Seeing purchases your friends post on social media can leave you envious – and might also foster a desire to buy a similar item. That can be a problem if your goal is long-term financial freedom, because spending money on items you may not need can derail your plans. Three simple habits can help you stay on track.

Did you inadvertently miss the 60-day time limit for making an IRA or retirement plan rollover? You may be able to avoid taxes and possible penalties by notifying your account trustee with a “self-certification.” When you take a distribution from your IRA or qualified plan with the intention of depositing it, or “rolling it over,” into another IRA or qualified plan, the 60-day rule says you’re required to complete the rollover within 60 days of receiving

As the end of the year approaches, turn your attention to ways you can reduce your 2016 tax liability. Here are suggestions.

October 17 – Deadline for filing your 2015 individual tax return if you requested an automatic six-month extension of the April deadline. October 17 – If you converted a regular IRA to a Roth in 2015 and now want to switch back to a regular IRA, this is the deadline to do so without penalty. October 17 – This is the last day to fund your Keogh or SEP plans if you requested an extension of

Reacting badly to bad national economic events can turn a challenging situation into a devastating one. When troubling headline news comes your way, consider these tips before making financial moves.

Generally, when you’re single, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain from the sale of a home ($500,000 if you’re married filing jointly) when the home is used as a primary residence for two years in a five-year period that ends on the date of sale. Tax law also provides for a partial exclusion when the time and ownership requirements are not met, if the primary reason for the sale is unforeseen circumstances. “Unforeseen” means

Are you confused about your choices for paying medical expenses under your employer’s benefit plan? Here are differences between two types of commonly offered accounts: a health savings account (HSA) and a health care flexible spending account (FSA). Overview. An FSA is generally established under an employer’s benefit plan. You can set aside a portion of your salary on a pretax basis to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses. An HSA is a combination of a high-deductible health

The IRS announced inflation-adjusted limits for deductible contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) for 2017. For family coverage, the contribution limit will be $6,750, and for individual coverage, the limit will be $3,400. If you’re age 55 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 during 2017. HSAs combine high-deductible health insurance plans with pretax contributions to a healthcare savings account. The savings account funds can be withdrawn tax-free to pay unreimbursed medical expenses.

September 15 – Third quarter installment of 2016 individual estimated income tax is due. September 15 – Filing deadline for 2015 tax returns for calendar-year corporations that received an automatic extension of the March filing deadline. September 15 – Filing deadline for 2015 tax returns for partnerships that received an extension of the April filing deadline. October 1 – Generally, the deadline for businesses to adopt a SIMPLE retirement plan for 2016. October 17 – Deadline

An important step in estate planning is creating an inventory of your assets. Your executor – the person you designate in your will to carry out your last wishes – uses the inventory to make sure all of your property passes to your heirs. That includes your digital assets. Documenting these along with more traditional effects can help ensure your final wishes are honored and your estate is administered correctly. Here’s what to keep in mind