by Karla Dennis | Jul 11, 2019 | Blog
These days, you can earn points for just about anything…and the points can add up quickly. This means that you can often use reward points to finance big-ticket items like airfare and hotel stays. Here are some tips from reward plan experts to help you cut your summer vacation costs by using reward points. 1. Keep it simple to start: As you may know from your own experience, reward programs can be complicated. So, it’s easier to just focus on one or two programs in the beginning. 2. Get a bump at the beginning: Assuming that your credit score is good, applying for a credit card that offers free frequent flyer miles when you open the card is an easy way to bump up airfare reward points quickly. Keep in mind, however, this often requires you to charge a minimum amount, and there may also be an annual fee. read...
by Karla Dennis | Jun 6, 2019 | Blog
The Best Baseball Park Food Remember when ballpark snacks were limited to popcorn, peanuts and Cracker Jacks? Today, it’s a whole new ballgame! Many of America’s major league baseball stadiums now offer a full lineup of delicious treats top satisfy anyone’s craving. Check out some of the food options at stadiums across the United States. And then plan your next baseball game outing...
by Karla Dennis | May 30, 2019 | Blog
Tips for Choosing the Best Home Security System There are numerous advertisements and articles that highlight the latest smart security system. In fact, there are so many systems available that it’s hard to determine which one is right for your needs. That’s why we’re sharing the following information from pcmag.com. We hope it will help make your home security system decision easier. 1. Consider whether you want a system that you monitor yourself, or if you want to pay a subscription fee to have your home surveilled 24/7 by professionals. Some security service vendors will contact your local fire and police departments when alarms are triggered. However, the higher the level of service you get, the more you can expect to pay. read...
by Karla Dennis | May 23, 2019 | Blog
Basement Bounty: Turn Your Stash Into Cash Many of us have our secret stash of “stuff” somewhere in our homes. You know, those items that we procrastinate getting rid of. If you have your own small hoard of “treasures,” you might just be able to turn that stash into cash! Check out our list of common household items that might be worth more than you think. QuartersCheck your loose change for Kansas quarters—the ROI is amazing! A batch of these irregular quarters from 2005 are valued at around $10 each due to a coin pressing machine error. On some Kansas quarters, the print reads: “In God We Rust” instead of “In God We Trust.” read...
by Karla Dennis | May 16, 2019 | Blog
Learn From This Year’s Tax Return: Tips for the Self-Employed Summer is just around the corner and you are looking forward to relaxing a bit, right? It’s probably safe to assume that reviewing the tax return you just filed is not on your list of to-do’s. However, if you want to achieve your goals of having a better financial future and more money in your pocket, resist the urge to file away and ignore your 2018 return. Instead, take a few minutes to answer the following questions: Am I paying the right amount of tax?If you had to write a large, unexpected check to the IRS or if you received a big refund, we suggest you take a look at your estimated payments. If you had to pay more tax than you were expecting, increasing your estimated payments during the year may reduce the burden of a large tax bill later. If you received a big refund, you may want to lower quarterly payments and keep more of your cash during the year. Of course, always play it safe when it comes to taxes. Be sure to have a conversation with your tax professional before changing the firm’s recommended estimated payments. read...
