The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, passed in March 2021, brought a slew of economic relief efforts to help combat the adverse effects of COVID-19. Along with additional direct payments, an extension of unemployment benefits, growth of the paycheck protection program, among other initiatives, the plan also expanded the child tax credit. The child tax credit saw a few significant changes for … [Read more...] about How To Put Advanced Payments from 2021 Child Tax Credit To Good Use
Is Crypto Investing A Passing Ship Or Is This Currency Here To Stay?
Cryptocurrency has taken the investment world by storm. With hundreds of new "coins" bubbling to the surface, many people are wondering if they should buy into this new type of currency or if it's another investment trend that will pass. Should crypto have a place in your portfolio? A Brief History of Cryptocurrency In a nutshell, cryptocurrency is a digital currency for purchasing goods and … [Read more...] about Is Crypto Investing A Passing Ship Or Is This Currency Here To Stay?
How Goals-Based Investing Can Help You Invest Better (No More Chasing Returns)
When it comes to investing, numbers are just one piece of the puzzle. The other? Your "why." When asked why you invest, your answer isn't likely building wealth for wealth's sake. Instead, it probably has something to do with helping you achieve your unique goals—saving for your kid's college, building your dream home, shoring up your nest egg, creating a safety net, among other things. A … [Read more...] about How Goals-Based Investing Can Help You Invest Better (No More Chasing Returns)
When Does It Make Sense To Choose “Married Filing Separately” On My Taxes?
Some married couples choose to combine all their finances. Others prefer to keep some or all of their accounts separate. But most of the time, married couples file one joint tax return. You don’t have to do it that way, but it usually means you’ll pay less taxes — though not always. Married Filing Separately tax status allows each spouse to file their own tax return and pay their own taxes based … [Read more...] about When Does It Make Sense To Choose “Married Filing Separately” On My Taxes?
How To Pay For A Home Renovation
After more than a year at home, we’ve had a lot of time to think about how our homes could be improved — an addition for a growing family, a big kitchen for cooking holiday meals, or an outdoor space you’ll want to spend time in every day. At the same time, housing markets in many places have gotten really competitive, which means a lot of homeowners have built up equity fast. If you’re … [Read more...] about How To Pay For A Home Renovation
Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft
Lots of us have seen and reported fraudulent charges on credit cards. In those cases, cancelling and replacing the credit cards usually solves the problem. Identity theft is a different and more severe type of fraud because what has been stolen — your social security number, for example — can’t be changed or replaced. Identity theft is when someone steals your personal … [Read more...] about Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft