Budgeting

The calendar says it’s still winter, but many of us are dreaming of spring break or summer excursions. Have you been surfing the Internet for that next great trip idea or deal? Travel doesn’t have to break the bank. There are ways to save while having an adventure and creating memories. Here are some ideas to make travel planning easier and for spending your hard-earned dollars right where you want them.

Are you happy with your child’s understanding of money? Many people want to ensure their children learn positive values when it comes to money, but they are not sure how to instill them. The Ohio Society of CPAs offers these five tips for parents who want to teach their children how spending—and saving—work.

The leaves are falling and so is the temperature. Take steps now to winterize your roost and save money on your heating bills. With energy costs climbing, it makes sense to take advantage of savings opportunities, say personal financial planning experts at The Ohio Certified Public Accountants. But you don’t have to spend thousands in home improvements. A few simple steps can help you save.

You may never have thought of yourself as the environmentally-friendly type, but what if going green meant saving cash? There are many simple ways to make changes, save money and help the environment at the same time say personal financial planning experts at The Ohio Society of CPAs. Here are seven ways to get started.

August was a stressful month for America’s finances. But what does a credit downgrade, rock-bottom interest rates for two more years and a rollercoaster stock market mean going forward for the average consumer like you? If you listen to top financial experts – it shouldn’t mean a thing.

The recent economic crisis brought extremely high levels of layoffs and unemployment across the country. As the ranks of the newly unemployed swelled, so did the entrepreneurial spirit, with startups at a 15-year high.

You’ve put in four, or maybe to your parent’s dismay, five or six years of hard work in college, and now graduation is here. What’s next? Planning for retirement.

Americans save a little over 5% of their personal disposable income, according to the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. It’s not surprising, then, that many people wonder at the end of each month where their money has gone. But don’t despair! There are many easy ways to pump up your nest egg without trying too hard. The Ohio Society of CPAs offers these practical tips.

For the past few years, you’ve scrimped, you’ve saved, you’ve eaten at home instead of going out. After all, desperate economic times call for desperate measures. But now, the economy is showing signs of life, and you’re ready to throw off the chains of frugal living. Do you know if your budget can take it?

If the IRS came calling, could you easily put your fingers on the important records that will back up your tax return? If you’re a hoarder, with file cabinets overflowing in old checks, bank statements and pay stubs, or a purger—someone who shreds everything the minute you file your return, these CPA tips of record keeping can help you make sense of what to keep and what to pitch. Reducing your paperwork burden will help you be more organized with the documents you do need to keep.

Whether home heating expenses surge up or inch down, they always seem to take a significant bite out of the family budget. To help you rein in costs as the weather gets cooler, The Ohio Society of CPAs offers these tips.

Each year on January 1, millions of us make resolutions to change our lives in the coming year. Losing a few pounds and quitting smoking are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions. This year, how about making a pledge to improve your finances?

Have you ever been hit by a hefty charge for accidentally withdrawing more money than is in your checking account? These fees can be quite high, so The Ohio Society of CPAs advises that you understand how they work and how to avoid them.

Are you and your spouse completely familiar with each other’s financial situation? Are critical documents up to date? Are you prepared if a spouse is incapacitated or dies? Failure to share information can magnify problems in a crisis.

You just earned your first paycheck from your new college job and you feel like you are at the top of the world. Now you can finally afford that new outfit, a trip with your friends to the movies and the new gadget you’ve been eying.

At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time looking after the needs of your aging parents. Squeezed in the middle, you've joined the ranks of the "sandwich generation." It’s a challenge millions of Americans are currently facing.

The nation has been facing uncertain economic times for a while now, a fact that has had an impact on many Americans. That means that many families have had to tighten their budgets and cut back on some of their spending. As this occurs, kids may have a tough time understanding why their parents can no longer afford the toys, electronic gadgets, activities or trips that they want. Here's some advice on how to address the economy with your children.

Money issues are one of the leading causes of marriage stress. Making sure both of you are on the same page when it comes to finances before you walk down the aisle can help avoid problems once the honeymoon is over.

Perhaps you’re recently divorced or widowed. Maybe you just landed a job after a long period of unemployment or you recently completed bankruptcy proceedings. All of these life events present a common challenge: the need to reestablish yourself financially. The following steps can help get you back on sound financial footing.

If you’re like most adults, your goals may include raising a family, building your dream home and retiring in comfort. But without a clear plan to achieve these, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Young families often are strapped with college loans, mortgages, medical premiums and the never-ending costs of raising children. It’s easy to put off saving until later. But later comes all too soon for many of us. Fortunately, with good planning, it is possible to achieve a more secure financial future.