child under the age of 17, and as much as $1700 is … Read more