We repeatedly are told to prepare for retirement during our working years. But what if that milestone is quickly approaching and you’re nowhere near ready? If you’re anxious about retiring, you’re not alone, but rather than fear what lies ahead, you can take steps to be prepared financially. Here are a few ways to salvage […]
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Many Americans struggle to put money away and are living paycheck to paycheck. America Saves Week is February 26 – March 3. The idea is to help people gain the tools the need to save money for the long run by making some changes. Tom Jacobs from Jacobs Financial Services joined us in studio to […]
Five-year-old Kennedy O’Neal’s morning routine is to eat breakfast at the counter in her kitchen while she counts the change and small bills in the glass jar she uses as a piggy bank. She guesses she has about $60 in there right now. That includes $5 she got from the tooth fairy for a top […]
The squeeze on individual taxpayers continued in this year’s budget with increased Vat and fuel levies, almost no fiscal-drag relief and a below-inflation increase in the medical tax credit that whittled away this benefit. This year’s additional burden comes on the back of a steady increase in income tax and indirect taxes over the past […]
When trying to save money, it is smart to utilize habits that are easy to implement and simple to maintain. Whether or not we decide to utilize straightforward savings practices can mean the difference between fiscal security and financial vulnerability. In other words, if it’s easy to save, we save. If we make having a […]
Want to dine out without paying an arm and a leg? Here are some money saving tips that won’t take a bite out of your budget. If you want to go out find gift cards at a discounted rate. Try giftcards.com or restaurants.com. Do your research and ask for deals. Many times kids, seniors and […]
We know that you work hard for your money and often a tax refund may be the biggest check you get all year, so we’re here to let you know how the new tax reform legislation may affect your tax refund next year. The new tax law is the largest piece of tax reform legislation […]
One piece of financial advice that you have probably heard over and over again is the need for an emergency savings fund. The thinking goes that everyone should have three to six months’ worth of living expenses set aside in the event of a sudden job loss or to cover a large unexpected expense, like […]
Don’t put the kibosh on your dreams of a beachside retirement in an exotic locale. Retiring to a foreign country doesn’t have to require learning a new language. Expat resource Live and Invest Overseas identified islands that offer a taste of adventure, and are friendly to English-speaking visitors and residents. Whether you’re looking to relocate, […]
DEPRECIATION is the enemy of the new car buyer, as it erodes the value of your purchase the moment you drive it off the forecourt. A new car instantly loses around 20 per cent of its value and will continue to lose another 15 to 20 per cent every year after that. Within five years, […]
MORTGAGE borrowers have grown accustomed to rockbottom mortgages, but those days are now coming to an end as rates finally start to pick up. This could come as a shock to homeowners who are already stretching to meet their monthly repayments, while higher borrowing costs could also dent house prices, which have remained resilient despite […]
THE average household now owns possessions totalling an incredible £35,000, but millions fail to insure their valuables. This is more than the average UK full-time annual salary and adds up to £1trillion across the nation. Despite this more than one in four households, or 7.5million in total, have no home contents insurance. This type of […]
