New changes thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act – but just for 2021 The Child Tax Credit (CTC) was introduced through the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and it was a $500-per-child nonrefundable credit to provide tax relief to families. And over the past 20+ years, there have been a dizzying number of modifications that have increased [...]
For many Americans, the home is the single biggest purchase made during their lifetime.[1] As a result, it's important to do everything possible to keep it in good condition. Even moderate or short-term neglect can be dangerous, as small problems can quickly snowball into larger and more expensive ones. But homes don't come with an instruction [...]
Many newlyweds can't imagine letting something like money get into the way of their marital happiness. However, around a third of coupled adults report that money problems cause the most fights in their relationship.[1] What can newlyweds do to facilitate an open conversation around this fraught topic and reduce conflict? Below, we'll discuss three factors to [...]
The United States is filled with natural beauty, which can be enjoyed by visiting one of the many parks throughout the country. From forests to canyons, waterfalls to mountains, you can find a park that has what you are looking for. Below are some of the most popular parks in the country, based on yearly [...]
Teaching children about financial wellness should start at an early age. Learning how making money, saving, and spending is related and the first step in teaching your child how to understand the value of money. Children learn from parents, mentors, and even their friends. Ensure you provide them with basic tools for financial wellness. Here [...]
As we move into June, a path to normalcy is coming quickly with stadiums allowing full capacity, restaurants filling up, and summer vacations in full swing. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy continues to recover remarkably quickly and the stock market is near all-time highs. Although there are many positives, a lot of this good news could [...]
Many women have been a caregiver while raising children. Still, now many are caring for a loved one out of necessity as the older family member can no longer care for themselves. The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies report, The Many Faces of Caregivers, indicates that 42% of Generation Xers and 42% of Baby Boomers [...]
Understanding the contribution, age, and income rules in 2021 Currently, there are two popular Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) vying for your attention: the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. While both are long-term savings vehicles with tax benefits, each has different rules concerning contributions, age, and income that may change from one year to the [...]
Small business owners should conduct an annual assessment of their personal finances. Owners of small businesses have much the same concerns as everyone else, except they are personally responsible for the fortunes of their enterprise. In a sense, a small business is like a family. And these are important families in American economic life. After [...]
Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals. Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying on track and focused on your goals, you are more likely to get the long-term outcome you seek. Below are [...]
