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6 Last-Minute Tax Tips
Tweet Share on Facebook April 9, 2013 CommentFor years on April 15, I made a solemn promise to myself: next year will be different. I typically made this promise around 11:45 p.m. while sitting in my car in line at the post office to drop my return into a large bag, held by a postal worker who was no doubt cursing me for making him work late. Police directed traffic, so I kind of felt like a big deal.
I’m happy to say those days are behind me. Now I make the same solemn promise on April 15 at 11:45 p.m. in front of my computer as I eFile. One of the problems with my last-minute approach to tax preparation is that it increases the chances I’ll make a careless mistake on my return. I’ve more than once found a receipt for a charitable deduction I neglected to include on Schedule A. To all those procrastinators out there, here is a list of tax tips to help you make sure you’ve got your bases covered before your late-night filing:
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3 Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Mutual Fund
Tweet Share on Facebook April 9, 2013 CommentAs of the end of last year, there was more than $9 trillion invested in mutual funds and ETFs. Many investors often look at a fund’s past returns to determine future performance, but there are other factors they should consider when strategizing their investments.
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Could You Be Getting Higher Returns on Your 401(k)?
Tweet Share on Facebook April 8, 2013 CommentOnce you get your hard-earned dollars into your 401(k), it’s painful to think they might not be getting you the highest return possible. Before you go any further, those who aren’t contributing regularly to a 401(k) or another type of tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a Traditional or Roth IRA, need to start now. While making that 10 or 15 percent contribution from your paycheck can be tough, there’s no excuse to not plan for supporting yourself in your old age.
The population of older Americans is set to explode as baby boomer ages–the number of citizens older than 65 is set to double by 2050, according to the U.S. Census. That crowd of retirees will drain the already-stretched Social Security program. And if you’re going to be the first person to live to 150 (experts say that person is alive today), you’re going to need a pretty hefty nest egg.
With that in mind, how do you make sure those dollars you’re stashing away will get you the highest return possible?
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8 Tips to Help You Make the Nearby Tax Deadline and Save Money
Tweet Share on Facebook April 8, 2013 CommentThe same people seem procrastinate on their taxes every year. There are some last-minute filers who get a tax refund every year, but still wait until the last week before the tax deadline to think about towing their shoebox of documents somewhere to get their taxes prepared. They’re joined by all of the other procrastinators, only to find they have to wait in line or may not even make the cutoff to get their taxes done.
If you’re one of these late filers, here are some tips to help you file by the tax deadline and save time and money:
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5 New Features that are Changing ATM Banking
Tweet Share on Facebook April 5, 2013 CommentThanks to today’s advancements in technology, consumers are experiencing less of a need to visit a bank branch and speak with a teller or banker in person. One banking technology that has been the subject of multiple technological enhancements is the automated teller machine (ATM).
Here are some of the ATM improvements coming your way:
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A Beginner’s Guide to Online Couponing
Tweet Share on Facebook April 5, 2013 CommentCouponing has always been a key ingredient when it comes to saving money on purchases. However, coupon strategies have shifted dramatically in recent years. With the popularity of online shopping, you’re no longer required to spend hours clipping coupons from Sunday newspaper. Online coupons allow you to save without leaving your home computer—and eliminate the time required to clip and redeem traditional coupon offers. Here are the basics on the various types of online coupons and where to find them:
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17 Quick-and-Easy Ways to Earn More Cash
Tweet Share on Facebook April 4, 2013 CommentNeed some quick cash? Everyone does at one time or another. Here are some simple ways to fill your wallet:
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Why Card-Linked Offers Are a Good Thing for Both Consumers and Merchants
Tweet Share on Facebook April 4, 2013 CommentThe paper coupon is a holdover from a different era. Despite the fast growth of online shopping and the rise in retail purchases completed over mobile phones and tablets, paper coupons have stuck around—flooding mailboxes and filling out newspaper inserts.
The explanation for the persistence, though, is fairly simple: There’s simply been no better way to redeem an offline discount. There’s also little doubt the typical consumer is still deal-hungry and loathe to pay full price.
However, the card-linked offer is a new technology that has the potential to change how you shop. While relatively new to the scene, card-linked offers have made a splash; you may have seen Bank of America running primetime TV ads for its new BankAmeriDeals. Here’s a crack at explaining a few of the most important things to know about card-linked offers and why they matter:
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Lesser-Known (But Common) Tax Mistakes to Avoid
Tweet Share on Facebook April 3, 2013 CommentThe April 15th deadline is quickly approaching. For those who have yet to file, this can be an overwhelming time. When rushing to get taxes prepared, sometimes things go wrong. Before you sit down to prepare your taxes, relax, and take a few minutes to review these eight common yet lesser-known tax mistakes.
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5 Ways to Save on the Rising Costs of Owning a Smartphone
Tweet Share on Facebook April 3, 2013 CommentClose to half of all Americans enjoy the benefits of a smartphone, but many fail to consider the increased costs to maintain it. While a traditional cell phone could cost as little as $20 per month, a family of four nowadays can easily pay close to $200 per month for data alone.
If you have a smartphone or are considering one, here are five tips to lower your monthly bill:
