Five Things You Did Last Week for Your Finances: Small, intentional choices can steadily build a more secure financial future
Recently, federal government employees received an email asking them to reflect on their work by listing five things they accomplished in the past week. The idea behind this exercise was to encourage employees to recognize their contributions, stay focused on their goals, and maintain accountability. This got me thinking: What if we applied the same…
Read MoreRaiding Your Retirement Funds? Here’s How to Avoid Hidden Tax Traps
By Laura Saunders from WSJ Sometimes in an emergency you just have to break the glass. While tapping a retirement plan for an early withdrawal should always be a last resort, it can be unavoidable. The cause could be a job loss, a natural disaster like a wildfire, or even an opportunity like a coveted…
Read More2024 Taxes: 8 Things to Know Now
Here are eight things to keep in mind as you prepare to file your 2024 taxes. 1. Income tax brackets shifted a bit There are still seven tax rates, but the income ranges (tax brackets) for each rate have shifted slightly to account for inflation. For 2024, the following rates and income ranges apply: 2. The…
Read MoreWhat’s New This Tax Season That Can Save You Money: Key changes to consider before filing your tax return
By Ashlea Ebeling Even though Congress didn’t make major changes for this year, there are some new wrinkles to be aware of, especially for those who sell things online, bought an electric vehicle, or prefer to get their refund as a savings bond. Taxes might also be slightly less aggravating now. The Internal Revenue Service…
Read MoreFebruary is the Month of Love
25 Financial Secrets to Keep the Love Going Strong in Your Relationship No matter whether your relationship is brand new or your celebrating your 50th, these financial tips can help make your financial love life smooth sailing. People often have twice the credit they actually need. Avoid temptation by never charging more than 50% of…
Read MoreA Summary of Key Changes for Tax Year 2025
A Summary of Key Changes for Tax Year 2025 More than 60 provisions that impact your 2025 returns that you file in 2026 Looking ahead, here is what you need to know for 2025 planning. The Internal Revenue Service released its annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2025. The details, outlined in Revenue Procedure 2024-40,…
Read MoreAre You Sticking To Your 2025 Financial Goals?
By Melissa Houston As the calendar edges closer to the end of January, it’s the perfect time to weigh in and reflect on the financial goals that you set at the outset of the year. Whether you planned to save more money, invest wisely, pay down debt, stick to a budget, or make more money in 2025,…
Read More5 Financial Lessons From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox In memory of one of America’s most pre-eminent heroes, here are five financial lessons we can all learn from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy. Lesson No. 1: Don’t wait for economic change—create it How many times have you complained about your workplace, your low pay or something unfair that happened…
Read MorePlanning Strategies to Implement in the New Year: Take action now and make this year a turning point in your financial journey
The start of a new year is the perfect time to revisit your financial goals and refine your strategies. By taking intentional and thoughtful steps, you can strengthen your financial foundation and set yourself up for lasting success. Here are five key strategies to consider, along with the reasons they’re worth implementing. 1. Create a…
Read MoreTen Very Unique New Year Financial Resolutions: Go beyond the basics and think creatively about how you approach money
The New Year is a time for fresh starts and setting goals, but when it comes to financial planning, the resolutions often seem predictable: save more, spend less, and budget better. While these are undeniably important, there’s an opportunity to think outside the box. Below are ten unique financial resolutions that might surprise you —…
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