If I were selling a tool you could use to earn more money, pay less for things you buy, and get your way more often, would you be interested? I hope so. Fortunately, I’m not selling anything. This tool is free; it’s called … [Read more...]
Charge Cards: A Smart Alternative to Credit (And Debit) Cards
February 25, 2012 by
Charge cards like the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card provide a smart alternative to debit cards and traditional credit cards. What Is a Charge Card? A charge card is a like a credit card without the option to pay your balance off … [Read more...]
Q&A: I’ve Maxed Out My 401(k); Where Should I Invest Next?
February 24, 2012 by
Occasionally I publish answers to select readers’ money questions. I welcome your opinion in the comments. Send questions to [email protected] I can’t get to them all but will do my best! Q: I’ve been employed for six months. I'm 30 … [Read more...]
Special Tax Situations: Audits, Extensions, Payment Plans, and Quarterly Payments
February 23, 2012 by
Editor's Note: This is the last in our six-part No-Stress Guide to Filing Your Taxes. You can start at the beginning with Part 1: Your Tax Document Checklist. For most taxpayers, completing your tax return simply means mailing off your 1040 … [Read more...]
Need a Tax Break? Here’s a List
February 18, 2012 by
Everybody wants some tax breaks...or a few more. When it comes to taxes these breaks---credits, adjustments, and deductions---are always your friend. They’ll lower your bottom line, reducing the amount you owe or increasing your tax refund. So … [Read more...]
Auto Financing for Smart People: Tips for Saving on Your Car Loan
February 17, 2012 by
Earlier this week I wrote about mistakes we make when buying a car. One of those mistakes is overlooking the importance of the auto financing in the overall cost of your new car. The example I gave is if you are buying a new Honda Civic, the … [Read more...]
5 Big Car Buying Mistakes
February 14, 2012 by
Last Saturday I was out to dinner at one of those Japanese Hibachi places. Over a scorpion bowl, I was talking to a friend who works as a sales manager at a luxury car dealership. He was mulling over getting out of the industry because---as you might … [Read more...]
Common Tax Schedules: The No-Stress Guide To Filing Your Taxes, Part 4
February 9, 2012 by
We're in the middle of the "No-Stress Guide to Filing Your Taxes". We've already covered: A tax document checklist: A guide to get you started Choosing the best method to file your return Tax software: When to use and how to choose Today, … [Read more...]
Your Automatic Investment Plan: How to Build a No-Hassle Money Management System, Part 4 of 4
February 7, 2012 by
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve laid out three steps to help you build a hassle-free money management system: How to manage your spending without a traditional budget. How to create a bank account buffer to eliminate the risk of … [Read more...]
Betterment Review: A Simple Investing Solution
February 1, 2012 by
Update: Betterment just announced lower fees. Their fees have dropped to between 0.15% and 0.35% a year depending on your account balance (as long as you invest $100 a month). This makes them competitive with the lowest-priced mutual funds and ETFs. … [Read more...]
