At some point you may be on the receiving end of a debt collectors call. It could happen any time you are behind on paying your bills or when there is an error in billing. In the U.S. there are strict rules in place that forbid any kind of harassment. If you know your rights, [...]
It's a tough time to buy a house. With high prices and low supply, homebuyers have to tackle the buying process differently than they would in a flat or down market. Here are some suggestions to landing your dream home in a seller's market. Be nimble, be flexible. Try to investigate new listings quickly – within hours [...]
The last thing you want to be bothered with when you are grieving is sorting out the finances of your departed loved one. Here are some suggestions to make the process a little easier. Prioritize. Focus on the most pressing tasks you face. Make sure you have access to the right accounts in order to [...]
When setting your family budget, often the first thing that gets slashed is the summer vacation. However, if you plan ahead, you can find simple ways to save and keep your vacation on the calendar. Here are a few ideas. Flexible location. Sometimes you just want to get away to recharge and the location isn’t [...]
With weather-related disasters making the news these days, emergency preparedness may be front of mind. You probably have tools to cope with a flat tire, or a hurricane lantern or candles for times when the electricity to your home is interrupted. But have you considered what records you might need if your wallet was stolen? [...]
The filing requirement rules for individual federal income tax returns are fairly straightforward. In general, you are required to file a return based on your filing status, your gross income, and your age. Here's an overview of the rules for 2016 tax returns. Single taxpayers (including those who are divorced or legally separated). If you're [...]
Tax filing season officially begins this month. Did you know due dates for certain returns have been changed? Why are the dates changing? One reason is to bring due dates into a more logical order. For example, in prior years, if you were a partner in a partnership, you may have had to extend your [...]
Though you may have thought bank safe deposit boxes no longer existed, these secure containers are still around, and can be useful for storing difficult to replace items, such as deeds, contracts, and your home inventory. Should you have one? Here's what to consider. Peace of mind. Knowing that key original documents are in a [...]
Getting divorced? Amid all the upheaval, taxes are not likely to be foremost on your mind. Yet overlooking the tax consequences can be costly. Here are some of the basics. Your filing status will change. No matter if you get your final divorce decree or separate maintenance on January 1, December 31, or any date [...]
Net worth is a familiar term, but you may not calculate or watch it in the same way you track your income. Yet net worth is a valuable measurement tool for overseeing your financial success. In a nutshell, net worth is total assets less total liabilities, such as debts. Here's an example. Say your [...]
