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. This is a good option for taxpayers with simple tax returns. But you’ll have to pay to upgrade to TurboTax Deluxe if you have investment or self-employment income, or if you contributed to a health savings account last year. The free Absolute Zero product lacks some of the... 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 make... READ MORE
The best ways to deal with debt collectors
It’s a scary place to be — in debt and afraid. The Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, also said debt collectors generate more complaints to its offices than any other industry. You are protected The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides protection for those being pursued for personal debts, such as money owed on a credit card... 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 not... 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 National Association ... 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. Trump has not released his tax returns. But The New York Times reported last year that he claimed more than $900 million in... READ MORE
Children may have to pay for parents’ care
When an older adult racks up unpaid long-term-care bills, who’s responsible for paying the debt? In a growing number of cases, adult children are being held legally responsible for their parents’ nursing-home or other care expenses. The reason: More than half of U.S. states have “filial responsibility” laws obligating adult children to financially support their parents. These... READ MORE
Money 2026
