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.
How I’m Teaching My Kids Good Credit Behavior
My 17-year-old daughter is just about to get her first credit card. Next year at this time she’ll be in college, and I want her to get some credit card experience now, while I can still mentor her. If you’re teaching your child about credit, maybe some of what I’m doing can be helpful to [...]
The 5 Components of Your Credit Score
Your credit score is probably one of the most important scores you’ll ever receive. It can save you thousands or cost you thousands when taking our loans, and can even determine what kind of car you get or whether or not you can buy a home. While people often hem and haw over their credit [...]
How Old Do You Have to Be to File Taxes?
This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. Is there an age limit when it comes to paying taxes? No. Age has nothing to do with taxes; it’s all about income. Regardless of your age, if you work for someone who pays you or if you own a business, you are required to pay [...]
The Five States with the Lowest Taxes
While the state in which you live may not seem to make much of a difference when you file your federal tax return, some people, including retirees and entrepreneurs, decide to move for state tax purposes. The option to deduct state and local income taxes or sales taxes on your federal return and the amount [...]
How Is My End-of-the-Year Bonus Taxed?
How is my end-of-the-year bonus taxed? The IRS has standardized how company's pay end-of-the-year bonuses but some employees still have questions. This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. My firm has worked with many taxpayers and companies over the years, and I have seen employees receive their bonuses in a variety of ways. [...]
Filing Taxes Early? Six Ways to Prepare Right Now
Believe it or not, the start of the 2015 tax-filing season is right around the corner. While there has been speculation that the start of the coming filing season may be delayed (as it was in 2014), it’s never too soon to begin preparing. Not only might you get your refund sooner if you file [...]
Divorce and 529 plans: What Are the Tax Consequences?
As the cost of college continues to increase, many parents opt to open 529 plans in order to help save for their children’s tuition. These plans, which are operated by a state or educational institution, offer federal and state tax benefits and allow the donor—often a parent—to retain control of the account. When it’s the [...]
Seven Ways to Save Money Without Even Thinking About It
When you decide you’re ready to save more money, it’s natural to focus on certain items: refinancing your house, selling a car, or cutting back on going to restaurants. Those are often great ways to get ahead on your savings quite quickly. However, if you want to start slowly, building your savings without feeling the [...]
5 Things Not to Buy on Black Friday
Black Friday is a tempting time to shop if you love the energy of crowds and the possibility of a great deal. If you have some patience, you may be able to find better prices on many items later in the holiday season, or at another time of year. Here are five items you can [...]
Prioritize Your Charitable Contributions This Holiday Season
With the holiday season on the horizon, you may see an uptick in the number of requests to donate from charitable organizations. We all like to help out when we can, and the holiday season seems an especially appropriate time for many of us to show our generosity. To help you give back while maintaining [...]