Money
Mellody Hobson talks to listeners about cleaning up their finances on this week’s “Money Mondays.” It’s time for some financial Spring cleaning? That’s right. And I’m not talking about dusting your keyboard. Take a break from clearing the gutters and attacking all those bathroom nooks and crannies with a toothbrush and some bleach—It’s time to […]
April 15th is quickly approaching. Many people are panicking to assure they get their taxes done before being penalized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Some are fortunate enough to actually receive a return this year. Unfortunately, no matter how hefty the sum of return, a lot of families will frivolously blow through whatever monies owed them by […]
I know people moan and groan about pre-nups, and at first blush, it’s easy to see why. A marriage is supposed to last forever, so managing its potential dissolution is hardly romantic. It’s not candy and flowers. They get a bad rap, but it’s not your mother’s pre-nup. A marriage is a contract, and a […]
Mellody Hobson talks about the power of compounding on today’s “Money Mondays” segment. I’m sure TJMS listeners know about the power of compounding. It’s how you make money on investments over time—where you earn interest on your interest. When it comes to achieving long-term financial goals like a secure retirement, compounding is the key. There’s […]
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has good news for some taxpayers. First, if you didn’t file your tax return in 2009, you still have time — until April 15 — to claim any refund you might be due. The IRS estimates that half the potential refunds for 2009 are more than $500. That’s not […]
Mellody Hobson talks about young people and wealth on today’s “Money Mondays” segment. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Urban Institute just released a new study about wealth building and younger generations, and the findings show that Gen X and Gen Y Americans have accumulated 7% less wealth than their […]
WASHINGTON — Do you know your number? That would be the amount of money you need — including your Social Security and a pension (if you have one) — to retire comfortably. A few years ago, the financial services company ING created a humorous advertising campaign around “Your Number.” Here’s how one ad went: Neighbor: […]
The clock is ticking! People have only a few weeks left to get those returns in. But don’t sacrifice accuracy for speed…Many mistakes people make on their taxes are completely avoidable. The United States Tax Code clocks in at 18,500, pages! It’s easy to see how taxpayers can make a mistake or two when filing […]
We’re back to taxes again? Yes, but this is the happy part of taxes: the long-awaited refund check! According to the IRS, the average tax return last year was $2,899. Nearly $3,000—that’s a lot of money. Do you have some ideas about how we should spend it? You bet I do! According to a 2012 […]
Today Mellody Hobson talks about the right time to claim social security. You can start collecting Social Security anytime from age 62 to 70, but the later you start, the bigger your benefit. Just how much bigger depends on when you were born. People born from 1943 to 1954 have a “normal” or “full” retirement […]
Have you ever read your Social Security statement? Most of my clients say, “No”. Many people simply get it in the mail and stash it in the pile of papers for shredding at best or toss it in the trash as soon as it arrives. But the reality is, you need to know what it tells […]
Mellody Hobson talks about the news that the government is making the switch to electronic payments for Social Security and disability checks. The government is requiring all beneficiaries of federal benefit payments to go electronic by March 1, 2013. That means you have just 4 days left to make sure you’ve made the switch. Why […]
