Budgeting Money | The Nest

Does an Ex-Wife Have Rights to Money Earned After a Divorce?

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:31:46 +0800

If your marriage has gone bust, you may want to sever all financial ties with your ex, but that may not be an option. Just as the law affects how you share the money the two of you make while you're married, it may give your spouse a share of your money after you split up. Judges apply general principles to your case based on the specific circumstances.

How to Calculate the Book Value of a Preferred Stock

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:32:53 +0800

When you own preferred stock in a company, you get dibs on dividends before common stock owners, and you get paid before them if the company sells off, or liquidates, its assets. A preferred stock’s book value per share represents the amount the company would pay out per share if it liquidates. Although you buy and sell preferred stock at the market price — which typically differs from book value — it’s a good idea to know its book value as a reference point, as shares that sell for steeply lower than book value might indicate financial trouble.

Can You Claim Insolvency for Credit Card Debt Settlements?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:30:21 +0800

If you find yourself drowning in credit card debt, you might wonder what your options are for paying it off. While some debtors opt for filing bankruptcy, doing so can result in long-term negative consequences, including a poor credit score. Another alternative is debt settlement, which can help you clear your debt much more quickly. Just be aware that claiming insolvency for credit card debt can have tax consequences.

Simple Family Budget

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:37:45 +0800

Combining a household as a new couple can be stressful, and many couples find themselves spending more and saving less even though many are working with two incomes instead of one. According to Richard Jenkins of MSN Money, a good rule of thumb is to curtail your expenses to 60 percent of your gross household income. For many couples this may be easier said than done, and while there are a multitude of computer spreadsheet programs and financial planners available it is often easier to grab a pad of paper and write a simple family budget together.

IRA Certificate of Deposits and How They Work

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:31:31 +0800

Individual Retirement Account certificates of deposit (IRA CDs) are low-risk investments that you can set up at your local bank or credit union. IRA CDs provide you with several benefits that include principal protection and tax-deferred interest on your earnings. On the downside, you only have limited access to your money unless you're willing to pay penalty fees and taxes.

The Best Way to Check Your Credit Score

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:32:24 +0800

Keeping a close eye on your credit score can help you make sure you'll stand the best possible chance of qualifying for any financial products you want to apply for. It's wise to take a peek at your credit profile whenever you're thinking of taking out a large loan such as a mortgage or a car loan. If you're applying for a joint financial product with your partner, you should both check out your credit scores with all three of the major credit bureaus.

How to Sell a Car to Online Dealers

Sat, 05 May 2012 20:30:50 +0800

Selling a used car can be a drag. If you're planning to do so privately, you'll have to go through the hassle of taking pictures of your vehicle and paying to advertise it. Using local dealers can be equally as frustrating. You could have a wasted journey if you turn up to a car reseller only to receive a low-ball offer. Fortunately, there are a growing number of companies that will commit to buying your car online.

Can a Seller of a Call Option Buy It Back?

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:33:14 +0800

Stock market options provide an alternate way to profit from stock price changes. What you can or cannot do with a call option depends on which side of the trade you started on -- buying or selling the contract. After a call option has been sold, the two parties to the trade -- the buyer and the seller -- have significantly different obligations in regards to the contract.

What Is Primary & Secondary Driver Insurance?

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 12:31:36 +0800

When auto insurance companies insure your car, they're also covering you as a driver. Your driving history, along with the condition and age of the car, affects how much you pay for coverage. If you share driving duties with your partner or your teenage child, your auto insurer will take that into account.

Define Private Mortgage Insurance

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:38:48 +0800

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your status from renter to homeowner, you’ll need to do your homework to determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend each month for a house payment and how much of a down payment you’ll need to reach that goal. If you just can’t wait until you have enough to put down, you’ll need private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI.

If an Annuity Is Paying Out, Is It Irrevocably Annuitized?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:30:32 +0800

Annuities are poorly understood investment products, largely because they come from the insurance industry rather than the mainstream investment world. The basic idea is the same -- put money in, get more money out -- but annuities are more complex than many other investments because the insurance industry is regulated differently. This means there are some sharp limits on how you receive the funds. Once your annuity begins paying out, or annuitizes, that decision is usually irrevocable.

Differences in Utilities of Apartments Vs. Houses

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:31:31 +0800

You may wonder if there's a big difference between the utility costs of an apartment vs. a house. The costs of some utilities, such as gas and electric, tend to fluctuate with the weather and the market price of fuel. Some regions of the country may have more properties that use both gas and electric. The majority of properties in other regions may rely on a single source of power. If you rent an apartment or a house, you may have lower utility costs.

What Is the Maximum Deposit for a SEP IRA?

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:33:55 +0800

Of the different types of tax-qualified retirement plans available to small businesses, a SEP-IRA has the potential for significantly large contribution amounts. The U.S. Department of Labor promotes SEP-IRA plans as an easy and low-cost way to start a company retirement savings plan. If you are self-employed, a SEP-IRA may be a very attractive retirement savings option. If you work for someone else, the terms of the plan are out of your control.

List of States With No State Income Tax on Their Retirement Checks

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:32:48 +0800

When people retire, they often find themselves living on a fixed retirement income. With the costs of food and gasoline steadily rising, retirees need to protect every penny of their monetary retirement benefits. One way they can do this is by living in one of the nine states that impose no income tax that would reduce their retirement checks.

How Does a Co-Applicant Help When Getting a Loan?

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:31:15 +0800

You can’t always get what you want -- by yourself. A loan with a co-applicant is like a partnership, in which the credit and assets of each applicant count for the loan approval. Co-applicants give the lender two chances to collect on the loan, because it can pursue either applicant or co-applicant for payment. A co-applicant who adds another income might be just what you need to get your loan approved.

403(b) Contribution Limits

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 08:34:49 +0800

A 403(b) plan is a type of retirement plan that is designed for employees of certain organizations, such as public schools, hospitals and other tax-exempt organizations. As with other retirement plans, federal law limits the contributions participants can make, as those contributions represent a reduction in that participant’s taxable income because contributions are made on a pretax basis.

Mortgage Borrower Rights

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:30:15 +0800

In 2011, testimony was given before the U.S. Congress of abuses committed by banks against mortgage borrowers. This led to hundreds of lawsuits being filed nationwide, new legislation and a coalition of state attorneys general bringing about the Mortgage Servicing Settlement with the nation's 14 largest banks that included billions of dollars in fines and additional billions in mortgage reductions for borrowers. President Barack Obama then introduced in his 2012 State of the Union address, a "mortgage servicing bill of rights for borrowers" to govern how borrowers are to be treated.

Understanding Bond Mutual Funds

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0800

Bond mutual funds offer investors an alternative to traditional stock funds, with a unique set of risks and advantages. Although bond mutual funds function in much the same way as stock funds, there are a number of distinct differences to consider. Understanding bond mutual funds can help you to decide whether this unique investment product is right for your family.

Can an Independent Child That Lives With the Father File Head of Household?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 22:32:05 +0800

Filing as head of household – as opposed to as a single taxpayer – will reduce your taxable income by $2,750 in the 2012 tax year. The standard deduction for head of household filers is $8,700, while the standard exemption for a single filer is only $5,950. The Internal Revenue Service doesn't give up tax dollars easily, however. Qualifying as head of household under IRS rules depends on far more than whether you live with your father.

What Is the Oldest Mutual Fund?

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 22:33:36 +0800

If you've ever gathered up a group of friends and pooled your pocket change to buy a pizza, you'll understand the basic principle of a mutual fund. By combining several small contributions, you were able to buy something bigger and better than any of you could have managed on your own. There are thousands of mutual funds currently sold in the United States, with the oldest dating back to the Roaring '20s.