LifeMinute Podcast: Home and Family

There are many tax changes to consider when filing this year. Kathy Pickering, Chief Tax Officer for H&R Block, touches on some notable ones to look out for. First, the IRS updated tax brackets for inflation, and if your earnings stayed the same, you’ll pay less in taxes this year, which means a bigger refund. Additionally, federal tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs) have been revised, potentially affecting the amount you can claim. Lastly, the Child Tax Credit. Although the current rules for these credits haven’t changed from last year, Congress is presently re-evaluating where these stand as many of the inflation numbers that these rules rely upon for calculation have increased. Congress is looking at making significant changes to the Child Tax Credit for the 2023 tax year. These changes are not finalized, and we are unsure when or if they will be. Still, taxpayers should file their taxes now instead of waiting to see if the child tax credit will be passed. If passed, the legislation as it's currently written, gives the IRS maximum flexibility to issue additional refunds for those who have already filed without requiring further action. Starting your return early with H&R Block gives you more time to gather the necessary information that could increase the size of your refund. Often, taxpayers forgo itemizing their deductions because of the time required to gather receipts and other evidence. Also, filing early locks your social security number, preventing someone else from filing using it. It also means you will get your return sooner. H&R Block offers easy-to-use DIY options featuring AI Tax Assist to full-service tax filing assistance at an H&R Block office located in every state or virtually. Visit hrblock.com for more information.

Research indicates that 48% of people give up by this time, so our Editor-in-Chief, Joann Butler, is sharing some tips, tricks, and things that can help you get back on track.

Cat litter and other tips to make shoveling easier and safer

Recent buzz around the child tax credit expanding following recent house approval has parents questioning whether they should hold off on filing. However, experts and the IRS urge people to file regardless of what happens. The IRS commissioner urges filers to file now and said not to wait, while providing reassurance that if the child tax credit is expanded and results in a change that impacts a filer’s return, they will make the change and send an update without the filer having to do anything. There are some other key credits you may be eligible for so don’t delay filing. File early to get your return as soon as possible on other credits for kids such as the child and dependent care credit up to $1,050 for one child and up to $2,100 for two kids and the earned income tax credit up to $7,430 for a family with three kids. To claim the tax credit, just make sure you meet the requirements. With a good chunk of credit at stake it’s best to enlist an expert such as TurboTax to help ensure you receive the maximum refund you're eligible for. TurboTax has you covered and is up to date with the latest tax laws so you can file your taxes with confidence and accurately claim the child tax credit you’re eligible for. You can get help along the way and have your return reviewed before you file by a TurboTax live expert or have your taxes fully prepared by a TurboTax live expert or meet with a local verified TurboTax tax pro in person. For more info about the tax credit and to start filing now go to turbotax.com.

He's teamed up with Avocados From Mexico to help fans elevate their viewing parties for the Big Game

Where pet parents can go when they need expert, on-demand support for health concerns, navigating nutrition, welcoming home a new pet, and more

LifeMinute.tv's editor-in-chief Joann Butler has the scoop on how to get festive on game day and make it really fun. Turn your island into a football field, mark up your eats with football lace markings, and go homemade with football photo booths, bingo, trivia games, and more. Brands are also getting in on that action, such as Supercuts, with their cool promotion offering FREE haircuts to those who register if the final total score of the big game meets or beats 75 points. Go to supercutshighscore.com to do it.

This year it's all about empowering yourself to make small changes that have a big impact. Here are some must-haves we are loving to do so in 2024.

Stretching budgets is top of mind for so many of us right now, especially coming out of the holidays. To kick off the new year and make it easier for members to save on their health and wellness needs following the holiday season, CVS Pharmacy is holding its first-ever Save Extra Event, offering huge savings for post-holiday shopping—Happening now and running through February 10th. There are dozens of hot deals and offers exclusive to ExtraCare members dropping every two weeks. Now is the time to stock up on everything from your New Year’s wellness wish list with great savings on products from brands you know and love to trending brands from your social feeds, including cosmetics, skincare, wellness, and cold and flu support—you name it, CVS has it. Taking advantage of a loyalty program is a good way to save on personal care and wellness products. With all the benefits you get as an ExtraCare member at CVS—like access to exclusive sale events and ongoing sale prices, personalized offers, and 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards—you can save hundreds of dollars. You must be an ExtraCare member to reap the rewards, so if you don’t have your own membership, it’s time to sign up. Head to CVS.com/SaveExtraEvent or go in-store to check out the sale, now through February 10th.

Verizon has some amazing last-minute deals happening now. They are making it like a one-stop shop, giving you not only huge savings on service plans but also epic freebies that are some of the most coveted things on people's lists such as $100 off JBL Pulse 5 speakers, $40 off Sony Portable X-Series Bluetooth speakers, up to $70 off Shokz OpenRun headphones, 25% off select Anker chargers, and $20 off Apple AirTag 4-packs. They also have a great promotion on Verizon Home Internet where all customers (new and existing ones) can switch with a 5-year price guarantee plus more freebies—an Amazon Echo Show 10 or a $200 Amazon gift card, plus an Xbox Series X and a $100 Verizon gift card. Check them out in-store or online at verizon.com/holiday. The new Waterpik HairWand Pulse Spa System is an amazing gift that people wouldn’t think to get for themselves. It’s like a daily spa treatment for your hair and entire body. It has 12 different spray settings, including the PowerPulse Therapeutic Strength Massage. It’s clinically shown to help soothe muscle tension, increase flexibility, and promote more restful sleep. For the scalp, it uses a pulsating comb-shaped spray that delivers a relaxing scalp massage, removes visible flakes, and leaves your scalp feeling clean. Get it at homedepot.com for $79.98 in chrome and $89.99 in brushed nickel. It also has an 8-foot flexible hose—great for kids or pets or even to clean the shower.