Inflation isn’t the only reason why your wallet or purse feels lighter these days. Sneaky fees are finding their way into things we buy every day. Here are some common fees you may encounter and what you can do to avoid them altogether. Common areas with sneaky fees Checking account fees. Banks love to nickel and…

At its heart, technology exists to solve problems and enrich our lives, but its journey is rarely straightforward. The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into everyday tools—like search engines, smart speakers, and virtual assistants—perfectly illustrates the challenges that come with disruptive innovation. Here’s a quick look at how AI is improving our lives, but…

YTH: /miTH/ (noun) – a widely held but false belief or idea Many myths about the IRS and the tax code have been amplified online in recent years. Here are several myths that if you believe them, could leave you with an expensive tax surprise. Myth #1: Retirement money is always tax free. You have retired…

Your child’s education now features more screen time, more remote learning, and more opportunities to be tripped up in our online world. The good news is that you can still make a difference in your child’s life as they continue their journey from elementary school through high school. Here are some ideas to help your…

All Americans are now allowed to withdraw up to $1,000 every year from retirement accounts to pay for a broad range of emergency expenses. There are several reasons, however, why you should avoid tapping your retirement accounts at all costs. Reasons to leave retirement funds alone You’re diluting your retirement savings. Although the money comes in…

Very few things in life can create a higher degree of stress than having your Social Security number (SSN) stolen. This is because, unlike other forms of identification, your SSN is virtually permanent. Here are some things that you can do to minimize the risk of having your number fall into the hands of the…

Creating a sound financial foundation for you and your family is anything but easy. It is tough to save when everyone is tempting you with adding one monthly service after another. Add to that the high increases in things like property taxes and insurance and you realize that saving is becoming more of an art…

If you are concerned about protecting your valuables, here are several suggestions to consider for protecting them from would-be thieves: Rent a safe deposit box. It may make sense to keep seldom worn jewelry, coins and other important documents in a traditional safe deposit box at your local bank. But beware if you go this route,…

What everyone should know   Negotiating to decrease or zero out a credit card bill or other loan balance can help relieve a tough financial situation, but it can also give way to an unexpected tax bill. Here’s a quick review of various debt cancellation situations and how they impact your your taxes.   Consumer…