Nearly everyone has holes in their budgets… And as with other kinds of leaks, you may have hardly noticed some of them. But those small drips can quickly add up to big bucks. The trick is to find the leaks and stop them so you can keep more money in your pocket. Here are a […]
finances
Rethinking the Tax Refund
Everybody loves a tax refund. But as good as it can feel to get a fat check from Uncle Sam; the best strategy for maximizing your dollars in many cases is to minimize your tax refund. A tax refund typically means you have been paying more than the appropriate amount of income tax to the […]
Six Tips for Tax-Smart Charitable Giving
When done the right way, charitable contributions can lower your tax bill. Of course, this only applies if you itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you’re not eligible to deduct charitable contributions from your tax bill. Here are some key pointers in giving to charity while also reducing your tax burden. 1. Audit […]
Eight Commandments of Building a Strong Financial Foundation
1. Compare your monthly income versus your monthly expenses. Establishing a spending plan can help you get a hold of your financial situation. Live within your means and do not spend more than you make! 2. Pay off credit card balances each month. If you have current credit card debt, attack it each month by paying more than […]
Midyear Budget Checkup: Are your current finances still healthy?
When you’re halfway through the year, it’s time for a fiscal checkup. Just as you do with your annual physical, you need to determine if your budget is healthy or if expenses are bleeding enough red ink to cause financial anemia. Are you shedding pounds of debt or are you over-stressed? Will you reach your […]
Stretch Your Retirement Nest Egg So It Lasts as Long as You
During the month of May, Vermillion Financial Advisors work with their clients to review their retirement goals and work to make sure their retirement plans are on track. We would like to provide you, our readers, with an article to supplement your retirement planning process! Americans are living longer than ever before, with an average […]
Five Red Flags of Tax Returns
In March, Vermillion Financial Advisors prepare their clients for the upcoming tax season. We would like to provide you, our readers, with an article to supplement you in the preparation process of your taxes! Audits normally total just over one percent of total tax returns filed, with big income and very low income earners more […]
Ten Questions When Planning for Financial Security
In February, Vermillion Financial Advisors review their clients’ financial inventories and their cash-flow management. To supplement this work, VFA has chosen to provide you, our readers, with an article on how to decide what’s important in your financial inventories. When thinking about how to protect your livelihood or build the financial resources you will need […]
How Much You Need to Save for Retirement
How much money does a typical worker need to save every month in order to have a reasonable chance of financing a secure retirement? New analysis from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (CRR) came up with a broad overview of the rates needed by different age groups and income levels. To estimate […]