How to spot scams in the mail and online
There is no shortage of ways for crooks to try to separate you from your money. All it takes is letting your guard down for one moment, or overlooking the warning signs of fraud, for scammers to steal your personal information. In 2016, thieves stole more than $16 billion from 15.4 million consumers, according to a report by Javelin Strategy & Research. Older adults are frequently... READ MORE
How to avoid huge, surprise medical bills
The winter’s nasty flu season may smack patients with a financial side effect: surprise medical bills. People who wind up in the emergency room or need an ambulance can be blindsided by hefty, unexpected charges. This often happens after patients visit a doctor or hospital outside their insurance network. Insurance deductibles that reset every January and must be paid before... READ MORE
Top tips for filing your 2017 tax return
All the hoopla about the tax law signed by President Trump can obscure a sneaky little secret: The rules pertaining to the 2017 tax return you’re working on now are almost exactly the same as they were before Congress gave us the biggest tax overhaul in more than 30 years. Although 41 percent of respondents to a recent poll thought otherwise, almost all of the changes, including... READ MORE
Great credit scores lead to monetary perks
As average credit scores for Americans continue to rise, the question for many becomes how to use their excellent credit rating to optimize their lives without borrowing money or adding risk. Capitalizing on great credit doesn’t have to mean incurring great debt; instead, it’s about using your money reputation for a financial advantage. “In the right hands, a good credit rating... READ MORE
Watch out for pitfalls after freezing credit
After a data breach at credit agency Equifax exposed the personal data of nearly 146 million Americans last year, you may have hurried to freeze your credit reports to help prevent identity theft. A credit or security freeze prohibits new lenders from viewing your credit report. In turn, a thief who attempts to use your Social Security number and other personal information to apply for a ... READ MORE
Businesses you can start with no money
Starting a business is often a pricey ordeal. But low- or even no-cost ideas exist for aspiring entrepreneurs with unique and marketable talent. Take inventory of the skills you already possess, recommends Holly Reisem Hanna, founder of a career blog called, “The Work at Home Woman.” List your past jobs, education, training, passions, skills and talents to help identify vocational... READ MORE
Talk to your kids about their inheritance
Many parents fail to get their financial affairs in order, neglecting to take care of such things as wills, living wills and powers of attorney. But even those who think they’ve covered all of their estate-planning bases often leave one of the most important tasks undone: They fail to talk to their adult children about the money they’ll be leaving them someday. For many, I’ve... READ MORE
How corporate tax cuts may affect stocks
Stocks rose for months on hopes that tax cuts will fuel a surge in corporate profits and dividend increases. But despite some volatility lately, you haven’t missed the rally — it should last well into 2018, especially for the parts of the market that may benefit the most. One way to cash in is with shares of small and midsize firms. Such companies tend to pay taxes at higher... READ MORE
Ways to boost your retirement savings
Saving enough for retirement is a challenge for most people. So why do so many ignore the incentives and tax advantages that are there for the taking? Perhaps they don’t know about them, or maybe they need reminders. With that in mind, here’s a list of steps to take to boost your retirement accounts. Take your employer’s matching contributions. If your employer matches... READ MORE
Five cheap stocks to buy for $20 or less
Stocks with low share prices can be a cost-effective way for small investors to diversify their portfolios. But even after a bumpy few weeks, the market remains near all-time highs and is as expensive as ever, making quality cheap stocks more and more difficult to find. Before a rising market tide lifted almost all boats, it wasn’t too tough to find stocks for less than $10 that... READ MORE
Money 2024
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