Most of us would like to get our financial plans and budget in better shape, but it can be difficult to change old habits. In many cases, it’s our approach that is faulty. We tend to set vague goals, such as “pay off debts” or “control my spending”. But without a concrete definition of what [...]
Imagine that you file your taxes, only to receive a notice stating that you’ve already filed and collected your refund. Your refund has been delivered to someone else’s bank account, who filed a return using your information. Or, you receive a refund from the IRS, even though you haven’t yet filed your return. Days later, [...]
During times of emergency or pressing health concerns, many will find themselves in a rush to consider estate planning decisions. We want to stress that ideally, you will have taken the time to carefully consider your options and draft a complete estate plan with a qualified attorney before an emergency situation strikes. However, that is [...]
While the nation grapples with the coronavirus outbreak, lawmakers are convening to determine solutions that will help us all through this time. One decision will help taxpayers breathe a sigh of relief: The deadline for filing your 2019 federal income tax return has been postponed to July 15, 2020. The new deadline applies to everyone. [...]
No matter how well you keep track of your spending, most people could benefit from taking a closer look at their budgets. Reducing spending can free up extra cash to pay down debts or beef up retirement savings, and you will thank yourself in the future. Of course, reworking your entire budget can feel like [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Aiming to make retirement planning more accessible to many Americans, Congress passed the SECURE Act which was signed into law in December. The law lifts a few key restrictions that once created unnecessary obstacles for many as they planned for retirement. However, one part of the law might actually complicate your [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Most of us will go to the doctor to have suspicious symptoms checked, or call a roofer when water is dripping from the ceiling. But for some reason, we tend to take financial advice from well-meaning coworkers, friends, or even the internet. Maybe it seems harmless at the time, because surely [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Not to provoke anxiety, but have you started your holiday shopping yet? And have you set a spending limit? According to a recent Bankrate poll, 56 percent of respondents plan to avoid going into debt this holiday season. And about half (52 percent) plan to keep their budget in line with [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: If there’s one thing most parents want to pass on to their children, it’s financial wisdom. You’ve been young yourself, you’ve made some financial mistakes, and you’re hoping your kids can learn from them. That can often be the case, since financial mistakes aren’t subject to quite the same generational value [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Your 2019 income tax return isn’t due until April of next year… So why would you want to think about it now? Actually, there are plenty of good reasons to consider your tax situation toward the end of the year. By anticipating your income tax debt, you can take steps to [...]