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• Tax Scams
Whether it is ghost tax return preparers, fraudulent charitable organizations, or IRS impersonators, taxpayers need to be vigilant in protecting themselves from scammers.... more
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• Inflation and the Impact on Consumer Debt
Although consumers do not have much control over prices and interest rates during periods of high inflation, they can try and manage their spending to minimize debt.... more
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• The Need for Financial Literacy
Managing money is a life skill that needs to be taught to children early in life at home, and continued in school so that young people can accomplish their financial goals.... more
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• Paying Off Student Loan Debt
Stay on top of your existing student loan debt so that you do not affect your credit, and familiarize yourself with any future debt reduction programs.... more
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• Low Credit Score
Avoid problems stemming from low-credit scores by reporting fraudulent activity, paying bills on time, avoiding too many credit applications, and paying down existing debt.... more
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• Spender or Saver?
Switching your habits from overspending to saving can help you enjoy your retirement years more comfortably.... more
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• Red Flags When Buying a Home
Before buying a home, inspect for foundation, electrical, and roof issues. Addressing these red flags is crucial for informed decisions.... more
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• Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
Limit debt to necessary transactions, such as a student loan for higher education or a home mortgage, so you can build good credit and a strong financial future.... more
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• Debit or Credit Card: What’s Best for Kids?
Teaching your children about money management at home, including the ins and outs of bank accounts, and debit and credit cards, will help them learn financial responsibility.... more
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• Living on a Limited Income
Living within your budget will not only bring you financial peace but also enable you to prepare for unexpected emergencies.... more
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• How to Protect Against Title Theft
Beware of con artists who use stolen identity documents to gain title to your home, or your vacation or investment property.... more
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• Recession Proof Your Savings
Preparing for a recession involves careful review of current spending and savings habits as well as financial planning to help you survive future uncertainties.... more
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• Improving Work-Life Balance
In order to achieve a better work-life balance, you need to focus on finding a routine, managing your finances, and finding time for family.... more
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• Planning for Retirement
Planning for retirement involves establishing a plan that is right for you, and taking into consideration the time you will have to invest and to spend.... more
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• Five Ways to Get Money in an Emergency
When you need to get money in a hurry, you should consider credit cards, personal lines of credit, and loans from your bank, your retirement plan, or from family or friends.... more
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• Buying a House You Can Afford
Purchasing a home is a major decision, and requires research into how much down payment you can afford, whether you must pay PMI, and finding the right mortgage loan.... more
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• Running a Household and Owning a Business
To successfully run your own business while simultaneously taking care of family, you need to set boundaries, such as limiting your workday and creating a dedicated work space.... more
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• Becoming an Entrepreneur
In addition to attending to personal finances and protecting assets, entrepreneurs need to take care of their families, become life-long learners, and practice true philanthropy.... more
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• Managing Personal Finances
Take control of your personal finances by keeping track of bills and payments, analyzing your spending habits, and setting financial goals.... more
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• Self-Care Versus Health Care
Taking care of yourself can result in lower health-care costs, reduced financial stress, and overall physical and emotional well-being.... more
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• Planning Ahead for Changes in Retirement
When planning for retirement, it is important to not only establish a financial plan but also to plan how you can be fulfilled and enjoy your retirement years.... more
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• Separating Business and Personal Finances
Separate bank accounts, tax identification numbers, and credit cards are some of the ways you can distinguish your personal and business expenses, making it easier at tax time.... more
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• Building an Emergency Fund
In addition to saving for retirement or life goals like a home purchase, it is important to save for emergencies and avoid getting into additional debt.... more
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• Funding Your Small Business
Whether you are considering bootstrapping, crowdfunding, or a traditional bank or SBA loan, make sure you explore all of the options for funding your small business.... more
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• Financial Planning
Understanding your net worth, setting goals, and protecting your assets are all important components of financial planning and taking charge of your personal financial situation.... more
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• How to Keep Good Credit
Building and keeping good credit requires patience, in addition to developing good financial habits, timely payment of bills, and awareness of your credit utilization ratio.... more
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• Financial Stress
Avoid financial stress by educating yourself, budgeting, paying bills on time, reviewing your credit report, and taking advantage of tools to increase your financial literacy.... more
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• Job Security and Stress
Strengthening your financial stability can help you increase your job stability, cope with anxiety, and reduce your stress levels.... more
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• Too Much Debt and Not Enough Money
Too much debt can affect not only your credit and your interest rates, but can also impact your home life and your work performance.... more
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• Funding Your Child’s College Education
Before it’s time to pay for your child’s college education, consider Section 529 tax-advantaged plans as a smart way to save.... more
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• Keeping Up with the Cost of Living
Look for ways to keep up with higher costs of living, including asking for cost-of-living pay increases, downsizing or relocating, and budgeting daily expenses.... more
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• Inflation and Retirement
With the current high inflation, it is important to review your retirement strategy, investments, and social security options.... more
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• Rising Gasoline Prices
Supply and demand, environmental regulations, world conflicts, and various federal, state, and local taxes, are all contributing to the current high gasoline price situation.... more
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• Estimating Your Retirement Needs
Retirees need to consider rising healthcare costs, relocation and living expenses, and the amount of income that will be needed when taking into account the costs of retirement.... more
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• Commingling Your Finances – A Newlywed’s Guide
Discussing with your partner all of your financial options, such as whether or not you will commingle funds, is essential to building trust in a marriage.... more
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• What You Need to Teach Your Children about Money
In addition to avoiding debt, increasing savings, and reducing stress, you can also teach your children to give back as well.... more
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• Selecting Home Budgeting Software and Apps
You can find Inexpensive programs, automatic data importation, and security features when shopping for budgeting software and apps to manage your financial well-being.... more
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• Changes to Federal Student Loan Debt
A short extension of the pause in student loan payments has been announced, as well as a new student loan forgiveness plan.... more
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• Federal Tax Law Changes for 2022
Many tax law changes that were enacted during the pandemic to assist small businesses have expired, so make sure your business is in compliance with the revised provisions.... more
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• Tax Ramifications of Downsizing Your Home in Retirement
Learn how capital gains taxes, gift taxes, or qualified trusts can impact your decision to downsize your home in retirement.... more
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• Medicare and Private Health Insurance When You Retire
Make sure you understand all of the health insurance options available to you at retirement, including Medicare and private medical insurance coverage.... more
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• Long-Term Care Insurance
It is important to explore the costs and benefits of long-term care insurance so that you and your loved ones are prepared when services become needed.... more
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• Paying Off Debt
Educating yourself, creating a plan, and getting help are all necessary components to changing your habits and becoming debt-free in the long run.... more
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• Credit Card Scams
The increasing proliferation of credit card scams, together with the sophistication of scammers, require constant vigilance by consumers to protect their account information.... more
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• Dealing with Inflation
Read why this is a good time to take stock of your discretionary spending and your investment strategy, in view of the current high inflation and supply chain shortages.... more
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• Financing College
With costs increasing every year, paying for a college education requires a careful review of all of the options available, including 529 plans, scholarships, and loans.... more
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• How to Make a Household Budget Work
Whether you use a paper spreadsheet or a software program, take the time to input the necessary information and get started on preparing a budget for your financial well-being.... more
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• Planning for Retirement: Downsizing
Life stages have both beginnings and endings. And retirement is no exception. Whatever your plans for retirement are, they should include downsizing.... more
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• Individual Investment Portfolios: Weathering Market Corrections
With market fluctuations common, learn how to build your portfolio to weather the risks, how you should diversify, and what to do when a market correction occurs.... more
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• Retirement Savings Plans: Loans and Hardship Withdrawals
If you are experiencing financial difficulties, a loan or hardship withdrawal from your employer-sponsored retirement plan may be the solution.... more
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• Long-term Care Insurance: Pros and Cons
If you are researching long-term care insurance, make sure you consider the pros and cons, including benefits, costs, and your personal resources and medical history.... more
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• End of Year Tax Planning
With 2021 ended, now is the time to review changes in the tax laws, such as charitable deductions and retirement contributions, so as to be ready for the April 15 filing deadline.... more
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• Retirement Savings: Changes to Required Minimum Distribution Rules
Recent legislation has made important changes to the timing, amount, and age at which required minimum distributions must be made from retirement accounts.... more
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• Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
Another strategy available to consumers to lower personal debt was through refinancing a mortgage, where rates were at historically low levels.... more
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