.Using an LLC for Estate Planning

By Michelle Ullman Updated November 14, 2021

It can help you pass assets down to your heirs while avoiding taxes

Somewhere between a corporation and a partnership lies the limited liability company (LLC). This hybrid legal entity is beneficial for small-business owners and is also a powerful tool for estate planning.

If you want to transfer assets to your children, grandchildren, or other family members—but you are concerned about gift taxes or the burden of estate taxes your beneficiaries will owe upon your passing—an LLC can help you control and protect assets during your lifetime, keep assets in the family, and reduce taxes owed by you or your family members.

.12 Realistic Ways to Make Your First $1 Million

Barbara Friedberg Sun, November 14, 2021,

At first glance, building a net worth of $1 million might seem unattainable, but it's more realistic than you think. In fact, you don't even need a winning lottery ticket or a trust fund to join this exclusive club.

Your annual income certainly plays a role, but the way you allocate your funds actually matters more than your salary. When properly planned, a solid work ethic, responsible spending habits and savvy investing can grow your fortune to $1 million -- and far beyond.

Bank Fraud Is On The Rise — Here Are 4 Ways To Protect Your Account

Korin Miller June 3, 2021

One of the scariest things about internet fraud is knowing that someone could hack your bank account if they happen to get a hold of certain personal information. It's only natural, then, to wonder about how to protect your bank account from fraud.

Bank account fraud happens, and it can mean the difference between you keeping your hard-earned money and seeing it vanish. Bank fraud attacks increased 159 percent over the past year, according to an analysis of 12 billion global transactions over the past year by risk management platform Feedzai, making this a very real risk.

.Helping Kids To Be Good With Money

15 Things A Personal Finance Expert Suggests Parents Do To Help Their Kids Be Good With Money

Thu, October 28, 2021,

I like to imagine I was raised to be financially intelligent (thanks ma and pa) but now that I have a kid of my own, I was curious what an expert had to say about raising kids to be good with money.

I write about personal finance and money, so you'd hope I have it together — and for the most part, I think I do. I owe my love of saving money and my abhorrence of debt to my parents who set me up with a bank account at birth, had me get a job as soon as it was legal, and made me save up for the dumb plastic toys I thought I just had to have.

.16 Money Rules That Millionaires Swear By

Gabrielle Olya Tue, November 9, 2021

Being a millionaire or billionaire -- especially a self-made one -- usually requires being disciplined about saving and spending, as well as investing wisely. Although the super rich can splurge on lavish vacations and fancy cars, some eschew a luxurious lifestyle for one that allows them to maintain their wealth over the long-term. So, if you want to live like a millionaire yourself, you'll have to follow the money rules of the wealthy.

Kristen Bell: Take Advantage of Coupons When Shopping Net worth: $40 million

"Frozen" star Kristen Bell still clips coupons despite her multi-million-dollar wealth.

.What Not To Do While Trying To Get Out of Debt

By Jaime Catmull Oct 7, 2021 Debt 101

Know how to pay off debt so you don't make costly mistakes.

If worrying about how to pay off debt keeps you awake some nights, late-night television abounds with alleged solutions. Some ads even promise to get rid of your debt for “pennies on the dollar.”

Fall victim to these “deals” and you might be left with worse financial troubles than before. But these aren’t the only foolish ways of paying off debt. Financial experts shared some common mistakes people make while trying to get out of debt — avoid making these same missteps.

1. Not Having a Reasonable Debt Repayment Strategy

.Feeling Overwhelmed With Debt? Here Are 14 Ways To Improve Your Financial Future

Gabrielle Olya Tue, November 9, 2021

Change Your Mindset

"Making the decision to get out of debt is the first step, but also the most difficult," said Cory Chapman, personal finance coach and CEO of EFC Wealth Management. "Actually changing your mind and accepting that you need to make life changes is the hardest part. The process of getting out of debt is going to take discipline, but it starts with the mindset that you want to be debt-free."

Get a Clear Picture of How Much Debt You Actually Have

.Everything You Need to Know About Cultivating a 'Wealth Mindset'

Jacqui Hathaway Levin Tue, November 9, 2021

Have you ever been told by, say, an Instagram influencer that the only barricade between you and endless financial wealth was your supposed negative mindset? Have you, too, been urged that if you would only sign up for said influencer's course today, you'd be able to tap into cosmic wisdom, "take the leap," and never have to worry about finances again? Don't fall for the trap, folks. Sure, cultivating wealth does take a fair amount of critical thinking, but there's (obviously) much more to it than that.

Some Insta-famous so-called money coaches (of course, not all) promise big changes—and fast. Who wouldn't be attracted to quitting their day job and following an off-the-beaten-path means to financial success and freedom?