Q: Are there any organizations in the Philadelphia, PA area are participating in the IDA Program? A: For those of you that have never heard of this before, an IDA is: An Individual Development Account (or IDA) that lets low-to-moderate income earners save money for a specific goal – such as a down payment on […]
IDA Programs: Where to Find Matching Funds for Your Financial Goals Read More »
Q: Hi, I have a pretty unique situation regarding student loan debt. I have about $100K in student loan debt. I did not find a job until about 8 months out of college and the loans were in deferment. The entry level position I obtained was not enough to pay my loans and I was
I Can’t Afford To Repay My Student Loans. What Are My Options? Read More »
Car loans, mortgages, credit cards, and even your apartment rental application can only be approved when you have a solid credit history. If your credit score is deemed too low by lenders, landlords, and other companies that check your credit score as part of the application process, you could be missing out on low interest
What to Do If Your Credit Score is Too Low Read More »
You may not be divorced or even separated when you find out that your spouse stole money from you. When your husband or wife steals money from your bank account or wallet, they may have lied to you to cover up their act and broken your trust. Lies like these can be especially damaging to
What to Do if Your Spouse Stole Money From You Read More »
When you’re filing your federal income tax return, you undoubtedly want to pay the least amount of money possible to Uncle Sam. One effective way to minimize your taxes is by claiming various dependents and exemptions on your income taxes. Claiming the right number of dependents and exemptions can sometimes save you hundreds, or possibly
6 Tax Rules to Know When Claiming Dependents and Exemptions Read More »
Rising food costs and higher costs of living in general make it very difficult for some families to feed their children adequately. A recent report by the hunger relief charity Feeding America states that approximately 15 percent of American households didn’t have enough money for food at some time in 2009. And in 2011, 45.8
Feeding Your Children When Money is Tight Read More »
A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com wanted to know how to deal with a defaulted student loan. Her question and an answer are provided below. Many thanks to Marlene Ware, of the National Foundation for Debt Management for her expertise and providing the answer that follows. Question: My husband’s Sallie Mae loan went into default and was
My Husband Defaulted on a Student Loan. What Should We Do? Read More »
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for work and to receive any type of government benefits in Canada. You will be assigned a unique number if you are a Canadian citizen, a temporary resident, or a newcomer to Canada. It works in a similar way as the Social Security Number (SSN) issued to eligible
What Should I Do If My Canadian SIN Card Has Been Stolen Read More »
After the economy took a nosedive from 2007 to 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law. This bill was designed to give the economy a boost by reducing federal taxes, increasing unemployment benefits and also increasing spending in certain areas. Many people were directly affected by this bill
What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? Read More »
Whether you forgot to take all of the deductions you were eligible to take, or just reported a few wrong figures to your tax return, you do have some options for amending your return. In fact, you have three years from the original filing deadline to send in an amended return. You don’t need to
Dealing With Mistakes On Your Federal Tax Return Read More »
Before this year’s tax-filing deadline in April, you may consider hiring someone to fill out your taxes. Lots of people don’t want to bother with the complicated IRS tax forms or worry about whether they’re interpreting tax laws correctly.
10 Tips to Select an Income Tax Preparer Read More »
When you and your spouse both know that your marriage just isn’t going to work and you want a divorce, you might end up staying married because neither of you can really afford to leave. Many people who want to file for divorce realize that they simply can’t afford to end their marriage when they
What to Do If You Can’t Afford to Leave Your Spouse Read More »
If you’re expecting a tax refund this year, don’t overlook the benefits of requesting a split refund. The IRS offers this option for taxpayers who want to have their tax refund deposited into up to three different accounts. There are a number of reasons why you might want to do this, and making this request
What is a Split Refund? Read More »
If you have recently ended a marriage or a relationship and had children at some point during the relationship, you may be eligible to receive child support from the other parent. Child support laws exists to ensure that the child or children are appropriately cared for once the parents’ relationship has terminated. Child support is
What to Do If You Need Child Support Read More »
You can reduce you total taxes owed by claiming a child as a dependent on your income tax return. But not all children qualify and age is a factor. In some cases, you can claim a child under the age of 19. In other instances, you can claim a child under the age of 24.
Is There an Age Limit on Claiming My Child as a Dependent? Read More »
