It doesn’t take a genius to know that the IRS has stacked the tax code with incentives for savers. Perhaps the biggest saver benefit being the tax-deductibility of retirement plan contributions, and allowing your retirement gains to be tax-deferred.
But there’s another little-known way the IRS is willing to pitch in. It’s called the Saver’s Credit. For those who qualify, this credit can result in a 10%, 20%, or even a 50% tax credit for your retirement plan contribution in 2018!
It’s been almost two years since I started Hale Financial Solutions. What an incredible journey I’ve had as a business owner! Owning a business certainly comes with its challenges, but there are some incredible benefits as well. You might liken it to Charles Dickens’ token phrase from A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
But I must admit, the good times feel really good when running your own company.
If there’s any question more common in the personal finance world, it’s this one: Should I pay off debt or save that money instead?
I love this question, because it’s addressing a financial topic that I wish were on the forefront of more minds. Paying off debt and saving are two great ways to utilize our money that we should all be thinking more about. Your situation isn’t as cheery if you’re having to decide between paying off debt, saving, purchasing a new sports car, or buying a bigger home you can’t afford.
Everyone needs a budget, but in my experience most online budgeting tools are focused on helping fix poor spending habits--something not every family needs. They’re also overly detailed, providing dozens of spending buckets to allocate each and every dollar.
While a "nickel and dime" approach to budgeting may be necessary for some who have spending habits to change, a lot of families don’t need it.
We could all use some extra cash, but the idea of working more for it isn’t always fun, or even possible. As I’ve handled my own finances over the years and helped others with theirs, I’ve spotted some common ways to find more money--a lot of money actually. I’d love to share with you what I’ve learned.