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.
Tax Implications of Converting Your IRA to a Roth IRA
A couple of years ago, I was invited to a presentation put on by an aggressive financial planner about all the reasons I and other tax professionals should try to convince our clients to begin investing in Roth IRAs instead of traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans. What did I learn? That if those of us [...]
Personal Finance Advice: Tips for Negotiating a Higher Salary
Whether you’re interviewing for a new job or trying to renegotiate your salary with your current employer, preparation is important. You need to know what you’re worth and how to convey that to your employer. If you do your research now and look to personal finance advice from the experts, you could wind up with [...]
Virtual Retirement Villages Let Older Americans Age in Place
As millions of baby boomers approach retirement, many are facing some harsh financial realities after the economic roller coaster of the previous several years. Many soon-to-be retirees have had to put their retirement planning efforts into overdrive in order to recover from recent economic turmoil and account for higher healthcare and living costs. The National [...]
Rules for Saving on Taxes with a Home Office
Home Office: Rules for Saving on Taxes Working from home? Here are the rules you should follow for saving on taxes with a home office. Insuring a home office Have you ever dreamed of working from home full time? No more commuting, no more office politics, and no more take-out dinners when you’re stuck at [...]
Personal Finance Advice: Organize Your Finances After a Move
There’s a seemingly endless to do list when you’re moving out of state. Between packing, job hunting, and searching for the perfect new home, personal finance details can easily be lost in the shuffle. Vanessa Wendt, a conflicts specialist for a law firm in Washington, D.C., moved from Cincinnati five months ago—and she’s still working [...]
Retirement Planning Tips for Military Personnel
November is Military Family Appreciation Month , and Veterans Day is Monday, November 11. Servicemen and women face many unique financial challenges, and planning for retirement is one of them. No matter if this is your first enlistment or your last, the fact of the matter is that anyone who serves in the military will [...]
7 Financial Mistakes We Make After a Disaster
A disaster such as Superstorm Sandy, which just marked its one year anniversary, can have a long-term impact. Many Sandy victims are still in the process of rebuilding their homes and their lives. And if they were already on shaky financial ground when the storm hit, their recovery could be even tougher. You can help [...]
Seven Essential Home Maintenance Tips for Winter
According to information on winter preparedness from Travelers Insurance, snow, ice, and cold can cause serious damage to both the inside and outside of your home, leading to potentially costly repairs and homeowners insurance claims. A well-maintained and well-prepared home is less likely to experience weather-related problems, especially during the coldest months of the year. [...]
Upgrade Your Budget by Downsizing
The Great Recession took many people by surprise and forced them to take a look at their spending habits. In order to stay afloat, millions of consumers were forced to reduce their spending on non-essential items in order to save money and stick to a tightened budget. While the economy is slowly recovering, people are [...]
Do I Need Auto Insurance for My Rental Car?
If you’ve ever rented a car, you’ve likely been sold the auto insurance that the rental company offers. But if you already have insurance for your regular car, do you need to purchase an insurance policy for your rental car as well? “The short answer is probably not,” says Michael Barry, vice president of media [...]