Nina Semczuk is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® (CEPF®) and a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. She helps makes personal finance accessible. Nina started her path toward financial literacy at fourteen after filling out her first W-4 and earning her first paycheck. Since then, she's navigated the world of mortgages, VA loans, Roth IRAs and the tax consequences of changing states or countries at least once a year. Nina specializes in mortgage, savings and retirement education. Nina is a graduate of Boston University and served as an officer in the military for five years. Find her work on The Muse, Business Insider, Fast Company, Forbes and around the web.
One of the most attractive features of a 401(k) plan is that you can contribute pretax dollars throughout your career. This reduces your taxable income and allows you to contribute more to your retirement with each paycheck. That said, you’re only postponing taxation, not avoiding it entirely. You’ll still have to pay taxes on that money once you start withdrawing it. If you need to plan your 401(k) withdrawals, you should consider working with a financial advisor. Read more
Start with giving yourself a pat on the back. Whether you saved $50,000 by diligently setting aside a portion of your paycheck or you came into money through an inheritance, you now have a tidy sum to grow. Investing is one of the smartest choices to make when you have money to spare. Of course, with that comes the dilemma of how to invest your $50,000. A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your investing goals. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to invest $50,000. Read more
Inheriting an IRA, whether a traditional or Roth account, comes with certain responsibilities. The rules for an inherited IRA depend on the specifics of your situation, as well as the deceased’s age and other circumstances. Unfortunately, you might have to make financial decisions about the account while dealing with your grief. Financial advisors work with beneficiaries to develop the best strategies. Let’s take a look at the government’s rules and the number of potential tax penalties or benefits that can apply to you and the IRA. Read more
Filing taxes yourself has never been easier. As long as you have internet access, you can submit your tax return from the comfort of your couch. Before you get started, however, you’ll have to choose… Read more
There are three main ways to maximize your tax return. You can file your taxes on your own to save on tax preparation fees. You can work with a financial advisor to develop a tax strategy for your… Read more
Buying a foreclosed home is one-way potential homeowners can save a bit of money. This is because a foreclosed home is likely to be selling for cheaper than other homes on the market, so you may be… Read more
A mortgage broker is a third party who helps potential homebuyers get the best possible rate when securing a loan to buy a home. Instead of going to each lender for a rate quote yourself, a mortgage… Read more
When you’re counting down to retirement, it’s easy to get caught up in fantasies of your future work-free life. Maybe it’s RV trips to Florida, days on the golf course or quality time spent with… Read more
President Trump signed sweeping tax legislation in 2017 that capped property taxes and other state and local taxes (SALT) deductions at $10,000. This change went into effect in January 2018, which… Read more
Money management is a tricky subject. For many, the topic’s accompanied with a feeling of apprehension. Maybe you’ve put off saving for retirement for a bit too long. Or, perhaps you’re worried about… Read more
Starting early with college savings is a smart choice. With the price of higher education rising each year, the sooner you start, the better chance you’ll have of helping make a dent in those costs.… Read more
There are many different strategies for approaching building a budget. In fact, there are a number of budgeting apps and programs available that can do much of the work for you. Understanding how to… Read more
If you’re in the process of buying a home, you may have heard the term “deed of trust.” Depending on what state you live in, this may have come up more frequently than it would in other places. But… Read more
Editor’s Note: This study was originally published in June 2017. Whether you’re buying a house for yourself or as an investment, one factor to consider is the long-term value of the home. Housing… Read more
Summer memories wouldn’t be complete for many Americans without tractor pulls, fried dough and live music with friends and family. Each year millions of attendees celebrate the end of summer and the… Read more
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