Financial Planning Blog

I have simple taxes. Should I hire an accountant?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I have a pretty simple tax return — just W2 income and no real deductions that I can think of. I’m a renter. Should...

Should I roll my old 401(k) into my new one or an IRA?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I’m getting ready to change jobs. The new job has a 401(k) and my old one did too. I plan to save as much as I can....

I want to gift I Bonds to my grandchildren. How?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I wish to give each of my brand new twin grandchildren a $10,000 I Bonds through TreasuryDirect. I need to avoid the...

How can I make cash easy to access if an older person needs care?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. If one spouse dies and the other is handicapped, children or relatives may have to offer assistance. A live-in aide...

What happens to Social Security if I get married?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. The man I’ve been dating for six years wants to get engaged. He is 66 years old, retired and receiving his Social...

I claimed gambling winnings. What happens to my disability payments?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I received a letter from disability saying that I received $2,400 in gambling winnings in 2021. I didn’t actually...

My Medicare premiums just doubled. What can I do?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I took money out of my IRA which increased my taxable income, and then I had a significant increase in my Medicare...

I own I Bonds. How can I see what interest I’ve earned?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. I purchased I bonds in December 2021 and January 2022. To date, no interest has been posted to the bonds. Why? —...

I’m on Medicare. Can I be covered by my husband’s HSA?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. My husband has a high-deductible health plan through his employer and it’s tied to a health savings account (HSA)....

Can I still file for the Homestead Rebate?
This article, authored by Claudia Mott, was originally posted on NJMoneyhelp.com ___________________________________________________________________ Q. We just received paperwork to file for the ANCHOR property tax benefit. Can I go back and apply for the Homestead...