What is it? Definition The student loan interest deduction allows you to deduct from your gross income a portion of the interest you pay on student loans. The maximum deduction is $2,500. Eligibility requirements To take the deduction, you must meet several requirements: The interest must be paid on a qualified education loan that was
In times of crisis, you don’t want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you’re protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash reserve, a pool of readily available funds that can help you
Children are a special blessing and their arrival brings boundless love and joy into our lives that you can’t put a price on. But adding a child to the household impacts the family budget–and women especially–in very measurable ways. Whether this is your first child or your fourth, here are some financial matters to think
Getting married is exciting, but it brings many challenges. One such challenge that you and your spouse will have to face is how to merge your finances. Planning carefully and communicating clearly are important, because the financial decisions that you make now can have a lasting impact on your future. Discuss your financial goals The
Answer: Although most of us recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, few of us embrace the nitty-gritty work involved. With thousands of investment possibilities, complex rules governing retirement plans, and so on, most people don’t even know where to begin. Here are some suggestions to help you get started. First, set lifestyle goals for
What is the forecast for college cost increases? You’ve seen the numbers–a college education is expensive. All those benefits of personal growth, expanded horizons, and increased lifetime earning power come at a price, a price that increases every year. According to the College Board’s annual Trends in College Pricing Report, for the 2015/2016 academic year,
Introduction An old rule of thumb said that you could afford to buy a house that cost between one and a half and two and a half times your annual salary. In reality, there’s a lot more to take into consideration. You’ll want to know not only how much of a mortgage you qualify for,
College costs For the 2015/2016 college year, the average annual cost of attendance (known as the COA) at a four-year public college for in-state students is $24,061, the average cost at a four-year public college for out-of-state students is $38,544, and the average cost at a four-year private college is $47,831. The COA figure includes
