It is coming to the close of April — the end of Financial Literacy month. Are we making progress?
Continuing Education
Financial Literacy – Are We Making Progress?
It is coming to the close of April — the end of Financial Literacy month. Are we making progress?
Financial Planning
Financial Literacy – Are We Making Progress?
It is coming to the close of April — the end of Financial Literacy month. Are we making progress?
Fitness
Essential Facts about the American Health Care Act
On March 6, House Republicans released their proposed health-care plan, The American Health Care Act (AHCA), as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill repeals the health insurance mandate for both individuals and large employers; caps Medicaid funding to states beginning in 2020; eliminates several ACA taxes including those applicable to high wage-earners; and replaces tax credits and subsidies based on income with tax credits based on age and income.
Giving Back
Volunteering to Prepare Tax Returns: The Happiness Effect
The more people volunteer, the happier they are.
Grandparents
Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with the Cost of a College Education
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what’s predicted to be trillions of dollars over the coming decades.
Hodgepodge
House Passes the American Health Care Act
On May 4, 2017, the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA). With some changes, this is essentially the same law…
IdentityTheft
How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Massive computer hacks and data breaches are now common occurrences — an unfortunate consequence of living in a digital world. Once identity thieves have your information, they can use it to gain access to your bank and credit card accounts, make unauthorized transactions in your name, and subsequently ruin your credit. Now more than ever, it’s important to safeguard yourself against identity theft. Here are some steps you can take to protect your personal and financial information.
Insurance
Life Insurance Can Be Your Safety Net
Bad things happen to all of us. You can’t control everything. We can, however, control how we respond to unfortunate situations. We can also reduce the adverse effects of certain events by providing a safety net. Life insurance can be a safety net.
Investments
Creating, Growing and Managing Your Wealth
Even if you have won the lottery or received a significant inheritance, it pays to understand the basics of creating, growing and managing your wealth. You must become financially literate.The reason is simple. If you are financially literate you will make informed judgments and effective decisions about managing your money. Knowledge is requisite for doing things like saving money for your kids to go to college, buying a home, or planning your retirement. To presume the salary you’re making today will prove sufficient in empowering you to do these things is shortsighted. First, you must acquire the knowledge; then you must use your knowledge proactively.
Save
A Savings Carol
As in life, this Savings Carol has ups and downs. But, if you are patient with your savings and with this video, the end…
Self-Employment
Choosing an Entity for Your Business: Form of Ownership
Now that you’ve decided to start a new business or buy an existing one, you need to consider the form of ownership that’s right for you. Basically, three separate categories of legal entities exist: partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. Each category has its own advantages, disadvantages, and special rules. It is also possible to operate your business as a sole proprietorship without organizing as a separate business entity.
Social Security & Medicare
What Will You Pay for Medicare in 2018?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium in 2018 will remain $134 (or higher,…
Taxes
Are Your 2018 Income Taxes Going Up or Down?
The tax filing deadline for our 2017 income tax returns has come and gone. Are your 2018 income taxes going up or down? To help you answer that question, let’s dive into some tax changes in Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). First, here are my observations from the 2018 individual income tax filing season.
Travel
How to Plan a Vacation That’s Off the Beaten Path
Time away from it all is necessary for your sanity. And now that you have more wiggle room to take vacation time off, you want to take advantage.
Boomers spend the most on luxury travel, more than any other generation before us. But are you tired of all the typical vacation trips and destinations? Want to do something different?
You can plan an eclectic vacation that’s just right for you — and here are some ideas for doing just that.
Wills & Estates
Gift Your Money Now or Leave an Inheritance Later. It Can be Both a Financial and Emotional Decision
You have budgeted, saved and invested throughout your career. Now, you hope you have saved enough money to last through your retirement years. You have a will, which details who gets any assets that remain after your passing. Do you want to wait until your passing to leave an inheritance for your family? Or should you gift at least some of your money now?