Jul
24Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, and if it has happened to you, then you are likely the envy of everyone you know — and perhaps of people you don’t know. Whether you choose to keep your job or give it up, go on a cruise or buy a mansion, you must decide if you will take a lesser amount in a cash option or the full amount in an annual annuity.
Find out the terms of both options.
Jul
23The Internal Revenue Service has a right to offset taxpayers’ refunds to satisfy unpaid child support awards, federal and state unemployment overpayment debts, state income tax delinquencies and federal non-tax debts. After paying their debts and notifying taxpayers of their offsets, the IRS has six to eight weeks to send taxpayers their refunds.
According to the United States Code, the government can withhold taxpayers’ tax refunds to satisfy debts that are more than 90 days in arrears.
Over time, you can measure your investment performance by the the amount it goes up or down, as well as a percentage of the original investment. These figures, however useful, do not tell you how well your investment performs compared to any benchmark. The active return measures your rate of return against a benchmark, such as a market index or set rate of return. A negative active rate does not mean you lost money, just that your investment did not do as well as the benchmark.
Subtract your account value at the start of the month from the value at the end of the month to find your gain or loss.
Jul
21Parents who are concerned about the high cost of a college education can set aside money in a 529 plan. These 529 plans are run by the states, and by some educational institutions as well. Parents can invest in these plans today and build a nest egg their children can tap when they head off to college. Parents who want to maximize their 529 savings can invest in several 529 plans if they wish.
Some states impose residency requirements for their 529 plans.
Jul
20Smart consumers may be aware of some of the secrets to lowering auto insurance premiums, but they may not know all the ways to find favorable rates. The secrets of getting lower auto insurance can also be applied to other types of insurance including homeowners, health and life. Bargain hunters need to know these secrets to lowering the cost of the insurance they need.
Lifestyle Choices
Most people know that smoking raises the rates of life and health insurance, but they may not be aware that it can also raise the rates of auto insurance. A driver’s health contributes to the risk of auto accidents caused by heart attacks and strokes. Full Article…
Jul
20Asking effective questions before hiring a real estate agent is important, given the size of the investment in the property. Specific questions vary depending on whether you are a property seller looking for a listing agent, or a property buyer looking for a buyer’s agent.
Both home buyers and sellers should ensure their real estate agent has appropriate experience to represent their interests. “Is this your full-time gig?
