
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Never mind about the IRS shenanigans. Here's what you should be watching in Washington.
Depending on which estimate you believe, Obama's proposed budget would raise the tax bill of a household with a yearly income of $50,000 to $75,000 between $63 and $100 per year. However, that's not all you should know.
For small businesses looking to grow, the focus is on technology and the economy--here in the U.S.
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
There is a widening range of online tools that have been designed to help save hard-earned cash. The following Internet browser extensions have achieved popularity among consumers, thanks to a series of unique and practical benefits.
A growing number of big companies want to fund small businesses in their industries, but be careful of the terms.
We're one step closer to mandatory online sales tax collection. Next, the bill moves to the House.
Now that nearly a decade has passed since the housing market peaked, what lessons can investors and banks learn from the banking crisis brought on by the Great Recession?
Real success takes discipline and methodology. Here are eight things the most successful people are meticulous about getting right.
While pursuing an MBA comes with its own set of challenges, an MBA can be a valuable asset on the path to a better career for young professionals with clear career goals and realistic expectations.
Tips for making the transition work for everyone.
Construction leads the way, but the recovery is affecting a broader base of businesses, according to a new study.
This week we examine ways in which inflation nibbles away at your retirement income, especially in light of the President's proposal for Chained CPI adjustments to Social Security.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
Post-graduate degrees can often lead to a better paycheck as long as you choose the right field.
Both Warren Buffett and Tiger Woods do a few simple things spectacularly well to achieve their goals. While odds are quite high that you will never become Woods or Buffett, you don't have to in order to succeed.
A new HubSpot survey proves inbound marketing is a hands down winner in customer attraction. Here are seven tips on how to drive customers to your door.
Most of us approach taxes as something to put off thinking about until absolutely necessary. However, with a bit of forethought and preparation, you can make next year's taxes go much more smoothly.
With just a little bit of planning and foresight, next year's tax season can be less headache-inducing.
Many financial services firms try to help investors by sharing their opinions on a mutual fund. But other factors should come into play as well.
Surprisingly, there are actually a lot of similarities between the game of golf and investing.
If you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
Identity thieves are sophisticated and may get your information despite your best efforts. That doesn't mean, however, that common sense precautions don't work.
Just do a simple "buy Twitter followers" Google search and you'll see an overwhelming number of options for purchasing your way to bigger numbers.
The demand for credit counseling has risen over the last decade. Here are the risks and benefits.
Some recruiters and recruiting firms use more methods to source suitable candidates than others do.
How should aspiring investors best allocate funds for investing, and how much money should you have before you begin?
With the number of credit cards in circulation exceeding the nation's population, card issuers have developed various ways of sweetening the deal.
Both online tax software and tax professionals have their own set of advantages, but which one is actually better for your bottom line?
Two of the most popular methods are nicknamed the "snowball" and the "avalanche" methods. To determine which path is best for you, check out these pros and cons.
In order to file as head of household, you must meet several requirements. Find out whether being head of household comes with any tax benefits.
In an age when billion has become the new million, which unexpected folks have joined the ranks of the billionaire club?
The big deadline to file your income taxes with the IRS is Tuesday, April 17. Though it's still a bit limited, the tax app selection for iPad is better than any other platform.
One in five consumers found at least one potentially major error on their credit reports, according to a recent FTC study.
What federal tax deductions can you take for a mortgage and other home ownership expenses?
It has been three years since the Federal Reserve's Credit CARD Act went into effect. In these three years, the act has had mostly positive impacts.
To create a good work-life balance, you might have to learn to say no to your bosses.
Your children may help you qualify for valuable tax benefits, such as certain credits and deductions.
Planning a family in one of these 5 states? You may be surprised to learn that they're the most expensive states to raise a child.
A condominium offers many of the advantages of home ownership with fewer of the hassles. That is, unless you're talking about getting a mortgage for one.
Wondering if you can qualify for a home equity loan? Recent indications suggest that second mortgages are on the rebound, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're easier to get.
If you owe money this year, and lack enough money in reserves to pay the entire debt, you can take many steps to stay on Uncle Sam's good side.
The IRS has six important facts about dependents and exemptions that will help you file your 2012 tax return.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs provide free tax help in communities across the country.
Mortgage rates have been on the rise. Is this your last, best chance to refinance and save money with a super low rate?
If you received income during 2012, you may need to file a tax return in 2013.
You don't hear much about adjustable-rate mortgages these days, but for the right kind of borrower, they're still an attractive option.
Congress and President Obama may have avoided the fiscal cliff, but that does not mean taxpayers escaped tax increases.
With housing prices and mortgage rates as low as they are, many are tempted to take the plunge and become first-time homeowners. But how do you know if you're truly ready?
The IRS will begin processing most individual income tax returns on Jan. 30 after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems.
Here, a list of eight money wasters offer a chance to keep more of your money in the bank.
If your income falls short, consider some creative ways to bring in some extra cash without adding too many hours to the work week.
The CFPB has rolled out long-awaited new rules for residential mortgages. So what will be the impact on mortgage borrowers?
Long-awaited "qualified mortgage" rules have been issued by the CFPB, setting forth guidelines to protect borrowers from predatory lending.
Some 3.8 million homeowners will share in an $8.5 billion settlement over improper foreclosure and mortgage servicing practices.
If you are among those who want to focus on making financial gains this year, follow these suggestions to ensure that 2013 is a robust year.
Following the tax law changes made under the American Taxpayer Relief Act, the IRSit plans to open the 2013 filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 30.
The home appraisal is very important when refinancing a mortgage. So how can you make sure you get the highest appraisal possible?
The House of Representatives settled on an 11th-hour agreement that averted widespread tax increases and spending cuts that were set to kick in Jan. 1.
Avis has announced that it will purchase high-tech car-sharing company Zipcar for around $500 million. The deal is expected to greatly increase the availability of Zipcar vehicles for customers.
It is time to face a sobering reality: Creditors want to collect on the charges you made while you were caught up in the holiday festivities.
The way mortgage rates have been falling the past three years, a lot of homeowners are not only refinancing their mortgages, they're doing it for a second or even a third time.
Should you be worried that Congress will take away your mortgage interest deduction as part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations? For the great majority of homeowners, the answer is "no."
Protect yourself from identity theft and fraud with safe-shopping tips.
Now that the election is behind us, current and potential homeowners may be wondering what will be the impact of Obama's re-election on the mortgage and housing markets?
What does Steven Sinofsky's abrupt departure from Microsoft mean for Windows … and the way the company will compete with Apple and Google?
You've probably heard that it's a good idea to check your credit reports for errors once a year. But which errors are the ones that do the most damage to your credit score?
Google Free Zone enables feature phone users use mail, Web search and Google+ for free. Is it generosity at work, a savvy market grab, or both?
Been thinking about buying a home? Well, maybe you should put it on your Christmas list.
You probably knew that homeowners can refinance underwater mortgages through the Home Affordable Refinance Program. HARP is now available for other types of properties as well.
If you're applying for a mortgage for the first time, the whole process can seem pretty intimidating. There's a lot to understand and it can get confusing at times.
The new rules exist to protect consumers who need help with unmanageable debts, but it is still important to understand what these rules mean when seeking debt relief help.
5 steps to starting the New Year with a better financial plan.
There are a lot of good reasons to refinance your mortgage, especially with rates as low as they are. But there can be some pretty good reasons not to refinance as well.
There are a lot of people with decent incomes who would like to buy a house right now but are afraid they can't come up with the down payment.
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