Can a Saver and a Spender Live in Financial Harmony?
Q: I am a saver but my husband is a spender. He has gotten better over the years but his financial history still follows us. Every time I talk about finances or lack of money, he gets upset thinking it is a personal jab to his ego when it is not the case. I try […]
Watch Out for This Payday Loan Telephone Collection Scam
If you’ve ever received a random phone call from someone claiming that you are delinquent on a payday loan or other type of debt, and must make a payment immediately to avoid legal action, you could be a target of a telephone collection scam. The Internet Complaint Center (IC3) continues to receive complaints from victims […]
Timeshare Owners: Avoid This Timeshare Marketing Scam
If you’re a timeshare owner and start to receive emails or phone calls from people claiming to be timeshare company or sales representatives – and saying they can help you sell your timeshare fast – be careful that you don’t become a victim of a timeshare marketing scam. These scams target timeshare owners in hopes […]
When Will I Get My Tax Refund If Someone Stole My Social Security Number?
Q: Someone filed taxes with my social security number, I contacted the authorities! Now how long for me to receive my tax money? A: I’m sorry to hear about someone stealing your social security number and using it to file taxes. Unfortunately, it may take a while — probably at least several weeks, if not […]
The Pros and Cons of Getting a New Social Security Number
If you have been a victim of identity theft or domestic abuse, and are still running into problems that resulted from the misuse of your Social Security number, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be able to assign you a completely new Social Security number. But the SSA only issues new numbers on a case-by-case […]
How to Get a Copy of an Old Tax Return
If you forgot to save a copy of your old tax return or just don’t have access to a software program you used to prepare a previous tax year’s return, you do have the option of contacting the IRS directly for a copy. The IRS offers you three options for getting a copy of your […]
5 Financial Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Marriage
Whether you’re a newlywed or have been married for many years, having a good handle on your finances needs to be a top priority for couples. Spouses that can make financial decisions together are usually in a better position than those who avoid talking about money or rely on one spouse to handle every aspect […]
Owe Taxes? IRS Makes It Easier and Less Costly to Pay Over Time
If you owe federal income taxes, you can breathe a sigh of relief because a newly updated “Fresh Start” program from the IRS has just made it a lot easier – and a lot less expensive – to pay your tax bill. In the past, people who owed up to $25,000 could enter into an […]
7 Easy Tips to Spring Clean Your Finances
Spring is a great time of year not just for doing some spring-cleaning around the house, but to also spring clean your finances. This goes beyond shredding outdated paperwork. You can become much healthier financially – and reduce your stress too – simply by reorganizing your budget, consolidating accounts, and making other smart financial moves. […]
Women’s History Month: 6 Signs You’re a Financially Savvy Woman
March marks Women’s History Month, and this year’s themes—Women’s Education and Women’s Empowerment—are the perfect backdrop to spotlight one of the most powerful forms of empowerment: financial independence. Whether you’re leading your household finances or simply trying to get a better grip on your money, being a financially savvy woman means you’re intentional, informed, and […]
Video: Talking Money With Anderson Cooper
If you want to learn how to easily save or make money – without changing your lifestyle or taking any extreme actions – you’ve got to check out Anderson … as in Anderson Cooper’s talk show today. I’ll be on the show giving a range of financial tips from how to save money on groceries […]
Will My Tax Refund Be Withheld Because of My Husband’s Defaulted Student Loan?
Q: I am way behind on my student loan and my husband would like to file together but I’m afraid that they will take the whole tax refund. What can I do to stop that from happening? A: Since you are behind on your student loans, you are correct that you and your husband both […]
My Credit Score Dropped 75 Points After Late Payments. What Should I Do?
Q: Help. I need your assistance on a matter. My credit score was 710. I missed one (or) two payments on a credit card and this put a black mark on my flawless credit report. My score dropped to 635 and is affecting other accounts. What can I do? I already called the bank. I […]
To Pick the Correct Tax Filing Status on Your Tax Return Use these 8 Tips
One of the first things you need to do when filing your income tax return is to determine your filing status. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has identified five different filing statuses for taxpayers. These are: Single; Married Filing Jointly; Married Filing Separately; Head of Household; and Qualifying Widower with Dependent Child. The filing status […]
7 Ways to Get Rid of Your Payday Loans
Payday loans are a huge financial burden and if you’ve ever gone to a payday lender, you may now find yourself in a cycle that seems nearly impossible to break. But it is possible to eliminate those payday loans and get yourself back on track financially. Here are 7 ways to get rid of your […]