Well-deserved! Congratulations!

Column | Even with $4 gas, upgrading to a more efficient car might not save you money Don’t turn high gas prices into a “nearly $50,000 problem,” one expert warns.

Do the high gas prices make you want to buy a new car? Before you trade-up, consider all of the costs of having an EV or hybrid. That includes how much you owe on your current car.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Have you filed your taxes yet?

For most taxpayers, the federal tax deadline to file returns or request an extension is April 15. Do you have any lingering questions about your taxes? Reply, DM, or email ColorOfMoney@washpost.com. Look for my Q&A session with a tax expert coming very soon!

Yes! Email me at ColorOfMoney@washpost.com

Column | The day I ran out of gas chasing a deal, and other extreme saving hacks As gas prices compound affordability issues, many people are going to want to reassess their budgets. But some hilarious frugal habits may take things too far.

Okay, okay. I asked for your unhinged penny-pinching techniques so it's only right if I share mine. My husband was not happy when I did this. (But we laugh about it now!) www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Rising costs may have you considering new ways to save money. But can you be too cheap? I’ve heard some pretty extreme stories over the years, like the reader who would reuse tea bags three time!

Tell me your wackiest money-saving story. You may be featured in my next column or on my social media.

Personal finance columnist @michellesingletary.bsky.social joins the panel on women over 50, money matters & their midterm vote. Sign up for this free webinar April 9, 1-2 p.m. ET us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3117725...

Good reminder that Tupac was right then and he's still right today. "He cited Donald Trump... as emblematic of a “gimme, gimme, gimme” culture ..."

The enduring truth of Tupac’s 'money for wars, but can’t feed the poor' by @michellesingletary.bsky.social
www.msn.com/en-us/news/p...

Column | How a shady tax preparer’s practices can lead to costly IRS trouble Investigators found widespread fraud and incompetence in the tax prep industry. Here’s how to spot if your preparer is putting you at risk with shady practices.

If you're using a tax preparer, always ask for a final copy of your return and carefully review it for inaccuracies. Read my latest column for examples of how each of these scams can look www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

4)They ask you too sign a blank return

You are legally responsible for the accuracy of the information on your return, regardless of who filled it out. So, don’t sign a blank tax return. A preparer who encourages you to do so probably wants to hide that your refund is being inflated.

3)They're making up side hustle losses

Inflating business expenses is a common tactic used by unscrupulous preparers to offset your taxable income and increase the amount of your refund. If a preparer fabricates business deductions, you’ll be the one held responsible.

2)Their fee is based on your refund amount

Never hire a preparer whose fee is tied to the size of your refund. This creates an incentive for them to falsify your return to inflate the total.

1)They're refusing to sign your return

By law, any paid preparer must sign your return and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If you are asked to sign as “self-prepared,” that’s a huge red flag that the person is trying to avoid accountability.

Unregulated tax preparers are costing the federal government billions of dollars in improper claims and leaving YOU on the hook for their fraud.

Here are some signs that your tax preparer may be up to something shady 🚩

Column | Gen Xers are facing a new era of economic instability Global conflict and a shaky economy are fueling financial anxiety. This month’s Color of Money Book Club pick offers Gen Xers a map to secure their retirement.

Did you know that two-thirds of Gen Xers are living paycheck to paycheck? They also have the highest average credit card debt ($9,600) and student loan balance ($44,240).

For Gen Xers worried about ever being able to retire, read "Retirement Bites." www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

FREE LINK to my Sunday column on war-proofing your budget

Column | How to war-proof your budget before regular gas hits $4 a gallon As the Iran conflict leads to rising gas prices, these tips can help you save money and maintain some budget predictability.

War-proof your budget with these 4 steps www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

More colleges are offering free tuition. Explore our database. Explore our database of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities that offer free tuition programs.

My colleague Danielle Douglas-Gabriel did an excellent job creating a database of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities that offer free tuition programs. Share it with the young scholar in your life wondering if the cost of college is worth it.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

I help a lot of people with their budgets but I don't go item by item and tell them what not to spend their money on. Only you know which items are a necessity. If a $7 cup of coffee is going to keep you from slapping a coworker and getting fired, by all means, spend that $7 on a cup of coffee.

The Black Congressmen who shaped a nation YouTube video by Washington Post

As Black History Month comes to a close, I would like to share my interview with Congressman Jim Clyburn. His book, The First Eight, tells the story of the first Black Congressmen from South Carolina whose policies shaped American politics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTsb...

Column | How the Rev. Jesse Jackson taught me to keep hope alive I am somebody because the reverend told me I was. And I believed him.

"'I am somebody,' a voice boomed from the stage...I have never forgotten that day when the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke life into me...His words pushed me to overcome the feeling of being unwanted." Incredibly powerful 5th-grade remembrance from @michellesingletary.bsky.social. Gifted 🎁 wapo.st/4cxEYoe

Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund

If you would like to support the people who are facing a job loss, consider giving to the union-run GoFundMe. All money raised will go directly to laid off employees. www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...

Today has been one of the toughest days of my professional career. Hundreds of my Washington Post colleagues have lost their jobs. There are no words to describe the way my heart is breaking for them. I stand with my friends in their fight for fair treatment through the layoff process. These are some of the smartest, most-talented people in journalism. I feel so blessed to have shared space with every one of them.

🩶

The case is still in its early stages but I, ultimately, see this being thrown out. The tax code, in so many words, says a dependent must be a person.

I’m a pet parent, too, but no matter how much I love my dog, he's not a human.

A New York dog-owner wants the IRS to recognize her golden retriever as a dependent. Amanda Reynolds' argument for claiming her dog, Finnegan, broadly aligns with the guidelines for claiming a child:
✅ lives with you for more than half the year
✅ receives most their financial support from you

QOTD: Should you be able to claim your pet as a dependent on your tax return?

I see a lot of strange questions during tax season but this is a new one 🧵

a red air dancer with a face and the word dhl on it ALT: a red air dancer with a face and the word dhl on it

How much is your monthly car payment? And how long is your loan?

New data shows that nearly more than 20% of new-car buyers have monthly payments of $1,000 or more and 7-year loans are becoming more common.

Column | You don’t need Trump to cap your credit card interest. Just use this script. You may have more power than you think to challenge your high interest rate, particularly if you have a strong credit score and payment history.

Trump's 10% cap on credit card interest probably isn't going too happen. But you don't need him to lower your rates. Call your creditors and follow these scripts instead. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

What Are Your 2026 Predictions? | KQED We’ll speak with three journalists about what they expect — and what we’ve learned from 2025. And we’ll hear from you: Whether it’s good, bad or neutral, what do you think will happen this year?

🎙️ON AIR:

We're talking to @vox.com's @izzieramirez.bsky.social, @washingtonpost.com's @michellesingletary.bsky.social and @nytimes.com's Emma Goldberg about their predictions for 2026 and what we learned from 2025.

❓Whether good, bad or neutral, what do you think will happen this year?

📻 Listen:

Column | How to practice financial forgiveness and achieve your money goals Here’s how to stick to your New Year’s financial resolutions in 2026.

Here’s why most resolutions fail: People can’t forgive themselves. You set a goal, mess up, and give up. When it comes to money resolutions, I encourage you to try "financial forgiveness." You can't shame yourself into saving.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...