With tax season finally over, now seems like a good time to talk about how to make next year’s taxes go as smoothly as possible. I especially want to focus on the self-employed and contractors. While there are all kinds of variables that complicate tax-filing (owning a home, dependents, interest income, divorce, marriage, death), many of us still work for corporations where we file a W-2 and our withholdings become automatic. For entrepreneurs, or people in more less formal income situations, it can be a bit trickier.

Greater Nevada Credit Union We’ve all been there: you need access to some quick cash and the only ATM around has a $4 fee. It’s the worst! Banks charge on average $2.60 for using an ATM out of your network. Sometimes even your own financial institution charges an additional fee, an average of $1.53. At $4.13 a pop, these little fees can become a monster headache in a big hurry. Don’t worry; there are some easy ways to avoid ATM Fees.

Buying a new car can be stressful! For most people, their vehicles are their second most valuable possession after their homes. In order to make sure you buy the car that’s right for you and your family, you must consider many factors, but it is most important to find a vehicle you can realistically afford.

I’m the first person to admit that I have a brown thumb. I do however turn green with envy when I visit a friend of mine who has every variety of tomato known to man, growing in abundance all over her back yard. Luckily she shares her bounty with me, which is great because the cost of produce has skyrocketed due to the 3-year draught in California. The cost of lettuce is up 34%, grapes 21%, (wait did I just read that right? Grapes are up 21%....what is that doing to the wine market?). Before we panic…let’s take a look at some money saving ideas to calm our nerves.

Father’s Day is around the corner. It’s a day to honor and celebrate the men who raised us – and for some of us it’s a bittersweet holiday. My dad left this earth 5 years ago this July, and I miss him every day. I was lucky to have such an amazing role model and confidant for 41 years. It’s never long enough; I never stop needing my father’s wisdom.

We’ve talked quite a bit on this blog and on our website about safeguarding your financial and personal information to protect yourself from identity theft. By now, hopefully, you’re careful about web sites you shop on, shredding your bills, monitoring your accounts and all that. But today let’s discuss a type of fraud threat that may not even be on your radar: child identity theft.

My husband and I moved to Reno a little over a year and a half ago from Independence, Kentucky which is a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Summertime in the Midwest is primarily hot with a side of humid, and the occasional thunderstorm and/or tornado. We didn’t really hear much about wild fires in our neck of the woods.

The goal of this blog is to provide information that will help you Live Greater financially. Sometimes banks and credit unions take it for granted that consumers understand all of their financial lingo, but I know from personal experience that’s not always true. So this week I am going to address a question some of you may have about a commonly used term: home equity.

Growing up in a large family, vacations were short and rare, as my parents often struggled to make ends meet. But I do remember a few – my parents went out of their way to invest in making memories with the family, even if they couldn’t afford much. As an adult, what stands out to me most is not the quality of hotels or price of the vacation package, but the sense of fun an adventure. Taking a break from busyness and demands on your time to escape with your family is an important part of life. It benefits your health and enriches your relationships.

Since we talked about weddings last week, let’s look this week at one of the most important topics a newly married couple will have to wrestle with – managing the finances together. If you’ve been single for a while, the reality of suddenly having to make mutual earning, spending and saving decisions can be a bit difficult to overcome. We’re going to look at different methods couples use to manage their finances, and tips for making that transition successfully.