We cover the basics and more about personal finance, answering frequently asked questions about credit and debt, identity theft, saving for college, retirement, estate planning, insurance, taxes, job hunting, and raising money-savvy kids. Check out the articles, columns, blog posts, radio shows and videos for tons of personal finance advice.
Six Tax Resolutions for the New Year
It’s a fresh, clean new year. We indulged ourselves last month and ended the year with a blast. Now, it’s time to come back down to earth and face financial reality. Luckily, I have some tax tips you might find helpful as you try to stick to your financial goals and resolutions. 2012 brings us [...]
Understanding Your Retirement Plan Options
Saving for retirement can be confusing—and even a little intimidating—yet it’s utterly essential. Though nearly every financial professional recommends opening a retirement savings account as early as possible, the myriad options and often-confusing financial terrain can cause many people to procrastinate. It used to be simpler. In 1970, 42 percent of Americans had a defined-benefit [...]
At What Age Should I Get Life Insurance?
A couple of weeks ago, a 40-something friend of mine gave me the dreaded news: She has an aggressive form of breast cancer, and her prognosis is grim. She worries about who will take care of her 6-month-old son and 4-year-old daughter and how her husband will juggle it all if she’s not there to [...]
How Long Should You Keep Your Kids on Your Health Insurance?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows you to add or keep your adult children on your health insurance until they turn 26. However, not every child needs this help, and in some cases you may want to consider removing them from your plan. Keeping adult children on your health insurance as long as possible may [...]
Should You Start a Retirement Fund for Your Child?
Many resourceful parents aim to do everything they can to help their children through each stage of life: childhood, emerging adulthood, and, for some, even retirement. Before considering whether to save for your children’s retirement, it’s essential to first make sure you can finance your own post-work life chapter, says Chris Long, CFP®, of Chicago-based [...]
Should I Pay More Toward My Student Loan Debt or Add to My Retirement Savings?
Saving for retirement during your lifetime is one of the smartest financial investment decisions you can make. In fact, the sooner you start, the further those hard-earned dollars go, thanks to the power of compound interest. However, many young people are more concerned about student loan debt than they are about retirement planning. According to [...]
3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Black Friday Deals
Black Friday is a great time to find deals on the year’s hottest holiday gifts, but the frenetic pace of the day can cause you to spend more money than you’d planned or veer from your original shopping list. Doing a little research before you go and setting up a game plan can help you [...]
Open Enrollment Period: How to Prepare
The open enrollment period for 2016 health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act begins in November, so if you’re ready to switch health insurance providers, or are on the open marketplace for the first time, now might be a good time to get educated. Under the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, [...]
Shopping for Auto Insurance: More Options Make the Process Less Painful
Consumers today have more tools available than ever to help them shop, compare, and ultimately purchase automobile insurance. Drivers can now research and buy auto insurance coverage through an insurance professional, over the phone, by mail, and on the Internet. Before you begin shopping, however, you need to investigate the basis for the cost of [...]
Four Things to Know About Filing Taxes as a Teen
For many teenagers, the after-school job is a rite of passage—a ticket to independence and disposable income. But once they have a job, do teenagers need to file their own tax returns? Whether you are the parent of a teenager or a teen yourself, here are four things you should know about taxes for teenagers. [...]