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.
When Can I Retire? How to Know When to Quit Working
You may be physically and mentally ready to retire, but are you financially ready? The answer depends on a number of factors, including your health, your debts, and how well you’ve planned for retirement. When can I retire? There really is no “right” answer to this question as there is no magic number or dollar [...]
How Much Tax Should I Pay On My Fantasy Football Winnings?
Fantasy sports leagues are booming, with an estimated 41 million players last year in the United States and Canada, according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. The average U.S. fan of sports fantasy leagues spends about nine hours each week on his or her team. Fantasy sports players also spend an average of $111 in [...]
How to Get A Mortgage If You’re Self-Employed
If you’re self-employed, getting a mortgage can be a lot harder than it would be if you were working for someone else. What can you do if you want to buy a house but don’t have a full-time job? The good news is most lenders are willing to work with self-employed borrowers once they’ve taken [...]
Welcome to the 2015 tax season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bQOJeepeW0 If you're looking for a tax professional to help you with your taxes this season around Atlanta, consider the Georgia Association of Enrolled Agents. You can find them online here. Here are four of my favorite enrolled agents, if you need help. Bill Nemeth Bill Nemeth is the immediate past president of the [...]
How Self-Driving Cars Could Change Auto Insurance
When I was a kid, I watched “The Jetsons” and dreamed of the day that flying cars would be a reality. Fast forward to today, and while the technology to give us affordable, easy-to-maneuver flying cars is still far off in the future, self-driving cars may be available much sooner. They could change the way [...]
Choosing the Right Tax Professional
Choosing the right tax professional. Four questions to ask when looking for a tax professional who is qualified to help you maximize your tax refund. Last year, nearly 48 million taxpayers prepared their own tax returns, accounting for 38 percent of all electronic filings. In addition, self-preparation increased by 6 percent compared with 2013. While [...]
Business Taxes and Your Side Job: 3 Things to Know
A recent issue of Quill, the Society of Professional Journalists’ national magazine, featured articles that explained the benefits of taking on side projects—something many people consider doing in order to make some extra cash. In addition to having fun, the journalists who wrote the pieces honed their skills, made some extra money, and increased their [...]
Mythbusters: Social Security
“Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.” I remember hearing that from my mom when I was growing up, and it still serves me well today. Some of the things you might have heard or read about Social Security may not be true. Here are five Social Security myths you [...]
Busted: How to Tell If You’re Dealing with a Reputable Insurance Company or Agent
A few weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005, I received a call from an elderly woman who was confused about her insurance policy. She said that she had paid a significant sum of money for homeowner’s insurance coverage to a person who claimed to be an insurance agent. This supposed agent insisted the [...]
Should I Take Out a 401(k) Loan?
It’s a common question: Should I borrow from my 401(k) to buy a house? With all that money sitting untouched in an account, it can be tempting to loan yourself some cash for a down payment on the home of your dreams—but is it a good idea? The answer depends on your circumstances, but there [...]