Stress is a reality of modern life. We are increasingly overworked and overtired. From caring for aging parents to finding quality childcare, from mortgage payments to escalating gas prices, the sources of stress for adults today are innumerable. While there is no way to completely eliminate stress from our lives, there are ways of minimizing
Getting Divorced? Should You File Joint or Separate Tax Returns?
March 25, 2015 By
Getting divorced? Should you file Joint or Separate Returns? Your marital status on December 31 determines your filing status for the entire preceding year. If you are still married on December 31, you have a choice. You can file jointly with your soon-to-be ex-spouse or file using married filing separately status. You might qualify to
Who is the beneficiary of your 401k or IRA?
January 2, 2015 By
This oversight could cost your loved ones dearly.
Something seemingly so easy as to declare the beneficiary of your 401k has caused heartache for many unsuspecting heirs, who are unintentionally left with nothing.
Take the case of Ben Langford, who worked at a privately owned company for 25 years. He named his wife of 38 years the beneficiary of his 401k account in the event he died before her. As it turned out, however, she died first.
Consequently, Ben smartly updated his account, naming his three grown children as the co-beneficiaries of his account.
WHY IS YEAR-END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION IMPORTANT?
December 4, 2014 By
Many of the items we are going to discuss require action before year-end, and definitely before you or your tax preparer begin to compile your tax return for 2014. While taxes are inevitable, assuming you have taxable income, with proper tax planning you can maximize your potential for tax savings.
Avoiding Divorce: Is It Possible?
November 23, 2014 By
Over half of first marriages end in divorce. While almost everyone eventually remarries, at least 60% of those second marriages lead to divorce. Divorce is the most common among the newly married, but even couples who have been married for decades are not immune. Despite the numbers, however, there is good news. Barring abuse or
Funding College
September 6, 2014 By
WOW where has the summer gone? I can't believe that it is time for school and college to get cranked up again. I personally just had the privilege of taking my older son to college for the last time. The kid that just the other day was getting his first baseball glove and bat to play T-ball is beginning what will probably be his final year of baseball as a senior in college. On our 15 hour drive we had plenty of time to discuss various topics including sports, education, finances and just life in general. It is time that I will cherish forever.
Should Your Child Hold a Job?
July 1, 2014 By
In some families, the expectation is for a child to hold a series of jobs beginning at an early age. Newspaper routes give way to babysitting, and as soon as the child is legally able, he or she gets a regular part-time job. Other families believe very strongly that a child's job is to go
Saving for Personal Greatness and Freedom
March 4, 2013 By
Your savings, believe it or not, affect the way you stand, the way you walk, the tone of your voice. In short, your physical well-being and self-confidence. A man without savings is always running. He must. He must take the first job offered, or nearly so. He sits nervously on life's chairs because any small
