Author: Brian Acton
Could an I bond protect your portfolio from inflation?
Written by: Brian Acton
As inflation rates rise, consumers are struggling to find room in the budget for rising costs. But inflation has been good for the performance of Series …
Why the government is warning against this risky retirement investment
Written by: Brian Acton
Fidelity Investments, one of the nation’s biggest retirement plan providers, announced it will introduce bitcoin as a 401(k) investment option for plan participants later this year. This …
Could ‘buy now, pay later’ actually help your credit score?
Written by: Brian Acton
‘Buy now, pay later’ loans will soon appear on your credit report. The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and Transunion — have each …
Traveling to Russia or Ukraine could make you uninsurable. Here’s why
Written by: Brian Acton
At least one major insurer has added Russia and Ukraine to the list of travel destinations that will result in an automatic denial of life …
Do you need war risk insurance?
Written by: Brian Acton
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised the specter of a greater global conflict. Whether or not the war remains localized, the citizens and organizations caught in …
Why most people don’t get mortgages from banks anymore
Written by: Brian Acton
The housing market is continuing its hot streak with mortgage applications surging into the holiday season, a time when demand typically cools off. Getting approved for a …
14 ways to save at CVS
Written by: Brian Acton
CVS is a one-stop shop for prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, but it also carries a wide variety of personal and home products. If you frequent …
Here’s how you can build credit in 2020
Written by: Brian Acton
Whether you have great credit, bad credit or you’re somewhere in between, the principles you must follow to build your credit are generally the same. Improvement …
6 steps to prepare your money for a divorce
Written by: Brian Acton
There is no one-size-fits-all manual for getting divorced. When spouses split, many variables come into play, including state laws, income and assets, dependents and whether the …
How millennials are changing banking
Written by: Brian Acton
From dining and real estate to health care and farming, companies are adjusting to appeal to the millennial generation, projected to become the largest in America. The banking …
Should I tap my retirement account for a down payment?
Written by: Brian Acton
When you buy a home, putting a down payment toward your purchase can make a big difference. It may help convince the seller to accept your …
How to rollover a 401(k)
Written by: Brian Acton
An employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan is one of the best ways to save for retirement. They’re easy to set up, you can contribute directly from your …
How to win at Memorial Day weekend car sales
Written by: Brian Acton
Car dealerships often run sales events on major holiday weekends to get new customers in the door. But with all the competing offers and red tape …
6 things to do when you have a second baby
Written by: Brian Acton
When it comes to having a baby, some things are just easier the second time around. You have a better idea of what to expect. You’ve …
7 ways to invest outside of the stock market
Written by: Brian Acton
For the everyday investor, stocks are the bread and butter investment of any portfolio. They’re easy to trade, not too difficult to understand and have the …
3 health insurance myths that can raise your rates
Written by: Brian Acton
The cost of health insurance is a major concern for the majority of Americans, according to a recent Gallup poll. Health care costs are a complex …
I received a life insurance death benefit last year. Do I need to pay taxes on it?
Written by: Brian Acton
Life insurance policies name a designated beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive a payout, or death benefit, in the case of the policyholder’s death. The beneficiary will …
6 ways to boost your tax refund
Written by: Brian Acton
If you’re worried you won’t be getting a big tax refund, you’re not alone. According to the IRS, the average size of tax refunds is down …
Groundhog Day: 5 times Bill Murray movies gave great financial advice
Written by: Brian Acton
Groundhog Day is the 1993 classic comedy film that asks the question “What happens when a TV weatherman, played by Bill Murray, starts reliving the same …
Owe Uncle Sam? How to save enough by April 15
Written by: Brian Acton
If you owe the federal government additional taxes after filing your returns this year, you have until April 15 to pay without penalty. But if you …
5 tips to make doing your taxes less painful
Written by: Brian Acton
No matter how simple or complicated your finances are, doing your taxes always involves some level of hassle. At the minimum, you have to compile your …
6 documents every freelancer needs to file their taxes
Written by: Brian Acton
There are more than 50 million freelancers working in America today in just about every field imaginable according to Upwork and Freelancers Union. If you’re earning …
This is why you need to get travel insurance to protect your trips this year
Written by: Brian Acton
Even though it’s only the beginning of the year, you’re likely already planning your 2019 vacations. If you plan on traveling at all, you should consider …
The big reason to file your taxes in January
Written by: Brian Acton
For most Americans, the deadline to file tax returns with the IRS is April 15. But there is one big reason you may want to file …
6 ways to save on home & auto insurance in 2019
Written by: Brian Acton
If reducing your expenses is a priority for 2019, you should take a hard look at your home and auto insurance policies. There’s a good chance …
9 ways to pay off your debt in 30 days
Written by: Brian Acton
Paying off large debts usually requires a long-term game plan. But just a couple of easy steps can help you pay off your smaller debts in …
7 financial things you can do in the time it takes to cook Christmas dinner
Written by: Brian Acton
Cooking Christmas dinner for the family can be time-consuming and stressful. But sharing a meal at the end makes it worthwhile. Some financial tasks can take …
How to avoid charity fraud this holiday season
Written by: Brian Acton
Many Americans focus on acts of generosity and kindness during the holiday season. That equals big benefits for good causes. “There’s a pretty big spike in …
How to make sure your Christmas lights don’t burn your budget
Written by: Brian Acton
If you’re famous around the neighborhood for your holiday lights display, you know that lighting up the block for the holiday season isn’t easy. You have …
Celebrate National Fast Food Day with these deals
Written by: Brian Acton
November 16 is National Fast Food Day, and the best way to celebrate is by pulling up to your favorite fast-food joint. Fast food is already …
