Apr 30
Although the odds of having your identity stolen remain quite low, anyone who’s ever been had their bank or credit card account compromised knows what a pain it can be to unravel the mess. Sometimes enterprising hackers just need your Social Security number, address and date of birth to start opening new accounts in your …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/freezing-your-credit-reports/
Apr 19
Maybe you’re a college student looking to rent your first apartment; or a downsizing homeowner reentering the rental market for the first time in decades. Whatever your situation, there are many precautions you should take before renting any property. The last thing you want is to be saddled with a 12-month lease you can’t afford …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/before-you-rent-do-your-homework/
Mar 04
The U.S. tax code grows more complicated every year and currently spans thousands of pages – even government experts can’t agree exactly how long it is. So it’s not surprising that millions of Americans hire professional tax preparers to complete their returns. Relinquishing the onerous task of calculating your taxes to a professional may save …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/should-you-hire-a-tax-preparer/
Feb 20
Back when people from my parents’ generation were first planning their lives together, most married couples looked forward to working hard for a few decades, buying a house, raising a family and then retiring together while they still had enough money and energy to travel and pursue favorite hobbies. Some couples do manage to pull …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/when-retiring-together-doesnt-make-sense/
Jul 31
By Jason Alderman If your spouse-to-be is considering postponing the wedding because of fears about the so-called “marriage penalty,” you two probably have bigger issues than whether you’ll have to pay higher taxes as a married couple than when you were single. Having said that, marriage does indeed have many financial ramifications – both good …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/is-the-irs-marriage-penalty-real/
Jul 30
By Jason Alderman Much was made of the size and complexity of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act when President Obama signed it into law in 2010. But now that the Supreme Court has upheld much of the act’s constitutionality, it’s a good time to review key provisions that have already gone live and …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/what-healthcare-reform-means-to-you/
Jul 21
By Jason Alderman It’s no secret that health care costs have been spiraling out of control for years. To fight back, your best bet is to be a well-informed consumer: Know the true costs of medical procedures, supplies and medications so you can bargain effectively; carefully anticipate and track medical expenses; and stay on top …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/what-happens-when-you-cant-pay-your-medical-bills-2/
Jul 16
By Jason Alderman By most estimates, over half of adult Americans haven’t written a will stating how their assets should be distributed after death. Fewer still have bothered to appoint someone to make financial and health care decisions on their behalf should they become incapacitated. And now we can add another necessary, but probably overlooked …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/why-you-need-a-social-media-will/