June 2010

New Bills for 2010 Home Buyer Credit and Unemployment Insurance Extension

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The home buyer credit, extended and expanded over the last 3 years is set to expire at the end of this month with Congress still unable to approve the extension as part of HR 4213. However, recently released data for May 2010 shows worrying trends of sharply declining sales of existing and new homes. Further, [...]

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Handling Debt Collection Calls and Stopping Creditor Harassment by Knowing Your Rights

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One of the worst forms of creditor harassment is relentless debt collection calls. For some people, the collection calls become so annoying that they are forced to change their phone numbers or even disconnect the phone altogether. Though the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) has laid down clear guidelines to put an end to [...]

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Financial Reform Bill Summary – What it Means to Your Future. Free Credit Score, Bank Stocks and Consumer Protection Measures

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[Updated] Approved! Congress and the President have approved the financial reform bill (detailed below) that would revamp the nation’s financial regulatory system. It will allow for the creation of a consumer financial protection bureau at the Federal Reserve, give regulators new powers to liquidate failing financial firms whose collapse would threaten the economy and create a council of financial [...]

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Homebuyer Tax Credit Fraud Puts Pressure on Further Extensions

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As many readers of this site await to hear about a possible extension to the home buyer credit closing date, part of the latest Jobs and Tax Bill (HR4213), it was worrying to read some of the recently released IRS statistics on fraud surrounding the credit. The IRS  doled out more than $27 million in [...]

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Expiring Bush Tax Cuts and What’s Ahead in 2011 to 2013 for Taxes on Income, Medicare, Capital Gains, Dividends and Estates

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[Update] While Democrats and Republicans alike want to keep the 2001 and 2003 tax reductions for families earning up to $250,000, President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats want to end the break for those who earn more. Republicans, contending a recovery from recession is no time to raise taxes, insist on continuing the Bush-era cuts [...]

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How Long Should I Keep Tax Records, Medical Bills, Financial and Bank Statements

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Like me I am sure you get tons of bills and statements in the mail or delivered electronically. Most times you just action and then toss them. But you may in fact be creating legal or tax issues by not keeping certain documents.  Where possible you should try and retain a hard copy and electronic [...]

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Toy Story 3: Cost – $100 Plus, Family Value – Priceless. Weekend Wrap and Good Reads

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I have lamented in the past about the rising cost of going to the movies, which is exacerbated by the continuing evolution of movie technology (3D, Imax etc) that enables cinema owners to pass rising production costs to techno-obsessed consumers. Thanks to Netflix, Amazon DVD’s and various free internet sites, my movie watching has become [...]

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Updates on 2010 Government Tax Credits – Home Buyer Credit Filing Extension, $250 SSI and Medicare Gap Payments, Teacher Credits and Unemployment Insurance

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I have posted updates to a number of articles covering the spectrum of government stimulus funded tax credits and deductions. Here is a summary of the updates with a link to the detailed articles for more detailed information, qualification criteria and latest status. If you haven’t already, join 6000 plus subscribers to get the latest [...]

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How To Navigate Through Your 401k Investment Options

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Trying to find the right investments for your 401k can leave you feeling like you are lost in the middle of a maze. Your 401k plan provider may offer a ton of investment options including stocks, stock funds, bond funds, and exchange traded funds. With so many options to choose from, what is an investor [...]

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Making Money From the BP Oil Spill – Ambulance Chasing Lawyers, Adwords Advertising and T-Shirts

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The BP oil spill has been a non-stop news item and most people are probably tired of hearing and reading about this environmental disaster due to corporate negligence.  I am not going to delve into the issue, but it was kind of morbid to read that people and companies are actually making money from this [...]

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