2012 Tax Refunds Smaller Than 2011 Payments

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The IRS recently published some statistics on 2011 tax returns (filed in 2012, excluding extensions) which revealed some interesting factoids, such as: – If you got a refund this year, chances are that it was lower than the one you received in 2011. The average tax refund amount paid by the IRS through the end [...]

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Buying a Used Car: Unnecessary Hassle or Financially-Savvy?

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Your once-proud set of wheels is now a sad, rusted-out tin can. And what’s that new rattle as you head to work? Repairs are mounting and it’s time to face the piper: like it or not, you need to buy a new car. Unfortunately, a new car is prohibitively costly: according to a 2011 study, [...]

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2012 and 2013 College and University Tuition Rates Increasing

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As a part time MBA student, with a single income and young family, I am particularly sensitive to rising education costs. So I was dismayed to see that my university’s (already expensive) tuition costs were again rising. This is the third year in a row and my degree will end up costing roughly 10% more [...]

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2012 Personal Exemption, Standard Deduction, EITC and Foreign Earnings Deduction Change

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With the 2011 tax filing deadline past (unless you filed for an extension) it’s a good time to remind yourself about some key 2012 tax changes. You can see the latest 2012 tax tables here which saw a widening of tax brackets and increases in personal exemptions and standard deductions due to inflation. Personal and [...]

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No More Social Security Checks in 2013

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Before you freak out at the title, know that social security payments will still be made in 2013; it’s just they will no longer be sent via checks in the mail.  The US treasury announced that by March 2013 it will phase out paper checks for all benefit programs. This covers social security, veterans benefits, [...]

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Opening a Roth IRA for Your Non-Working Spouse – Eligibility, Income and Contribution Limits

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Can you open a Roth IRA for your spouse? This question comes up a lot among married couples with just one income. After all, one of the requirements for opening and funding a Roth IRA is earned income, right? And as a general rule, if you don’t have taxable earned income as a result of [...]

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7 Signs You Are Heading for Long Term Financial Ruin

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In discussions with my readers and from what I see online I am constantly amazed at how low a priority folks give their finances. Yes, it is unpleasant to deal with hard money issues. Taxes are a drag. Changing bank accounts for a higher yield is a pain. There never seems to be enough money [...]

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Will Markets Crash or Boom? 5 Things You Can Do Stay in The Money

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The graphic to the right, showing the top stories on MarketWatch recently, reflects how mixed views on the market outlook really are. Some experts predict a continuing boom, some a crash and some both. No wonder retail investors like you and I are confused on what to do. The stock market crash of 2008 is [...]

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Opening an IRA For a $6,000 Tax Deduction – Best IRA Broker Accounts

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If you are looking for a common and highly effective way to cut your tax bill (up to $6,000) for this year and/or the next, then consider opening a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA before the 2011 IRA contribution deadline (April 17th). The following brokers have great offers for those looking to open or transfer [...]

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How I Recovered My Stolen iPhone With No Help From The Police

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On a recent, beautiful and unseasonably warm, Saturday I decided to take my 6 year old son and 1 year old daughter to our local town center while my husband was out of town.  After watching the local kids show, part of a St-Patrick’s day festival, my 6 year old started saying he was hungry. [...]

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