Remember Beanie Babies? In the late 1990’s, Beanie Baby mania swept the country, with amateur collectors searching frantically at every card shop and kids store to find the latest beanie. Many turned to online stores and eBay, looking for the Beanie Baby that would make them enough money to retire or send their kids to college. Ty, Inc., makers of Beanie Babies helped to fuel this craze by ‘retiring’ certain Beanie Babies, making them unavailable...
In a recent survey by JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, only 26 percent of those between the ages of 13-21 said that they had been taught how to manage money. Yet, when they turn 18, kids are signing contracts for student loans, opening credit card accounts, and in many instances, living away from home with little financial guidance available. We have a list of classes that kids need to pass in order to graduate from...
Is your garage overflowing with bank statements and paid bills from ten years ago? Are you unsure about what documents need to be retained and what can be tossed? Speaking of tossing, what documents can be tossed in the trash, and which should be shredded? Are you wanting to finally get control of your documents? If so, here are some suggestions for getting that paper under control today. Implement an electronic filing system, where you...
If you’re trying to decide where to spend (or save) it, here are some ideas for how to make the most of your tax return.
You’re on the verge of completing your paperwork when the dealer hits you with one more option: an extended warranty. While the thought of never having to pay for auto repairs as long as you own your car is definitely appealing, there’s a lot that auto dealers are not telling you when it comes to extended warranties. While many of us agree to purchase an extended warranty, a Consumers Reports survey recently showed that more...
Even with a thriving economy, many Americans continually struggle to save money. While it’s certainly tempting to spend that extra cash, socking it away for the future in an IRA or investing in stocks makes much more sense. Try out a few of these tips, and you may find yourself with extra money to put aside for college or retirement. Reduce utility use. Utility costs are one of the easiest ways to save money, though...
*This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. Neither...
When thinking about our physical health, it’s common to take a holistic approach. So why don’t we approach our financial health the same way?
While never an easy decision, filing bankruptcy can provide immediate assistance to those struggling to pay their debts. A long, sometimes complicated process, filing bankruptcy should never be the first solution to manage debt, but can provide a way to start over, free from overwhelming debt. The two most common types of bankruptcy filed by individuals and married couples are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy The majority of people that file for...
The most important thing about retirement is doing what makes you happy. What would you do with your time if you weren’t working 40 hours every week?
Pet insurance. Cancer insurance. Discount dental plans. You’ve likely heard about all of the above options, but if you haven’t purchased one, you may not fully understand how they work, what they cover, what they don’t cover, and ultimately, if they’re worth the cost. Here’s a brief explanation. Pet Insurance Pet insurance has become quite popular in recent years, as pet ownership numbers continue to rise. In 2014, less than 1 percent of the 170...
With more than 95% of American workers currently covered by Social Security, there are some things about this massive retirement program that you should probably know. If you’re still in your forties or fifties, you can probably wait a few years to learn the intricacies of Social Security, but if you’ve recently entered your 6th decade on this planet, here are a few things you should be aware of: Your social security retirement age can...
