You’ve prepared for retirement for decades, saving money, and making plans, and now the big day is just three months away. With only 90 days left until retirement, you may still have questions—and preparations that need to be made. Here are some steps to consider taking three months prior to retirement. Practice living within your [...]
When it comes to taxes, every little break helps, which may be why tax holidays are so popular. Each year, a number of states give consumers a break on paying sales tax, for a couple of days or up to a week, on items like clothing, footwear, school supplies, and even computers. In 2015, sixteen [...]
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 [...]
Many seniors in the United States will have to find ways to pay for long-term care, either in a residential setting, such as an assisted living home, or at home through a home health or home care service. The cost of these services is generally high—between $2,000 and $5,000 per month for full-time care—and can [...]
Here are a few of the topics covered on this week’s radio show. Caller question: I’m moving to a new city for five years—should I buy a new house in cash or take out a mortgage? [3:22] Consider a 10-year mortgage. The interest rates are so low that you can borrow money cheaply, while keeping [...]
The other day, a client called me very proudly. She had made her second quarterly estimated tax payment “right on time”—on July 15. I couldn’t help chuckling. After all, she tried to get it right. Unfortunately, she was actually one month late on her payment. Estimated taxes are used to pay taxes on income not [...]
How do you know if you’re ready for a financial planner? After all, it’s sort of a strange proposition: You’re spending money on someone who will tell you how to spend your money. But that’s exactly why millions of people see financial planners in the first place. “Typically, people who come to me are already [...]
College is a step toward independence for many young adults. It may be your first time living away from home and managing your own finances, and the prospect is likely both exciting and daunting. When you start college, it’s important to be prepared for the changes that life will throw at you. Here are eight [...]
As many people are recognizing that their car is an underutilized asset and that technology has turned it into a potential money-maker, car-sharing and ride-sharing programs are becoming more popular. Car-sharing companies, such as Relay Rides, allow individuals to rent their cars to strangers for a specified fee over a fixed period of time. Car [...]
Whether you're finishing your bachelor’s degree, getting your master’s degree or a professional certificate, or going to college for the first time, furthering your education is an expensive investment. But, like any other investment, you can earn a lot more than you initially spent, if you do it right. According to 2012 data from the [...]
