My son is spending his days at science camp for a few weeks this summer. Does the cost of his camp qualify for the dependent-care tax credit?It may. You can claim the dependent-care tax credit for the cost of day camp if your...
My daughter will be starting college this fall and the tuition bill is due soon. What is the best way to coordinate our 529 savings plan with the new college tax credit?Before you tap your 529 plan for this semester's tuition...
Since I lost my job nearly 18 months ago, my health insurance has been covered through the COBRA program. Now my COBRA eligibility is about to end, and I still don't have a job with benefits. I have some health problems, so I...
My credit-card company called me and said that somebody tried to charge a penny to my account. When I explained that it wasn't my charge, the issuer canceled my card and sent me a new one. Was this an identity thief at work?...
I heard that the financial-services reform bill passed by the Senate calls for free credit scores for everyone. Is that true?Not exactly. The Senate's version of the financial-reform bill would entitle you to a free credit...
I've already written two columns in response to readers' questions about the new health-care-reform law and extending coverage to adult children, Putting Adult Children Back on Your Health Plan and New Grads and Health-Care...
Now that it's 2010, anyone can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, regardless of income. We've answered many questions about Roth conversions in our FAQs on the New Roth Conversion Rules article and our Roth Conversions...
Is there any chance that members of the military and their families will have to pay a penalty for not having the right kind of coverage after everyone is required to have health insurance in 2014?No, members of the military...
I have an old tree on my property, and my next-door neighbor is worried that it could fall over in a big windstorm. Whose homeowner insurance pays for cleanup if my tree falls into my neighbor's yard?Good question, especially...
It's easy to roll your eyes at socially responsible investing. Maybe it's because the term suggests that other...
Flood insurance doesn't grab the headlines like, say, health-care reform does. Yet it's got all the elements of a...
Allan Stark goes to bat for those who shy away from negotiating (you can sign up for his services at Negotiate4U...
1. Create a realistic budget. Add up your essential living expenses and match them with your guaranteed sources of...