Back-to-School Tax Holidays and More Tax Holidays
When it comes to taxes, every little break helps, which may be why tax holidays are so popular. Each year, a number of states give consumers a break on paying sales tax, for a couple of days or up to a week, on items like clothing, footwear, school supplies, and even computers. In 2015, sixteen [...]
Paying for Home Renovations: Tapping Home Equity vs. Using Savings
Figuring out how to pay for a home renovation is one of the first steps in any remodeling process. When they’re done wrestling with the cost of a home renovation, most homeowners have to decide how to fund a remodeling project. And in some cases, the options can be paying for it in cash or [...]
Retirement Savings or Emergency Fund? How to Prioritize When Saving Money
As you work to build your retirement savings account, you might wonder whether you should fund other accounts as well. After all, if your end goal is to retire on a tropical island, shouldn’t you put every dime you can into your retirement savings? While saving for retirement is important—it’s one of my “big three” [...]
How a 403(b) Differs From a 401(k)
If you’re an employee whose company offers a 403(b) plan, it’s important to understand the difference between it and a 401(k) plan. Generally, nonprofit organizations such as schools and hospitals offer 403(b)s, though they may offer 401(k)s as well. For-profit companies may offer 401(k)s, but they are not allowed to offer 403(b)s. The similarities between [...]
The Insurance Implications of Divorce
No matter the circumstances, divorce can be painful—both emotionally and financially, including issues surrounding various types of insurance policies. As you work through your finances, be sure to consider the insurance implications of divorce. Auto insurance A divorced or separated couple will need to decide who will wind up with any car (or cars), and [...]