Figuring out what paperwork and information you need to file your taxes can be stressful, but there are many expenses that you don’t have to pay taxes. These deductions can save you money on money you have already spent. So what can you deduct from your taxes? Keep reading for our rundown of some of the biggies. Read the rest of this entry
February 14 may seem like ages and ages away, but we promise you that it’s never too early to start planning for that perfect gift or evening out with the person you love. Having a good plan for gift-giving in place means you won’t be caught flat-footed when Valentine’s Day arrives, and takes a lot of stress out of last minute florist-finding. If you’re asking yourself “What should I get someone for Valentine’s Day?” we have a handful of ideas that will hopefully strike a chord. Read the rest of this entry
Shopping for a new or new-to-you vehicle can be a challenge that doesn’t always stop when you get to the lot. Car buying can involve a lot of unique automotive terminology that most folks don’t need to use from day-to-day, so we’re going to look a little closer at one of them: trade-in value vs resale value. Read the rest of this entry
When people say they are filing for bankruptcy, it’s a given that they are financially in a rough place, but what are the types of bankruptcy and what does that mean? In this blog we’re going to look at the four types of bankruptcy, and what each of them means practically. Each type (Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13) are named after the chapter they appear in in the United States Bankruptcy Code. Read the rest of this entry
A balance transfer is when you move funds or credit from one place to another. If you change cities or banks, you may transfer your entire account to a new location. More common is the balance transfer between one credit card and another. This is when you take some or all of outstanding balance on one card to another. While there are good reasons to move your balance at times, be aware that too many balance transfers can put an unpleasant dent in your credit score. Read the rest of this entry
The New Year is almost upon us, and it’s the time for making New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, many resolutions we make in the new year don’t last much longer than the Christmas tree (which, hey, for some of us that means mid-February, right?). Right after fitness and weight loss, financial concerns are one of the biggest resolutions. While saving money and getting out of debt in 2016 are great goals, you’re going to need some help on the way. Keep reading for our ideas on how to make those resolutions and stick with them. Read the rest of this entry
While everyone handles Christmas gift giving a little differently, one of the most common standard party games is the White Elephant Exchange. Also knows as a Yankee Swap, this is a game where each participant brings a wrapped, anonymous gift, and one by one people choose presents, with the option to “steal” a previously opened gifts. The classic White Elephant can net you anything from a really sweet item you would never buy for yourself to a complete dude of a gift. But how can you have a lot of fun with a White Elephant Gift Exchange? Read the rest of this entry
We’ve all been there. Christmas has come and gone and now you have a pile of really wonderful presents from the people in your life who appreciate you (if you are fortunate) and at least one gift that…let’s say that it didn’t quite hit the mark. Now what do you do if you don’t want that Japanese transistor radio cluttering up your cupboard of things that don’t work? Why, you bring it back, of course! Keep reading for five steps to hassle-free gift exchanges. Read the rest of this entry
November and December are chock full of deals and sales and discounts, screaming for our attention. And while some deals are certainly fantastic (and many of those Christmas gifts really do need to be purchased before the 25th) there are certain products that will be much cheaper in the new year. If you are wondering “What should I buy after Christmas?” here are five categories where the cheapest prices will appear after the holidays. Read the rest of this entry
Often budgeting, like dieting, is one of those things you dream of doing, but it never seems to work out. But here we have a straightforward outline of how to budget and a couple ideas on how to implement those budget. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as being able to pay off those debts and feel secure. Read the rest of this entry