Posts by Tracie Handberg
20 Second Advisor: Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
What should you do if you get a phone call from someone who knows your name, and maybe some other identifying information, and informs you that there appears to be some fraudulent transactions or issues with your bank or credit card or tax return? “Your account may have been compromised. Did you authorize a $5000…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Federal Spending Duels and the United States’ Credit Rating
The crisis about the federal debt ceiling back in June was temporarily averted when lawmakers agreed to suspend the ceiling and ensure that the US didn’t default on our debt. However, there still may be a government shutdown looming later this fall, since the agreement reached included freezing some funding and capping spending. A fallout…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Home Inventory Videos
My family has lived in the same house for 20 years. During this time, 2 of the 800 houses in my neighborhood have been completely destroyed by fires caused by lightening. Our house backs up to a wooded area that is susceptible to fire. I’m a bit of a natural worrier, and so we have…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Roth IRAs – Great for You, Great for your Heirs
You’ve heard from us the benefits of Roth IRA. If your income (or your spouse’s income) qualifies you to contribute to one, it’s a great tool for your retirement! Paying historically low tax rates today, knowing that regardless of the tax rates or your tax bracket in the future, you’ll never have to pay taxes on…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Wedding Planning Excitement and Stress
Good news: There’s a wedding on the horizon! Our daughter got engaged in December to a wonderful young man, and my husband and I are excited to have him join our family. Bad news: Uh, there’s a wedding on the horizon! It will involve lots of finances and planning, things normally right up my alley.…
Read More20 Second Advisor: High-Yield Savings Accounts without Cutting Off Your Local Bank
My husband and I have long-standing ties to our local brick-and-mortar bank, which provides us in-person service if we need it, a safety deposit box, and our paychecks are direct-deposited there. We don’t pay any fees, but the savings accounts there pay an interest rate of 0.01%. (Translation: keeping $10,000 there for a year generates…
Read More20 Second Advisor: Free Tax Preparation by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide!
If you have friends or family that are over 50 and low-to-moderate income, pass on a tip to them: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has nationwide, trained and IRS-certified volunteers who will prepare their 2022 tax return FREE of charge! I have been one of those volunteers for 6 years. Most of the taxpayers we serve are…
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