Better Financial Counseling Network
Better Finances. Better Living.
Why are we talking about Christmas and the giving season when it is only September? Well, the statistics are out there-telling us, financially, the holiday season is not all merry & bright. Many of us struggle to stick to a holiday budget-if we’ve even attempted to create one. (Am I right?) Some Americans are still …
Here’s Four Alternatives: to stop that and start this… Many taxpayers say they like having more money withheld for Federal income taxes than needed, so that they’re forced to save. They “cash out” that savings when they get their refund. Unfortunately, letting the government hold onto your money: Means you’re not using it to meet …
Grocery costs have been swelling and many are feeling the sticker shock as the cost of essentials increase. Food is a basic need and a significant portion of a family’s spending, so here’s a couple tips for deflating the high cost of your grocery bill. TIP 1: Shop based on price per ounce: Instead …
The advance child tax credit payments have a deadline of June 28th to opt out of all the payments if taxpayers desire. In most cases the advance payments are helpful, but in some they could actually end up causing financial hardship, so I’ve been actively letting people know about it. If you claimed children on your …
Many of us benefited from the government’s stimulus payments and a Federal boost which increased unemployment benefits. It was helpful, but we don’t ever really know when and if it will ever happen again. Hoping the government provides us with stimulus to minimize financial hardship and to help us improve our finances isn’t a reliable …
What was your first summer job? Lifeguard at the pool? Concessions worker at the local theater? Retail sales? Dishwasher at a restaurant? Mower-of-lawns extraordinaire? Will your teen have a paying job this summer, or are they already employed? –This is a perfect opportunity, while they’re still in your nest, to teach and let them practice …
For many, student loan payments loom over their head like a wave ready to break. While a massive wave is the surfer’s dream, it’s an ominous reality for many borrowers. Whether you’re graduating soon and your student loan payments are just beginning or if they’re beginning after you delayed payment due to the Executive Orders …
So, we just ordered a new ar. A high in demand vehicle during the period of time during which -with my age of 50- the tightest inventory of new cars I’ve ever seen. Maybe if we wait a year we could pay less. It will be double the price we have ever paid for a …
Many taxpayers like to get a big tax refund. It feels good to get that big bank deposit. But is that really a good idea? In my opinion not if you can avoid it. Sometimes a big refund is unavoidable. For some, in particular relatively low income taxpayers or large family taxpayers who qualify for …
In a prior blog post, Do the 2021 Changes to the Child Tax Credit Impact You? – Better Financial Counseling Network, I talked about some tax changes from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 which many families and many taxpayers will find helpful. However, some should do a bit of analysis to avoid …