Smart ways to use your tax refund

By Joe Oliver, Columnist, The Times It’s almost that time of year when many people start receiving their tax refunds. If you get one, what will you do with it? Of course, the answer will depend somewhat on how big your refund is. Last year, the average refund amount was about $2,750, according to the Internal Revenue Service’s Filing Season Statistics report. Whatever the size of your refund,...

Can you turn home equity into retirement income?

Don’t forget your home is an investment, too, and can be an option in retirement By Bronwyn Martin, Columnist, The Times The long-struggling housing market is finally showing signs of recovery, giving many homeowners more equity in their properties. This encouraging trend is likely prompting more pre-retirees to consider if, and how home equity can be turned into a source of cash to help...

Choosing a college while keeping finances in mind

Educational concerns sometimes aren’t the only factors to weigh By Bronwyn X. Martin, Columnist, The Times It’s the time of year when high school seniors across the country are making their final decisions about where they will attend college. Selecting the right college has always been a complex process, but in challenging economic times, the decision can be even more complicated for students...