Money Matters

Millions of Americans are finding their tax refund is significantly lower than expected. Here’s what changed. Tax Refunds Are Lower For Millions According to the IRS, tax refunds are, on average, two-thirds of what they were last year. So far, over two and a half million people have filed their taxes and received refunds, and … Read more

They’re called ‘emergency funds’ for a reason – this essential savings cache could be the only thing standing between you and disaster.  Should You Start Saving? You may have heard the phrase “emergency fund” being tossed around in news pieces and financial circles and wondered if it’s something you should consider. And the answer is … Read more

Embarking on a journey toward financial stability can be daunting, but armed with the right knowledge and strategies, it becomes an achievable goal. Let’s explore actionable steps to effectively assess, plan, and navigate your financial future. First, Assess Your Current Financial Situation Calculate your net worth by subtracting debts from assets.  “Know where you stand … Read more

As everyday consumers find themselves with less and less money at the end of each month, a number of different factors are combining to make saving money more and more difficult. Here’s the full story. Less Money, More Problems It should be abundantly clear to all but the very wealthiest in our society that money … Read more

As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has introduced a checklist designed to make the tax filing process easier for 2023 returns. The checklist includes a mix of traditional preparation tips and provides new technological aids. The IRS’s updated guidance follows the country’s tax authority’s increased scrutiny of taxpayers with more audits. Preparation … Read more

If you’ve considered selling your home in 2024, you may be tempted to complete a lot of costly updates in hopes of increasing your home’s value and appeal. We’ve rounded up 16 improvements that will do just that. Avoiding Common Pitfalls It can be easy to fall into traps as a homeowner when everyone around … Read more

Worried about the future? Here are nine potential resilient assets that could help you weather the storm and thrive during a financial crisis. Economic Forecast According to a recent survey from the National Association for Business Economics, 76% of economists believe that the USA’s chance of entering into a recession in 2024 is 50% or … Read more

The complexity of tax documentation can overwhelm even the most diligent taxpayer. Fortunately, the IRS wants to simplify its communications to make life easier for millions. It has commenced a new initiative to make tax notices more accessible and understandable. The Taxpayer’s Burden The average American taxpayer faces a daunting challenge each year thanks to … Read more

With the 2024 tax filing deadline just around the corner, you might want to review these tips to make sure you’re not falling into tax traps this year. Tax Season Approaches Tax season is upon us, and millions of Americans are anxiously waiting to compile all of their documentation to get their returns filed. As … Read more