SAN ANTONIO – If you’re an educator filing a tax return this year, you may be eligible to deduct unreimbursed expenses for COVID-19 protective items used in the classroom. The educator expense deduction applies to eligible educators for unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred after March 12, 2020, for the COVID-19 protective items. The IRS says eligible educators include any individual who is a kindergarten through 12th grade teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during a school year. The IRS will allow educators to deduct up to $250 of qualifying expenses per year. AdThe IRS says the deduction applies to expenses paid or incurred only during the tax year.

SAN ANTONIO – Black Friday deals have been phased in throughout the month to allow for social distancing at stores, but some retailers are still holding their biggest sale of the year this Friday. The National Retail Federation says people are predicted to spend a little less than $1,000 on gifts this holiday season. The Better Business Bureau is offering the following tips for those who plan on shopping during this Black Friday:

Ivan Herrera has worked as a journalist in San Antonio for four years. Using his graduate degree in business from UTSA, he developed "Money: It's Personal," a weekly series that airs on GMSA at 9 on Tuesdays. The series breaks down personal finance topics into easy explainers. Before living in SA, Ivan covered border news in the Rio Grande Valley.