Category Archives: Wealth

Protecting Your Business Equipment

Odds are, you’ve worked hard to establish your business. You’ve made tough decisions and dodged countless pitfalls. Nevertheless, don’t let the excitement of moving forward distract you from the present: What are you doing to protect what you’ve already built?

Cattail Cottage

Welcome to our new column, “Biz Q&A.” Each month, we’ll sit down with the owner of a local store or service provider to learn more about the businesses and people of our area. As keeping money local by patronizing our

Weighing the Benefits

Determining your social Security benefits is an important aspect of retirement planning, especially if you plan to rely on them during your retirement years. Nine out of 10 Americans age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits, according to the

Changing Jobs

Changing jobs can be stressful, between wrapping up tasks with your former employer and adjusting to your new position and responsibilities. But when you pack up your personal belongings to move on to your new place of employment, don’t forget

Reply to July’s ‘Wealth’ Column

Hello Bethany [editor’s note: Greg Ochipa penned the article about the HEART act, available here], Thanks for your recent article “Tax Breaks for Military Families: The HEART Act of 2008.” These tax breaks seem the least we could do for

Tax breaks for military families: the HEART act of 2008

Although the HEART Act passed in 2008, it still matters to military families today. Officially the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act, it created new tax benefits for military personnel. These benefits relate to retirement and education savings plans

Better House Hunting

The housing market is on the rise according to Money Magazine, which reported price increases are projected for most of the country this year. You can still snag a good deal while the market recovers—but don’t go into your home

Making the Mark

If you’ve been turned down for credit; made poor financial decisions in the past; or plan to apply for a mortgage, an auto loan or a credit card; you might consider taking action to help improve your credit score. Your

Seven Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund

You finished your tax returns and discovered you’ll be receiving a nice refund. You’re not alone. The IRS reports that the average American received a refund of nearly $3,000 in 2012, and the trend is continuing this year. But before

Consolidating your retirement accounts

The average U.S. worker will hold up to 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 44, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of those past jobs probably came with a 401(k) or an IRA account as a

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