Financial Questions to Ask Mom and Dad
Many Americans have been focused on their own finances over the past several months. But don’t neglect helping those closest to you with their finances as well, especially aging parents. Here are some questions to ask your parents to help them sort through their financial picture. Have you decided when you’ll start taking Social Security […]
Ideas to Help Local Businesses
Shuttered businesses are realizing that lifting lockdown restrictions doesn’t mean a return to business as usual. Social distancing guidelines and a public wary of venturing into crowded environments means light customer traffic for many businesses. Here are several ideas to help local businesses financially as they re-open their doors: Continue buying gift cards. For many […]
The New Face of Banking
It suddenly got a lot more difficult to buy a home The banking sector is the latest industry to dramatically change how it operates in response to the current economic environment. The most visible change for consumers are new requirements for taking out a mortgage. Here are some tips for working with banks and other […]
Be Prepared for Pandemic Tax Surprises
Numerous new laws provide economic relief to individuals and businesses hardest hit by this year’s pandemic. This much-needed financial assistance, however, comes with a few strings attached. Here are three potential surprises if you use the available economic relief packages: • Getting a tax bill for unemployment benefits. While the $1,200 economic impact payments most […]
Think Before Tapping 401(k) as Emergency Fund
Do you need a quick infusion of cash? Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you may be able to take money out of a qualified plan, like a 401(k), or an IRA, with favorable tax consequences. But should you do it? You might view withdrawing money from a retirement account as […]
How can I best find a top rated estate attorney, licensed in both MA and NH, for settling my sister’s estate?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I’m looking for a top rated wills, trust, and probate attorney, licensed in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to help with settling the estate of my recently deceased sister. My brother and I are co-executors of her estate. My sister’s official residence was Nashua, New Hampshire where she owned a condo and filed […]
Contemplating Your Estate Plan During Covid-19
Get Your Affairs in Order For most of us, coronavirus and the threat it poses has made us contemplate the status of our estate plans. As thousands of people in the Commonwealth have died of COVID-19 and its complications, many thousands more are ill, and many, many thousands more face unemployment and financial hardship. There […]
Beware of Scams Tied to COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
The IRS is warning you to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and e-mail phishing attempts related to COVID-19. They will come in the form of e-mails, text messages, websites and social media attempts that request money or personal information. It can come in many forms The IRS says that scammers may […]
Answers to Common COVID-19 Unemployment Questions
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides individuals and businesses significant financial relief from the financial strain caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Here is a snapshot of the unemployment benefits section of the bill and how it affects individuals and businesses. Who qualifies to receive unemployment benefits? In addition to […]
Protect Your Video Conference Meetings
Avalanche of new remote workers creates latest playground for hackers Hackers have found their new playground amid the increased use of video conferencing during the coronavirus pandemic: Zoombombing! Zoombombing defined Named for the company Zoom, the unfortunate first high-profile victim of this phenomena, Zoombombing occurs when internet trolls hack video conference meetings and join as […]