I believe that cash flow is one of the most powerful concepts in personal finance. People tends to know how they feel about their personal finance — e.g., whether they are comfortable or are struggling. Unfortunately, not too many people truly understand cash flow and how important it is to your finances. When you understand [...]
How to Avoid a Tax Audit
While random chance plays its role in tax audits (sometimes there is just no way to avoid some sort of an audit — no matter what you do), there are some red flags that may prompt a closer review of your paperwork. Here are some tips for avoiding a tax audit.
As the year draws to close, it’s time to take stock of what you are doing to increase your overall tax efficiency. If you are looking to get a few more deductions, this is the time to do so, whether you are paying points for a mortgage or donating to charity. And another way you [...]
10 Steps to Planning Holiday Spending
There are less than two months until Christmas — do you have a plan for holiday spending yet? Some people have already finished their holiday shopping. Others have been diligently saving all year long. Still others might be dreading the upcoming holiday season because of the cash outlay it usually involves. If you fall into [...]
Federal Tax Brackets, Marginal Tax Rate, and Effective Tax Rate — How Do They Work?
In this article, I want to go through a few basic tax concepts that include Tax Brackets, Marginal Tax Rate, and Effective Tax Rate. Due to uniqueness of individual States, we will focus our attention to the Federal Income Tax System and the same concepts can be generally applied at the individual State Income Tax [...]
9 Year-End Money Moves
This article is part of an M-Network group writing project, the 12 Days of Christmas – Personal Finance Style. As the project moves through its days, I will be adding each article at the bottom of this post. We’ll be posting from December 1st to December 12th.
The year is quickly coming to an end, and [...]
6 Ways To Give
This article is part of an M-Network group writing project, the 12 Days of Christmas – Personal Finance Style. As the project moves through its days, I will be adding each article at the bottom of this post. We’ll be posting from December 1st to December 12th.
I know it’s tough to think about giving when [...]
Money Hacks Carnival #39
Looks like another another miscue in the Carnival Land. Sorry the carnival didn’t go out as planned this morning at the host site, so here’s an emergency edition of the Money Hacks Carnival #39. Before I begin, just want to say thank you to everyone for your participation.
Photo by Meagen via Flickr
Credit and Debt
Five Ways [...]
Now that the benefits enrollment for my company is over, I can start thinking about things that I could do before the end of the year to make my money work harder for me. Here are 22 ideas that I want to share with you.
Photo from morgueFile
Boost 401k contribution – I think I will hit [...]
| High Interest Savings Accounts | 1.51% |
| High Yield CDs (1-year) | 1.60% |
| High Yield Checking Accounts | 1.46% |
| Best Credit Card | TrueEarnings® |
| 0% APR Balance Transfer | 12 mo |
| Lowest Interest Rate | 9.75% |
| Best Cash Back Reward | 5% |