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Then, in 2008, the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, and we were legally married in our home state. Prop 8 passed in November 2008, making same-sex marriage once again illegal in California. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationally, and that's when my wife and I started to truly reap the benefits of marriage. Owning property togetherWhen we bought our condo in 2004, we weren't legally married, so we couldn't just let the title company take care of the deed. Freedom from financial fearAfter the decision to legalize same-sex marriage in 2015, I felt like a full citizen for the first time.

Persons: —, It's, that's, doesn't Organizations: Service, California Supreme, U.S, Supreme, Social Security Locations: California

One of the most important steps you can take is building a website for your business. I got my first business website around 2000. I vowed never to have another business website I couldn't manage myself. I built my freelance writing website in WordPress, which is much fancier than I could have designed without those tools. One way to choose a page builder is by looking at templates and using the builder for the template you like.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, WordPress, Beaver

A variety of home upgrades come with federal and state tax rebates, which can offset the cost. New programs are being rolled out — your state might have new tax rebates available this year. AdvertisementMany upgrades have tax incentives"The Inflation Reduction Act has put a really large bank account at the fingertips of most Americans for most electrical upgrades," Richardson says. Rebates can be stacked for added valueQualifying energy-efficiency home upgrades made between January 1, 2023, and 2032 can get a federal tax credit of up to $3,200. "To maximize the financial value of the project, you want to get efficient equipment, and you want to maximize the rebates," Richardson says.

Persons: —, DR, Richardson, You'll Organizations: Service, DR Richardson, Elephant Energy, Energy Locations: Colorado and Massachusetts, Denver, Colorado, America

If you want to retire early, start early and look at your expenses, your income, and your assets. But I didn't pay much attention to the second half of the book, which lays out a plan to retire early. Recently, I've been thinking about what early retirement might look like. Real estate and other assets are possible sources of income to fund an early retirement. The 3-bucket planCannon suggested making an emergency fund to deal with sudden expenses, like a medical event or a home or car repair, the foundation of your retirement plan.

Persons: —, I've, Bryan Cannon, Cannon, isn't, they're, doesn't Organizations: Service, Cannon Advisors, Social Security, Social Locations: Real

☆ Over a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the cost of an abortion in the US can be as much as $30,000 — or as little as $150
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Laura Mccamy | Avril Ayers | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Access to abortion medication is available via telehealth. For those who need out-of-state care, however, the cost of abortion may be as high as $30,000. While costs have increased in places with bans, states like California and New York allow telehealth appointments for medication abortion, reducing travel time and the cost of abortion care. "What would have been a cost of $5,000 turned into $10,000 just for abortion care because it had to be in a hospital," she says. In April 2023, the Supreme Court maintained access to mifepristone, but additional cases could be brought to the Supreme Court in future terms.

Persons: —, Dobbs, Roe, Wade, Caitlin Myers, Myers, Sylvia Ghazarian, Ghazarian, I'm, WRRAP Organizations: Service, Jackson, Health, Guttmacher Institute, New York Times, Middlebury College, Reproductive Locations: California, New York, Georgia

However, I'm much happier using local banks and credit unions where I can get more personal help. Credit unions aren't always perfect, but I'm happy to deal with the occasional hurdles. Savings and loans disappeared after the S&L crisis, but credit unions are very similar, and I have always stuck with local banks and credit unions for my business and personal banking. My credit union has no branches near where I live, and I sometimes have to pay ATM fees because I can't find a compatible ATM. The credit union gave us a good rate and stability that I hope to stick with until we pay off the loan.

Persons: —, I've, Wells Fargo, we've Organizations: aren't, Service, Ls, Savings Locations: San Francisco, California, East Coast

My mother died in 2021, and my father passed away in 2023, both in their 90s with long lives and, thankfully, gentle passings. Because of that planning, wrapping up my mother's financial affairs after her death only took a few months. We did everything rightActing as their power of attorney, I managed my parents' financial planning for several years before their deaths, including placing most of their assets into irrevocable trusts. What I've learned about handling a second parent's estateOther than hiring someone else to handle your deceased parent's affairs, there's no easy way to wrap up financial affairs after both your parents are gone. Estate planning: Having a will and (if needed) trust documents prepared by a lawyer will make your life easier.

Persons: I've, I'd, I'm, preparer, they're Organizations: Will

And when I ran a business selling at craft fairs several years ago, I had liability insurance to protect my business and customers. Check your business insurance rates with top providers through Simply Business. Another way to look at small business insurance is as a stepping stone to a bigger business. Another factor affecting the decision to carry small business insurance is what I stand to lose. If a lawsuit could endanger the home I share with my wife, business insurance might be worth it to protect that investment.

Persons: there's, I've, I'm Organizations: Simply, Insurance Locations: Hayward, California

When my wife and I bought our first home, we could afford it because of down payment assistance. Fortunately, we found a down payment assistance program that made buying a home possible. Even if the community where you wish to purchase doesn't offer DPA, every state has a down payment assistance program. For example, San Francisco's Downpayment Assistance Loan Program gives loans up to 200% of AMI. The person on the other end of the line will likely be an excellent resource on local DPA programs.

Persons: San Organizations: Service, AMI, Local Locations: Wall, Silicon, California, New York, San Francisco

Paying taxes with a credit card to earn a big sign-up bonus or reward points only makes sense if the value exceeds the credit card fee you will be charged. Paying TurboTax convenience fee with a credit cardYou can also pay taxes with a credit card using tax-preparation tools like TurboTax Tax Software. In that case, you won't have the option to pay by credit card through TurboTax; just select "pay by check" and proceed to your preferred IRS-approved payment processor to pay your taxes by credit card. Quick tip: When you pay taxes with a credit card, the transaction is processed as a purchase, not a cash advance — so you'll still earn credit card rewards. How to pay taxes with a credit cardPaying your taxes with a credit card is easy and only takes a few minutes.

We consulted food blogs, online reviews, and social media to find the best and worst products at Trader Joe's. Here are 36 products to buy at Trader Joe's and 15 you should consider skipping. That's even more impressive when you consider Trader Joe's doesn't have sales, a loyalty program, or even an online store. We consulted food blogs, online reviews, and social media to find the best and worst Trader Joe's products for shoppers. With that in mind, here are 38 products to buy at Trader Joe's and 16 more you should skip every time.

Financial planner Michael Garry opened his firm in 2006 and helped clients through the Great Recession. With a possible recession on the horizon, he advises sticking to your plan and investing more if you can. For those who lived through the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009, the prospect of another downturn is unsettling. Stick with your plan"If you have a plan, stick with your plan," Garry says. Editor's Rating 3.9/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.65/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.34/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Learn more On Acorns' website Learn more On SoFi's website Learn more On Wealthfront's websiteAvoid get-rich-quick investmentsEconomic uncertainty can make us susceptible to investments that promise fast returns, but traditional investments remain your best bet.

My 'poverty mentality' was holding me back, but getting rid of those items freed up mental and physical space. But I hadn't dealt with one of the most significant factors underlying my hoarding instincts: poverty mentality. What is 'poverty mentality'? But my poverty mentality kept me living as though I were barely employed and living paycheck to paycheck. The opposite of my poverty mentality isn't to act like I'm rich (I'm not) or spend every dime I make.

Persons: I'd, it's, Laura McCamy, I've, It's, isn't Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon

We all love to DIY, but there are certain times when seeking professional financial help is wise. Michael Garry, a financial planner, self-described "recovering lawyer," and founder and CEO of Yardley Wealth Management outlined seven situations where you should talk to a financial planner. Garry suggests talking to a financial planner before doing anything with a windfall, especially if the money is new to you. College decision time is a critical moment to sit down with a financial planner and figure out the ramifications of different school choices. For people whose stress comes from crushing debt, the fee for a financial planner may be unaffordable.

See Personal Finance Insider's picks for the best tax software »There are many different tax software programs to choose from, and, honestly, they're all pretty good. TurboTax vs. H&R Block: costs and feesThe bottom line: Even when you consider discounts, H&R Block nearly always comes out cheaper than TurboTax for comparable products. If cost is a primary consideration but you'd like a premium tax-filing experience, H&R Block comes out on top. TurboTax vs. H&R Block: user experienceThe bottom line: Both have a high-quality and comprehensive interface, but H&R Block's is less cluttered. How to choose between H&R Block and TurboTaxThere's a lot to recommend both TurboTax and H&R Block online software.

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Athletes tend to need extra help because they earn a lot at a young age and have short careers. He branched out on his own nine years ago to open Taylor Insurance and Financial Services, where his clientele includes athletes and entertainers. Athletes really need good financial advisorsAnyone can fail to make time to have a financial plan in the hustle of daily life. Advice from a top financial advisor: don't let fear of money keep you from livingTaylor thinks it's essential to examine our relationships with money. However, Taylor's famous clients need to take a more cautious approach to money management.

Persons: Eszylfie Taylor, —, Taylor, it's, hasn't, who've, you've, Taylor's, He's, isn't, wouldn't, don't, he's Organizations: Service, New York Life Insurance Company, Taylor Insurance, Financial Services, NBA, NFL

Certified financial planner and financial educator Angela Moore recommends setting up automatic bank transfers to keep your spending and saving on track in uncertain financial times. Angela Moore, a financial planner, financial educator, and founder and co-owner of Modern Money Advisor, has some smart advice for saving in uncertain times. She recommends saving several months of expenses in a liquid account, such as a high-yield savings account. "I think right now it's important to try and just save in some kind of account that's liquid, like a savings account," Moore said. "If you can get by in this economy or go through a job loss without going through your savings, that's ideal."

Persons: Angela Moore, Moore, —, " Moore, you'll, you've, Said Moore Organizations: Service, Modern, Ally Bank

There are two ways to spell check in Google Docs. Spell check in Google Docs works much the same way as spell check in other popular word processing programs. Spell check is easy to use, and here are two ways to conduct a check in Google Docs. Check out the products mentioned in this article:How to spell check on Google Docs one word at a timeHere's how to correct spelling errors as you go through the document. How to spell check on Google Docs for an entire documentHere's how to spell check your whole Google Doc at one time.

You can open RAR files on your Mac computer with free apps like The Unarchiver. However, unlike a normal file folder, a RAR file is compressed and needs special software to open. Instead, RAR files have a .rar file extension. Here's how to open a RAR file with The Unarchiver app on a Mac computer. Laura McCamy/Business InsiderOnce you have opened your RAR file, the files inside behave just like regular files.

If you've just made a new iCloud account, you can follow these steps to change the iCloud account that's currently associated with your iPhone. If you didn't sign into iCloud when you set up your iPhone, skip down to "Sign into another iCloud account." If you need to switch from one iCloud account to another, start by signing out of your iCloud account. How to change the iCloud account on your iPhoneSign out of your current iCloud accountBefore you sign out of your iCloud account, make sure you have copies of all the information you need that might be stored in this iCloud account. Sign into a different account for iTunes & App StoreYou can also use a different sign in for iCloud and the iTunes & App Store purchases if you want.

☆ 33 Items You Should Buy at Costco and 14 You Should Skip Every Time
▼ + stars: | 2019-05-02 | by ( Laura Mccamy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Costco customers swear by certain products the retailer sells, such as olive oil, rotisserie chickens, and even golf balls. Here are 33 Costco products you should buy and 14 others you should skip every time. Customers swear by the olive oil, rotisserie chickens, and even the golf balls made by Costco's house brand, Kirkland. We consulted personal-finance experts and accounts from Costco shoppers to compile 33 items that are definitely worth it at Costco and 14 others that you should find at another store. AdvertisementHere are the Costco products that are worth your money and the ones you should avoid at all costs.

Persons: — Organizations: Costco, Service, Kirkland

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