Money & Finance

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(BPT) - Ever wonder how the Internal Revenue Service selects which taxpayers to audit? Well, it isn’t always a matter of chance. There are certain factors that can make your tax return stand out from the rest.

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(BPT) - As the weather warms, car buying season gets into full swing. Even though interest rates are still at or near record lows, there are additional ways smart buyers are saving even more cash on their next vehicle and staying within their budgets.

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(NAPSI)—Young men in the United States often find turning 18 can bring a number of opportunities. It also brings an important obligation-registering with Selective Service.

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(NAPSI)—Investors can sometimes overlook signs that indicate an offer really is too good to be true. This can leave them vulnerable to fraud and financial predators.

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(BPT) - Your wedding is supposed to be a magical day you remember for the rest of your life. It also is sure to be one of the most expensive days of your life. From the dress to the catering to the photographer, the average wedding costs nearly $30,000. With all that money and emotion on the line, you want to do everything you can to ensure this special day goes flawlessly.

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(BPT) - In the next few months, high school seniors across the country will be anxiously checking mailboxes for college acceptance letters. With two-thirds of recent high school grads enrolling in college as of 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is the first step on a journey towards personal and financial independence for many Americans. Whether an incoming freshman, soon to be senior or recent grad, it is never too early to get financially fit. The key to success is to make the process fun and manageable.

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(BPT) - To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.

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(NAPSI)—Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets for staying happy and efficient at your job may be what you do outside office walls.

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(BPT) - Anyone over a certain age has heard about the “the three Rs” of education - reading, writing and arithmetic. The thinking is that if you graduate from school knowing how to read, write and solve basic math problems, you’ll have the fundamentals for a successful life. But these days much more is required, especially when it comes to making sure you have the financial resources to take care of yourself and your family.

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(BPT) - Long term financial planning can be daunting for many Americans, however, Prudential’s 2014 Hispanic American Finance Experience survey indicates that the Hispanic community may face distinct challenges. According to a recent survey on how Hispanic Americans manage their finances, the Hispanic American community places a high priority on short-term goals like supporting family and paying down debt which can come at the expense of building savings and investing for retirement. Although laudable, these cultural characteristics may also be a double-edged sword that competes with the Hispanic American community’s ability to save and invest toward retirement.

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(NAPSI)—Whether you have a disability or are helping a family member get assistance, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the number of disability programs and services that are available nationwide. There is a solution for you. Simply visit Disability.gov, the federal government’s website for people with disabilities and their families, to find information across 10 topics: Benefits, Civil Rights, Community Life, Education, Emergency Preparedness, Health, Employment, Housing, Technology and Transportation.

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(BPT) - Read enough about the state of Americans’ finances and you might get the impression that the average consumer is fairly clueless when it comes to making good money decisions. But a new survey indicates that Americans are more credit-savvy than you might think about how and when to use one of the most-maligned types of credit: payday loans.

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Taxes can be, well, taxing. But there’s a simple, easy way to do your federal taxes, and it’s all for free. It’s called Free File.

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(NewsUSA) - This tax season, the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) suggests using a checklist to make sure you have everything you need when visiting your tax professional.

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(BPT) - Several key tax law changes in the Affordable Care Act have been implemented in 2013 and 2014. The impact of those changes on federal tax returns due April 15, 2014 and 2015 hinge mainly on your household's adjusted gross income (AGI) and health insurance situation.

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(BPT) - Dental health is essential to overall health, affecting everything from our hearts to our mental well-being. Yet despite ample research that underscores the importance of taking care of our teeth, millions of Americans never go to the dentist. A lack of dental insurance is one of the top reasons Americans don’t keep up with their dental care.

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(BPT) - Consumer knowledge about credit scoring remains a challenge. In fact, nearly half of Americans still don’t know that mortgage companies use credit scores when making decisions about credit availability and pricing, according to a 2013 survey by the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions, a credit score model developer. Even if you do understand the importance of a credit score, you may still wonder why yours isn’t higher.

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(NAPSI)—Finding ways to save and turn problems into profits is a key quality that’s shared by successful small businesses that have found a way to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

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(StatePoint) Not long after graduation, the daunting financial reality for many college grads sets it. There is approximately $1 trillion in total outstanding student loan debt in the United States, according to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.

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(BPT) - As a new year unfolds, many people resolve to kick bad habits and take better care of their health and their finances. After a few late payments, messy receipt folders and carefree budgeting, it’s time to make your personal finances a priority. It may feel like you don’t have enough time in your hectic life to sit down and manage your money, but with a few secret weapons you can organize your personal finances like a professional in no time at all, from wherever your busy day may take you.

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(NAPSI)—As Indonesia prepares for the most important elections in the country’s history, technical problems and political corruption threaten the credibility of the fast approaching polls. The 2014 legislative and presidential elections will be just the fourth national poll for the world’s fourth most populous country in the 15 years since the fall of the dictatorial Suharto regime. Accommodating for nearly 200 million voters spread over 17,000 islands in the Southeast Asian nation is a monumental task. However, the 2004 elections were widely viewed as free and fair while the 2009 polls faced problems but managed to get a passing grade by most international observers. For the 2014 cycle, the challenges and accusations of manipulation are mounting by the day to an unprecedented level while the stakes to conduct free and fair elections could not be higher.

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(NAPSI)—An annual conference that brings together educators from around the globe to share, network, learn, and improve their practice will be held in Los Angeles, California, March 15-17, 2014.

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(BPT) - With the holidays past and a new year upon us, now is the time for Americans to focus on their 2014 resolutions. And while fitness goals often top the list of New Year’s resolutions, diet and exercise aren’t the only ways to get back into shape. This year, do yourself and your loved ones a favor by getting financially fit as well.

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Whether you’re wrapping up end-of-year paperwork, getting ready to create your 2014 budget, or preparing for tax season, something about this time of year inspires financial introspection. While you’re evaluating your own financial well-being – including your credit status – it may be helpful to know how other Americans are doing. The latest iteration of a popular credit study indicates that while Americans are doing well overall credit-wise, younger generations could stand to work on improving their credit habits.