Will I receive a stimulus check?
Note: This article is about the first stimulus payments as part of the CARES Act from March 2020. Learn more about the second and third rounds of stimulus payments. How does the stimulus check work? The coronavirus stimulus check is an advance on a 2020 tax credit. This means if you do not get a…
Read MoreHelp if You’re Struggling to Pay Bills During the COVID-19 Crisis
A few months ago, I didn’t even know how to pronounce coronavirus (COVID-19), and couldn’t have imagined how quickly our world would change. Now it’s part of our daily vocabulary and has impacted every area of our economy. If you are affected by the crisis, first, I am so sorry. Although it may feel like…
Read MoreFinancial Tips for the Coronavirus Crisis
Every 5-10 years, we face a major crisis. Today it’s the Coronavirus, a decade ago it was the housing bubble burst, before that September 11, and before that the dot.com bust. My point is that a crisis will come and go, but the sound financial principles needed to weather the storms of a crisis never…
Read MoreHow does Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) work?
Are you over the age of 60 looking for free help with your taxes? If so, consider taking advantage of an IRS program called The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. This program partners with a variety of organizations, like AARP, to offer free tax assistance for those 60 and over (no income eligibility).…
Read MoreNew Years Anti-Resolutions for 2020
I’m going to suggest something a little radical for the new year and the new decade, 2020. Instead of focusing on a new year’s resolutions, consider listing the things you are going to stop doing. Ideally, these should be self-sabotaging habits and behaviors that prevent you from achieving your goals. Here are a few ideas…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between withdrawing from a 401k and taking out a 401k loan?
When life happens and there’s a big bill attached, we often scramble to figure out how to pay it. Ideally, an unexpected expense should be covered by your emergency savings account. If you don’t have enough savings, consider asking for a payment plan or delaying the bill until you get a tax return or bonus.…
Read More5 Reasons Why You Can’t Stick to Your Budget and How to Fix It
For years, I struggled to budget. I was frustrated that I was following all the budgeting rules but still coming up short. After carefully looking at my spending over a few months, I realized I was making several budgeting mistakes. Once I corrected the errors, I was able to stick to a budget that helped…
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