With such a wealth of options available to consumers, choosing a credit card with great rewards has never seemed easier. Credit cards offer more unique rewards than ever before, making it difficult to choose what would be most useful to you. Should you rack up airline miles or hotel points? Do you spend enough to [...]
Is buying cheaper than renting? You’ve probably heard that buying a home is cheaper than renting an apartment. And since the housing crisis, when mortgage interest rates dropped to historic lows while rental rates were rising, that was mostly true. Now that mortgage interest rates are rising, that's no longer a slam dunk. And, there [...]
According to statistics compiled by People For Bikes, a nationally recognized movement to promote the benefits of cycling, Americans spend $81 billion annually on biking. Buying a bicycle can be an expensive endeavor: A low-end model can cost hundreds, and for the more serious rider, a high-end bike can cost thousands. Whether you’re commuting to [...]
Refinancing your mortgage can be a way to change your loan terms. If you refinance, you may be able to get a better interest rate or shorten the length of your loan, which can potentially save you money over time. With mortgage interest rates hovering around 4 percent, your savings from refinancing may be significant—especially [...]
After years of honing your skills, you apply for a job at a company that’s generating buzz. Not only do you score an interview, the company eventually offers you the job. Employee benefits include health insurance, paid holidays and sick days. Missing from the mix: your dream job doesn’t offer a 401(k) plan or other [...]
A credit score at the lower end of the range can make it difficult to get a mortgage at today’s competitive interest rates—or to qualify for a mortgage at all. But there are several ways you can help improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage at the best rates, including building a stronger credit [...]
Could unpaid debt affect my tax refund? Here are three reasons the federal government may hold onto your tax refund to cover unpaid debt. With tax season upon us, many people may be looking forward to their refund as a way to pay down existing debts. However, certain existing debts could prevent you from seeing [...]
4 common errors to avoid when filing your taxes. How to avoid errors that could delay your tax refund or require a lengthy amendment process. Everyone makes mistakes, but if your mistake happens to come in the middle of filing your taxes, you may find yourself facing a delayed refund (if you’re owed one), or [...]
You might already have plans for your golden years, but finding the right size retirement for you is crucial to make them a reality. Unexpected health and other costs are bound to come up, so the sooner you know what you want retirement to look like, the faster you’ll be able to adjust your plans [...]
For some, the process of filing income taxes can be a complicated one; however, it can become even more complicated for those who need to file returns for more than one state. This is where Maryland CPA John Curtin sees the most confusion among his clients. The rules for paying income taxes as a non-resident [...]
