by Kristine McKinley | Feb 14, 2007 | Personal Finance, Taxes
Be careful if you are preparing your own tax return this year; there are several tax deductions, credits and other provisions that are NOT listed on the tax forms. The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 was passed in December 2006, after the IRS completed and...
by Kristine McKinley | Dec 20, 2006 | Budgeting and Saving, Insurance, Personal Finance
Just ran across the article 50 Ways to Cut Health Care Costs on CNNMoney’s website. As fast as health care costs are rising, I think it’s a good idea to educate yourself about your health care costs and how to cut them. #3 Pay up front, in cash...
by Kristine McKinley | Dec 16, 2006 | Budgeting and Saving, Debt Management, Personal Finance
I noticed that a payday loan store moved into my neighborhood recently, then I looked around and realized there are several in my area. This made me wonder… how profitable are these payday loan places, that they are popping up on every street corner? I’ve...
by Kristine McKinley | Dec 15, 2006 | Personal Finance, Taxes
Uncle Sam is now going to help you pay your mortgage insurance premiums! Mortgage insurance is typically required when home buyers purchase a new home with less than 20 percent down. The newest tax legislation allows taxpayers to deduct premiums paid for...
by Kristine McKinley | Dec 14, 2006 | Budgeting and Saving, Personal Finance
As a financial planner, I encourage my clients to have an emergency fund. This is often met with the following questions: 1. Why do I need an emergency fund? and2. How much should it be? To answer the first question, you need an emergency fund for...
by Kristine McKinley | Sep 17, 2006 | Investing, Personal Finance
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are gaining in popularity, but are they right for you? ETFs are similar to index funds, but they trade like a stock, meaning they can be bought and sold throughout the day instead of just once a day. Advantages: Low cost – ETFs have...
