How to fight medical insurance denials
When you or a family member experience a medical crisis, it can be hard enough to focus on getting the best care. The last thing you want to deal with is an overwhelming pile of medical bills.Health insurance claims specialists can help. They serve as experts, advocates and detectives — knowing how to deal with the mysterious and complex insurance system, translate the jargon and... READ MORE
A global mission to help others
Ellicott City resident Sean Callahan has spent half his life — 28 of his 56 years — working in countries throughout the world for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS). What accounts for his commitment to this organization? “Once you have had the opportunity to work with people — to offer them ways for respect and dignity in their lives — you feel something deep... READ MORE
What to expect from your bonds this year
The safest part of your 401(k) isn’t as safe as it used to be. But there’s still nothing safer, fund managers say.Investors have long taken comfort in the steady returns their bond funds have provided, particularly when stocks go on another of their gut-wrenching drops.But the bond safety blanket is getting more threadbare, a result of simple math. Bonds don’t pay as much... READ MORE
Thinking about retirement? What to expect
We spend decades dreaming of the day when life won’t be dictated by alarm clocks, commute times, meeting schedules and office politics.Then reality sets in: Retirement can be kind of a drag. And there may be 20-plus years of it ahead of you.While traditional retirement planning covers financial essentials — expected returns, inflation, withdrawal rates, portfolio rebalancing,... READ MORE
Seven ways to file your taxes for free
Most do-it-yourself filers prepare their own taxes for one and only one reason: They want to save money.But tax software isn’t cheap, and hidden costs can sometimes blindside you. You might be forced to upgrade to another product midway through your tax return, or to pay extra to file your state tax return.Fortunately, the tax software business is fiercely competitive, and in an... READ MORE
How to invest wisely in today’s market
Many readers have written asking for advice about how to invest for consistent income in 2017 with minimal risk.As I have emphasized many times, it’s impossible to reap high returns on your investments — whether it’s in the form of income or equity appreciation — without assuming some risk.That being said, it is possible to anticipate likely occurrences in 2017 and... READ MORE
The best ways to deal with debt collectors
It’s a scary place to be — in debt and afraid.A new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report found that more than one in four consumers felt threatened when contacted by debt collectors. The first-ever national survey of consumer experiences with debt collectors found that consumers often faced calls that came too often, at odd hours, and contained warnings of jail time and... READ MORE
Car buyers will find good deals this year
U.S. car shoppers will find plentiful deals, relatively low interest rates, and lots of high-tech choices in the market this year.“It’s a good time to buy a car now, and it should be for the rest of the year,” said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst with the car-shopping site Edmunds.com.New-vehicle sales hit a record of 17.55 million in the U.S. last year. While they’re... READ MORE
As tax season approaches, beware scams
Last summer, Cindy Hockenberry decided she’d had it with threatening phone calls claiming she was behind on her taxes.“One day — I’m not kidding you — I got called three times,” she said.Sometimes the calls were automated. But once, when she got a call from a live person, Hockenberry — who happens to be the director of education and research at the... READ MORE
Claim all the tax breaks you’re entitled to
Donald Trump’s acknowledgement last fall that he had not paid federal income tax in years left some questioning why they should have to pay taxes.“I think you pay taxes because it’s the right thing to do,” National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said.But that doesn’t mean you don’t take tax benefits to which you’re entitled.“It’s easy to... READ MORE
Money 2024
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