For Mark Roberts' Use: Every election year, one of the most popular subjects debated by candidates involves Social Security. Of course, we all need to pay attention to the problems concerning Social Security in non-elections years as well! You may have heard that Social Security is “running out of money”. While this isn't precisely true, it [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: When we think of estate planning, we tend to think of it as, “what I want to happen after I pass away”. You may be thinking of your finances, your burial wishes, and other final considerations. However, there's another key aspect of estate planning that we all need to consider: What [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: When you're standing in the checkout lane, the option to pay with a credit or debit card may seem like a completely random decision. In other cases, your budget may dictate which card you choose. But even though these cards look identical next to one another in your wallet, they each [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Are you completely free of debt, with all of your money stashed in a single bank account? If you're like the vast majority of people, the answer is, No, of course not. It almost sounds ridiculous to suggest such an idea. Most of us have more than one bank account, investment [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's a scenario made for dark comedy films and financial nightmares: That envelope arrives in the mail from the IRS, and you discover the news that your tax return is being audited. If this is a worry that plagues you, try to remain calm as you file your taxes this April. [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Now that tax season is in full swing, you're probably reading a lot of advice on how to put your tax refund to work for your future. The other side of the coin, of course, is that there are plenty of ways to waste your windfall. Before you let that money [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Think of your money as water, and your budget as the bucket that contains it. Wouldn't it be distressing to discover your bucket has several small leaks, and your “water” has been slowly dripping out undetected? Unfortunately, that could be exactly what's happening to your budget. Check for these five common, [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's a common misconception that contributing to an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a simple task that should only take a matter of minutes. Yes, investing with an IRA is an excellent choice for many reasons, but if you rush your decisions you could make some costly errors. Watch out for [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Tax time is here, and that means we're all pulling out our checkbooks with a feeling of dread. You may already have some idea of whether you'll owe the IRS or draw a refund. You definitely know that you need to file your taxes or ask for an extension by April 15. [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: You already know that participating in your company's 401(k) savings program is a great way to save for retirement while reducing your income tax liability. But to make the most of your 401(k) savings plan, remember these five rules: Know your default savings rate. When you first started working for your [...]