While the name may be amusing the reality of zombie debt is anything but funny. Zombie debt is old debt that has been written off years ago, only to be sold to debt collectors for pennies on the dollar. In many cases, the debt is years old, and may not even be valid. Zombie debt collectors use a variety of scare tactics to intimidate consumers, trying to convince them to make even a small payment...
Giving money to philanthropic causes is important to many of us. Year end giving in particular is popular with both donors and charitable organizations. The most common way to give money for most people is to simply write a check or put a donation on a credit card. The charity then typically sends us a receipt for our donation, and everyone is happy. Not so fast. What about if we give a donation over $250.00...
It seems like we’ve been conditioned to shop since birth. While an occasional splurge is nothing to get worked up about, we’ve become incredibly wasteful in the process. Landfills from coast to coast are full of our discarded belongings such as furniture, equipment, appliances, and electronic items like computers and cellphones. We no longer repair an item, we simply replace it. Some of our spending habits can certainly be tied to the incessant marketing and...
If your kids are starting to enter the workforce, whether it’s a part-time job just for the summer or a full-time job after graduation, it’s essential they know how to practice healthy financial habits.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked financial questions. I’ve just started my first job. Do I really have to start saving for retirement now? Yes. While it’s important to wait to invest until student loans and any credit card debit has been paid off, if your current employer offers a 401K or 403B Plan, you should take advantage of it; particularly if they offer a matching contribution. You can certainly...
*This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. Neither...
Balance is seen as one of the keys to making the most of your investments. But what does a balanced portfolio look like?
Remember Beanie Babies? In the late 1990’s, Beanie Baby mania swept the country, with amateur collectors searching frantically at every card shop and kids store to find the latest beanie. Many turned to online stores and eBay, looking for the Beanie Baby that would make them enough money to retire or send their kids to college. Ty, Inc., makers of Beanie Babies helped to fuel this craze by ‘retiring’ certain Beanie Babies, making them unavailable...
In a recent survey by JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, only 26 percent of those between the ages of 13-21 said that they had been taught how to manage money. Yet, when they turn 18, kids are signing contracts for student loans, opening credit card accounts, and in many instances, living away from home with little financial guidance available. We have a list of classes that kids need to pass in order to graduate from...
Is your garage overflowing with bank statements and paid bills from ten years ago? Are you unsure about what documents need to be retained and what can be tossed? Speaking of tossing, what documents can be tossed in the trash, and which should be shredded? Are you wanting to finally get control of your documents? If so, here are some suggestions for getting that paper under control today. Implement an electronic filing system, where you...
If you’re trying to decide where to spend (or save) it, here are some ideas for how to make the most of your tax return.
You’re on the verge of completing your paperwork when the dealer hits you with one more option: an extended warranty. While the thought of never having to pay for auto repairs as long as you own your car is definitely appealing, there’s a lot that auto dealers are not telling you when it comes to extended warranties. While many of us agree to purchase an extended warranty, a Consumers Reports survey recently showed that more...
