The 2021 Child Tax Credit: An Overview
The tax give-back for parents of young children is different in 2021 Every year, the Child Tax Credit reduces the tax liability of American parents. If it lowers their tax burden below zero, it can even put money in their pockets. The credit’s size increased following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. And […]
The Unique Advantages of Health Savings Accounts
These tax-advantaged savings accounts can help you cover your health care expenses A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals with high-deductible health plans to set money aside for medical expenses. These accounts offer unique tax benefits and can even be savings tools for retirement. What is a health savings […]
5 Tips for Reviewing an Early Retirement Offer
You’ve spent years planning and saving for your retirement. And then, out of the blue, your employer hands you an early retirement offer that could change everything. An early retirement, or “voluntary severance,” offer is a financial incentive to resign that an employer may offer to senior employees when they need to reduce payroll costs. […]
4 Risks That Can Impact Your Retirement
Even with careful planning and diligent saving, some parts of retirement planning are out of your control. Factors like longevity, rising medical costs and the ups and downs of the market can have an impact on your savings. But while you can’t plan for the unexpected per se, there are ways you can manage these […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Alternative Investments
Alternatives are investment options beyond the typical stocks, bonds and cash found in most portfolios. They can be tangible assets like precious metals, or they could be financial assets like private equity or hedge funds. Alternatives tend to be riskier than traditional assets, which means investors usually have to meet certain criteria to access them. […]
What Is Inflation—And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Climbing commodity prices, ambitious government spending packages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crash have resurrected a long-dormant fear: runaway inflation. But what is inflation, and is it something to worry about? A lot of the thinking surrounding inflation has changed over the years, and economists disagree on what causes it and […]
Recipe of the Month: Strawberries with Vanilla Panna Cotta
Ingredients 1 cup heavy cream ½ cup whole milk 1/3 cup white sugar 1 packet gelatin 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ pound ripe strawberries, cut in quarters 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar Preparation In a large saucepan, bring cream, milk and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and add gelatin and vanilla. Pour mixture into […]
Recipe of the Month: Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Makes 24 Servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 24 large (about 2-inch-diameter) mushrooms, stems removed and chopped, caps reserved 1/2 cup chopped fresh fennel bulb 1/4 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 cup grated Fontina cheese or crumbled Gorgonzola cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup (packed) chopped fresh […]
Automated Investing vs. Human Guidance
When you’re looking for help managing your investment portfolio, you have a decision to make: Should you work with a financial advisor or a robo-advisor? A financial advisor is a professional specializing in financial planning, wealth management and other personal finance services. On the other hand, a robo-advisor is a digital platform that uses algorithms […]
Breaking Down IRAs
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a type of tax-advantaged account that can help you boost your retirement savings. The most common IRAs you’ll choose from are traditional and Roth IRAs. Both are designed for long-term growth, but there are some key differences, including how your contributions are taxed and when you can withdraw funds. Here […]
