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Will You Get Audited by the IRS?
Tweet Share on Facebook February 29, 2012 CommentWho loves the IRS? Probably very few of us.
The numbers probably diminish when you start asking the folks who have undergone an IRS audit. I've been audited twice (the easy paper variety) and I still appreciate the IRS (love might be too strong a word), but my tune would probably change on a full-fledged audit with a revenue agent.
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5 Ways to Save on Your Taxes in 2012
Tweet Share on Facebook February 28, 2012 CommentWhen it comes to filing your taxes, you might prefer to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. But if you're not thorough, you could miss out on commonly overlooked tax deductions. For example, are you aware of the Saver's Credit? If not, it is no surprise: Only 21percent of American workers who earn less than $50,000 are aware of this credit. And yet these are the people who this credit will benefit most. Basically, if you contribute to a qualified retirement account such as a 401k or IRA, you can get a credit of up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married filing jointly) off your taxes.
What other credits and deductions might you be missing? Here are some ways to save on your taxes this year:
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5 Ways to Live Large During Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook February 27, 2012 Comment (1)As of last year, the first of the baby boomers became the most recent batch of Americans to enter their golden years. Senior citizenship, for these newly minted members of the U.S. retired segment, shouldn't come as a challenge to a generation accustomed more than any other to changing times. From childhoods spent growing up in an optimistic Post-World War II climate to the tumultuous social and political upheavals of the 60s, facing the end of one's career may seem like a simple afterthought, all things considered.
[In Pictures: The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012.]
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7 Ways to Jump-Start Your Productivity at Work
Tweet Share on Facebook February 27, 2012 Comment (1)If you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get your tasks done at work, it may be time to change up some of your work habits. Simple things like the time of day you check your email, how often you log on to social networking sites, and how you organize your to-do list all play a role in how productive you are throughout the day. Tweaking your schedule and taking advantage of some new apps can help to streamline your daily tasks so you end up having a much more productive day at work day in, day out.
Here are seven productivity boosters for the office:
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How Keeping Your Resolutions Can Save You Money
Tweet Share on Facebook February 24, 2012 Comment (3)As February draws to a close, many people have already given up on their New Year's resolutions or are wavering. There is a good reason to keep your resolutions that you may not realize: to save money. Once you see how much money you can save by keeping your resolutions, you might want to recommit to your resolution and find your resolve strengthened.
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How to Decimate Your Credit Score
Tweet Share on Facebook February 23, 2012 Comment (1)It's a little scary how important your credit score is these days. Between all the warnings to check your credit reports regularly and how you can't do this or that without fear of credit score reprisal, it's easy to get discouraged and just say, "Forget credit scores, I'm going to do whatever I want."
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Send Your Child to School With the Best Student Checking Account
Tweet Share on Facebook February 23, 2012 CommentStarting your child off right at college doesn’t just mean buying him or her the latest Macbook. As a parent, you will likely be stuck figuring out how to cover the tuition bill, while your son or daughter will soon be managing their own day-to-day finances. Whether your child will be living at home or at school, choosing the right checking account is an essential step in your child’s financial independence. We’ll give you a brief overview of what to look for in a child’s first checking account and our thoughts on the best picks out there.
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Selling Your iPad 2? How to Earn More
Tweet Share on Facebook February 22, 2012 CommentThe latest buzz in the tech scene is the much-anticipated unveiling of Apple’s iPad 3, expected to reveal on March 7. With all eyes on the upcoming iPad 3, owners of the iPad 2 can snag a chance at greater earnings to squirrel into savings accounts by selling their iPad 2 sooner than later.
Apple aficionados recall the weeks before the iPad 2 was unveiled and a similar trend developed. First-generation iPad enthusiasts had to choose between keeping their existing tablet or upgrading to the iPad 2. However, those wise to the gadget game know that resale values are best before the new version releases.
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7 Common Interview Questions That Trip Up Job Hunters
Tweet Share on Facebook February 22, 2012 Comment (1)No matter how long you spend rehearsing answers to all possible interview questions, it’s likely that you’ll end up having to answer some very obscure and tough interview questions a t some point in your career. Many employers ask nontraditional, creative questions at the first stage of the interview process to see how well you can think on your feet. Some can be trick questions, while others are designed to highlight some desirable characteristics for the position. Whatever the case may be, you need to be prepared to handle any type of question when you’re sitting in the hot seat.
Here are just seven of the most common interview questions that trip up even the most prepared job seeker:
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6 Benefits and Rewards of Having Awesome Credit
Tweet Share on Facebook February 21, 2012 CommentYou’ve been diligent about paying the your bills on time, took steps to clean up your credit report of errors, and have even paid down your credit card balances. Having a high credit score and good credit history can set you up for many perks and low-interest loans and offers in the near future. While you can still survive with poor or less-than-stellar credit, those extra points will end up saving you money in interest charges over time and can also give you some more negotiating power.
[See 50 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2012.]
Whether you’re moving to a new city, are ready to get your first mortgage, or just want to avoid some of the inconveniences of setting up a new account with a security deposit, having awesome credit will help you in more ways than one.
