If you recently received a 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, you may be wondering what to do with that form and how to use it when filing your income tax return. You were likely sent a 1099-C if your home went into foreclosure in 2012, you did a short sale on any property, or if a […]
The 1099-C Explained: Foreclosure, Short Sale, Debt Forgiveness Read More »
If you’ve never heard of the VantageScore it’s time you got up to speed about the changing landscape within the credit industry. You already know that the higher your credit score, the more positively banks, creditors and others view you. But many people mistakenly think that the only credit score they have is a FICO
Credit Bureaus Roll Out a New CreditScore: VantageScore 3.0 Read More »
Various parts of the Bible speak of seven deadly sins, any one of which can lead to damnation. Those sins are: envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. These negative traits and characteristics are best avoided because they ultimately cause you to act in ways that are against your own best interests. Likewise, when it
The 5 Deadly Financial Sins Read More »
So what’s best part of a roller coaster ride for you? Is it the ascension – that nerve-wracking buildup when you know the coaster is painstakingly rising to the top of some ridiculous 300-foot drop that’s just ahead? Is it the stomach-churning feeling you get when the roller coaster is going loop-de-loop or speeding along
How to Get Off Your Financial Roller Coaster Read More »
Once again, most Americans expect to get a tax refund check, and more than a third of them plan to spend some or all of it, according to Capital One Bank’s annual Taxes and Savings Survey. But this is one year in which spending your refund check wisely – or foolishly – could have long-lasting ramifications that linger throughout 2013
How Will You Spend Your Tax Refund Check? Read More »
If you’ve been laid off and you’re now working as a freelance consultant or maybe you recently started up as a full-time independent contractor after working a corporate gig, you’ll need to get good, affordable health insurance on your own. You’ll also want to find health insurance that won’t cost an arm and a leg
Where to Find Health Insurance Before COBRA Runs Out Read More »
Q: Do gift cards have an expiration date and can I extend the date if there is one? A: If you have a gift card – perhaps something a card you received during the holidays or as a birthday gift – and you’re worried about it expiring, there’s no need to worry. Thanks to the
Can I Extend the Expiration Date on a Gift Card? Read More »
If your parents are getting older, and you’re starting to handle some of their medical or personal bills, there are some smart ways to help financially — without putting yourself in an economic hole. Here are three financial tips to lighten the load when you’re providing monetary assistance to your Mom or Dad or allowing
3 Tips if You Provide Financial Assistance to an Aging Parent Read More »
The FBI Newark Division recently released a warning to consumers about a new scheme that involves telecommunications denial-of-service (TDoS) attacks. The FBI has found that criminals are compromising victim accounts and then contacting financial institutions to change the victim’s profile information. These attacks often result in unauthorized access to consumer financial and brokerage accounts and
How To Avoid Fraudulent Telephone Call Scams Read More »
Identity theft is once again the top consumer complaint in America, according to data received by the Federal Trade Commission and released in the agency’s 2012 annual report of complaints. In all, the FTC received more than two million complaints from U.S. consumers in 2012. That was a record number of consumer complaints and it marked
FTC: Top 10 List of Consumer Complaints Read More »
If your Social Security card gets stolen or someone picks up your Social Security number from a confidential document, they may use it to steal your identity, access some of your personal information or open unauthorized financial accounts. It’s illegal to use somebody else’s Social Security number, but many victims of identity theft don’t even
What to Do When Someone Used Your Social Security Number or SSN Read More »
Having a low credit score can take you out of the running for many credit cards. But credit blemishes – or even major black marks on your credit report – don’t mean you’re financially doomed and can never get a credit card.
2 Good Credit Cards for Those With Bad Credit or Fair Credit Read More »
Tax fraud is on the rise, according to federal authorities. Before the April 15 tax-filing deadline arrives, scores of Americans will become victims of tax-related identity theft, as criminals continue to steal tax refund checks or unlawfully use people’s Social Security numbers. In other cases, bogus tax preparers will collect sensitive personal information from
4 Ways to Beat Con Artists and Avoid ID Theft, Tax Fraud and Tax Scams Read More »
As you get ready to file your tax return for 2012, don’t overlook many of the benefits that were ushered in when Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act in early 2013. This act – also known as the so-called “fiscal cliff legislation” – may work in your favor, particularly because it gives many parents
10 Best Tax Deductions and Credits for Parents Read More »
If you’re one of the millions of taxpayers who owe money to the IRS this tax year, you need to make sure you’re taking steps to pay off that liability without any penalties and extra charges. Failing to file your taxes on time or failing to request an extension to file before the due
10 Tips When Paying Your Tax Bill Read More »
