Job Advice: Mistakes People Make When Asking For A Raise
This article focuses on job advice for people who want to ask their bosses for a raise. The first piece of job advice: becoming emotional when asking for a raise is a big mistake that just makes people uncomfortable. Another piece of job advice when asking for a raise: don't approach your boss…
Arrrgh.
I've just signed my tax return. Although Turbo Tax says our tax rate is only 16.1 percent (or a bit higher), it sure feels like we're paying a lot more than that. We have our self-employment tax (with 2 self-employed people, that's an extra 7.8 percent to kick out on our total income). And we…
Sorting Out The Ks And Qs And Reading Between The Lines
I spent most of yesterday in the basement conference room of the 410 Club. The 410 Club is located in the renown Wrigley Building, a beautiful piece of white architecture that sits on the Chicago River, next to where Donald Trump is building his newest creation (Trump Chicago -- or whatever he is…
Back From Vacation - On The Show This Morning - Apr. 2, 2006
I'm back from Amelia Island Plantation, where we enjoyed the beautiful beach and pretty warm, sunny weather. The best part of the trip: The $140 r/t per person airfare on Air Tran. It pays to book early.
That airfare is nice, but airfares are going up. I'll be talking about the increase on the show…
I had lunch today with Kay Kamin, the Financial Editor for Today's Chicago Woman (an excellent monthly tabloid newspaper - www.tcwmag.com). She is also an attorney, with a PhD. in Education. And, she's a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - one of my favorite financial planning designations.
We spent…
Tax Returns Are Taxing The Wallet
How much should you pay to file your taxes? According to a new survey from the National Society of Accountants, the mean cost of preparing a non-itemized 1040 is $110. If you add in a Schedule A, that cost jumps to $201.
Where you live makes a difference. In the Midwest, filing a non-itemized return…
If you're having trouble keeping track of your medical expenses, try Quicken's Medical Expense Manager software. It retails for $60, but you can buy it for less. It'll really help keep your insurance paperwork organized.
And if you own investment properties, and are looking for an easier way to keep…
Filling in for Clark Howard This Week
We're talking about money -- and diets. This is the time of year when New Year's resolutions to save more money and lose weight seem to fall apart. So, we're getting you back on track.
What do you do to stay on your money diet? Post some of your best ideas.
Check out some of these money blogs if you…
Apparently, I've just had a birthday. At least, that's what the letter from Blue Cross said.
Of course, my actual birthday isn't until July -- so hold off on your good wishes until then, please . And, it's been a couple of years since I reached one of those dreaded "milestone" birthdays that everyone…
The stock market took a small step today, but it was an important one. For the first time since June, 2001, the Dow Jones average crossed the 11,000 market, ending the day at 11,011, up about 52 points.
I watched the market cross the threshold several times today, flirting with 11,000 for so long…
Income Taxes: Save Money, Give Less Legally To IRS
There are several legal ways to save money on your income taxes and give less to the IRS. One way to legally save money on your income taxes and give less to the IRS is by paying your January mortgage payment in December. You can also save money legally on your income taxes and give less to the IRS…
An elderly woman sold her home and gifted a large sum of money to her daughter with the understanding that she would be taken care of. Now, the daughter is not holding up her end of the deal. Does the mother have legal recourse?
Credit Cards: Rising Gas Prices Can Affect Credit History
Small things like the rising costs of gas prices can affect a consumer's credit history if they start missing credit card payments. Rising gas prices may force consumers to make only the minimum payments on their credit cards or miss them altogether, which will negatively affect their credit…
Life Insurance: How Much Do You Need?
If you have a family you may be thinking about buying life insurance. But how much life insurance do you need? To figure out how much of a life insurance policy to buy you need to take into account your daily expenses. If you don't want to buy life insurance as financial protection you should…
Read Life Insurance Contract For Understanding
How can you find the right life insurance policy? To find the right life insurance policy for you, you should talk to your insurance agent and also read the life insurance policy document or contract to make sure it meets your needs and goals.
Funeral Costs: Calculating Costs Of Burial And Funeral Services
There are several costs involved to funeral and burial services. Funeral and burial costs include fees for the funeral director and staff, costs for items needed for burial, and money given to vendors for optional services. Funeral and burial costs can get expensive especially if you're unprepared…
Reporting Problems With Credit Cards
When dealing with your personal finances, problems with your credit cards or debit cards require quick action. You need to immediately report problems with your credit cards, including billing errors, lost or stolen cards, and identity theft. And if you discover errors involving electronic fund…
Purchasing A New Car Versus A Used Car
Purchasing a car can be a very big, very expensive decision. You want to make sure you have all the style and safety features you want, and that it fits within your budget. If you are willing to spend the money for a new car, you will be able to get the color you want, the options you want, and a…
Federal Student Aid For College: Who's Eligible?
When you want to get a college education you need to figure out how to fund it. One part of paying for college may include federal student aid. What criteria do you have to meet in order to get federal student aid for college?
ThinkGlink Radio Show for Jul 31, 2005
Ilyce kicks off the show talking about taking significant amounts of time off to travel around the country or around the world. Ilyce then takes calls on the topics from finding a financial planner to take an investor's "small" account to when should some get a trust to protect assets for a child.
Start Saving For College At Your Child's Birth
How soon should you begin saving money so you can send your child to college? The best time to start saving for college is when your child is born. Saving for college beginning at birth gives you time to invest money in mutual funds and stocks. The sooner you begin saving money for college the more…
Consumer Advice: Where To Apply For Passport
When you're getting ready to travel outside of the United States you need to have a passport. Where can you apply for a passport? Many government offices accept passport applications. Apply for a passport at a post office, clerk of court, public library or university office.
How To Avoid The Passport Rush Of Summer
If you wait until summer to apply for a passport you may face a lot of competition and it may take longer for the government to process your passport application. It's best to apply for a passport as soon as you know that you have a trip coming up. Or you can also apply for a passport when you…
Credit Fraud Scams: Protecting Your Social Security Number From Identity Theft
Consumers should protect themselves and their social security numbers from identity theft and credit fraud scams. Identity theft and credit fraud scams come in several different forms including emails. Consumers whose social security numbers or other personal information become subject to identity…
ThinkGlink Radio Show for Jul 3, 2005
Ilyce compares our current way of life with the "good old days" after WWII, when most families lived on one income and people weren't concerned with health care prices and paying for retirement. As always, Ilyce takes calls on a variety of topics, this time including immovable tenants and raising…
