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.
Three Tips to Maximize Your Medical Tax Deduction
This year, our household has the biggest medical expenses we’ve had in a decade—and we’re not alone. My Webmaster is facing over $25,000 in expenses not covered by his family’s high-deductible insurance policy. Are you hurting, too? If so, there may be tax implications. Let’s look at what has changed since last year and find [...]
5 Retirement Mistakes We All Make
We are not saving enough for retirement. Period. According to a report released today by Bankrate, more than a third of Americans have saved nothing for retirement. It's worse for those under 30: More than two-thirds haven't saved anything. That's the first mistake Americans make when saving for retirement--just not saving enough or at all. [...]
Options for Underwater Homes: When Filing for Bankruptcy Makes Sense
Wondering about options available for underwater homes? If the bank denies a short sale, you may have to file for bankruptcy. Q: My husband and I purchased a condotel unit in Hawaii in 2006 and the property is way under the water now. We have been trying very hard to keep up with mortgage and [...]
Four Ways to Live Tax-Free
Four ways to Live Tax-free. Here are a few strategies for those who want to live a tax-free life without breaking the law. We all know that paying taxes is a necessary part of life. Yet the news is constantly filled with reports of people being caught with offshore, untaxed funds in an effort to [...]
6 Tips for Saving Money at Back-to-School Time
This post was written by guest blogger Steve Repak. As a child, my parents constantly told me that money does not grow on trees. Now, as a parent myself, I get to tell my kids the same thing. I probably say it more than I should, though—especially when it comes to saving money on back-to-school [...]
Does Your College Student Have the Right Insurance Coverage?
Fall is just around the corner, and many parents are preparing to send their college students back to campus for another semester. Before you say goodbye to your son or daughter, consider that now may be the perfect time to do an insurance policy review. Here are six questions to ask yourself that can help [...]
Are There Tax Credits Available for Remodeling Your Home?
One of the things no one really explains to you when you buy a home is that there are many costs for which you are responsible that go above and beyond mortgage payments. Paying taxes, insurance, and homeowners association fees is all part of being a homeowner. Additionally, when you are the homeowner, you are [...]
Business-to-Business Marketing 101: Email Marketing
There’s more to business-to-business marketing than telesales and direct mail marketing. In order to effectively and efficiently advertise your goods and services, you must be sure you’re effectively targeting your ideal markets and reaching the right people—the people who can make or influence buying decisions. That’s why email marketing is quickly becoming a go-to avenue [...]
11 Questions to Ask Before Moving Parents to Assisted Living
Retirement planning involves more than just thinking about your personal financial goals. It also entails thinking long-term about certain family members, like dependent children or parents. Like millions of people, you may one day face the difficult choice of moving one of your elderly parents into an assisted living facility. Once you decide that your [...]
Should I Pay off My Mortgage or Invest in Retirement?
Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage or invest in retirement is a common question. Try paying your mortgage with existing funds. By: Ilyce Glink and Samuel Tamkin Q: My husband and I bought a new house a few years ago and are getting ready to sell our old house. With the sale of the [...]