October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As survivors of domestic abuse situations begin to take control of their lives, regaining financial stability, saving money and setting financial goals are tasks of the utmost importance. Financial abuse is a common tactic used by abusers to gain power and control in a relationship. It can be as [...]
This year feels like it has zipped by quickly. Here we are, deep into September—the perfect time to review your finances, prepare for tax season, and figure out whether you’ll need to adjust your tax withholding. By this time, you’ve earned three-quarters of the year’s routine income. You likely have a pretty good idea of [...]
A recent study by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) revealed that roughly 90 percent of Americans do not have enough retirement savings, even by conservative measures. When all households are included—not just households with retirement accounts—the median retirement account balance for near-retirement households is $12,000. To put that in perspective, consider this: In [...]
One of the questions many people ask when it comes to cars is “What is better: buying or leasing?” The answer depends on a number of factors. When you lease a car, you get the use of it for a mere 24 months or so. Then, you turn it back in and get another. Although [...]
Despite years of planning and building their retirement savings, baby boomers may be heading for retirement at the worst time in a generation or more, according to an analysis by Bankrate. Boomers face financial challenges that could pose significant issues during retirement, especially in their later years. Some of the most pressing concerns include a [...]
If you have a furry or feathered family member, you’ve probably faced this conundrum: How much are you willing to budget for medications and medical care for Fluffy? It’s not always a simple question to answer. For example, our family paid less than $10 for a hamster, and we swore that we would never spend [...]
Teaching your teens money management skills, such as how to stick to a budget and save money, is essential training for when they’re older. When your teens get older, giving them a weekly allowance may no longer make sense, as they want and need more control over what they buy. Often, their purchases are big-ticket [...]
Many of us think of the “big four” when it comes to insurance: home, life, health, and auto. These insurance policies are designed to protect you and your family from an expensive financial disaster, whether it’s a hospital stay or your house burning down. What many of us forget to consider, though, is whether or [...]
A San Diego woman and her father were sentenced to jail time for their involvement in an elaborate $1.5 million insurance fraud scheme for disability benefits. Four people pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges for their roles in a staged auto accident scheme. A Bridgeport, N.J., personal injury attorney masterminded an insurance fraud scheme that [...]
