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Want more take-home money in your paycheck?  Of course you do!   If you’re an employee (not an independent contractor) and are looking for ways to have more $$$$ in your checking account, then this article is for you.

Eva Rosenberg, aka TaxMama, has some great advice… it’s even easy to follow!   The Insurance Mom wants you to fight for your…

The Insurance Mom says that everything is negotiable… including the cost of your medical care.   You wouldn’t think twice about negotiating with an car dealer or a CraigsList vendor, right?  Well, you can — and should — do the same with your doctors, labs and hospitals.  Saving money is a good thing!  The Insurance Mom wants you to fight for…

If you or anyone you know is currently on Medicare and enrolled in a Part D drug plan, the new “Stealthcare” reform laws enacted this year are now starting to offer you a small safety net… really small.   If you reach the dreaded “doughnut hole” — that place where you have to pay full price for your prescriptions until the…

Questions abound!   Here’s an answer:

HOW TO CLAIM THE TAX CREDIT

How does an employer claim the tax credit? The credit is taken on the annual tax return. The IRS will provide information on how tax-exempt employers can claim the new credit.

Does taking the tax credit affect an employer’s deduction for health insurance premiums? Yes. The…

Watch out!  The IRS is cracking down on cheating companies!   This recent article is from Parade Magazine:

Some labor-force experts predict that 50% of jobs created in the economic recovery will go to contractors, consultants, or other temporary employees.  That’s good news for employers, since these “contingent workers” cost 30% less than full-time staff (no payroll taxes, health insurance, workers…

First, always consult with a qualified broker, such as The Insurance Mom!

Second, buy only what is affordable.  Do not stretch to buy a policy that covers 100% of anticipated future costs.  It is much smarter to buy the amount of coverage for which you are sure you can keep making the premium payments.  It makes no sense to buy…

According to the Department of HHS, at least 60% to 70% of people over 65 will eventually need long term care, either at home or in a nursing home, and that can be very expensive.  The average stay in a nursing home is almost 4 years, at a cost of about $270,000.  Your health insurance does NOT cover this kind…

Since so many of you are freelancing these days, The Insurance Mom wants you to be fully aware of how to manage your self-employment income and expenses, especially those handy little tax-deductible expenses.  But watch out, the IRS is reducing your tax-deductible business mileage.  So, drive carefully and now, drive less!

Just a quick heads-up about your taxes.    The Insurance Mom wants you to act like a grown-up (even if you don’t feel like one!) and be a responsible money manager.

1.  If you are self-employed and paying quarterly estimated taxes, your 2009 4th quarter taxes are due 1/15/10.

2.  1099s must be issued no later than 1/31/10 so they are…

Did you catch Kathy Kristoff’s great article in the LA Times on 1/3/10?  She suggests 10 great ideas about how you can be smart about your money in 2010.    Read the whole article here.    I particularly like items #4, #5 and #6.  Great easy-to-do ideas for cleaning up your finances in the New Year!     Remember, it’s your money,…