Eileen Ambrose: Personal Finance
The Baltimore Sun's Eileen Ambrose has been writing on taxes, retirement, saving for college and other personal finance issues since 1999. Got questions? She'll try to find answers. She also contributes to the blog Consuming Interests.
March 16, 2010
Struggling to pay taxes? The IRS is here to help
The tax deadline is a month away, and the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know that it's going to lighten up.
March 14, 2010
PERSONAL FINANCE
Build a better 401(k)
The fastest-growing segment of the population these days: centenarians.
March 9, 2010
February was standout month for dividends
After two of the worst years ever for dividends, payouts to shareholders are making a comeback.
March 7, 2010
Marylanders joining Move Your Money campaign
A nationwide campaign to stick it to the big banks seems to have caught on with consumers who are withdrawing their money and moving on.
March 2, 2010
Legislation would shine light on tax refund loans
Tax season is upon us, and some filers literally can't wait.
February 28, 2010
Consumer's quest for refund shines a light on ID theft
Deborah Tewey unwillingly joined a large and fast-growing club: victims of identity fraud.
February 23, 2010
Con artists target folks desperate for work
Con artists have the canny ability to home in on what we are most concerned about and then exploit it for their own gain. Right now, it's jobs.
February 21, 2010
As consumer reforms roll out, beware new credit card company fees
Credit card issuers are going to have to play by a whole new set of rules that take effect Monday and are considered consumer-friendly - but will also cut into some of their traditional sources of revenue.
February 16, 2010
Don't dawdle on college aid requests
Colleges are bracing for another year of high demand for financial aid - and that means students need to get their applications in as quickly as possible.
February 14, 2010
All you need is love
Couples this Valentine's Day will exchange cards, kisses and - if they're really serious - chocolates. Why not credit reports?
February 9, 2010
How protected are you from snow damage?
With 2 feet of snow this past weekend and more flakes forecasted, many homes in the Baltimore area are likely to end up with some weather-related damage.
February 7, 2010
PERSONAL FINANCE
Rife with myth
The U.S. tax code is massive and complicated - the perfect fodder for myth-making.
January 31, 2010
Tax breaks 101
This may be the tax season where even die-hard do-it-yourselfers break down and hire a preparer or at the very least invest in some tax software.
January 26, 2010
Look out for confusion over end of estate tax
The one-year suspension of the federal estate tax may be a bit of good news for the bereaved - but it also could upend some careful estate planning.
January 24, 2010
Personal finance
Beware of bursting bubbles
In the aftermath of the 2008 stock market crash that wiped out retirement accounts, nervous investors stampeded for cover and poured a record number of dollars into bond mutual funds last year.
January 19, 2010
Personal finance
Your rights and what to do when debt collector calls
When a leading debt collections law firm that had been accused of breaking consumer protection laws collapsed in Maryland last week, debtors searched for answers about what Mann Bracken LLP's demise would mean for them.
January 17, 2010
Personal finance
It's raining reforms
The credit card industry will undergo its most sweeping overhaul in history when new regulations kick in next month.
January 12, 2010
Personal finance
Filers, beware: Pick your tax preparer wisely
The days are numbered for paid tax preparers who don't understand tax law - or intentionally flout it - yet file returns anyway, leaving the taxpayer to suffer the consequences.
January 10, 2010
Personal finance
Is the Roth right for you?
The buzz in the financial industry right now: Roth IRA conversions.
January 5, 2010
Personal finance
Be careful dealing with debt settlement firms
The number of debt-settlement companies nationwide has grown into the thousands as more strapped consumers are turning to them to help wipe away debt.
January 3, 2010
Personal finance
Turn the lights out on the 'aughts'
The first decade of the new millennium is now over and most of us might say, "Good riddance."
December 27, 2009
Personal finance
No estate tax for a year? Don't count your blessings
Just a few weeks ago, it was unthinkable that Congress would allow the federal estate tax to temporarily disappear next year.
December 22, 2009
Personal finance
Ways to try to recover BlueHippo losses
David Derby was driving home when he heard a radio ad from BlueHippo Funding, offering to sell a computer on an installment plan while helping people with no or poor credit history build a good track record.
December 20, 2009
Personal finance
Leniency available on student loans
Federal student loan default rates are on the rise, but there's no need even in this weak economy for you to fall into arrears on your loans.
October 11, 2009
PERSONAL FINANCE
Danger: Low inflation
Investors and economists worry about higher inflation, but the more immediate concern is inflation that's flat or even negative.
February 1, 2009
Eileen Ambrose: Tips to help you save some of your money
Gather your W-2, charitable receipts and investments statements. Tax season is here.
Copyright © 2010, The Baltimore Sun
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