Every year, American citizens perform their civic duty by writing a check for their taxes. While the process of filing taxes can be a challenge, the real stress comes when you find out how much of your hard-earned money needs to be sent to Uncle Sam. Before you finalize your next round of taxes, be sure to keep these easily overlooked tax breaks...
Tax Breaks You Might Have Overlooked
Topics: Financial Education
Tax Differences Between Corporations and LLCs
You want to ensure you set your business up properly from the start. Choosing the right entity can be one of the most important decisions you make. Corporations and limited liability companies have many differences worth weighing, including how the money earned is taxed. Paying taxes on profits is part of running a business, but how much you pay...
Topics: Small Business, Financial Education
When to Hire a Financial Planner
No matter where you are in life, handling your personal finances can be a complicated and overwhelming task. One way to get the advice and assistance you need is to consult with a financial planner. These professionals are trained and certified to give you expert advice on how to make the most of your money. If you’re not sure whether seeking out...
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Writing Your First Will: What You Should Know
Writing a will may seem simple — just say who should get your property when you die — but there are several less obvious elements to it that are just as important. Though you may not be inclined to think about your mortality, taking the time to prepare a well-written will is key to ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible for your loved...
Topics: Financial Education
What is the FAFSA?
If one or more of your children is getting ready to start looking at colleges, there are a ton of things to think about. Since educationdata.org states the average yearly cost of attendance at a public institution is more than $25,000, one of them is probably trying to figure out how to pay for it. That’s where the FAFSA, or Free Application for...
Topics: Financial Education, Family
What Home Insurance Actually Covers
Your home is a major investment, and anything that goes wrong on your property could result in extensive repair costs. You don’t want to find out when filing a claim that your policy doesn’t cover what you thought it did — and you’re stuck paying for repairs out of pocket. These are the four primary categories that most standard homeowners...
Topics: Financial Education, Homeowners
Using Automatic Bill Pay
Do you ever feel like you’re spending too much time paying bills, juggling account passwords, and keeping track of due dates? If so, you can reclaim some of that time by automating some of your predictable, recurring bill payments. Here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of using automatic bill pay:
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Saving for Medical Costs in Retirement
Saving enough money to enjoy a full retirement may already feel like an uphill climb before you even consider the rising cost of healthcare. As you get older, you can expect your medical expenses to increase, which can put a damper on your plans without proper consideration. By setting aside funds specifically for your healthcare needs, you can...
Topics: Retirement, Financial Education
Should You Cancel a Credit Card with $0 Balance?
Many consumers are tempted to limit their debt by closing one or more credit cards, as a result of the steady rise of the cost of living, and credit card interest rates. However, while there are many reasons to close a credit card, there are ultimately even more and better reasons not to do so.
Topics: Financial Education
CD vs. Savings Account
Whether you’re putting aside funds for a rainy day, or a sunny summer vacation, saving money is an absolute must. When it comes to how you save, two of the most popular options are savings accounts and certificates of deposit. The best way to determine which choice is ideal for your situation is to understand the benefits of both.
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
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