Personal Financial News

Should You Raid a Retirement Account to Pay for Education Expenses?

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:34:26 GMT

With all the news about rising student loan debt and disappointing investment returns, this may be a question on your mind if you have tuition bills coming up, whether for you or one of your children. I know it’s a question I’ve...

Women, Children And The Challenges Debt Presents

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:49 GMT

Women and men alike are dealing with financial stress, threats of home foreclosure, medical debt and loss of income from layoffs or divorce. Contributing to the collective financial stress on Americans is the need for extra help dealing with...

Final Regs. Issued On Health Insurance Premium Tax Credits

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:31:20 GMT

The IRS issued final regulations governing the Sec. 36B health insurance premium tax credit enacted by 2010’s health care legislation (T.D. 9590). They are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 23. The final regulations...

Kids And Money: A Primer On Tax Deductions

Tue, 22 May 2012 18:32:48 GMT

You didn't tell me how MUCH they would take out in taxes. Expect to hear those words from your exasperated teenager or college student over the next few weeks as they set aside their calculators and toss their textbooks to start summer...

Eileen Ambrose: Identity Thieves Filing Fake Returns Using Data On Real Taxpayers

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:53:24 GMT

Here's another reason to file your tax returns as early as possible: an identity thief might beat you to the money. Identity thieves are filing fake federal returns using taxpayers' Social Security numbers and claiming tax refunds worth billions...

Five Common Credit Report Mistakes College Students Should Avoid

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:54:12 GMT

Making a mistake while taking a mid-term or a typo in a research paper is easy enough to erase and fix, but mistakes on a credit history can have long-term consequences for college students if they go unresolved. The CARD Act made it more...

Personal Finance Expert Farnoosh Torabi Explains How She Budgets for a Wedding

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:55:29 GMT

Farnoosh Torabi was fulfilling her bridesmaid duties, planning a memorable bachelorette party, when she received a very welcome note. "One of the other bridesmaids emailed me and said, 'Look, we all love Kate and we want to have an awesome time,...

Prepare Your Kids for Summer Job Expenses

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:56:13 GMT

High school and college students hoping to find temporary jobs may be in for a tough time this summer – once again – as they compete with older, more experienced workers in a still-struggling economy. But if your kid is fortunate...

College Loans Follow Some to Old Age

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:36:58 GMT

At age 61, most people are thinking of retiring. Phyllis Young, of Wilton Manors, is focused on paying off her student loans that she took out more than two decades ago. "I'm $39,000 still in the hole," Young said. She's not alone.

Manatee Baby Boomers Face Retirement Challenges

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:38:10 GMT

The economy has thrown a wrench into retirement plans for thousands of Baby Boomers across Southwest Florida. The days of turning 65, joining the fraternal lodge and living comfortably off pension benefits are long gone. The culmination of a...