Money Girl's Quick And Dirty Tips For A Richer Life

Confused about how to fill out a W-4 at work? Laura explains what it is and how to complete it correctly. Plus, you'll learn 7 reasons when you should adjust your withholding so your employer doesn’t take out too much or too little income tax from your paycheck. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/node/9556

Taxes my not be your favorite financial topic but it's important to understand the basics. Laura explains what you need to know about 1099 tax forms. You'll learn what a form is, who issues and receives them, rules to comply with the law, and 8 key things you should know about taxable income. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mpBDeZ Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com.

No matter if you want to clean up your credit report or have an old zombie account coming back from the dead to haunt you, it’s important to understand your rights. Laura answers a question about old debt, explains the statute of limitations, gives advice for dealing with collectors, and offers 4 ways to handle accounts in collection. Get the Money Girl Book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mqLsMV

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of Laura's favorite ways to save money. She explains how they work, answers questions from podcast listeners about these tax-favored accounts, and describes the important role HSAs may play in healthcare reform under the Trump administration. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2mr0nq7

Congratulations on your pay raise or bonus! Now it's time to get serious about how to use it to improve your finances. Laura covers 6 wise strategies to create more financial security, so you don't fritter away an exceptional opportunity to build wealth instead. Read the full transcript here:http://bit.ly/2kABa8Z

Laura interviews Jay Papasan, bestselling co-author of The ONE Thing about how to set priorities and finally stick to them so you get extraordinary results. They cover productivity killers to eliminate, how to easily have more willpower, and a realistic way to achieve work-life balance. You'll learn the ultimate question to ask yourself every day to identify and stay focused on your number one priority that allows you to make huge improvements in your finances and life. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2kItbsS

Laura explains what happens when you make a late payment, how your credit is affected, and gives tips to minimize the potential damage. Plus, she answers a question from a long-time Money Girl Podcast listener who’s wondering what to do about an account that accidentally became delinquent. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2lzjZZG

Knowing where and how to invest money can be confusing and a little scary. Laura answers 3 questions from Money Girl Podcast listeners that will give you smart tips for setting financial priorities, leveraging retirement accounts, and knowing when it’s a good idea to use “robo-advisors” to make more money. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2iYdWNq

If you started the New Year with some extra credit card debt, you might be feeling anxious if you can't pay it off in full. Instead of getting stressed, follow Laura's 5 steps to get out of post-holiday debt faster so you take control of your finances and move in the right direction. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2jiDEcb Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com.

Laura interviews David Pogue, author of the new book, Pogue’s Basics: Money – Essential Tips and Shortcuts (That No One Bothers to Tell You) About Beating the System. You'll take away easy ways to outsmart retailers, leverage savings programs, and keep more of your hard-earned money, no matter how much or little you have. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2i8iVJb

Laura gives 7 tips to pay off your student loans the cheapest ways possible. She also interviews a couple who graduated with $600,000 of student loan debt after graduating from dental and law school. Find out their experiences, missteps, and tips for dealing with loans, having a repayment plan, and getting a great education for less. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2hHGM3S Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com.

Not sure what a trust is or who really needs one? (By the way, they're not just for wealthy people!) Laura interviews Jules Haas, an attorney with more than 30 years of experience. They break down a heavy topic with simple language and examples. Find out the difference between a will and a trust, common estate planning mistakes you should avoid, considerations for couples who are not married, key legal documents that every adult should have, and how to get legal help when you need it. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2h0Ggt5 Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com.

If you’re eager to move into your dream home, preparing your credit for a mortgage approvall should definitely be on your agenda. Laura gives 6 tips for building credit before you apply for a mortgage, so you get a loan that costs as little as possible. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1sUoe1c

No matter if you’re celebrating or protesting Donald Trump's victory for the White House, in this post I’ll cover 6 key areas where the President-elect could change your personal finances. You'll get solid advice to manage your money no matter what’s around the corner. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2f5zjpc

Homeowners insurance takes a bite out of your budget when you own a home. Laura covers 10 facts you should know about home insurance so you get the most out of it, fully understand the coverage, and pay less. Get the Money Girl book at http://MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2g0TpmF

Managing one or more Health Savings Accounts can seem complicated. Laura answers a listener question about what do to when you end up with more than one HSA. Find out how these special accounts save money, the rules for using them, who can have one, and where to open one up. Get the Money Girl book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2f9iZqI

Laura interviews Tom Meyer to discuss really needs a financial advisor. Find out when it's the right time to hire a financial professional, how much money you should have, where to find one, how they're paid, and how to know you've found someone who's the best fit for your situation. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2dWzUxP

In honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, Laura gives you 7 tips to stay connected with family and friends on social media as safely as possible so ordinary details you share won't be used by cyber thieves to hurt your personal finances. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2drUJRq Get the Money Girl book at http://www.MoneyGirlBook.com.

Tired of dealing with your cable company and paying sky high bills? Then it’s time to finally cut the cable TV cord and save money. In this expert interview we cover details like how much you can save, pros and cons, setup costs, watching sports, best devices and streaming services, and the first steps to get started. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2db6KWV

Laura answers a listener question and explains what happens when a friend, family member, or spouse leaves you an IRA. There are 5 important rules you should know to avoid costly mistakes that could trigger huge tax penalties with an inherited IRA. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2dkK9wf Get the Money Girl book at http://moneygirlbook.com.