Latest news with #ErinKemp
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
MoneyBot5000 Finds Fewer Tax Refunds in 2025-But They're Bigger Than Before
Average refund tops $2,600 in 2025, prompting more Americans to seek smarter ways to plan, invest, and grow their financial future. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / April 8, 2025 / In a new study, the AI-powered personal finance platform, has uncovered a surprising shift in how many Americans are receiving tax refunds. While the total number of refunds is declining, the average amount has increased, climbing to over $2,600 in 2025-a nearly 2% jump year over year. The findings come at a time when many households are seeking to stretch every dollar. study shows the tax refund is no longer just "extra money"-it's a vital financial moment. And for many, it's being used to reduce debt, build emergency funds, or kickstart new investments. Key Findings from the 2025 Tax Refund Study: Fewer refunds, bigger returns: Refunds dropped by nearly 5%, but the average refund increased to $2,600+, according to IRS data and analytics.High-income earners aren't always winning: Despite higher wages, states like California, New York, and Massachusetts didn't crack the top 10 in refund variation:Wyoming led the nation with an average refund of $9,957, followed by Mississippi ($8,006) and Nevada ($7,829).Alabama came in last with an average refund of $2,821. Tax Refund Strategy, Powered by AI To help users make the most of their tax refunds, offers personalized insights so users can chat with and walk through their personal financial needs. Whether savings for education, investing for retirement, or paying down debt is top of mind, can offer ideas that suit your situation in life. About is a cutting-edge personal finance management platform that helps users try to find unclaimed money, manage their finances, and plan for their financial future through AI-powered tools. Designed to simplify money management, offers personalized financial insights. Explore tools at Contact Information Erin Kemp PR & Research Strategisterin@ SOURCE: MoneyBot5000 press release
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Classic Cars That Aren't Worth the Money, According to Car Experts
Classic cars might seem like a sound investment, but some are just not worth the high price. Even if owners kept the cars in great condition, some may never sell for more than the owner paid. Read More: Check Out: Here's a look at what car experts said are the classic cars that are not worth the cash. Also see seven things to know if you want to buy a classic car. What use is a car if it's too scary to drive? Erin Kemp, a consumer advocate for Bumper, said that the Ford Pinto's safety concerns far outweigh any financial benefit owners would get. 'The Pinto is well-known for its unsafe design — the uncovered fuel tank was prone to bursting in rear-end crashes, making it a risky choice for collectors. Despite Ford's later adjustments, most Pintos rusted or were discarded, leaving just a few around today,' Kemper said. Discover More: This model was trying to capitalize on the excitement of the earlier Shelby Mustangs, but Kemp commented that it simply does not measure up. 'With poor performance and style that falls short of rivals such as Pontiac or Dodge, you should explore elsewhere for a vintage muscle car investment,' Kemp said, adding that it's not fast and its build is unattractively bulky. The DeLorean will always be associated with the popularity of 'Back to the Future,' but that doesn't necessarily make the 1980-1981 models solid investments. Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, said its build quality and performance drag down its worth. 'The underwhelming PRV V6 engine makes just 130 horsepower, and early production models were plagued with reliability issues. The hefty price of this model is due to nostalgia, but mechanically, it's a headache that rarely matches its inflated price tag,' he said. 'The 1971 to 1977 Chevrolet Vega is, in most circles, considered a disaster waiting to happen,' Giranda said. He explained that the aluminum engine is notorious for overheating and failing prematurely. 'Add in rust problems and the low resale price, and it's an even less appealing classic with expensive maintenance costs,' he said. Hagerty Insurance reported that a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T in good condition can be worth $98,000, but does it deliver? Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical, said no. 'They look and run great but aren't four times better than, let's say, the 1971 Dodge Demon, which costs four times less. Right now, these Chargers are overpriced, making them a risky asset for collectors and out of reach for regular car enthusiasts,' he said. More From GOBankingRates25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value This article originally appeared on 5 Classic Cars That Aren't Worth the Money, According to Car Experts
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
7 Sports Cars To Avoid Buying
If you're all about handling, speed, acceleration, cylinder engines and turning heads wherever you go, then nothing but a sports car will do. Whether you're in the market for a new 2025 model or a beloved classic from years past, there's no shortage of automakers hoping to trade horsepower, cornering, maneuverability and style for a big chunk of your savings account. Consider This: Find Out: However, before you drop serious money on a sports car, make sure you know which models to avoid. You don't want to drive home with a high-priced, high-powered bundle of buyer's remorse. GOBankingRates spoke with auto industry insiders who cautioned against buying the following sports cars because they cost too much, are unreliable, lack features or have comparable rivals that offer more for less. MSRP: $159,995 to $191,995 Nearly every automotive expert GOBankingRates consulted put the same $174,000 (depending on the model year) vehicle at the top of the list of sports cars you shouldn't buy. Among them was Erin Kemp, a consumer advocate with Bumper. 'The Maserati GranTurismo is a car that consumers should think twice about before purchasing,' she said. 'The GranTurismo catches the eye of many drivers for being stylish and having a compelling performance profile, but owners often have trouble with its reliability. 'Many have reported problems related to its engine and electrical system. When things do go wrong, the repairs are very costly, too. Cars like this aren't meant to have a bunch of miles on them, so you can run into expensive problems if you use them for everyday driving.' MSRP: $99,150 No one is saying that the Lotus Evora — produced for a little more than a decade ending in 2021 — isn't an extraordinary machine. In fact, in a bon voyage tribute during its final production year, The Drive called it 'the perfectly imperfect sports car.' It's just that with a nearly $100,000 starting price, a little less imperfection would be nice. 'The Evora boasts a raw driving experience, but it's been criticized for reliability issues over the years,' said Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic, which specializes in international car shipping and relocation. 'Plus, its interior lacks the polish and comfort features found in other sports cars at its price point.' Be Aware: MSRP: $79,175 to $114,275 Jaguar has long been synonymous with power, performance and style, but the British luxury brand also has developed a reputation for frequent breakdowns. Earned or not, that reputation has followed its lineage to the F-Type. 'The Jaguar F-Type is a beautiful car with a potent engine lineup, but it has been criticized for its reliability,' said 30-year auto industry veteran Frank De Mulder, founder of Classic Car Maintenance. 'Some owners have reported electronic and powertrain issues, which can be costly to repair out of warranty.' With a starting price of just over $79,000, the last thing drivers need are frequent trips to the shop — plus, several rivals make a more compelling case. 'A Porsche 911 or Chevrolet Corvette might offer similar performance with a better reliability track record,' said De Mulder. MSRP: $68,745 to $139,920 Alfa Romeo discontinued the 4C in 2020; and, while it's still a popular sports car with plenty of loyalists, De Mulder thinks they could do better. 'The Alfa Romeo 4C is a pure driver's car but comes with significant sacrifices in terms of comfort and convenience,' he said. 'It lacks power steering, and its cabin is quite sparse. While it's a blast on the track, those looking for a sports car to enjoy on all occasions might prefer the Porsche Cayman, which offers thrilling performance without compromising on comfort.' MSRP: $148,495 to $164,295 Like the Alfa Romeo 4C, 2020 was the final production year for the BMW i8, and similarly, De Mulder thinks some of its competitors make a more convincing case for your dollars. 'The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid that offers a glimpse into the future with its futuristic design,' De Mulder said. 'However, its performance doesn't quite live up to its supercar looks, and for the price, there are several other options that offer better performance and a more engaging driving experience, such as the Acura NSX.' MSRP: $122,985 to $222,985 With 565 horsepower, the Nissan GT-R has the power to match its $122,000 estimated starting MSRP. However, at least one industry veteran thinks the lineup has gotten stale. 'The Nissan GT-R, which was once a significant challenge to modern supercars, now feels like one of the most clichéd sports cars on the road,' said Steve May, an automotive expert who founded NumberPlates4You after 25 years in the automotive industry. 'I believe that since Nissan stopped updating the R35 GT-R, the aftermarket scene took over its evolution.' Car and Driver backs that up with this summation, 'R35 generation dates to 2009, interior lacks refinement, seems crude and rude by today's standards.' 'If I were looking for more bang for my buck,' May said, 'I might consider some Porsche models or even yield to a whim and go for a Corvette.' MSRP: $448,400 Like nearly all auto enthusiasts, May appreciates the power, beauty and performance of the Porsche Carrera GT, but he thinks its safety features are insufficient enough to disqualify it from your shortlist. 'In my years in the auto industry, the Porsche Carrera GT stands out as one of the riskiest cars from the brand,' he said. 'While its 5.7-liter engine is incredibly powerful, I feel like driving this car feels raw, especially with its mighty V10. 'The Carrera GT might not be the best choice for beginners since it misses out on essential safety features like traction control and ABS. I believe that with such a tight margin for error, even skilled drivers would find this car challenging.' Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates10 Most Expensive Meals in the World10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle This article originally appeared on 7 Sports Cars To Avoid Buying
