Survey says: Payday loan users savvier than you think

(BPT) – Read enough about the state of Americans’ finances and you might get the impression that the average consumer is fairly clueless when it comes to making good money decisions. But a new survey indicates that Americans are more credit-savvy than you might think about how and when to use one of the most-maligned […]

read more

Doing your own taxes? Here’s what you need to know

(BPT) – More than 43.6 million Americans prepared and e-filed their own income tax returns in 2013, up 4 percent from the year before, according to the IRS. In addition to being more affordable than a storefront or accountant, online and mobile solutions have made doing your own taxes exceptionally easy and fast. “Consumers now […]

read more

Who needs a 1099 or a W-2?

(BPT) – As the year winds down, it is time to start thinking about recent tax changes and how they affect you, especially if you run a small business. But keeping tax details straight is tough – even for those who live and breathe the industry. One of the most common questions during this time […]

read more

Dollar Denominations

Some of us have never seen a $100,000 bill, and have no clue as to who or what is on it. Here’s a list of what you’ll find on the front and back of our paper currency. Note that the government no longer issues bills higher than $100.  Bill Front Back$1 George Washington Seal of […]

read more

Simplify your Family Budget

(ARA) – Times are tight and you’ve cut back on the luxuries your family once enjoyed but could live without. However, every family has expenses, so how do you save money on the products or services that are necessities?  Compare and bundle If you’ve got phone, Internet and cable services, it pays to shop around and […]

read more

Living Wills Protect you at All Ages, Stages of Life

(ARA) – “People act as if death is contagious. It’s not contagious, you know. Death is as natural as life,” so said Morrie Schwartz in the 1997 best-seller by Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” The popular biography made death seem almost accessible given Morrie’s comfort level talking about it. Yet, most people still avoid the […]

read more

The Scary Waste of “Vampire Power”

(ARA) – Vampires may be hot right now in the entertainment world, but “vampire power” – the slow, invisible energy drain caused by leaving electric devices plugged in – simply sucks.  Every electrical item you leave plugged in, from your home computer to your high-def, flat-screen TV, draws power even while it’s turned off. This […]

read more

Ideas to make dollars do double duty

(ARA) – Just as many of us have taken on extra work to make ends meet in this economy, everything we buy now must serve a dual purpose as well. It makes sense to spend your hard-earned dollars on items that not only do the job intended for them, but that also save you money […]

read more

Five ways to save time & money on your taxes

(ARA) – The typical taxpayer is expected to spend more than three business days and more than $200 completing his or her tax return. “That’s too much time and too much money,” says Gary Lundberg, product management director for CompleteTax (www.CompleteTax.com), an online income tax preparation program. “The good news is, there are a few […]

read more