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Financing Your Child's Education

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:51:31 +0000

Did you know that a four year degree at a public university may cost upwards of $100,000 in 18 years? That's bad news for new parents who expect their kids to go to school, but fortunately it isn't that hard to save up the money needed for college if you start early. Time is on your site if you start early, but it becomes your enemy if you wait too long. So, here's how to finance your child's education.

Get Help Getting Out of Debt

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:08:55 +0000

Credit card debt is one of the biggest problems most people face when trying to get a handle on their finances. Credit cards make it easy to spend more money than you have, and then the crippling interest rates and fees make it seem impossible to get out from under. While there isn't an instant cure for credit card debt, there are steps you can take to put yourself on a path to becoming debt free.

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Mortgages for Military Personnel and Veterans

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:26:31 +0000

Mortgage rates continue to sit at historic lows, and it's a good time to buy a home if you're in the market for one. One of the most difficult aspects of buying a home is dealing with the mortgage process. There are countless loan options and lenders, and finding the best deal can ultimately save you tens of thousands of dollars.

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Where Do Your Social Security Taxes Go?

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:13:11 +0000

If you work and earn income, you are probably aware of the Social Security taxes that come out of your paycheck. Social Security Taxes, otherwise known as FICA Tax (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) is paid by employees and employers to fund the Social Security and Medicare programs. Since a fairly large portion of your income goes towards this tax, it is important to understand where it actually goes, and what benefit it may provide to you.

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What to do With Your Tax Refund

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:41:59 +0000

This is that time of year when you may be anticipating a beefy tax refund that could be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The next question you may be asking is what to do with the money you get back from the IRS. You have a lot of options, and some are better than others. Here are a few ideas on how to spend your tax refund.

Your Credit Score and You

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:47:33 +0000

You may have heard that your credit score is important, but what is a FICO score? FICO is short for Fair Isaac and Co. The Fair Isaac Company developed custom software back in the 1980s that helped other companies determine a credit risk based on a number derived from a person's credit history. This number soon became a standard that was adopted by the three main credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. The FICO score ranges between 300 and 850.

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Should You Fear the Alternative Minimum tax?

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:36:05 +0000

What three letters spell bad news for your tax situation? AMT. The Alternative Minimum Tax was created back in 1969 as a means for making sure that even the wealthiest individuals paid their fair share in taxes. Fairness is good, but there's a problem with the AMT. Over the years it has started to snag even more people, even those who aren't terribly wealthy.

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Keeping Health Care Costs Down

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:16:28 +0000

We all feel the pain of rising health care costs, and insurance premiums are just part of the problem. It seems like every year we pay higher premiums for even less care, and that can really hurt the bottom line. Is there anything you can do to cut costs on health insurance? Thankfully, there is. While you may not be able to reduce your costs to zero, there are a few things you can do to reduce your costs on health insurance.

The College Debt Crisis

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:59:54 +0000

We all know that student loans can set students back tens of thousands of dollars upon graduating college, but the debt problems don't stop there. As well as student loans, most students are faced with credit card debt. It makes sense to get some form of credit in college to begin building that credit history, but all too often things spiral out of control. with limited income and high credit limits it's easy to begin spending above your means and find yourself in a big problem down the road. So, here are a few tips to keep you from becoming the next college credit crisis statistic.

Joint or Separate Bank Accounts?

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:17:06 +0000

This is one of the many questions a new couple asks. Clearly, there are some benefits to be had by simplifying banking, but problems can also arise from this arrangement. It's also not a simple answer because not everyone treats their money or their relationship the same. So, if you're married or thinking about getting married, here are some things to consider when it's time to decide whether you should have joint or separate bank accounts.