Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

You could be subject to AMT for the first time and pay a higher tax bill than before. According to CNNmoney, about 20 million taxpayers have no idea whether they need to pay quarterly taxes and avoid underpayment penalties. What the IRS is saying in essence, we aren’t paying enough in taxes.

College Edition: 10 steps to balance your checkbook

Balancing your checkbook helps you keep track of your bank account. Before, folks had to use pencil and paper to do it. Heck, some still prefer to do it this way. But, these days, you can simply buy affordable software that you can download and install on your laptop to better accomodate your digital life. Regardless of how you do it, keep these 10 steps in mind.

What do the top 3 billionaires in America drive?

We’re having a little fun on the MoneyTalk Blog today. I was curious about what some of America’s richest drive. I wasn’t looking at folks like the Walton kids or people that inherited their wealth, but those that started like you and me, with nothing. I found an interesting tidbit about the top 3 wealthiest Americans: Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Paul Allen.

From Kansas City to Portland for only $238!

Thanks to Ding! from Southwest Airlines, my softball team was able to nab non-stop flights from Kansas City, MO to Portland, OR for a mere $238. Talk about a steal!

The truth about credit repair

I’m sure you’re aware of credit clean-up and repair services. Like it or not, the credit repair business is booming. Why? Because people are obsessed with their credit score and the benefits a good score brings.

Thanks for the recommendations

I’m still taking recommendations for books to read, but wanted to thank everyone who has responded. I have accumulated a list of books that will keep me busy for the rest of the year and probably into the next. Since I work at a wholesale textbook distributor, I simply picked up my next book here. It was only $7.00. Not bad.

College Edition: 10 things to look for in a bank account

As we continue the College Edition Series here on the MoneyTalk Blog, today we’re covering key things to look for when you’re looking to open a bank account. You’re gonna need a bank account that fits the college life and offers special deals to students.

‘Maxed Out’ Review

Beachgirl recently posted her review of Maxed Out, a “journey deep inside the American style of debt, where things seem fine as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time.”* It’s a great look at how behavior really does play into the debt problem, for individuals as well as the government. Thanks for the brief analysis Beachgirl, I’m planning on picking up the DVD myself.

Check out Beachgirl’s review of Maxed Out

*Maxed Out (synopsis)

Budget busting month of June

June is turning out to be one for the books. We’ve had all sorts of things to do this month that our budget has simply been picked apart. The great thing is that we haven’t gone into debt for anything. That would be rather difficult with no credit cards, but our debt snowball has taken a small hit. With my birthday, Father’s Day, best friend’s birthday, and getting the house ready for a brief visit from the parents, we’ve spent nearly $500 cash in just 3 weeks. I’m looking forward to July.

The national deficit…who’s fault is it?

You can hardly read anything in the financial news media that doesn’t touch on the national deficit and the government’s seemingly lack of action to get out of it. This morning, I read a couple of posts on Debtective.com and Five Cent Nickel that talked about this particular topic. This will not be a political rant, because, in my opinion, it’s not a political problem. Let me explain.