Kate Dore, Candidate for CFP® Certification

More than half a million people in Massachusetts filed for unemployment benefits in the first month of the coronavirus outbreak. If you lost your job because of COVID-19, here’s how to file for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts.

PenFed Credit Union, one of the biggest credit unions in the United States,1 offers a variety of products—including personal loans. While the credit union is well known in the military, anyone can become a member.

When you’ve fallen in love with a home, it may be tempting to breeze through the home inspection—or skip it altogether. This may be a costly mistake.

As you start the homebuying process, it’s normal to focus on the biggest hurdle: qualifying for a mortgage. Your approval is a big deal and worth celebrating. But before filling the champagne glasses, you’ll need one more thing—homeowners insurance.

If you live or work in Pennsylvania, you may have to pay state and local income taxes. But those aren’t the only taxes that apply in the Keystone State. You may also encounter property tax, sales tax or even an inheritance tax.

Every year, college graduates hope to make the leap from student to the workforce. Two-thirds of students graduate with student loans, with an average balance of $29,990. Student loans can be a burden, especially at the beginning of one’s career. With the average starting salary of around $52,000, many wonder if their investment will pay off. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer. Here's how to figure out if student loans are worth it for your family.

If you live or work in Ohio, you will probably have to pay state income taxes. But Buckeye state residents may also face other types of state or local taxes, such as sales tax, property taxes and possibly even local income tax.

If you follow investing, you may know the active vs. passive investing debate has been going on for a while. Ever since Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard, created index funds—the first passive investing option—experts have been arguing for and against the strategy.
With experts plugging the merits of both sides, it can be confusing to navigate—especially without a clear winner.

Living together unmarried is more common than ever before. Cohabitation has nearly tripled in 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Over the past two decades, the numbers have risen from 6 million to 17 million — or 7% of the total U.S. adult population. The reason may be due to a shift in attitudes or couples may be moving together to save money. Either way, a slew of people are cohabitating without the protections of marriage.

As you hear about swings in the stock market, it’s normal to worry about your investments. After all, those hard-earned dollars are your life savings—and you aren’t keen on parting with them. That’s why diversifying your portfolio of investments is so important. Bonds are a key piece of that puzzle. Here’s a closer look at what they are, how to use them, and their benefits.

When you’re flushed with new love, it’s hard to imagine things ever ending badly. But the reality is, breakups do happen. As awkward as it feels, the beginning is the perfect time to discuss one another’s needs in the event of a crisis. If you’re ready to share a home, these conversations are critical. There’s nothing sexy about a cohabitation agreement, but the stakes are too high not to have one.

As the year winds down, you may be eager to shop for gifts, hang some holiday decor and enjoy quality time with your family. With a full calendar of parties, you may be thinking more about mulled wine than income taxes.

Let’s face it: investing can be intimidating. Earning money takes time and hard work, so it’s natural to worry about losing it. Picking where to put each dollar can be difficult — and you may not feel equipped to make the decision.

As a full-time freelancer, I've had a high-deductible health insurance plan for years.
The first year with a high-deductible plan may feel overwhelming, but there are plenty of ways to slash expenses.

It’s easy to see the appeal of tiny house living. If you have ever felt the sting of big city rent or a costly mortgage, you may dream of downsizing. Tiny houses are popular for a reason. You own less, live a simpler lifestyle, and best of all — enjoy a lower home cost and fewer bills.