Determine if your partner shares your financial values. While kindness, intelligence, humor and shared interests are crucial attributes single people often look for in a partner, taking stock of whether you’re financially compatible can help you build the foundation of a healthy relationship. With study after study showing that disagreements on important money matters can lead to […]
Here’s something we haven’t heard in a long time: whispers of a looming recession. And those in the know think it could start in 2019. We agree. While the economy seems to be powering ahead, there are troubling signs for the vast majority of Americans: More than 75 percent are living paycheck to paycheck, and […]
Your home isn’t just your castle; it is also a source of tax deductions. Yet, every year, Americans let these potential tax deductions pass by, not realizing how to take advantage of them. Complicating matters, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has made major changes to the tax breaks that every homeowner should […]
You probably already know that contributing to your 401(k) plan will improve your retirement finances. But shoveling as much money as possible into a 401(k) account shouldn’t always be your top priority. There are some circumstances when it makes sense to pay down debt and build up some savings outside of your 401(k) before boosting your […]
Financial planner Jonathan Knapp says it’s not uncommon for recent empty nesters to realize they’re not on track for a secure retirement after years of funding the lifestyles of their departed kids. Bolstering a bare or depleted nest egg tops Knapp’s list of things to do for parents once all their children have moved out and […]
WITH YEAR-END statements, W-2s and 1099 forms arriving, it’s time to look for ways to trim capital gains tax liability, especially given the many changes that kicked in for 2018 due to the tax law passed just over a year ago. As always, the end of the tax year – Dec. 31 – closed the […]
It’s always great when that payday direct deposit hits, but exactly where that money hits could make a major difference in your financial future. If you haven’t yet set up a savings account to stash some of your earnings, you could be missing out on an opportunity to add a little extra to your bottom […]
Many workers look forward to retirement, and understandably so. After all, your golden years are a great time to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your lifelong labor. But retirement can also be a precarious financial period of life. Going from a steady paycheck to a fixed income can be a stressful prospect, and […]
Many workers save for retirement with employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. But if you don’t have access to a 401(k), you can still save for retirement in an IRA, and there are plenty of advantages to doing so. IRAs typically offer a wider range of investment choices than 401(k)s, making it easier for you to grow your money […]
The cost of living is getting higher, and this can be especially painful if you’re a university student living on a tight budget. The escalating costs of food, transport and school fees can set you back by hundreds of dollars. However, by keeping certain things in mind and planning ahead, you can save yourself plenty […]
Less than four months ago, a research report released by the Washington, D.C.-based National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), using an analysis of U.S. Census data, found that even with the nation’s economic recovery, savings levels of working age Americans are inadequate for America’s retirees to rely on. The NIRS report provides analyzes the U.S. […]
This is the most popular time of year for dating. But beware. Los Angeles-based Holly Shaftel, 29, has been dating her boyfriend for four years. Early on in the relationship, the duo rarely spent more than $50 a week on dates. When they decided to go steady, they also decided to do something that’s far […]
