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This is a first peek at Forbes’ Sound Money, a free weekly newsletter addressing critical financial issues like personal finance, investment, taxes, and retirement. To receive it in your inbox, subscribe.
On July 4, 2015, fireworks erupted above the National Mall to commemorate the United States’ Independence Day. [+] Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
courtesy of Getty Images

Independence Day is a fantastic time for barbecues and fireworks, but it’s also a good time to think about money, especially now that the year is halfway through. Vaccinations in the United States have allowed the economy to resume its upward trajectory, and financial markets have applauded despite persisting supply chain issues and inflation fears. The S&P 500 index has a total return of 16 percent as of June 30, 2021. You’ll find a variety of articles below that will assist you with everything from Roth IRAs to income taxes and student loans.
Highs in the S&P 500 and lows in the cryptocurrency market
The stock market had its second-best first half in 23 years, indicating that the economy is on the mend. It isn’t all fun and games, though: Here’s how to interpret the crypto crash, which is dragging the speculative market down. With the bitcoin price hovering around $33,000, an estimated 24 million customers will soon be able to buy bitcoin through 650 U.S. institutions. In addition, as stock trading app Robinhood prepares for its much-anticipated initial public offering (for which it filed its S-1 on Thursday), it must face with a $70 million penalties from financial regulators.
Like A Roth Star, Have A Good Time
Are you between the ages of 60 and 72 and planning to retire early? William Baldwin, a senior contributor, discusses seven income management tactics. Consider the worth of a traditional vs. Roth 401(k) and maybe even adopt a few lessons learnt from billionaires and their Roth IRAs if you’re still faithfully contributing to your retirement accounts. Despite recent stories to the contrary, rest assured that if you’re alive and reading this message, the pandemic is unlikely to shorten your life.
Alternatives to Student Loans?
According to a new federal investigation, a plethora of student loan servicers systematically mismanaged the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Meanwhile, an increasing number of borrowers are opting for “income share agreements,” in which they agree to pay a percentage of their wage for a defined period of time instead of taking out a student loan.
MORE FOR YOU Contributor Richard McGahey writes, “Another month, another rapid spike in property prices.” Here are several reasons why the United States’ failure to develop new housing could be to blame. Families are still grappling with how to manage high child care costs as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Graphic novel: Americans return to the skies for Independence Day with immunizations in their arms.

Statista Inside, Statista Inside, Statista Inside, Statista Inside, Statista Inside, The Fight Against Taxes on Remote Work
For many Americans, remote work is here to stay. Despite the fact that the Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case that could have altered how remote workers’ income is taxed across the country, this tax struggle is far from finished. Can’t get through to the IRS via phone? Climate change may be to blame.
Increasing the SALT Capacity
According to a new poll, a narrow majority of Americans believe the federal government should eliminate the $300 weekly jobless benefit as soon as possible. Despite billions in pandemic help from Washington, states cut $4.1 billion from their budgets in 2020 to avert shortages. And a workaround has been implemented in 14 states to enable people dodge the Trump-era SALT cap on tax returns./nRead More

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