On your wedding day, a picture truly can be worth a thousand words—but that’s only if the photographer shows up. In 2012, problems with photographers accounted for more than half of all vendor-related wedding catastrophes, according to a Travelers analysis of wedding insurance claims. Vendor problems in general topped Travelers’ list of most common wedding [...]
Whether you’re a Medicare beneficiary or know someone who is, you’ve likely heard about the risks of Medicare fraud and medical identity theft. While the government is taking steps to mitigate these issues, there are things you can do now to protect yourself. Medicare is one of the country’s largest programs, with more than 49 [...]
There’s nothing new about buying homes to rent out or resell at a profit. Residential real estate investing has been part of the American housing picture for generations. After the housing bubble burst and foreclosures started to flood housing markets across the country, real estate investing took on a whole new level of popularity. By [...]
At an IRS tax workshop several years ago, someone asked the speaker if the IRS has a problem with taxpayers who get large refunds. We attendees were surprised to learn that the IRS does look upon large refunds with suspicion. Why? According to a discussion I had with an IRS professional, a refund of $3,000 [...]
Homes are more affordable than they’ve been in decades, and mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. As a result, many first-time homebuyers feel that this is the perfect time to jump into the real estate market. Buying a home is exciting, but it can also come with unforeseen economic obstacles. If you are a [...]
Nearly four years after Congress passed the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, one of its most prominent features will begin in October—the Health Insurance Marketplace. According to a recent survey done for InsuranceQuotes.com by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, only 10 percent of Americans claim to be very knowledgeable about the Affordable Care [...]
When I started in the tax field, working with the IRS on installment agreements and Offers in Compromise was like standing in quicksand. The IRS made obscure rules and changed them arbitrarily. It acted as an utter tyrant. Then, in the 1980s, there were a series of Senate hearings about the problems, and what emerged [...]
This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. Have you ever received an incorrect W-2 or 1099? Scary, isn’t it? You know you have to file taxes, but you’re nervous about giving incorrect information to the IRS. Then, when you call the person or company issuing your tax forms, he or she may refuse [...]
Benefit plans can add considerable value to an employee’s overall compensation, and they are a key reason that many employees take—or decline—employment opportunities. That makes it important to evaluate benefit plans before taking a new job. Group health insurance benefits Group health insurance is the most common benefit offered by employers. In 2011, 85.3 percent [...]
By now, most of us are familiar with the devastating images of destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy. When it made landfall on October 29, 2012, near Brigantine, New Jersey, Sandy was considered the worst storm to hit the northeastern United States since the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, causing insured losses estimated at $25 [...]
