Amanda Dixon

If you’re filling out a Form W-4, you probably just started a new job. Or maybe you recently got married or had a baby. The W-4, also called the Employee’s Withholding Certificate, tells your… Read more

When you file a federal income tax return, you have the choice between taking the standard deduction and itemizing your deductions. But after the 2017 Trump tax changes, which nearly doubled the… Read more

If you were unhappy with last year’s income tax bill, there are several ways to reduce your overall 2022 tax burden before the April 18, 2023, filing deadline arrives. You can try to qualify for as… Read more

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reduces tax bills for low-to-moderate-income working families. It’s a tax credit that ranges from $560 to $6,935 for the 2022 tax year depending on your filing… Read more

While your contributions to your retirement plan belong to you from the get-go, your employer’s contributions need to vest first. Employers may follow an immediate vesting schedule, a cliff vesting… Read more

Mortgage fraud occurs when a potential homebuyer or mortgage lender provides false information or omits certain details in order to complete a mortgage transaction. As a homebuyer, you may encounter… Read more

A short sale occurs when you sell your home for less than what you still owe on your mortgage. It can prevent you from seeing your home foreclosed and undergoing bankruptcy. However, your mortgage… Read more

A jumbo loan is a type of mortgage designed to finance high-value homes that require loans above the standard conforming loan limit. These limits are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency … Read more

When you’re buying a home, there are multiple ways that you can go about paying for it. You can secure a mortgage by finding a bank or credit union in your area that offers home loans. There are also… Read more

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to borrow any money because you’d always have enough. In reality, there are times when you don’t have the cash for your child’s tuition bill, your own student… Read more

Qualifying for a mortgage isn’t easy. Some lenders have strict requirements and weed out applicants with poor credit or too much debt. A possible alternative for those determined to buy a house is… Read more

If you earn a wage or a salary, you’re likely subject to Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes. Not to be confused with the federal income tax, FICA taxes fund the Social Security and Medicare… Read more

When it comes to paid family leave, the United States is behind the curve. The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world without a paid parental leave policy for new parents in place at… Read more

Education is a factor that parents often take into account when deciding where to settle down and purchase a home. That’s why most of the best places to raise a family have good schools. While… Read more

The Federal Reserve recently raised the federal funds rate for the second time in a few months. The Fed seems to be fairly confident about the direction that the economy is moving in. That means more… Read more

Qualified charitable distributions (QCD) are money taken directly out of your individual retirement account (IRA) and given to an eligible charity. Giving to charity can be a benefit in many ways.… Read more

Many cardholders have access to hidden credit card benefits. For example, you may be unaware of the fact that your credit card company offers roadside assistance. So if your car suddenly breaks down… Read more

At some point, older adults may need help completing basic activities like getting dressed and taking baths. Unfortunately, health insurance plans don’t exactly cover this kind of care. This is where… Read more

States across the country are going green amid growing concerns about climate change. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 40 states (and Washington, D.C.) have… Read more

Reviewing your credit card statement every month is important. If you toss it in the trash as soon as you receive it, you may miss the chance to catch a mistake. A merchant may have charged you twice… Read more

Many Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period that falls between the beginning of November and the end of January. But that’s not the case for everyone… Read more

Today’s young adults are waiting to buy homes. A recent survey from the National Association of Realtors revealed that the average first-time homebuyer is in her early 30s. Most of the people… Read more