The holiday season is a time when people are more vulnerable to identity theft scams. Not only are people making more purchases than any other time of year, but they are often distracted when doing so. During the holiday season, stores and shopping malls are bustling with people – especially at peak shopping times during evenings and weekends. When shoppers are focused on their gift lists, looking for bargains, or tending to the kids, attention might not be on security.
Protecting Yourself From Holiday Identity Theft
Friday, December 23, 2022
The holiday season is a time when people are more vulnerable to identity theft scams. Not only are people making more purchases than any other time of year, but they are often distracted when doing so. During the holiday season, stores and shopping malls are bustling with people – especially at peak shopping times during evenings and weekends. When shoppers are focused on their gift lists, looking for bargains, or tending to the kids, attention might not be on security.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally are minimum amounts that a retirement plan account owner must withdraw annually starting with the year that he or she reaches 72 (70 ½ if you reach 70 ½ before January 1, 2020), if later, the year in which he or she retires. However, if the retirement plan account is an IRA or the account owner is a 5% owner of the business sponsoring the retirement plan, the RMDs must begin once the account holder is age 72 (70 ½ if you reach 70 ½ before January 1, 2020), regardless of whether he or she is retired.
Retirement plan participants and IRA owners, including owners of SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs, are responsible for taking the correct amount of RMDs on time every year from their accounts, and they face stiff penalties for failure to take RMDs.
Set ‘Em and Forget ‘Em: Four Financial Resolutions You Can Accomplish Now
Wednesday, December 07, 2022
New Year’s resolutions are a mixed bag for many of us. On the one hand: personal betterment! On the other hand: methodical auditing of our refrigerator, checking account, and various vices. On the cusp of a fresh calendar year, we feel compelled to immediately transform our lives, but— as is the case with most good things— change takes time. This is especially true when it comes to
financial goals. And in the aftermath of steep holiday spending, our goalposts can feel...far away.
If you want a few financial resolutions that you can achieve early into the new year (because who doesn’t love an easy to-do list?) here are some suggestions.
7 Tips to Get Smart About Credit
Tuesday, November 08, 2022
If you are dealing with credit and debt, you aren’t alone. You have a great opportunity to assess your financial situation and make a plan to move forward. The average American household has a balance of about $6,600 in credit card debt, and that’s not taking into account home, auto, and student loans. Paying off your debt is successful with a little planning. In fact, a plan can go a long way toward achieving your financial goals. Even in a time of financial uncertainty, there are ways to address and manage credit so it works for you.
