The youth labor force (ages 16-24) has grown slightly over the last year.  Teens typically begin to look for and start jobs between the months of April and July each year. Teens are often unable to get into an employers network and need the help of their parents.  Teach your teen that many options are available to them and use your advantages to assist them in their search. Tips for Getting Your Teen Started Show your teen the online sources that are available that can include job listings in your town. Reach out to your friends and coworkers that may…

Are you planning on buying your first home? Not sure what to expect? We put together a comprehensive guide that walks you through the entire process. You’ll learn: Things you need to do to prepare for your mortgage application Tips for searching for the home of your dreams The process of making an offer How inspection works What to expect when applying for your mortgage What happens at settlement Download your free guide >>

The spring season is a busy time for real estate. If you plan to put your home on the market, you want it to look its best. Here’s how to make your home more appealing to buyers. De-Clutter You want to create as much space as possible to make your home look bigger. To do this, get rid of anything you don’t use regularly. You can sell or donate things you don’t use, or rent a storage unit for things you want in your new home. Going through the de-clutter process will also help you get organized for your own…

Buying a house will probably be the biggest purchase you ever make. Financing a house is not the same as buying a couch, computer, or even a car. Chances are the mortgage you settle on will be with you for around 30 years. Be a well-informed shopper going into the homebuying process with these mortgage tips. 1. Know Your Credit Knowing what your credit is will allow you to decide if you’re ready to apply for a mortgage or what kind of rates you can expect. If there’s something wrong with your credit, or you have poor credit, you don’t…

As you experience various life events, you’ll also experience changes in your tax situation. Some will help you, some will hurt, but the important thing is to report your taxes correctly and know how each situation will affect you. While this is not an all-inclusive list, here are six situations that can impact your taxes. Getting Married You have two filing options after you’re married: “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately.” Filing jointly may entitle you to more tax benefits. You should also ask your HR department if you can review your W-4 to ensure you’re not under-withholding. Having…