I went to my first horse race ever a few weeks ago when I snagged an awesome mystery shopping gig. The mystery shop reimbursable expenses even included three $10 bets that I placed on three different horse races. How neat! I have never placed a bet on anything before, and I was hopeful that I [...]
Alternative to Becoming a Landlord
Posted byThere is a lot of talk about buying investment properties with housing prices still recovering from the housing bust. Buying an investment property can be an exciting and fun challenge (and more work than you think!). While most will focus on how much money they will make each month from the renter, you have to [...]
How to Find TurboTax Discounts
Posted byNeed a Turbotax Discount? It seems like every communication I receive from brokerages, insurance companies, and banks recently are for offers for a Turbotax discount. If you still need to find a discount here is a list of all the discounts I could find. All but a few (like Vanguard) pretty much offer the same [...]
Merrill Edge 529 $50 Sign Up Bonus
Posted byIf you’re looking to start saving for college for your children or other close family members, this week’s Free Money Friday offer is for you! Merrill Edge is offering a $50 sign-up bonus! How to Get Your $50 Bonus Open a NextGen College Investing plan with Merrill Edge. Fund the account with at least $5,000 [...]
10 Free or Cheap Winter Activities
Posted byEarlier, I did an article on 11 fun, free or cheap activities to do during winter at home. I mentioned how it’s so easy to find free things in summer to do since the weather is warm and the days are long. Winter is a little more difficult though. And as much as I do [...]
What is the Schedule E Renters Income Form? The Schedule E Renters Income Form is used to report the income and losses you have received or incurred from renting out a home, condo, apartment, or other property during the year. This is also used for renting out any space in which the home you currently [...]
How to File Taxes as Domestic Partners
Posted byThe federal government does not recognize domestic partners as being married for either legal or tax purposes. However, some states do recognize domestic partners as being married for legal and tax purposes. Naturally, this has tax consequences on both a state and a federal level. Domestic partner couples cannot file joint federal tax returns, but [...]
When I think back to my grandparent’s retirement years, I remember them talking about how they generated income from their investments. While they received a Social Security check each month in the mail, a good portion of their income actually came from their investments. Most of their investments were in what are considered safe investments, [...]
7 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund as Parents
Posted byFiling taxes can be stressful. It is even more stressful when you have a baby crying in the background, lunches to pack before the school bus leaves, and costumes to make for the school play. But on the upside, parents filing taxes can get some breaks for having kids (like education credits, dependent care credits [...]
What is Nontaxable Combat Pay?
Posted byWhat is nontaxable combat pay? Nontaxable combat pay is any amount of income you have earned while you were an enlisted member, warrant office, or commissioned warrant officer and you were stationed in a combat zone. NonTax Status Nontaxable combat pay is not included in your total gross income and is not taxed. When and [...]
