The Money Lessons Grief Teaches Us

 By Kara

I recently I lost my grandmother. It’s been a really hard time and it’s really sad. But today, I don’t want to talk about her. I actually want to talk about how my pursuit of financial independence and frugal living has impacted my ability to grieve.

We don’t make space for grief in the U.S.

There is no federal law that guarantees paid time off for bereavement, including funeral time. Right now it’s a sad time, nationally speaking. 1,117,054 Americans have died from COVID. And 72% of Americans either know someone who died from COVID or was hospitalized because of COVID.

What Is a Power of Appointment For a Trust or Will?

Ashley Kilroy   Sat, April 1, 2023

Establishing a trust or will is vital to a well-designed estate plan; you might even use both. However, even the best estate plans can't anticipate changes in the future or head off new tax legislation. Fortunately, a power of appointment can help your beneficiary take control of your estate to minimize taxes and keep the property from falling into the wrong hands. Here's how it works.

Consider working with a financial advisor if you need help setting up an estate plan or managing inherited money.

How to Organize Your Tax Documents for Your Accountant

January 7, 2023 Last Updated on March 8, 2023 by Carolyn

Though this post is directed at US taxpayers, It still should be useful to non-US taxpayers but keep in mind that form references such as 1099’s, Schedule C and US tax rules may not apply. Investment advice published here is of a general nature only as disclosed here.

You have received all your tax slips (w-2’s, 1099’s, etc.), and you have records of your other income and expenses, but now what? How do you organize your tax documents so that your accountant can prepare your taxes with ease?

How to Stop Being Broke: Change Your Money Mindset

March 14, 2023 Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by Carolyn

How to Stop Being Broke?

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck, and having nothing to show for it? You have a good-paying job but still, it’s a financial squeeze to get through the month and make ends meet. You want to stop being broke but don’t know where to start. More than likely. it’s your money mindset that’s keeping you broke. Before you can change your money mindset you need to know what exactly it is.

What is Money Mindset?

Let’s start with what money mindset is not. For many people who hear the phrase “money mindset” an image of a person like Charles Dickens “Ebenezer Scrooge” counting his coins pops into their head, a person obsessed with money. This is not what money mindset is.

Banking 2023: How To Be Proactive About Protecting Your Savings Account

Heather Taylor  Wed, March 29, 2023

With recent bank failures headlining the news cycle, many customers might be worried about their funds.  The good news is there is a lot of protection provided to banking customers, no matter the dollar amount of your financial assets. Here are a few proactive steps you can take to protect your savings account and insure your deposits.

Review FDIC Coverage and Resources

How The Glorification Of Struggle Is Both A Symptom And Cause Of Financial Trauma

Addressing the "Got It Out The Mud" Mindset  Rahkim Sabree  Mar 17

Recently I was asked for feedback on the ‘got it out the mud’ mindset and how that ties into financial trauma.

See nepotism: - nep·o·tism - the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.

Somehow the devaluing of credibility, experience, and expertise of others is easier when we know that they had help. We hear the stories of those who received a loan, an inheritance, or were put in a position to be successful via education or some role at a company.

Nearly Half of Americans Haven’t Written a Check in the Past Year — Why More Should Follow Their Lead

March 28, 2023  GoBankingRates

When was the last time you wrote a check?

In a new survey from GOBankingRates polling 1,000 Americans, 44.5% of respondents revealed they have not written a physical check in the past year. While this percentage may seem quite high, many are still using their checkbooks on an active basis. For instance, 15% said they write a few checks a month and 22% write a check once a month.

5 Reasons You Still Need Checks

Heather Taylor   Mon, March 27, 2023

Is there still room for paper checks in a world where financial transactions are increasingly digital in nature? Survey says … yes.

In GOBankingRates’ Best Banks 2023 survey of 1,000 Americans, 22% of respondents said they still write checks at least once a month. And surprisingly, of these respondents, the largest percentage belonged to those between the ages of 18 to 24 (28%). Paper checks might sound like a mildly antiquated concept, but they can still be used to fulfill specific needs now and into the near future.

How Much Money Can I Gift Without Owing Taxes?

Liz Smith   Mon, March 27, 2023

For 2023, the annual gift tax exemption is $17,000, up from $16,000 in 2022. This means you can give up to $17,000 to as many people as you want in 2023 without any of it being subject to the federal gift tax. The gift tax is imposed by the IRS if you transfer money or property – worth more than an exempted amount – to another person without receiving at least equal value in return. This could apply to parents giving money to their children, the gifting of property such as a house or a car, or any other transfer. There is also a lifetime exclusion of $12.92 million in 2023. For help with the gift tax or any other personal finance issues you may have, consider working with a financial advisor.