Archive for December, 2009

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Teachers – Don’t Forget Your $250 Tax Deduction.

Since I was married to a teacher, I know about this tax deduction – do you or any of your teacher friends? If you are an educator, remember to keep any receipts for unreimbursed classroom supplies so that you have a record of them. There is a line item deduction on your tax form for $250 for these costs, and while you don’t have to submit your receipts to get the deduction it’s always a good idea to have them around just in case. I just read recently that some 66% of teachers use their own money for classroom supplies and/or food for their students, so while this $250 is nice it doesn’t seem like nearly enough. But it is what you have for now, so remember to take it!

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How To Make Sure Your Finances Are In Order For 2010.

Every January, thousands of Americans open their credit card statements to see the damages done over the holiday shopping season. (Not me – I no longer go crazy at Christmas like I used to.) According to a November 16th Gallup poll, Americans plan to spend an average of $638 on gifts this holiday season and the average consumer with a credit card has $7,573 worth of credit card debt. Without the right resources, trying to pay down the debt in 2010 may feel like a hopeless cause. More and more companies, however, are offering free online tools and resources to help you become financially fit and savvy. Below are four easy steps people can follow to make sure their finances are in tip top shape for the New Year.

Why Do We Even Carry Cash Anymore? – Debit Cards=The Future Of Finance.

While driving through the drive-thru at a fast food joint this week, a thought occurred to me. As I handed over dollar bills to pay for my cheeseburger, I started wondering, “Why do I even carry cash anymore?” Although this may sound like a bizarre question to be asking myself, there is some truth in it. Today’s society is moving more and more towards simplicity, and even though cash is simple, it’s not the simplest form of payment out there anymore. Instead, society is moving towards debit cards, also known as check cards. The reason why is pretty simple, because there are a lot of benefits to carrying a debit card:

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