Is a Tax Trap Lurking in Your Paycheck?
Does your paycheck look a little higher than normal? If so, it could be a tax trap. The Problem A payroll tax holiday effective September 1 was recently signed via a presidential executive order. Payroll tax holidays typically provide forgiveness of Social Security and Medicare taxes that are normally withheld from your paycheck. This year’s…
Read More
No Scanner? No Problem. How to Scan Documents on Your Apple Device.
If you need to turn a piece of paper into a digital file but don’t have a scanner, you may be in luck. With an Apple device, you also have a document scanner in the Notes app, making it easy to capture most documents and convert them to a PDF. Here’s how to scan a…
Read More
Wardrobe Shopping Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Shopping can be fun, but also drain your wallet. So how do you maintain a respectable wardrobe in a cost-effective way? Here are three tips to help you find your back-to-school and fall attire without breaking the bank. Think versatility. Purchase items that can be paired with various articles of clothing and avoid apparel that is…
Read More
How to Succeed as an Independent Contractor
Are you one of the now 33% of Americans who work as either an independent contractor or freelancer? If you answer yes, you are now a participant in the gig economy, a modern term for an economy characterized by workers who earn money through short-term contracts or freelance work. Succeeding as an independent contractor can…
Read More
Make Your Cash Worth More
Your cash is parked. Do you know if it’s making or losing you money? For instance, letting it sit in a non-interest-bearing account is a waste of earnings potential. It’s actually losing money if you factor in inflation! Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your banked cash: Understand your bank…
Read More
Save More This Shopping Season
This winter, the NPD Group’s 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey is reporting that Americans plan to spend an average of $740 on holiday shopping — a 7% increase since last year. The survey also found that more people started their shopping earlier than last year (even before Black Friday!). So are you like your fellow…
Read More
Bill collector calling? Know your rights
Maybe you’re behind on paying your bills because of circumstances outside of your control. Or perhaps there’s been an error in billing. Either way, these scenarios may lead to a run-in with a debt collector. Fortunately, there are strict rules in place that forbid any kind of collector harassment in the U.S. If you know…
Read More
Why You Need to Read the Fine Print
According to a recent Deloitte survey, 91 percent of people agree to terms and conditions without reading the legal agreement. While reading through the legally complex language may be slow and painful, it’s more important than you think. Here are four reasons why reading entire legal agreements make sense: You miss a major technicality. Many agreements…
Read More
Help Older Adults Stand Up Against Scams
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently reported in financial exploitation cases that older adults lost an average of $34,200. Unfortunately, these funds are often never recovered. You can ensure this doesn’t happen by learning more about scams and how to protect yourself. Here are some tips: Recognize the scams. The best way to protect yourself…
Read More
Headed to the Fair? Avoid These Spending Traps
If you’ve ever attended a state or county fair, you know it’s really easy to spend a lot of money, and fast. The best way to avoid overspending is to know the problem areas and be prepared. Here are five typical fair spending traps (and tips to avoid them): Paying full price for admission. In…
Read More