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INVESTING

Are You Owed Money From A Missing US Savings Bond?

By The BIDaWIZ Team on April 23rd, 2012 at 4:00 pm

It is easy to lose track of the gifts you receive as investments over the years. This is especially common for investments in U.S. savings bonds which are suppose to be returned to the investor at maturity. But, if the investor cannot be identified, the bonds will be marked as undelivered. In fact, there are 25,000 payments sent back to the Department of Treasury each year. Are you owed a U.S. savings bond? Find out. Read More.

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INVESTING

Purchasing a Property in Short Sale Will Become More Attractive

By The BIDaWIZ Team on April 20th, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Real estate property that is likely to be sold in a short sale will become a lot more attractive to purchasers within the next two months. .
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INVESTING

Does It Make Sense To Borrow From My 401(k)?

By Susan Ladika on February 9th, 2012 at 11:45 am

Not all companies allow you to borrow from your 401(k), but a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found the practice was more common among bigger employers than small ones. At the end of 2010, about one in five 401(k) participants who were eligible to borrow from their plans had outstanding loans. .
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INVESTING

How Can I Determine When I Can Afford to Retire?

By The BIDaWIZ Team on January 26th, 2012 at 4:00 pm

That's a question many people are asking these days, given the recent volatility of the stock market and the very low interest rates financial institutions are paying on savings and money market accounts and CDs. .
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INVESTING, TAX PLANNING

How are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Taxed?

By The BIDaWIZ Team on December 13th, 2011 at 3:00 pm

You may be surprised to learn that not every ETF is taxed the same as the structure and components of the fund dictate the taxation. .
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INVESTING, PERSONAL FINANCE

New Cost Basis Reporting May Impact Your Capital Gains Tax

By The BIDaWIZ Team on October 25th, 2011 at 6:45 pm

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You may have received a notice recently from your financial institution or broker dealer indicating that they will begin reporting the cost basis for all "covered transactions" to both you and the IRS on form 1099-B. This means that any stocks and ETFs purchased this year will include a cost basis which is intended to make it easier for you to calculate your capital gains tax. But, this also means that electing the appropriate type of cost basis method will be so much more important than in the past. The days of coming up with a cost basis out of thin air are over .
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INVESTING

What Happens to My Profit Sharing Plan if I Get Fired?

By The BIDaWIZ Team on October 4th, 2011 at 4:00 pm

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Many companies offer employees either a 401(K), profit-sharing plan or other type of defined contribution plan to tie employee interests to the success of the company. Benefit plans also happen to be the second largest asset that most employees accumulate during their lifetime; second to a home of course. Yet, employees often know very little about their rights and the terms of their plans. Especially, in the case of being laid off or fired. .
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INVESTING

Pay Attention to Asset LOCATION to Save on Taxes

By The BIDaWIZ Team on September 15th, 2011 at 8:00 pm

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We often hear investment gurus recommend various asset allocations based on the investor's time horizon, age, and wealth. Unfortunately, we rarely hear about asset location which is a shame since the right strategy can save investors on current and future tax liabilities. .
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INVESTING

I’m considering investing in rental property. What should I know?

By Susan Ladika on August 11th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeownership rates fell to 65.9% in the second quarter of the year, compared to more than 69% in 2004. That means more people are in the market for a rental unit. Because so many homes and condos are selling at bargain-basement prices, and mortgage rates remain remarkably low, it can be very tempting to want to snap up one or two. But there are plenty of issues to keep in mind if you’re scouting around for a property to purchase. Read More.

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INVESTING

How Much Cash Should I Have In My Emergency Fund?

By The BIDaWIZ Team on August 9th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

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If you don't have an emergency fund, you should start one today. .
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