Stacy Johnson CPA
I'm the founder of Money Talks News and have spent the last 45+ years in the personal finance trenches. I'm a CPA, author of a few books and a multiple Emmy recipient. I've also earned licenses (now inactive) in stocks, commodities, options, securities supervisory, life insurance and real estate.
I'm married to a woman I don't deserve, have an awesome boat and live on the water in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, the yachting capital of the world.
Break Even at the Casino This Year? You’ll Still Owe the IRS
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 5, 2026
Win $50,000, lose $50,000, and you’d think you owe nothing. Starting this year, the tax code disagrees.
Medicare Won’t Pay If You Get Sick Abroad. 5 Ways to Protect Yourself
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 5, 2026
The exceptions are so narrow that a cruise ship can leave them behind by your first morning at sea.
Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 3-Year High. Here Are 7 Ways to Pay Less
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 5, 2026
The rate in the headline isn’t the rate you have to pay. Same house, same income — here’s why one buyer pays thousands less.
Money in a Minute for the Week Ending Oct. 2, 2026
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
Here’s a quick roundup of the news that moved your money this week, from Money Talks News founder, Stacy Johnson.
Told You Don’t Need a Blood Thinner for AFib? A New Trial Disagrees
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
For years, patients in the “gray zone” were told it was a judgment call. A two-year trial found skipping treatment had a price.
Diamond Prices Hit Record Lows. 5 Ways That Affects the Ring You Own
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
Your ring hasn’t changed. What it’s worth has — and that shift can cost you in places you’d never think to check.
7 Brutal Truths About Caregiving Costs That Are Bankrupting American Families
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
Caregiving is coming for most American families. The only question is whether you’ll be ready for it or ruined by it.
9 Hidden Costs of Downsizing That Catch Retirees Completely by Surprise
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
Downsizing your home is supposed to pad your bank account, but these hidden fees can drain thousands of dollars fast.
10 Died When Recalled Sprinklers Failed. Check Your Parent’s Building
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
The recall ended in 2007. But many faulty sprinkler heads were never replaced, and one assisted-living home paid the price.
Paid an ATM Fee at a Gas Station Since 2007? You May Be Owed Money
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
It covers nearly 19 years of fees at gas stations and corner stores. Most people who qualify will never file.
After a Mini-Stroke, the Bigger Danger Isn’t Another Stroke
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
A 113,000-person study found doctors are watching for the wrong threat. And the first year is when it matters most.
Holiday Jobs Are the Scarcest Since 2008. Here’s Who’s Still Hiring
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 2, 2026
Retailers are hiring fewer holiday workers than in any year since the Great Recession. The early birds will snatch them up.
Prime Still Costs $139. But Here Are 6 Perks Amazon Took Away.
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 1, 2026
Amazon hasn’t raised the price of Prime in more than four years. It didn’t have to.
Costco’s Biggest Money-Saver Isn’t Inside the Warehouse
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 1, 2026
It saved members more than $3.2 billion last year, and you won’t find it in a single shopping cart.
Your Pension Can Be Sold to an Insurer. Here’s What You Lose
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 1, 2026
It’s legal, it’s common, and you don’t get a vote. The federal safety net behind your check can disappear with it.
Caring for Mom and Getting Paid? Without a Contract, It Could Cost Her Medicaid
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 1, 2026
It feels like fair pay for hard work. To Medicaid, a handshake deal can look like Mom giving her money away.
Scammers Took $3.5 Billion by Posing As Someone You Trust. Social Media Let Them In
Stacy Johnson CPA on October 1, 2026
Much of the money vanished after a single scroll. Now the government wants to know why the platforms keep cashing the checks.
Costco Got $184 Million in Tariff Refunds. Here’s What Got Cheaper
Stacy Johnson CPA on September 30, 2026
Costco promised to hand the money back to members. Find out where it went, including one staple that dropped 28%.
7 Sneaky Medicare Scams That Are Draining Senior Bank Accounts
Stacy Johnson CPA on September 30, 2026
Phone scammers are emptying retirement accounts with one fake Medicare call. Here’s how to spot the trap before it costs you.
Own Treasurys? You May Be Paying a State Tax You Don’t Owe
Stacy Johnson CPA on September 30, 2026
T-bills pay about 4.3% right now, and your state can’t tax a penny of it. That doesn’t mean you’re not paying.
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