Keep It in the Family: How to Pass on Money and Assets to Family Members
Creating a plan for how you will pass on money or other assets (anything you own) is called estate planning. Many people think that if they don’t have a lot of money or assets (like homes, cars, and jewelry), they don’t have an “estate.” But the fact is we all have an estate. How you…
Read MoreHow Can I Get Started with Low-Risk Investments?
How do I begin with low risk investments? For example CD’s, money market accounts, etc. Submitted by Deirel M. First of all, way to go! Investing is all about preparing for your future and the fact that you’re clear that you want low risk is an appropriate first step. Are You Ready to Start Investing?…
Read MoreCan I file taxes if my income was only SS and SSI?
Submitted by Veronica C. Living on only social security income tells me that you are resourceful and doing a good job managing your money. (SS is the benefit that you pay into during your working years and SSI is supplemental income designed to provide additional support for specific situations.) This question is tricky because I’m…
Read MoreHow do I find my credit score?
How do I find out my credit score? Who wants to know it, and what factors influence its change? Submitted by anonymous. A credit score is a representation of how someone managed their debts. It is meant to help creditors understand our financial responsibility. Payments on our loans and balances on our credit cards are…
Read MoreWhat is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?
Hi, I’m Dirk. I’m a tax expert with Intuit’s TurboTax and I’m here today to talk to you about the Earned Income Tax Credit. What is the Earned Income Tax Credit? It’s a tax credit available for those who are low- and moderate-income families and the benefit varies depending on whether you have children or not. If you’re…
Read MoreDo I Need to File a Tax Return?
Hi, I’m Kasey, and I’m a tax expert here with Intuit’s TurboTax. I’m here today to talk about some frequently asked questions that many taxpayers have. Do I need to file? Not everyone is required to file a tax return every year. Generally, if your income doesn’t exceed certain thresholds, you don’t even have to file a return. The…
Read MoreWhat is trailing interest and how do I avoid it?
What is “trailing interest”? I just got a credit card bill with interest charged after I paid it off! Submitted by Sasha. When you are using credit cards, timing is everything. The difference between the date you make a credit purchase and the date you pay can have a huge impact on the “cost of…
Read MoreHow to Pay Down Your Debt
“The ONE aspect of our financial lives that causes the most distress” (cue Jeopardy music) “What is DEBT?” Correct! Yup, you guessed it (or maybe you’ve lived it). Debt is the number one cause of financial stress in the U.S. The “right” way to pay off that debt is a constant source of confusion. Even…
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