Tax season is in full swing. For 2010 taxes, we have a couple extra days to get things sorted — until April 18, 2011. These days, with the Internet providing the possibility of side business income, many wonder what income needs to be reported. Many think that if no 1099 is issued, they don’t have to report the income. This is not, in fact, true. We are supposed to report all income, no matter how small.
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Last weekend, we had 3-6 inches of snow predicted for Sunday night. Now the area where I live only gets one or two snowfalls a year and so we get a little crazy when it’s time to prepare.
As a personal finance blogger, I wish I could tell you I was immune, but sure enough Saturday afternoon saw me standing in a line snaking well past the salad and hot food bars all the way to the kombucha waiting to pay for: [ continue reading… ]
If you don’t own a house, this may be the perfect time to consider one, as the real estate market has just about bottomed out in certain markets. Between foreclosures, people upside down on their mortgages, and a glut of homes on the market, you have your pick of properties too. Add to that the historically low interest rates, and you can see why buying now may save you a lot of money.
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There are some types of insurance that are required by law and lien holders and other types of insurance that just make sense to have. Umbrella insurance falls into the latter category. Nobody will make you buy an umbrella policy, but doing so could save you from total financial ruin.
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Let’s face it – winter can get boring fast. By the end of February, cabin fever is a likely scenario, especially if you have young kids. But winter is also a great time to engage in family activities that will bring your family together without costing you a fortune. Here are a few ideas to get you started, with the goal is to avoid hitting the mall!
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We keep hearing that, since the recession, cash is king. But is it really? It’s true that if you pay with cash, rather than using a credit card or financing you get an automatic “discount”, since you aren’t paying interest charges. However, you can accomplish the same thing if you pay with a credit card and then make sure that you pay off the balance before you are charged interest. Some small retailers, though, might be willing to offer you a small discount if you pay with cash, rather than swiping a card. Here are a few other tidbits on paying cash you may not know about.
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