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…

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2024 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…

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Important Considerations When Building Your Retirement Plan in Your 40’s, 50’s and Beyond

As individuals enter their 40’s, 50’s and beyond, retirement planning takes on added significance. With retirement looming closer, it becomes increasingly important to reassess financial goals, adjust savings strategies, and ensure a secure financial future. Here are some important considerations for continuing to build your retirement plan in your 50s and beyond: Evaluate Retirement Goals:…

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A Last-Minute Tax Guide for Procrastinators

This last-minute tax guide will provide you with the essential steps to navigate the process, even if you’re running against the clock. Gather Your Documents Before you begin the filing process, gather all the necessary documents. These may include: W-2 forms from your employers 1099 forms for any contract work, interest, or dividends 1098 forms…

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How to Lower Your Tax Bill With the Charitable-Donation Deduction: Getting a tax break for contributions to charity often requires careful planning

Are fewer taxpayers deducting charitable contributions than in the past? Yes. The 2017 tax overhaul dramatically reduced the number of filers deducting charitable donations. While it didn’t limit them outright, it expanded the standard deduction so that far fewer taxpayers itemize these deductions on Schedule A. The number of taxpayers itemizing charitable donations dropped to…

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