The Shocking Financial Threat to Retirees
Retirees on a fixed income often have a hard enough time making ends meet, often due to a lack of savings. Now a new survey suggests that many retirees – especially those relying on Social Security – are about to be further endangered by another financial threat: skyrocketing healthcare costs that few Americans are prepared […]
3 Retirement Tips if You’re Single, Divorced or Widowed
Let’s face it,saving for retirement isn’t easy. It may be even tougher when you’re single. According to the 15th annual Transamerica Retirement Survey published last year, 45 percent of unmarried workers age 50 and older do not have a retirement strategy, compared with 36 percent of older married workers. If you have never been married, […]
The Question Everyone Asks About College Tuition
A student recently asked me whether or not it was “worth it” to go to a very expensive university, USC, even though he knew it might require him taking out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. It’s a very relevant question right now, especially as students and parents all around the country prepare […]
Rethinking the Dream: Is Massive Student Debt for a Dream College Worth It?
Rethinking the Dream: Is Massive Student Debt for a Dream College Worth It? The age-old adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t always hold true, especially when it comes to higher education. While premium prices might equate to better quality in goods, the same can’t be said for college tuition. The Illusion of Prestige […]
Worried About Filing a Late Tax Return?
Didn’t file your 2014 taxes by April 15, 2015? No worries, we’ll let you in on an industry secret – if you’re getting a refund, you can file for up to 3 years with no late fees or penalties! If you owe additional taxes, your penalties are racking up so file your tax return as […]
6 Financial Decisions That Will Impact Your Kids, Grandkids & Great Grandchildren
o matter where you live or what your ethnic and socioeconomic background, you probably want a few things for your children and grandkids: happiness, career success, good health and financial stability. What if you could put your offspring on the path to achieving all these things, just by making a few good financial decisions of […]
How to e-File Your Income Tax Return
What is e-file? How do you e-file your taxes? We explain it all in this short and sweet article. What is e-file? eFile, also known as e-file or electronic filing, is a system for submitting tax information to the IRS through the internet or a direct connection, usually without having to submit any paperwork. The IRS […]
Retirement Mistakes That Couples Make
Are you and your spouse ready for retirement? Even if you have saved an adequate amount in your nest-egg, there are additional issues that many couples overlook. Here are 3 of the more common retirement mistakes: – not being able to agree on where to live during their Golden Years; – challenges regarding retiring at […]
Tips for Closing Credit Card Accounts Without Hurting Your Credit Score
Closing credit card accounts can seem like a smart way to simplify your finances—but if done improperly, it can cause a dip in your credit score. After a recent financial seminar, a participant asked a great question about this. She wanted to streamline her cards and wondered how it might affect her credit standing. Here’s […]
Financial Decisions That Can Hurt Your Credit Rating
To improve your credit rating or increase your credit score, you likely already know that it’s important to do the basics: such as paying your bills on time each month, and keeping your accounts out of collections. But are you aware that a host of other financial decisions you might make – especially seemingly innocent […]
Key Facts About Unemployment Benefits
If you lose your job, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. The payments may serve as much needed relief. But did you know unemployment benefits are taxable?
Anatomy of a W-2
What is a W-2? Simply put, a W-2 is a tax form your employer sends you, known as a Wage and Tax Statement. Sounds simple, then why are there so many boxes and codes? Familiarizing yourself with the most important parts of this form can help you understand the income you made, taxes you paid, and prepare you […]
Secret Trick For Renters That Boosts Your Credit Score Quickly
If you’re living in one of America’s 40 million renter households, there’s an easy way for you to quickly and painlessly increase your credit score and even help qualify for a mortgage. What’s the secret? It’s simply adding your rental payment history to your credit reports. How to add rent and utilities to credit report […]
Is It Better to Pay a Credit Card Balance in Full or Not?
After a recent financial seminar I gave at a company in New York City, I received a question from one of the workshop attendees who wanted to know the best way to handle her credit card payments, as it pertains to her credit score. Here’s what she asked: “I generally pay off my entire […]
States with the Highest and Lowest Amounts of Student Loan Debt
The White House has released an alphabetized list of states with residents who have student loan debt, including a breakdown based on the number of borrowers and the amount of student loans outstanding as of January 2015. Not surprising, California leads the list, with about 4.2 million borrowers owing a staggering $122.3 billion in student […]