In 2011, Americans get a three-day reprieve with the deadline for filing taxes being extended until April 18 due to “Emancipation Day” falling on April 15. But while the additional time may delay the pain of forking over your hard-earned money to the Internal Revenue Service, why not get a head start on your 2011 taxes?
Budget travelers are a unique breed – they have a tireless dedication to finding the best deals, a keen sense for sniffing out hidden surprises and, usually, a mental database of ways to save money when they’re doing what they love most: traveling.
Making New Year’s resolutions can be tricky. On one hand, they’re a great motivator to make a positive change in your life. On the other, making a resolution without a plan for accomplishing it is a recipe for disappointment. A plan is particularly important when it comes to finance-oriented resolutions.
Becoming better at sticking to a budget is a common New Year’s resolution – and one of the hardest to keep. Yet becoming financially fit in 2011 is more important than ever for many American families still struggling with the lingering effects of the economic downturn.
The Internet has become a great place to do a lot of things: go shopping, socialize with friends, stay informed and play games, to name just a few. However, it’s important for consumers to be aware that the Internet is also giving new life to a lot of common scams.
Today, millions of Americans interact, meet, date – and even marry – thanks to dating sites. Unfortunately, not everyone you might meet online is looking for romance. Some are looking to cheat unsuspecting love-seekers out of their valuable personally identifiable information which is then used for identity theft. If you’ll be looking for love online this Valentine’s Day, keep these safety tips in mind.
If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night scrambling to add to your growing holiday to-do list, you are not alone. Many Americans find the holiday season to be one of the most stressful times of the year, despite extra vacation time, an over-abundance of delicious treats and ample family time.
It’s an amazing thing – tax season rolls around each year at the same time, but it seems that every year we get caught off guard with the “oh no, not again” mindset that can derail us from action dead in our tracks.
If you’re in the market for a new car, you’ve probably investigated such things as miles per gallon, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs as you looked at vehicles. Due to their design, hybrid vehicles can have different maintenance costs than traditional vehicles, which might affect your decision to purchase energy efficient cars.
If you’re one of the many homeowners who took advantage of record low mortgage rates and the recent first-time homebuyer’s credit, you most likely are looking for plenty of do-it-yourself tips and guidelines to help you turn your new abode into a comfortable and homey place for your family.
Younger generations of Americans have long looked up to their elders as paragons of good financial common sense. The “Greatest Generation” managed to get through the country’s toughest economic conditions with a dogged attitude about saving and minimal spending. So it’s surprising to find out that many seniors are facing high levels of credit card debt.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a rule to extend the safety and convenience of electronic payments to all Americans receiving federal benefit and non-tax payments.
Jan. 1 arrives every year with the hope and promise of losing pounds, improving relationships and paying off those bills from the holiday spending season. Unfortunately, at some point most every American has made a New Year’s resolution only to have that new gym membership go unused, the scale ignored and credit card debt continue to pile up. But according to New York Times best-selling author and personal finance coach David Bach, getting out of debt this year can actually be fairly simple.
Despite three extra days to file, experts encourage you to do your taxes well before April 18. Taxpayers receiving a refund naturally have incentive to file now since they can receive their federal refund in as few as eight days with e-file and direct deposit. However, those who owe Uncle Sam should also file now.
Even if you’re far from retiring, it’s never too early to start planning for it. But as you may quickly learn, it can be more challenging than you think. It can be difficult to know what opportunities are best for you when it comes to saving for your retirement. When considering retirement savings opportunities it is easy to overlook the traditional IRA.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans hit hard by the recession, it may be difficult to imagine anything good coming out of the country’s financial problems of the past few years. But experts and studies agree: Many of us are turning difficult times into an opportunity to regain control over our financial lives.
In preparing 2010 tax returns, people who’ve been unemployed should make sure they are getting every available tax break they deserve and preparing their taxes correctly.
The proposal was perfect and you just can’t stop looking down at that sparkly new ring on your left hand. Your engagement ring is a symbol of your commitment and the love you share. And not surprisingly, it may often be the most expensive piece of jewelry a woman owns. Because an engagement ring is an investment, it should be treated that way. That means it’s in your best interest to find the right ring insurance.
Going to a far-flung destination is always exciting, but today’s travelers demand a bit more from their experiences. Trends indicate that as people start to plan and embark on their 2011 vacations, the central goal, for many travelers, is getting a real sense of place. This emerging breed of traveler makes a point of seeing the major sights, but also wants a local view of each destination to experience the most fulfilling getaway possible.
Do you feel like you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, even though you’re making a pretty good salary? If so, it’s time to take a step back and analyze where your money is going.
Flat tires can happen at any time and anywhere – you may run over some construction debris while in the middle of a swirling intersection of highways in a large metropolis, or catch a screw out in the middle of nowhere. Either way, when you hear a loud flopping sound and possibly feel a slight tug on the steering wheel, you know you’re not going very much further without replacing a tire.
With the holiday season just around the corner, there’s much to look forward to. From visiting with out-of-town guest to baking cookies for friends, family and coworkers, it’s the perfect time to celebrate. While there are extra expenses that come along with making all this happen, there are several ways to tighten the holiday budget that are not only money-saving, but fun to do.
Building credit is becoming easier for renters thanks to new developments in the credit world.
Homeowners who installed early home security systems often wound up thinking they would have been better off simply installing sturdy locks on their doors and calling it a day. The technology was labor-intensive to install, offered keypads that looked as complicated as an airplane cockpit, and did nothing for you if the homeowner forgot to set the alarm before leaving the house.
Feeling like you’ve caught a case of the winter blues? Itching to get away, but still experiencing a bit of the post-holiday pinch? Have no fear. Here are some useful tips to help you make the most of your travel budget – regardless of its size – and hopefully, cure those pesky winter blues.
The Great Recession inspired many Americans to better manage their finances by cutting spending, saving more and tackling debt. But one aspect of good personal financial management may be harder for many to manage – understanding their credit.
As you begin planning your next home improvement project, make sure you have all the tools you need before you start the work. As you are gathering the “staples,” such as hammers, screw drivers, saws and wrenches, you might need – don’t forget to look into oscillating tools.
Checking your credit report regularly can help you avoid the pitfalls of bad financial decision making that can negatively impact your credit score. Knowing where you stand can also help you find inaccuracies in your credit report and correct them before they have long lasting effects on your credit-worthiness.
Are you heading out of town for the holidays? Perhaps for a family reunion or to visit with friends you haven’t seen in a while? No matter where you’re heading, you’re sure to have a great time. There’s nothing like reminiscing about the good old days with your friends and family.
Soldiers preparing for deployment have no shortage of to-dos to take care of before they ship out. One item on your checklist that might be easy to forget – yet should not be ignored – is making the necessary adjustments to your home and auto insurance.
