It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question.
I want to open a Roth IRA, but how do I know how much maximum I can put into the account for 2008?
- Diana C., [...]

Continue reading about Roth IRA Contribution Limits – Your Earnings, Income and Marital Status Matter

Michael on January 29th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

There was a pretty good article in yesterday’s WSJ called In the Fight Against Bill Creep, Every Extra Fee Is the Enemy.  You’ve probably heard me talk before about the importance of the recurring minor. While I don’t believe every financial problem can be solved by destroying coffee shops (Your problem isn’t Starbucks.) I passionately [...]

Continue reading about Do you know Bill Creep?

Michael on January 27th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

Thanks to a crazy Monday, I just finished reading through this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance, a football-themed extravaganza hosted by Taking Charge.  The top Saving/Investing post of the week was my recent post Investing in 2009 – What are your financial priorities? in which I answer a reader’s question about the relative importance of [...]

Continue reading about How long do I have to keep this stuff?

Michael on January 23rd, 2009
Bookmark and Share

It’s Friday, so it’s time for this week’s reader-submitted Q & A. If you’d like to submit a question, click here for more information or simply email a question.
My wife and I are going to receive a hefty income tax refund.  We didn’t adjust our W-4’s properly until September ‘08 (after we read Beyond [...]

Continue reading about Investing in 2009 – What are your financial priorities?

Tax Preparation Doesn’t Have to Suck

Most people dread their tax return.  I’ve seen them – annoyed when the topic comes up and frustrated when the whole thing is over.  (Kind of like rooting for the Cubs.)
Sometimes this tax return dread is because people don’t want to do their return on their own or are scared [...]

Continue reading about Tax Preparation Options: Another Choice for Tax Preparation

Michael on January 21st, 2009
Bookmark and Share

Much has been going on behind the scenes here at Total Candor.  Today’s blog post highlights some of the most important:

In early November, I was named the Guide to Retirement Planning at About.com.  About.com is one of the web’s leading producers of original content and is a New York Times Company.  To learn even more [...]

Continue reading about Financial Education – Enjoy More Free Stuff

Michael on January 19th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

This week’s carnival of personal finance features several quality articles including my post Lessons From Flight 1549, which was selected as an Editor’s Pick.  In addition to that article, I’m recommending exactly one other must-read from the carnival:
If you’re about to join a gym (or have resolved to joining a gym but haven’t quite done [...]

Continue reading about Carnivals, Airplanes, and Gyms

Michael on January 16th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

That a US Airways plane landed safely in the Hudson River saving all 155 people on board is beyond simple explanation.  A headline describing a plane losing both engines is supposed to be followed by an article featuring words like “tragedy” and “death,” and phrases like “much too soon” and “unfortunate victims.”  I doubt anyone [...]

Continue reading about Lessons from Flight 1549

Michael on January 16th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

If you did, let me know by commenting below or by sending me an email A reporter friend of mine is working on a story related to that topic and would love to talk with you!
[January 21 note:  The reporter has the source he needs. Thanks!]

Continue reading about Did you make a resolution to cut debt this year?

Michael on January 13th, 2009
Bookmark and Share

At 1PM today, I’ll be leading a saving strategies webinar.  It’s hosted by Skillsoft, a leading provider of on-demand e-learning and performance support solution.  (Their subsidiary, Books 24 x 7 has a robust database of wellness books and picked up Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck early last year.)   Learn more about the webinar and register.
The [...]

Continue reading about Free saving strategies webinar today