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Financial Independence

Is It Time to Declare Your Financial Independence?

Katherine Plotnik

No matter how much money you have or which life stage you’re in, becoming financially independent starts with a dream. Your dream might be to finally pay off the mountain of debt you’ve accumulated, or to stop relying on someone else for financial support. Or perhaps your dream is to retire early so you can spend more time with your family, travel the world, or open your own business. Financial independence, however you define it, is freedom from the financial…
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stock market chart

Time for a Mid-Year Investment Check

Katherine Plotnik

Many investors may be inclined to review their portfolios only when markets hit a rough patch, but careful planning is essential in all economic climates. So whether the markets are up or down, periodically reviewing your portfolio with your financial professional can be an excellent way to keep your investments on track, and midway through the year is a good time for a checkup. Here are three questions to consider. 1. How have my investments performed so far this year?…
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Graduation ceremony

Financial Advice for Recent College Graduates

Katherine Plotnik

You’ve put in the hard work as a college student and finally received your diploma. Now you’re ready to head out on your own. And though you may not have given much thought to your financial future when you were in college, you have new financial challenges and goals to consider. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to start on the right track with your personal finances. Set financial goals Setting goals is an important part of…
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Tax Documents

Tax Scams to Watch Out For

Katherine Plotnik

While tax scams are especially prevalent during tax season, they can take place any time during the year. As a result, it’s in your best interest to always be vigilant so you don’t end up becoming the victim of a fraudulent tax scheme. Here are some of the more common scams to watch out for. Phishing Phishing scams usually involve unsolicited emails or fake websites that pose as legitimate IRS sites to convince you to provide personal or financial information….
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Mature couple doing some paperwork and calculations at home

Four Reasons Your Parents Might Be in Financial Trouble

Katherine Plotnik

As your parents age, they will probably need more help from you. But it may be difficult to provide the help they need, especially if they’re experiencing financial trouble. Money can be a sensitive subject to discuss, but you’ll need to talk to your parents about it in order to get to the root of their problems and come up with a solution. Before you start the conversation, consider the following four scenarios as signs that your parents might be…
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tax documents and information.

Due Date Approaches for 2018 Federal Tax Returns

Katherine Plotnik

Tax filing season is here again. If you haven’t done so already, you’ll want to start pulling things together — that includes getting your hands on a copy of your 2017 tax return and gathering W-2s, 1099s, and deduction records. You’ll need these records whether you’re preparing your own return or paying someone else to prepare your tax return for you. Don’t procrastinate The filing deadline for most individuals is Monday, April 15, 2019. Residents of Maine and Massachusetts have…
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Packing travel bag for trip

Travel Insurance

Katherine Plotnik

Soon you’ll be on your way, taking that trip you’ve looked forward to for ages–but suppose something happens. If you get sick, lose your suitcase, or have to cut your trip short, will any of your existing insurance policies cover your expenses or reimburse you for your losses? If not, you might want to purchase travel insurance, which is available from insurance companies, travel agents, tour operators, and cruise lines. If you can’t make it after all or have to…
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Taxation of Investments

Katherine Plotnik

It’s nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it’s time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head. Just how do you report your investments and how are they taxed? Is it ordinary income or a capital gain? To determine how an investment vehicle is taxed in a given year, first ask yourself what went on with the investment that year. Did it generate interest…
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A Long November’s Nap

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No matter how hard we try to deny it, there are only 24 hours in a day. And once you’ve dedicated most of those to making that important deadline, spending time with family and friends, and maybe squeezing in a hobby, there aren’t many hours left over for that little thing called “sleep.” If the sleep debt you’ve accrued could make an insomniac shake in his slippers, then it’s time to take advantage of National Sleep Comfort Month this November….
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How Student Loans Impact Your Credit

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If you’ve finished college within the last few years, chances are you’re paying off your student loans. What happens with your student loans now that they’ve entered repayment status will have a significant impact — positive or negative — on your credit history and credit score. It’s payback time When you left school, you enjoyed a grace period of six to nine months before you had to begin repaying your student loans. But they were there all along, sleeping like…
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