Melissa Batai 
This year, my husband and I were worried that we might owe taxes. Instead, to our surprise, we received a several thousand dollars refund. We have received our refunds and have the money sitting in our savings account until we decide how to spend a tax refund—we have so many options that would make good … Read more
Applying for a job is more complicated now than it used to be. Previously, you would find a job in newspaper advertisements, send your resume, and wait for a phone call to schedule an interview. Now, the process is more complicated, and you need to watch out for red flags of job scams. In the … Read more
My husband and I have traveled to several continents, and never used travel insurance. However, we haven’t traveled internationally in approximately 20 years, and much has changed. This summer, we’re planning a trip to Japan, so for the first time, we’re considering travel insurance. Why We’re Considering Travel Insurance There are several reasons why we … Read more
Real estate is often considered an investment, especially in one’s retirement. You buy a house, pay on it for 30 years, and when you’re in retirement, you can sell and add the cash to your retirement fund. Or, your heirs can sell and add the money to their inheritance. However, real estate isn’t always an … Read more
My husband and I established a budget over 20 years ago when we married. We don’t find a budget restrictive; instead, adhering to our budget has allowed us to make financial gains we couldn’t have if we didn’t monitor our income and expenses carefully and budget for every dollar. However, times change—our income increases, and, … Read more