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.
The Tax Implications of Participating in the Sharing Economy
With the advent of the so-called “sharing economy,” a world of fun and profit has opened up to consumers. You might be driving for Uber or Lyft, renting out your home on Airbnb, or doing odd jobs on TaskRabbit, all in hopes of making a little cash. While a side job can be a great [...]
Five Ways to Insure Wedded Bliss
When you’re engaged, planning your dream wedding can be fun. However, during this exciting time, it’s important to remember to factor in the practical aspects of a wedding, such as insurance. Here are some other types of insurance to be aware of before Before you say “I do,” you and your significant other may want [...]
Identity Theft Protection: How to Safely Carry Your Medicare Card
Identity theft is becoming an increasing concern, especially for seniors. In fact, one source of personal information that fraudsters can use to steal your identity is your Medicare card. Part of the problem with Medicare cards is that your health insurance claim number (HICN) under Medicare is the same as your Social Security number (SSN)—and [...]
Could Your Dog Keep You From Getting Homeowner’s Insurance?
When it comes to homeowner’s insurance, some pet owners are finding theirs goes to the dogs these days. Some insurance carriers are refusing to insure homeowners who own certain breeds of dogs that have been deemed dangerous, such as the Pit bull dog, Rottweilers, and Chow Chows. Others may take the dogs on a case-by-case [...]
What to Consider When Choosing Healthcare Plans
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective insurance plan, you might be drawn to a high-deductible health plan. Because the deductible for this type of plan can be as much as $1,000 or more, you typically pay lower monthly premiums, which can leave you with more money for other expenses. But if you get sick, [...]
My Tax Refund Was Stolen—What Should I Do?
Odds are rapidly increasing that you could become a victim of identity theft or have your tax refund stolen. In early 2015, the IRS announced that tax-related identity theft was once again a major concern for consumers, naming it to the agency’s “Dirty Dozen” tax scams list for the year. According to the latest data [...]
What Auto Insurance Do You Need When Leasing a Car?
When you lease a car, you’re really just renting it long-term. Because your leased car belongs to someone else—a lessor that wants the car back, whole, at the end of the lease—you may be required to carry more auto insurance than you’d normally purchase. Must-have insurance policies for leased cars In general, a lessee will [...]
Leaks That Can Sink Your Retirement Savings Ship
“Loose lips sink ships,” a saying popularized during World War II, is a reminder that making the wrong choice can lead to grave consequences. It’s just as applicable today when it comes to your retirement savings plan; a couple of missteps can potentially jeopardize your financial future. As you prepare for retirement, ask yourself if [...]
Should I Use a HELOC to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
If you own a house and have credit card debt, you may be considering using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay off your credit card debt, and with a lower interest rate. When you take out a HELOC, you open up a revolving line of credit from your mortgage lender where your [...]