learnvest

6 Strange New Taxes That May Be Headed Your Way

With both the sequester and tax filing season under way, most people thinking about taxes have their minds on Washington, D.C. But a new Time article points out six new, and frankly strange, state taxes that may be coming your way in the near future.

How to Do Your Taxes if You're a Homeowner

If you're a homeowner, you've got a slice of the American dream, and the tax breaks that go along with it. Whether you bought, sold or just happily lived in your home this year, we'€™ll walk you through all the tax stuff you need to know.

Could Itemizing Save You on Taxes? Find Out

Though we all groan about having to pay taxes, the government is nice enough not to tax us on everything we earn. There are two big buckets of deductions the government gives us: The first are called "above the line," and the second are called "below the line," and those are what we'll cover here.

Doing Your Taxes: How to Decide Your Filing Status

If there is one thing to make sure you get right on your taxes, it’s your filing status. It can determine how much you pay in taxes, and it’s one of the things that will definitely land you in an audit if you get it wrong. Take a look at this handy flowchart.

How to Do Your Taxes if You're a Same Sex Married Couple

2012 was a banner year for the gay marriage movement, but there's still a shadow hanging over the celebrations of those victories: In the eyes of the federal government, couples in legal same-sex marriages are still single. Here's how that affects their taxes.

Money Mic: How My Dad%u2019s Life Insurance Saved Our Family

According to a nationwide study, 57% of respondents own life insurance, but only 28% feel extremely confident in their understanding of life insurance. Today, Alden Wicker shares a very personal story from her childhood, which drove home to her just how important it is for parents to have life insurance.

Retirement Savings by Age: How Do You Compare?

How much do people have saved for retirement in their 30s? In their 40s? In their 50s? LearnVest conducted a nationwide survey to find out. Wondering how your portfolio balance stacks up? Take a look at the breakdown and find out.

5 Surprising Things You Should Negotiate

Most of us know we're supposed to negotiate when it comes to buying a house or a car, but how about at the dry cleaner? Or when we're on the phone with our cell phone provider? Hesitate no longer.

How I Went Bankrupt at 23

For as long as Amanda Chatel could remember, her dad had warned her about the dangers of credit cards. Then she got to college and began ignoring those warnings -- repeatedly.

How I Paid Off $27,000 in Credit Card Debt in Two Years

Getting your finances under control on a tight budget is hard, But as Dana Burgess shows, it can be done. Here's how she racked up $63,000 in credit card debt, how she's digging her way out, and how she learned to enjoy living on less.