Category Archives: Money/Finance

(BPT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft. […]

(BPT) – Read enough about the state of Americans’ finances and you might get the impression that the average consumer is fairly clueless when it comes to making good money decisions. But a new survey indicates that Americans are more credit-savvy than you might think about how and when to use one of the most-maligned […]

(BPT) – More than 43.6 million Americans prepared and e-filed their own income tax returns in 2013, up 4 percent from the year before, according to the IRS. In addition to being more affordable than a storefront or accountant, online and mobile solutions have made doing your own taxes exceptionally easy and fast. “Consumers now […]

(BPT) – As the year winds down, it is time to start thinking about recent tax changes and how they affect you, especially if you run a small business. But keeping tax details straight is tough – even for those who live and breathe the industry. One of the most common questions during this time […]

Some of us have never seen a $100,000 bill, and have no clue as to who or what is on it. Here’s a list of what you’ll find on the front and back of our paper currency. Note that the government no longer issues bills higher than $100.  Bill Front Back$1 George Washington Seal of […]

(ARA) – Times are tight and you’ve cut back on the luxuries your family once enjoyed but could live without. However, every family has expenses, so how do you save money on the products or services that are necessities?  Compare and bundle If you’ve got phone, Internet and cable services, it pays to shop around and […]

(ARA) – “People act as if death is contagious. It’s not contagious, you know. Death is as natural as life,” so said Morrie Schwartz in the 1997 best-seller by Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” The popular biography made death seem almost accessible given Morrie’s comfort level talking about it. Yet, most people still avoid the […]

(ARA) – Vampires may be hot right now in the entertainment world, but “vampire power” – the slow, invisible energy drain caused by leaving electric devices plugged in – simply sucks.  Every electrical item you leave plugged in, from your home computer to your high-def, flat-screen TV, draws power even while it’s turned off. This […]

(ARA) – Just as many of us have taken on extra work to make ends meet in this economy, everything we buy now must serve a dual purpose as well. It makes sense to spend your hard-earned dollars on items that not only do the job intended for them, but that also save you money […]

(ARA) – The typical taxpayer is expected to spend more than three business days and more than $200 completing his or her tax return. “That’s too much time and too much money,” says Gary Lundberg, product management director for CompleteTax (www.CompleteTax.com), an online income tax preparation program. “The good news is, there are a few […]