Early IRS data indicates that tax refunds this year are notably smaller compared to the same period last year. As of February 2nd, the average refund check stands at $1,395, marking a significant 29% decrease from last year's average of $1,963. This data is based on nearly 2.6 million tax refunds totaling approximately $3.65 billion. However, the IRS cautions that these figures may change as more returns are processed in the coming months.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Last year, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner greenlit a significant 24% average base rate change for insurance providers.

According to analytics firm Santiment, a cloud-focused Web3 altcoin has taken the lead in recent development activity, outpacing all other crypto projects. Over the past 30 days, the public decentralized network Internet Computer (ICP) recorded an impressive 466.9 GitHub commits, as reported by Santiment.

The buzz around DeFi (decentralized finance) is palpable these days, with many touting it as the inevitable future of finance. While the potential, market demand, and technology certainly suggest a shift in that direction, the reality is more nuanced.

Attending a financial education class in high school isn't just a box to check—it's a long-term investment with substantial returns. Recent findings from consulting firm Tyton Partners and Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing financial literacy among middle and high school students, reveal that completing a one-semester course in personal finance translates to a lifetime benefit of approximately $100,000 per student.