You’ve probably got some cash stashed—if you’re subscribing to this newsletter you know how important I think it is to have enough in savings—but your cash probably isn’t working that hard for you. Even if you keep a meaningful percentage of your assets in cash, the bank is probably paying you next to nothing on [...]
When I explored a career in taxes, I was promised that I could earn a year’s income by working just three or four months out of the year. That was a lie. The truth is, issues come up year-round, especially since the IRS discovered computers. With all the agency’s clever cross-matching programs that now exist, [...]
Many seniors (or their adult children) have to confront the reality that they can no longer live independently in their home. Moving into an assisted living community may be an attractive option, but choosing—and paying for—the right facility can seem overwhelming. The move to assisted living requires careful planning. It’s important to ensure you’re getting [...]
I talked with Gary Zimmerman, founder of MaxMyInterest.com, on my show on June 15, 2014. Here's a transcript of our conversation. You can listen to the interview by clicking the audio file at the end of the post. My guest this morning is Gary Zimmerman. Gary was sitting in his office in Japan where he was [...]
Many Americans will need the services of a long-term care provider as they get older. Unfortunately, Medicare and private health insurance companies do not cover assisted living facilities and private home care agencies, and many seniors quickly deplete their funds paying for care. There is no one way for you to predict whether you will [...]
Your life probably doesn’t revolve around taxes the way mine does. I’ll bet you spend time keeping up with friends and family, enjoying your hobbies, and taking trips—all without thinking about taxes. No matter how full and wonderful your life is, though, taxes still manage to intrude. And if you simply ignore them, they will [...]
It’s selling season and buyers are excited to take advantage of the incredible low interest rates out there. But before you start shopping for a mortgage, you should check your credit score. You need to know where your credit stands to be able to work towards the house of your dreams. FICO credit scores start at 300 [...]
Planning for retirement may not seem like a feasible option for some young adults in today’s economy. While the U.S. job market and economy is slowly recovering from the Great Recession, those in what is known as the “millennial generation,” who were born after 1980, have more debt and lower wealth than their parents had. [...]
Your pets are an important part of your family, but when you're trying to sell your house buyers should not be able to see or smell their presence. Even if your pets are all bark and no bite, you’ll want to take precautions to keep buyers safe and comfortable when showing your home. These could include [...]
Retirement may seem like paradise—endless days of spending time with family, traveling, and, most importantly, not having to be at work eight hours every day. But the ability to retire requires a lot of financial planning. “If you follow good savings habits throughout your career, you will be happier at retirement age,” says Debbie, a [...]
