by Michele Cagan | Mar 26, 2018 | Personal Finance, You Need to Know This
If you’re getting locked out of taking some deductions and retirement savings options, look at your MAGI – modified adjusted gross income. MAGI is a little tweak on regular AGI (adjusted gross income), designed to keep high-earners from reaping certain tax advantages,...
by Michele Cagan | Mar 26, 2018 | Do Your Own Taxes, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning
UPDATED FOR 2019 I’m a big fan of Roth IRAs: They offer the most flexibility and best future tax advantages for retirement money… Earnings are never taxed You can withdraw your contributions at any time without penalty You don’t have to take the money out after...
by Michele Cagan | Feb 19, 2018 | Do Your Own Taxes, Personal Finance
You won’t know it’s a problem until you try to file your tax return and it comes back INVALID – but tax identity thieves may have already targeted you. Every year, they come up with new ways to steal your Social Security number and grab a tax refund in your name....
by Michele Cagan | Feb 9, 2018 | Personal Finance, Retirement Planning, Saving and Investing
UPDATED FOR 2019 If you’re self-employed, have no employees, and are looking for a place to stash a lot of retirement cash without a lot of hassle, look no further than the SEP-IRA. This amped up retirement savings plan works well for freelancers and side-giggers. (If...
by Michele Cagan | Jan 12, 2018 | Personal Finance, Saving and Investing
You’re ready to invest in mutual funds – but with thousands of funds to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. The 6 steps below will help you quickly pinpoint the best funds for you, so you can get started right away. Once you’ve figured out the types of...
by Michele Cagan | Jan 10, 2018 | Personal Finance
$219. That was my vet bill today for annual routine vet visits for my two dogs. And as I paid the bill, it got me thinking about how much I spend on these guys every year. I don’t regret adopting them – not for a second. But I wish I’d thought more about the long-term...
