It\’s nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it\’s time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head. Just how do you report your investments and how are they taxed?

When was the last time you gave yourself a financial checkup? As the saying goes, there’s no time like the present. This is especially true when it comes to reviewing the current state of your finances and figuring out what you need to do to get – or stay – on track so you can pursue your financial goals. To do this requires you to take into account a variety of factors. Setting aside time to understand your financial condition and conduct an honest assessment of where you stand is a great way to get started. Before you jump right in, consider these seven steps that you can take to assist you in evaluating where you stand financially and to help you determine a reasonable course of action to plan for the future.

Social security is way behind inflation so you may need a better retirement plan   In October of 2022, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 70 million Americans will increase 8.7%. The adjustment will increase monthly Social Security checks by about $145 per month on average, according to AARP, which represents seniors. From the Social Security Administration’s press release: “The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI …

So, you’re interested in volunteering as a family this season. That’s wonderful—and we commend you for your service! It’s always rewarding to donate your time to a charity that’s important to you. But volunteering as a group can bring up a different set of challenges that you might not have faced volunteering by yourself. Before you sign up, take a look at these ideas to decide the right opportunity for your family. Food pantries and soup kitchens Food insecurity is still an unfortunate reality for many Americans, and food pantries and soup kitchens try to alleviate that burden by providing …