Q: Most of my friends have some of their paycheck deposit into an IRA, but I haven’t started doing this. What are the benefits? A: Did you contribute to your IRA this year? Have you thought about it, but haven’t gotten around to it? Do you hear the term IRA thrown around and wonder why [...]

Q: This is the first year I’ve actually invested and I want to complete an investment review. How can I do this? A: By this time in January, your mailbox should be filling up with annual statements for your 401(k), IRA and bank accounts, which means it’s the perfect time to perform a simple investment [...]

Q: I don’t want to wait to get my tax refund this year. How can I get it faster? A: There are a number of things you can do to ensure your tax refund comes as quickly as possible. While you may not be able to complete every step, each piece reduces overall time. File [...]

Q: I want to start filing my taxes early this year–for once. What do I need to do this?The fastest way to get that tax refund is to file your taxes as soon as possible after January 1. By this time in the month, your W-2s, 1099s and earnings statements should be filling your mailbox [...]

Q: I own a small business which I run from my home. Should I have a separate bank account for my business? A: Whether you’ve thrown off the shackles of wage slavery or simply turning that jewelry hobby into extra income, you’re self-employed. You’ve got business expenses, income, profits and taxes. The IRS sees you [...]

Q: My new year’s resolution is to get more organized with my money. I want to use an online tool to create a budget so that I can see exactly where my money goes. How can I do this? A: If you’re like most of us, the word “budget” leaves you a bit cold and [...]

Q: I have noticed my friends receive automated messages from their banks when their balance gets low or a check clears. This seems like a great service! How can I sign up? A: If you’re not taking advantage of automated alerts in your bank account, you’re missing a simple tool that can save you significant [...]

Q: I’ve noticed that there is a plaque in my bank that says “FDIC Insured.” What does this mean? A: FDIC stands for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and it is the company that protects consumers if banks fail. If a bank opts in to FDIC (and most of them do), they pay premiums to ensure [...]

Q: I am interested in starting a high yield savings account, but I don’t have a lot to put down for a minimum deposit. Is there an account that will meet both of these needs? A: Do an internet search for “high yield savings accounts” and you’ll be bombarded with options. Currently, there are a [...]

Q: I want to start putting money away for my retirement in an IRA from my paycheck. I’m sure the IRS has a limit on how much I can deposit into this account each month, but what is it? A: The IRS sets annual limits for IRA contributions each year. These limits include both Roth [...]