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.
What to Know When Filing a Tax Extension
What to know when filing a tax extension. When you might need to file an extension and how to find the forms you need when filing a tax extension. The deadline to file your taxes is nearly here. Perhaps you are still waiting for the right paperwork in order to file your tax return. Or [...]
Debunking the Top Five Renter’s Insurance Myths
Most of us are familiar with the saying, “There’s no place like home.” Unfortunately, unforeseen incidents, such as fire or water damage, can quickly turn your home upside down. While most homeowners have insurance to cover them in case issues arise, many renters don’t believe they need insurance. Every day, I hear from people who [...]
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 [...]
Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions: What’s the Difference?
When it’s time to file taxes, navigating the world of tax credits and tax deductions can be confusing. They seem similar, yet they work differently. How do you know what to claim? What will save you the most money? The Basics: What’s the difference between tax credits and tax deductions? Tax credits reduce your actual [...]
What Every Woman Needs to Know About Investing for Retirement
Whether married or single, women face more unique obstacles when it comes to investing for retirement than men. In fact, on average, women spend fewer years in the workforce than men, as women often take time out to care for family members. Women also take home smaller paychecks and have a greater likelihood of working [...]
Four Ways to Prep Your Finances for Retirement
You’ve been working hard toward retirement, and by taking a few last steps, you can help ensure you’ll be on the right track in your Golden Years. If you’re nearing the end of your career, here are four steps you can take now to get your finances ready. 1. Calculate your retirement needs. If you [...]
Should I Choose a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA?
In a world bombarded with investing advice, it can be tough to figure out which individual retirement account (IRA) is right for you. Ideally, you want to begin investing for retirement as soon as you start earning an income. While many young adults may think there’s no need to rush into funding a retirement account [...]
How a Tax Lien Can Impact Your Credit Score
If you owe money to the IRS, the agency could file a tax lien against you. A tax lien is a legal claim to all of a taxpayer’s property for the amount that taxpayer owes the IRS. It establishes priority rights against other creditors that might also have liens against the taxpayer’s assets. In addition [...]
Five Things to Consider When Buying a Home in Retirement
Your retirement should be the happiest time of your life. At last, you have time for the things you love most: family, hobbies, travel, and volunteering. With proper planning, you can make sure that your retirement lives up to your expectations—and that may include selling your house and buying a home in a new area. [...]
A Beginner’s Guide to Finding and Buying Health Insurance
After you’ve decided on which plan might work best for you, it’s time to shop for and compare insurance plans to ensure you find the health insurance policy that fits your needs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, also called Obamacare) requires everyone, except those in very specific circumstances, to purchase health insurance. [...]