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.

Struggling to pay taxes? The IRS is here to help

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.

Legislation would shine light on tax refund loans

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.

Rife with myth

February 7, 2010

PERSONAL FINANCE

Rife with myth

The U.S. tax code is massive and complicated - the perfect fodder for myth-making.

Tax breaks 101

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.

Your rights and what to do when debt collector calls

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.

Filers, beware: Pick your tax preparer wisely

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.

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Pushing for FiOS

Pushing for FiOS

Coalition's ad drive to press Verizon to bring high-speed Internet to city
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Credit hurts job prospects

Credit hurts job prospects

Bill in Annapolis would limit employers use of credit checks for hiring

Dream home

Dream home

City couple revives an 1870 house using historic colors and furnishings
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Jay Hancock

Jay Hancock

Some Baltimore financiers sound off on Dodd's fix - March 17, 2010 - The economic crisis was caused by dumb home buyers doing business with greedy financial companies,...

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