For Mark Roberts' Use: The economy shows signs of improvement, and the inflation rate remains extremely low. Even so, many Americans are concerned that their incomes are falling behind the cost of living. Indeed, most of us have noticed fluctuating gas prices and rising food prices over recent years. No matter what the experts say [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: You may already be aware that many businesses offer discounts to senior citizens. These discounts are often well-known and advertised, so you can't really miss them. But you may not know about many of these hidden discounts at common places of business. They aren't advertised, and in many cases you have [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Reverse mortgages are sometimes criticized as being a bad deal for seniors. But for some retirees, a reverse mortgage may be a good idea. The main thing to remember is that a reverse mortgage provide financial relief for some people, in the right situation. So what is a reverse mortgage, and how [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Have you ever considered investing in real estate, such as a rental house, vacation home, or apartment building? It may be a good idea to generate income and shelter some of your assets from taxes, but this type of investment typically requires substantial capital. Even if you have the that kind [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It is often said that we should all reevaluate our retirement plans and life insurance policies every few years, to make sure the measures we're taking are in line with our needs and goals. But what if you discover that your annuity or life insurance policy no longer serves you well, [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: As you probably know, the deadline for filing your federal income tax return is April 15. But perhaps you don't have time to gather all of your supporting documentation. Or maybe you've been ill, undergoing major career changes, or moving to another state. There are a plethora of different reasons that [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Identity theft is a growing problem for consumers. As soon as law enforcement officials begin to figure out criminal methods, thieves move on to newer, more sophisticated tactics. This is particularly true of cyber crime, because hackers continually stay one step ahead of law enforcement and the general public. Cyber criminals [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: When planning for retirement, many people choose to invest in an annuity. Under a variable annuity contract, one or more payments are made to an insurance company in exchange for guaranteed income stream or lump sum payment in retirement. Only the earnings portion of an annuity is taxed as income, making [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: After a long period of intense negotiations, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 finally passed through Congress in December. The act extended 55 tax provisions through the end of 2014. Although the future of the tax measures remains uncertain, for now we know that several of these provisions may benefit [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's almost that time again – time to file your federal income taxes! As with many things in life, knowledge and preparation for tax time can help you avoid consequences you regret. If you gave any large gifts last year, or are planning to do so this year, it might help [...]