It starts with your phone ringing — the most prevalent tax scam making the rounds this year. The caller claims to be from the IRS and demands your money NOW. Don’t think you’re the only one singled out for this tactic; aggressive, threatening phone scams occur regularly across the country. But, scamming also happens via email, U.S. mail or in person.
Whether it’s something as simple as picking a restaurant or as complex as deciding whether to have children, marriage requires lots of mutual decision-making.
Couples who tie the knot will have another choice to add to that growing list next tax season, as they can either file joint or separate returns. This choice can affect the amount of taxes they owe or the size of their refunds.
Here’s a closer look at these two options and how to determine which filing status is best for you and your spouse.
Insurance Conundrums: Are You Covered or Not? 
When it comes to auto, homeowners and renters insurance, you may wonder what it covers and why. Here are answers to some common questions and ways to help make sure you have the protection you need, when you need it.
Choosing a career is tough. Whether you’re a new grad or considering a career change, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when tasked with selecting your next gig. And why shouldn’t it? It’s an enormously costly decision, in terms of both time and money. In many cases, it defines your lifestyle: it determines where you live, how you spend your time and what you can afford. It has influence over your stress levels and your general happiness. It’s a big deal and, to complicate matters further, there are over 10,000 options to choose from — even Barbie has had 130 different careers over the years!
We encourage you to share the many benefits of Membership with your family.
As a loving parent, you want to protect your family if something happens to you. When your children are younger, you’ll need to provide instructions on managing your finances and property, and who will act as their guardian.
However when an inheritance involves adult children, the situation changes dramatically. They may be married with families of their own to care for, or living independently and making their own financial decisions.
Continue reading
By Jason Persinger
Since 2012, Jason has enjoyed sharing the SchoolsFirst FCU difference, offering objective and caring advice, tailored financial plans and a highly competitive fee structure for investment products. Jason holds the designations of CFP®, ChFC® and CLU®, and is registered to sell securities and holds a California Life/Health Insurance License.
Like most people, you probably have many financial goals you’d like to accomplish. If you have children, helping them pay for college may top the list. Continue reading
Even if money’s tight, there are creative ways you can relax and have fun. Here’s how.
Whether you’re traveling overseas or closer to home, you want to enjoy your vacation without busting your budget. Here are five tips to help you plan smart, save money and make your journeys more enjoyable.
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®
Young people don’t need to wait until they’re adults to begin learning about money matters. If we teach them key financial concepts now, they’ll be better prepared for life’s economic challenges as adults.
Here are some ideas and activities to make tweens and teens money-smart citizens. Continue reading
