Personal Finance Blog - Spreading Financial Independence. Guest Bloggers Are Welcome

Guest Bloggers Are Welcome

Is a Roth IRA Conversion Right for Me

By: Thomas J. Hartfield Education Planning Views: 9857 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Any time we manage a portfolio for our clients, there are always tax considerations. Between the estate tax, gift tax, income tax and capital gains tax, most transactions involve some interaction with the tax code. Usually the laws are written to provide the maximum disadvantage to the taxpayer. Tax-Free Investment Earnings for Life!? First, some background on Roth-IRAs. More

5 Tips for Tough Times!

By: Deleted Profile Personal Finance Views: 7655 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Times are tough for a lot of people. With layoffs, less available jobs, a slow economy, and mounting debt, this is a good time to cut expenses, save, and start spending less money. Even when it appears as if there is no more room to save, there is always something you can eliminate, cutback on or find an alternative for. Do you really need a cell phone? Do you own a car? Sharman G. More

When All Stocks Are Value Stocks - Think QDI

By: Steve Selengut Investments Views: 6009 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Value stocks are those that tend to trade at lower prices relative to their fundamental characteristics than their more speculative cousins, the growth stocks; they have higher than usual dividend yields and lower P/E and P/B ratios. So when all stock prices are down significantly, have they all become value stocks? If they aren't going to go up, don't buy them." The third? More

If wedding bells ring this summer, do not forget taxes

By: Steven Leibold, EA Tax Planning Views: 6106 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Will wedding bells be ringing for you or a family member this summer? If so, add tax updating to the long list of things to do. Here are some of the tax concerns newlyweds need to take care of. Check the effect marriage will have on your tax bill. If both spouses work and earn about the same income, you may pay higher taxes due to the "marriage penalty." Steven C. More

What Tax Deductions Are Still Available to Me?

By: Thomas J. Hartfield Tax Planning Views: 21794 | Comments: 1 | Votes: 0

What Tax Deductions Are Still Available to Me? When Congress changed the tax codes with the Tax Reform Act of 1986, it eliminated many of the deductions that enabled many people to avoid paying income taxes. The revision was very thorough. However, for those taxpayers who itemize, some key deductions remain. Your tax advisor will be able to tell you exactly what’s deductible for you. More

Beware of paying for a credit fix: It's a scam

By: Kenneth R. Harney Home Loans Views: 30463 | Comments: 1 | Votes: 0

WASHINGTON – Picture this: You're eager to take advantage of today's troubled real estate market and buy a foreclosed house at a fire-sale price. The problem is you don't have much money for a down payment. And your credit files are scuffed up with late payments. But can they really do what they claim? According to a complaint by the FTC filed in U.S. William I. Kenneth R. More

Volatility Rocks The Investment Markets

By: Steve Selengut Investments Views: 7238 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Gets your attention, doesn't it? The unfortunate thing though, is that most people will react negatively to this intentionally inflammatory, media-ready, title statement. Has some Wall Street virus attacked our financial experience memory chip? Bouncing around unpredictably is precisely what the markets have always done. Volatility is not a bad thing--- a non-event, even. More

Your 401(k) Investments and the IGVSI

By: Steve Selengut Investments Views: 4420 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Smack, right up alongside the head. Your 401(k) investment program deteriorated rapidly as the stock market and the economy weakened. Who would have thought that there was so much risk of loss in those mutual funds, and ETFs? How convenient for them. The income part just requires discipline, so it should be much easier to manage. More

1031 Exchange of Vacation Property and/or Second Home Does Qualify

By: Kim Englert Real Estate Views: 4357 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Can you 1031 exchange out of your vacation property or second home ("relinquished property") and into another "qualifying use" investment property, vacation property or second home ("like-kind replacement property") on a tax-deferred basis using a 1031 exchange? Proc. Proc. 2008-16 may still qualify for tax-deferred exchange treatment under Section 1031 of the IRC. Proc. Proc. More

Three Critical Financial Blunders to Avoid

By: Terry Mitchell Personal Finance Views: 4243 | Comments: 1 | Votes: 0

Many people seem to be in dire financial straits today. Some of them have gotten that way through no fault of their own. However, others have at least partially brought their situations on themselves because of poor money management habits. For the average person and/or family, the three biggest financial pitfalls to avoid are new vehicles, credit card interest, and short-term loans. More