It’s tax season, so it’s time to get your paperwork in order and hire a tax preparer. Unfortunately, though, there are thousands of scammers looking to steal your information and your tax refund by posing as authentic tax preparers. It’s important to learn how to recognize the signs of a fraudulent tax preparer so you don’t fall victim to a …
Should I Trade In My Car Now?
The auto market has been red-hot as manufacturers scramble to catch up on pandemic-induced supply shortages. While circumstances vary, this can be a great time to get top dollar on a used car. Here’s what you need to know about the current auto market for sellers. How high did prices go? According to online automotive resource Edmunds, the average transaction price for a …
Navigating the Current Auto Loan Market
Prices on both new and used cars have soared since the beginning of 2020, and experts aren’t expecting them to fall anytime soon. Here’s what you need to know about the current auto loan market and how to navigate it successfully. Why are auto prices so high? When the pandemic hit American shores, demand for new and used cars shot …
Are you driving a leased car? If so, now is a good time to consider buying it!
Here are four reasons why now might be an excellent time to buy your leased car. You can buy your leased vehicle for less than it’s worth. Usually, this isn’t the case. However, these are unusual times. With the vehicle supply issues related to the pandemic, your leased car will likely be worth more than the “residual value” written into …
Which Is Right For Me: Adjustable Or Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loan?
The choice of which mortgage loan to go with starts with a simple question: fixed-rate or adjustable? There are many different terms, points, and rates associated with each, but narrowing your search to a category simplifies the process. Fixed-rate mortgages are the more traditional choice. You and a lender agree to a length of time (or term) and an interest …
Making Your Home Safe for Older Residents
Whether an older relative is moving in with you, or you’re planning on aging in your own home, it may be time to check out how safe and accessible your home is. Stairways and bathrooms can be risky places for able-bodied people, but throw mobility or cognitive issues into the mix and those areas of the home can create life-threatening …
Post-Pandemic Money Moves
Re-acclimating to normal life as pandemic restrictions are lifted and businesses reopen across the country will mean more than just getting used to wearing real pants again and working without your cat on your lap. You’ll also need to consider your finances. How has your overall money management changed during the pandemic? Have you dipped into your savings? Have you …
Scam Alert: Beware Child Tax Credit Scams
The Child Tax Credit, a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that takes effect in July, is already drawing the attention of scammers. The newly expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) will provide monthly payments of up to $300 per child for approximately 40 million households across the country. Payments will be issued via direct deposit, paper check, …
Retirement Planning: The Basics
You may have a very idealistic vision of retirement — doing all of the things that you never seem to have time to do now. But how do you pursue that vision? Social Security may be around when you retire, but the benefit that you get from Uncle Sam may not provide enough income for your retirement years. To make …
Should I Invest in Cryptocurrency?
Investing in cryptocurrency is all the rage, but that doesn’t mean it’s the financially responsible choice for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at cryptocurrency, its volatile nature, and explore the question of whether it’s a good idea to invest in what has been hailed by some as the “money of the future.” What is cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is digital money …