MAKE MONEY ONLINE POSTS: 11/14/17

الثلاثاء، 14 نوفمبر 2017

Million-dollar clause In Pa. gambling bill benefits one casino: Mount Airy

HARRISBURG — In a last-minute maneuver before the state Senate last month passed a sweeping expansion of casino gambling in Pennsylvania, lawmakers added a 28-word amendment, cloaked in legalese.“A category 4 slot machine license may not be located in a sixth-class county which is contiguous to a county that hosts a category 2 licensed facility,” said the phrasing, tucked halfway into the 939-page bill.Pennsylvania has 12 casinos. But that single sentence [...]

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Lehigh Valley Health Network to build in Tannersville

Residents near Tannersville may not need to drive nearly as far to visit the hospital in the near future thanks to a recent decision by the Lehigh Valley Health Network.Their Board of Trustees has approved a timeline for the construction of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono West Campus in Tannersville.“LVH–Pocono’s history of caring for the community has always focused on bringing care closer to home. The LVH–Pocono West hospital campus will continue [...]

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Using a Self Directed IRA to Invest in Real Estate: Is Fundrise the Answer?

When it comes to investing for retirement, there are more than a few strategies to consider. Many investors play it safe by leaning heavily on their work-sponsored 401(k) accounts while others diversify with a Roth IRA or traditional IRA. Some investors who want to get fancy with their retirement buy annuities or invest in peer-to-peer lending opportunities like Lending Club.

Then there are investors who feel bold enough to take the reins with a self-directed IRA. With this option, individuals can invest their funds in any number of ventures while gaining meaningful tax advantages.

What is a Self-Directed IRA?

Before we dive into the intricacies of using an IRA to invest in real estate, let’s first talk about the investment vehicle that allows this to happen – the self-directed IRA. While it might sound daunting, a self-directed IRA isn’t that different from any other type of IRA. What makes these plans unique is the fact that you have many more investment options available, and the overall direction of your investing plan comes from you.

While most IRAs only allow you to invest in stocks, bonds, CDs, and mutual funds, self-directed IRAs let you invest your money into other, more flexible investments. Options can include real estate, notes, and tax lien certificates, to name a few. While a self-directed IRA won’t work for everyone, it can be a smart option for individuals who are extremely knowledgeable about certain industries.

When you’re able to “invest in what you know,” you have the potential for greater returns over time.

Why Invest in Real Estate through an IRA?

With real estate prices near all-time highs throughout the country, it’s no wonder many people have considered investing some of their self-directed IRA funds into housing or commercial property. By investing some of your IRA funds in real estate, you can defer or potentially eliminate taxes while having the potential for a robust return on your money.

While your primary residence may not be seen as a real “investment” since you have to live there, income-generating rental or commercial real estate properties can be prudent investments that bring in solid returns while also growing in value.

The benefit of investing self-directed IRA funds into real estate is simple. Not only will the property you purchase have the potential to appreciate in value, but all of the income that you receive will be tax-deferred. This includes both rental income and capital gains. Investing in real estate is also a smart way to diversify your retirement portfolio such that it is less reliant on stocks and bonds. With all of these perks, it’s no wonder that investing in real estate has become a popular option.

Unfortunately, there are some rules governing self-directed IRAs that make investing in real estate a difficult proposition. Due to these stipulations , there’s more to using a self-directed IRA for real estate investing than just selecting a property.

For example:

You can only invest self-directed IRA funds into property used for business purposes. You cannot use your IRA to buy a second home, an occasional rental, or a personal residence.
You need enough money to buy properties in cash. Because IRA rules prohibit the use of a mortgage within them, you cannot borrow money to purchase property within your IRA. You must have the funds to purchase properties outright. This could be a difficult feat depending on real estate prices and how much you want to invest.
The process may take months or years. Individuals who want to invest their self-directed IRA funds into real estate should plan on spending months or years to bring their idea to fruition. Not only will you have to open the proper accounts and roll your assets over, but you’ll have to search for the right property, too. In a hot real estate market, it can take months to find a property that fits your goals. Once you do, it takes more time to get an offer accepted, and then even longer for the sale to close.
You cannot take advantage of your IRA investments until you retire. Due to the way self-directed IRAs are set up, your real estate investment cannot be altered to meet your personal needs. For example, you cannot move into the property if you wish to live there later on.
Being a landlord isn’t for the faint of heart. Even if buying real estate within a self-directed IRA seems smart on paper, you should not underestimate the time investment required. It takes time to find tenants, and you’ll be responsible for initiating repairs and upkeep. All money used for repairs will be paid out of the IRA, but you’ll need all expenses approved by the IRA custodian. There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved with holding real estate in a self-directed IRA, all of which will fall into your hands.

Another Way to Invest in Real Estate: Fundrise

If you’re an investor who likes the idea of investing self-directed IRA funds into real estate but doesn’t necessarily want to become a landlord, keep in mind that there’s another way. With the real estate investing platform Fundrise, you can invest in real estate offerings that provide exposure to diverse pools of real estate investments.

With Fundrise, you can invest in real estate without actually buying physical real estate. This strategy allows you to enjoy the upsides of real estate investing (strong returns, potential for growth, etc.) without enduring the potential downsides of renting property or dealing with tenants.

And, so far, the returns have been amazing. Fundrise reports average returns between 8.76 percent and 12.42 percent over the last five years. So far in 2017, the first and second quarters of the year have returned an average of 10.59 percent and 10.88 percent for investors, respectively. These returns are nothing to sneeze at, especially for an investment that is entirely passive and “hands off” once you take the time to open an account and get started.

real estate ira

If you’re up for investing your self-directed IRA funds with Fundrise, you’ll do so via Fundrise’s partnering IRA custodian, Millennium Trust Company. Here are the steps involved:

Step 1: Create Fundrise IRA account
Step 2: Create, connect, and fund Millennium Trust Company IRA account
Step 3: Choose your investments on Fundrise

Advantages of Investing with Fundrise

While no investment on Earth is fool proof, investing on Fundrise comes with a ton of advantages that are difficult to secure elsewhere. Here are some of the biggest benefits that come with investing your self-directed IRA funds with Fundrise:

Fundrise charges fairly low fees for their services. Fundrise charges investors 85% of their invested capital to manage their real estate investments every year. If you’re keen on minimizing fees and don’t want all the expenses that come with owning physical real estate, this is a good alternative.
You can invest in multiple funds. Fundrise offers a variety of investing options to choose from. For instance, you can invest in geographically focused funds that target assets in specific regions of the country such as the East or West Coasts, or you can invest in thematic funds that follow a specific investing strategy, such as using opportunistic equity ownership to maximize long-term appreciation potential..
Fundrise accounts are free. While Millennium Trust Company does charge an annual fee for managing your real estate investments, Fundrise has negotiated a favorable fee structure on behalf of its investors. In addition to this benefit, there are no special or added fees charged by Fundrise for investing through an IRA account. Moreover, you are welcome to sign up for an account, explore investment options, and get your questions answered without any commitment.
Investing through Fundrise requires limited legwork. Where owning rental property can be a huge headache, investing in real estate through Fundrise is as passive as it gets. You’ll never have to deal with leasing, scheduling repairs, or handling the daily hassles that come with owning physical real estate.
Invest from the comfort of your home. Where shopping for physical real estate can be tiresome and time-consuming, investing in real estate through Fundrise is a breeze. You won’t have to leave your home or travel the country to find the best real estate deal. You can go through the entire process online without ever leaving your home.

Disadvantages of Investing in Fundrise

While investing in Fundrise can be a smart idea for some people, that doesn’t mean it’s the right option for everyone. Here are a few reasons you should think long and hard before opening a self-directed IRA and/or investing in Fundrise.

Fundrise is still fairly new. Since Fundrise wasn’t founded until 2012, there’s not enough historical data to say where returns could go in the next five, ten, or twenty years. Since your IRA is a long-term investing vehicle that is meant to fund your retirement, you’ll need to be sure Fundrise will be around for the long run.
There are limited investment options available. Fundrise has limited investment options available, and that’s especially true when it comes to investing through your self-directed IRA. If you want to choose from hundreds of different investment options, Fundrise isn’t the best choice.
You won’t get to pick individual investment properties. While there are notable advantages that come with passive and diversified real estate investing through Fundrise, it isn’t the same as purchasing real estate outright. If you like the physical component of buying a property you can walk through and touch, Fundrise may not be for you.

Is Investing in Fundrise For You?

While there is no perfect formula for the ideal Fundrise investor, there are some signs to look for that can help you determine whether this strategy is a good fit for your lifestyle and portfolio.

You should consider investing your self-directed IRA funds through Fundrise if…

You want to take a “hands-off” approach to real estate investing
You’re comfortable with the real estate funds and eREITs available through the platform
You feel confident in Fundrise’s track record

You shouldn’t consider investing in Fundrise if…

You want to buy real estate you can touch
You prefer to deal with the everyday tasks of managing real estate
You want to choose from a more expansive array of options

The Bottom Line

If you’re an accomplished investor who feels comfortable opening a self-directed IRA, then Fundrise might be the ideal investment for you. By investing your money on the platform, you can diversify your portfolio while setting yourself up for impressive gains that have exceeded many other investment options over the last five years.

Still, it’s important to educate yourself on Fundrise and why it’s advantageous for investors. If you want to dig a little deeper into how the platform works, I highly suggest that you look over their website, and specifically their FAQs.

The best part about investing on this platform is that you can get a taste of real estate without the hassle and stress of becoming a landlord. You won’t have to get your hands dirty, deal with leasing vacant space, or evict anyone – ever.

Like any other investment, however, there are risks involved with investing on Fundrise. Make sure you understand how the platform works, the benefits of using a self-directed IRA, and the pitfalls you may face before you sign up. While investing your self-directed IRA funds into real estate can be a boon for your finances, you should make sure that any decision you make is an informed one.

The post Using a Self Directed IRA to Invest in Real Estate: Is Fundrise the Answer? appeared first on Good Financial Cents.

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LVH to build in Tannersville

The 2018 Cord-Cutting Guide

The Simple Dollar helps you move away from pay-TV and save.

Cutting the cord — canceling pay-TV service from a cable, satellite, or telecommunications provider — might be the hottest trend in television since the superhero show.

The research firm eMarketer predicts that by the end of 2017, more than 22 million pay-TV subscribers will have become former pay-TV subscribers. One of the central motivators is money. The rising costs of pay-TV service have driven many cord-cutters to get their television through an internet connection instead.

But if you trade your old pay-TV subscription for an array of expensive gadgets, upgraded internet service, and deluxe streaming packages, you could do no better than break even — or worse, suffer a net financial loss.

The Simple Dollar is here to help you better understand your options and make the best decisions for your budget needs, as well as your entertainment tastes.

How much does cord-cutting save?

On average, pay-TV service now costs an estimated $103 per month. Using the average monthly estimate for pay-TV bills, a typical cord-cutter could save up to $1,236 a year.

Of course, that number’s an estimate. Your actual savings could be quite a bit more or quite a bit less.

Also, those estimates don’t account for expenses you would incur by getting TV some other way, such as streaming content packages. Likewise, they don’t reflect the cost of optimizing your streaming setup with an internet speed upgrade, or one-time expenses for new equipment.

What are the pay-TV alternatives?

Here’s a look at some of the devices and services on the market that could offer varying approximations of your old pay-TV service.

Devices

HD antennas

An HD antenna can help you cut the cord. What is an HD antenna?
TV antennas have come a long way since your grandpa’s rabbit ears. Now you can use an HD antenna designed to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals in high definition, no pay-TV subscription (or tinfoil) required.

You can get:
Local over-the-air channels (network affiliate programming in your area, including news, sports, network TV, daytime shows, and syndicated shows).

Expect to pay:
$20-$50 one-time, depending on model

The good:
Unlike a cable or satellite TV bill, the cost of an HD antenna is a one-time expense. Indoor models, in particular, are easy to install.

The potentially bad:
Your proximity to local broadcast towers makes a huge difference in the number of channels you receive. If your location isn’t right, you’ll have trouble getting a good signal.

Who it’s good for:
People connected to their communities, fans of network TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.), and fans of the “Big Three” college and pro sports (football, basketball, baseball)

Smart TVs

Smart TV makes it easier to cut the cord. What is a smart TV?
A smart TV is a television you connect to the internet instead of a set-top cable box or satellite dish. (They were originally called connected TVs.)

What you can get:
They typically have built-in software that supports content streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Video, and Hulu, although lower-priced models may have a limited selection of apps.

Expect to pay:
Depending on screen size, features, and sale prices, the cost of a smart TV can vary greatly. You could get an off-brand 32” model for as little as $100-$150 or a feature-loaded 70” model for $1,000 or more.

The good:
With several streaming apps already built-in, a quality smart TV can make it easy to get started quickly on your post-cable or post-satellite journey.

The potentially bad:
You could get caught up in the current innovation wave that sees 4K poised to overtake 1080p as the standard viewing format. Additionally, even though the TVs come with the streaming services built in, you’ll still have to pay for a subscription.

Who it’s good for:
People who want an all-in-one method of streaming TV and movie content, without a lot of moving parts.

Streaming devices

Streaming media offers an alternative to satellite or cable TV What is a streaming device?
A streaming device is a media player that lets you stream online content on your TV. Popular streaming devices include Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. Some video game consoles also double as streaming platforms.

What you can get:
TV and movies from online streaming services such as Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu, along with music from Spotify, Pandora, etc.

Expect to pay:
As with smart TVs, prices for streaming devices vary quite a bit. You could pay anywhere from $30 for a mini-streamer with limited features to $180 for a high-end choice such as Apple TV 4K.

The good:
Some experts believe a streaming device makes a smart TV unnecessary. Others say it’s essential to own even if you have a smart TV.

The potentially bad:
Your streaming experience might be only as good as the quality of your Wi-Fi or 4G. Again, you’ll need to pay for the subscription service as well.

Who it’s good for:
If your personal electronics inventory already includes a smartphone, smartwatch, and smart thermostat, what’s one more gadget?

Streaming services

Streaming video packages What is a streaming service?
Think of it as the online-only version of the cable company or a satellite TV provider — essentially a distributor of content. “Streaming” refers to the process of steadily and continuously transmitting data.

What you can get:
Hulu, Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW and similar providers offer packages that look like slimmed-down versions of your old cable or satellite TV lineup, with certain cable and broadcast channels. Some packages may include local channels in some markets. You can also subscribe to services dedicated to specific networks or channels, such as CBS All Access, HBO NOW, etc., as well as services focusing on sports (fuboTV) and other specific categories.

Expect to pay:
You guessed it — costs of streaming services vary. A very specific kind of content, such as Great Britain’s Acorn TV, could be around $5 a month. A bigger service that comes much closer to offering a pay-TV programming package could run as much as $75 per month.

The good:
In an ideal scenario, you could get a viewing experience somewhat similar to what you had with pay-TV but for less money (and with considerably fewer channels).

The potentially bad:
With multiple subscriptions, the costs could add up fast. Also, some movies and shows tend to temporarily — or permanently — disappear from the catalog as the service cycles through content . The exceptions are originally produced content, such as “Orange Is the New Black” from Netflix.

Who it’s good for:
Cord-cutters who used to supplement their pay-TV service with Netflix or Hulu and are now ready to transition to even more of an a la carte viewing experience.

How to choose a streaming service

“Which streaming service is best for me?” It’s a question that many cord-cutters will ask themselves. Here’s some information to help you find the answer:

Like pay-TV, but slimmer

PlayStation Vue

Surprise! Although the name is synonymous with video games, you don’t actually need a PlayStation console to get PlayStation Vue.

Supported by platforms including streaming devices, iOS and Android mobile, and tablet devices.
Offers four plans with monthly prices ranging from $39.99 (50+ channels) to $74.99 (90+ channels).
Offers DVR features, something of a rarity for streaming services.

Flexible and customizable

Sling TV

This service bills itself as “A La Carte TV” — the packages have fewer channels, but you have more power to customize your channel lineup. Base services start at $20/month with the option to add Sports Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, and others for an additional $5/month. Premium add-on channels include HBO ($15/month) and STARZ ($9).

Sling Orange: 30 channels, $20/month
Sling Blue: 40+ channels, $25/month
Sling Orange + Sling Blue: $40/month

Best value

Netflix

When it comes to bang-for-the-buck, the pioneer still has a thing or two to teach its younger competitors. Netflix has also been a leader in acclaimed original programming.You can choose from three plans:

One screen, standard definition: $7.99/month
Two screens, high definition: $10.99/month
Four screens, 4K: $13.99/month

Sports-first

Although fuboTV emphasizes sports, the service also offers news channels, network channels, and other types of programming. Basic packages include:

fubo Premier: $34.99/month, 75+ channels
fubo Latino: $14.99/month, 13 channels
fubo Portugués: $19.99, 5 channels

Others worth considering

DIRECTV NOW
The live streaming version of the satellite TV service. Offers slimmed-down packages starting at $35/month for 60 channels, compatible with a number of platforms and devices.

Watch a variety of movies and shows, with shows often available the day after they first air. Subscription plans range from $7.99/month to $39.99/month for Hulu with Live TV.

Amazon Video
The streaming video component of the E-tail giant. With an Amazon Prime membership ($99/year), you can subscribe to 100+ premium channels a la carte.

Streaming speed

How much speed do you need for streaming video? Do you need to upgrade your internet service to successfully cut the cord?

A lot depends on which streaming service(s) you’re using and whether you’re watching standard definition, high definition, 4K, etc. This chart lays out a general baseline for different types of content. Be sure to get specific speed requirements from your streaming service and check with your internet provider to see if you need an upgrade.

To put the figures in context, the nationwide average for internet speed is 18.7 Mbps (megabits per second). Delaware (25.2 Mbps) is the fastest state and Idaho (12.0 Mbps) the slowest.

Required internet speeds for video streaming, 1.0 Mbps to 25 Mbps
Source: Internet Speed Requirements for Video Streaming, Lifewire.com

Cord-cutting savings chart

The Simple Dollar has an easy way for you to calculate your savings and track your spending with cord-cutting substitutes.

Stay Under Budget When You Cut the Cord
Download Printable PDF

Save or spend more? It’s up to you

If you’re someone who wants to binge watch shows over the weekend, it may be worth it to pay more. However, if you just want to catch your favorite network TV shows when they air, you can probably get by with just an antenna.
Ultimately, how much you spend or save is up to you based on your desired TV watching habits:

The frugal scenario

You cancel your pay-TV service, get an HD antenna for $20-$50 and indulge yourself with an occasional download or box rental. Instead of channel-surfing, you search YouTube for things to watch free. Play your cards right, and you could save several hundred dollars a year, or more.

The midway scenario

Cut the cord (or ditch the dish), buy a moderately priced smart TV and streaming device, and get an affordably priced streaming subscription. Counting the one-time expenses for new hardware, it could be several months before you see any savings.

The worst-case scenario

Oh, boy. Between new gadgets and multiple streaming subscriptions and an internet speed upgrade, going to extremes after cutting the cord could save you no money at all. At worst, it could even cost you more.

How to cut the cord and win

Some cord-cutters succeed at finding a compromise between savings and entertainment. Others assemble a complicated patchwork of devices and streaming services and wind up shelling out more money than they did with their old pay-TV provider.

To stay in the first group, monitor your costs closely and be prepared to make hard decisions. With a little research and diligence, it is possible to cut the cord without defeating the purpose.

The post The 2018 Cord-Cutting Guide appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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Kroger Is Hiring 14,000 Part-Time Workers for the Holidays — Apply Today

You’ve probably noticed your local grocery store is getting busier as the holidays approach.

All those shoppers out buying turkey, canned pumpkin, eggnog and cookie ingredients are going to need some extra customer service.

To meet that need, The Kroger Co. is hiring roughly 14,000 part-time workers this holiday season, according to a company press release. The grocery chain has stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. It operates multiple stores under the company’s banner, including Fred Meyer, QFC, Harris Teeter and Roundy’s.

A variety of positions are available.

For example, a job posting for a Fred Meyer store in Portland, Oregon, states it’s hiring for cashiers, parcel workers, general merchandise clerks, apparel clerks, electronics clerks, grocery clerks, produce clerks, meat clerks, deli clerks and bakery clerks.

Job duties will vary by position.

Want to become a grocery clerk? A job posting for that position at a store in Marietta, Georgia, states that workers will need to perform duties such as:

Providing outstanding customer service
Keeping stores clean and safe
Helping meet sales and profit goals
Labeling, stocking and taking inventory of merchandise
Ensuring the freshness of products

Good communication skills, knowledge of basic math and the ability to manage stressful situations are needed for this role. Retail experience and proficiency in another language are desired.

Interested in working for Kroger over the holidays? Check here to find a job near you.

To get the scoop on a host of jobs available at other companies, be sure to like The Penny Hoarder Jobs on Facebook.

Nicole Dow is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

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9 Tax Breaks for Parents: How Kids Could Save You $1,000s in Taxes

Does the thought of doing your taxes on top of caring for your kids make your head spin?

Take a deep breath: We found nine tax breaks for parents.

Whether your children are swaddled newborns or seeking college degrees; whether you’re single, married with kids or adopted this year, you’re eligible to get some money back on tax day.

9 Benefits and Tax Credits for Parents

Here are the top tax credits and deductions for parents to keep in mind.

1. Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses

If you had a baby last year, paid out of pocket for medical expenses during your pregnancy and were never reimbursed, you’ll be able to itemize those amounts as deductions.

This tax code requires the expenses to be at least 10% of your adjusted gross income. That might seem unreachable, but since you’ll be billed item by item for prenatal care and childbirth, it can start to add up.

These women paid up to $6,285 by the time their last check hit the mailbox, so make sure you keep your receipts!

2. Child Tax Credit

As soon as your child is born, you’re eligible for the Child Tax Credit, which pays up to $1,000 for every child under the age of 17, depending on your income.

This might seem obvious, but it’s important to note: Even if your child is born on Dec. 31, you can still claim them for that year.

Remember to claim this credit for each of your children — if you have more than one, they each qualify for it up until they turn 17 years old.

3. Adoption Tax Credit

The adoption process is notorious for being lengthy and expensive.

The Adoption Tax Credit is worth up to $13,000 to help you alleviate that financial strain. This credit covers travel expenses, court costs and attorney fees, and even home-study costs.

It’s important to keep all receipts throughout the process and file for the year you adopted a child.

4. Earned Income Tax Credit

If you earned income last year but didn’t exceed certain thresholds, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can significantly reduce your tax bill.

The income limits depend on your filing status and how many children you have. For example, if you’re filing as single or head of household and have one qualifying child, you must have earned less than $39,296. If you’re filing jointly with your spouse and have three qualifying children, you must have earned less than $53,505.

The maximum amounts of credit vary slightly each year. For the 2016 tax year, the maximum amounts of credit were:

$6,269 for three or more qualifying children

$5,572 with two qualifying children

$3,373 with one qualifying child

Note: You can also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit without having a child.

5. Child Care Tax Credit

The cost for center-based daycare for infants can range anywhere between $6,605 and $20,209 per year, while the cost for center-based daycare for toddlers can range anywhere between $8,043 and $18,815 per year, according to a survey by Care.com.

If you’re paying for child care, you may be able to get a chunk of that back on your taxes.

If your child is 13 years old or younger and you pay for child care while you’re either working or looking for work, you qualify for the Child Care Tax Credit. According to the IRS, the amount of the credit varies. It is a percentage based on the amount of work-related expenses you paid to a care provider for the care of a qualifying individual.

The amount of expenses you can use to calculate the credit can be no more than $3,000 for one qualifying individual and no more than $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals.

6. Head-of-Household Status

If you’re single and have a child, don’t overlook this crucial item: your status.

If you file as a head of household, you’re automatically eligible for a lower tax rate than if you file as single.

To be considered the head of household, you must:

Be unmarried on Dec. 31

Contribute more than 50% of the financial support of the household

Have a dependent who lives with you for more than six months of the year

If your child is in college and is still a dependent on your taxes, you can claim their college expenses. There are three different types of post-secondary school credits, but you can only use one at a time.

7. American Opportunity Tax Credit

During the first four years of your child’s college education, you can claim up to $2,500 for tuition and related expenses under the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Your child must attend college at least part time. The income threshold for individual parents is $80,000; married couples must earn no more than $160,000.

Take advantage of this credit while you can — it’s only available through 2017.

8. Lifetime Learning Credit

Unlike the American Opportunity Tax Credit, there is no limit to the number of times you can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for education costs to lower your tax bill.

Worth up to $2,000, the LLC covers tuition, fees, supplies and equipment.

To qualify, your modified adjusted gross income must be $65,000 or greater (or $131,000 or greater if you’re filing jointly with your spouse).

9. State Tax Credits for Parents With Kids in Elementary or High School

Some states offer benefits pay for certain items or activities during the school year.

In Arizona, for example, if your kids attend public school, you’re eligible for a tax credit for any fees related to extracurricular activities, including sports equipment or uniforms. You can even qualify for the credit if you spent money on their SAT/ACT tests or prep classes.

While it won’t affect your federal return, look for these credits when filing your state taxes.

Other Parent-Child Tax Items to Consider

Ask yourself two more questions before filing your return, putting up your feet and enjoying a well-deserved break.

Which Parent Should Claim the Child?

A tricky part of being separated or divorced is figuring out who is supposed to claim the child on their tax return.

To make the call, the IRS typically looks at where the child sleeps for more than half the year, but there are some special exemptions as to who can claim the child and when.

It gets a bit tricky, but this IRS chart answers a variety of questions you might have.

Does Your Child Work?

If your child has a job, make sure they file their own tax return.

Teens who work while in school usually don’t make enough money to have a liability. So, even though their employers have likely withheld taxes throughout the year, they’ll get them back in a refund check — which is a nice incentive.

Plus, it’s a great way to continue teaching them about money.

Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.

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Think You Can’t Afford Adoption? Here are 10 Surprising Ways to Pay for It

Pick up free investment tips from top fund managers

Reading shareholder letters, articles and blogs, and watching video interviews with fund managers is a great way to learn about investing and the stock market.

But some fund managers only post a few sentences a month on their fact sheets. Others share vast reams of information so you can really ‘get inside their heads’ and learn from what they are thinking. Here are some star fund managers who post valuable views that are freely available and well worth reading.

Moneywise's First 50 Funds for beginners

Terry Smith, Fundsmith Equity*

terry-smith.PNG

Terry Smith manages the Fundsmith Equity fund, which invests in equities on a global basis for the long term.

Mr Smith eschews short-term trading strategies, and this fund is a top performer securing a place in the Moneywise’s First 50 Funds list.

He has an ‘owners manual’ for his investors, which has lots of brilliant investment advice nuggets, such as “the greatest threat you face to your investment performance is from you”.

In his 2017 shareholder letter, Mr Smith warns investors against trying to base investment decisions on assumptions about macro trends, such as election results, Brexit and so on.

“Rather like the management of some of the companies we most admire, I waste little or no time trying to guess what will happen to factors I cannot control or predict and deploy most of my time and effort on things I can control. Two of those are whether we own good companies and what valuation we pay to own their shares.”

FIND OUT MORE: Fundsmith.co.uk

James Anderson, Scottish Mortgage Trust*

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James Anderson manages the Scottish Mortgage Trust with Tom Slater, investing in a global portfolio of companies with the aim of maximising its total return to its shareholders over the long term. It’s in the Moneywise First 50 Funds list.

On the Scottish Mortgage Trust’s website Mr Anderson explains in detail his aims and objectives, throwing in fascinating facts such as: “Thirtythree per cent of the wealth created in the US equity markets between 1926 and 2015 came from just 30 companies out of a total of 26,000 quoted stocks.”

In the March 2017 annual report, Mr Anderson talks at length about the advantage of having a small number of stocks, (a ‘concentrated portfolio’), as opposed to diversifying too widely.

“We think over-diversification is a far more prevalent and insidious threat than excessive concentration in today’s investment world.”

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He continues: “We do not believe that there are many stocks that offer the possibility of truly superior long-term returns.”

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Nick Train, Lindsell Train Global Equity*

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Nick Train is co-manager of the Lindsell Train Global Equity fund, which aims for long-term income and capital growth by constructing a concentrated portfolio of 20 to 35 ‘exceptional’ companies from around the world. It’s a member of the Moneywise First 50 Funds.

In an article entitled, ‘Success breeds complacency’, Mr Train argues that the internet is driving business performance.

“The companies doing interesting things with digital – whether they are tech companies or far removed – are the ones making progress. While the cost of ignoring tech, despite the risks associated, looks to be irrelevance.”

FIND OUT MORE: Lindselltrain.com

Neil Hermon, Henderson Smaller Companies Trust*

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Neil Hermon manages the Henderson UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust, which aims to maximise shareholder total returns by investing mainly in UK smaller companies. It’s a member of the Moneywise First 50 Funds list. In a recent article, he explains that it’s important to seek out growth at a reasonable price.

“…simply allocating to smaller companies or even picking great stocks is insufficient – our belief is that you need to buy them at an attractive entry price to generate strong returns over the long term. It was Benjamin Graham, a man often referred to as the ‘Father of value investing’, who said: ‘Buy not on optimism, but on arithmetic.’

“We are growth investors but we apply value principles so as not to overpay for the above average growth of earnings we are seeking to find. This investment style is known as growth-at-the right- price, or GARP.”

FIND OUT MORE: Janushenderson.com

Nick Price, Fidelity Emerging Markets*

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Nick Price, manages the Fidelity Emerging Markets fund, which aims to offer long-term capital growth. It invests mainly in company shares in countries experiencing rapid economic growth including those in Africa, the Indian sub-continent, Latin America, south-east Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It’s in the Moneywise First 50 Funds list.

In a video interview, Mr Price explains that he has positioned the fund to take advantage of growth in consumer spending in emerging markets, particularly in India.

He says of India: “The Indian market is certainly very strong: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is round about 7%. We think it can sustain those levels for the next three, four, five years. It is driven by a growing population of 1.4 billion to 1.5 billion people. On average they earn about US$3,000 a year and that is growing.

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“It has a very strong education system and you have the [prime minister] Modi reform agenda, which is simplifying things in India. And that provides a solid backdrop for us as investors in India. It’s probably the standout country from an activity perspective.”

FIND OUT MORE: http://ift.tt/2iW0FBV

Neil Woodford, CF Woodford Equity Income*

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Neil Woodford is one of the UK’s best known fund managers and runs the CF Woodford Equity Income fund, which is in the Moneywise First 50 Funds list.

Mr Woodford’s views are always insightful and his blog is required reading.

For example, in a piece written on the day after this year’s General Election, entitled: “Another election, another surprise” he explains why the election result could be a positive.

“From the perspective of my investment strategy, the election outcome requires no major changes. The fundamentals of the businesses within the portfolios remain very attractive. I remain cautious on the outlook for the global economy, but more positive about the prospects for the domestic economy than an increasingly bearish consensus. If anything, with its implications for looser fi scal policy and a softer Brexit, the election result has made me even more optimistic about the UK economic outlook and the portfolios are positioned to benefi t from this outcome over the long term.”

He also posts in a section of the website called “Awkward Corner” where he “answers the questions from investor that most companies would rather avoid answering”.

Recent questions tacked include: “Has Neil Woodford lost it?” and “Do you need to own such large stakes in companies?”

Have Neil Woodford and these three other star managers lost their Midas touch?

FIND OUT MORE: http://ift.tt/2iWwVF9

Howard Marks, Oaktree Capital

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Howard Marks founded Oaktree Capital Management, and his ‘Oaktree memos’ give detailed insights into his investment strategies and the state of the economy. He’s a seasoned investor whose musings should be a must-read—after all, even Warren Buffett (see above) apparently takes time to peruse them.

In a letter from 2016, Mr Marks writes: “I’m not saying the market is never right when prices go down (or up). I’m merely saying the market has no special insight and conveys no consistently helpful message. It’s not that it’s always wrong; it’s that there’s no reason to presume it’s right.”

FIND OUT MORE: Oaktreecapital.com

Vitaly N. Katsenelson, Investment Management Associates

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Vitaliy N. Katsenelson is chief investment offi cer at Investment Management Associates and author of The Little Book of Sideways Markets. His regular blogs contain some fascinating cultural insights, useful nuggets of general investing advice and useful shares tips.

In a recent article entitled, ‘Read this before you buy your next stock’ he warns: “If you buy a stock based solely on my write-up, without doing your own research, then you are committing yourself to a static analysis. I may have already changed my mind. My writing is about teaching you how to fi sh and is never about providing the fi sh. If you like the sound of a company I write about, do your own research to fi rm up your own conclusions. Stress test my assumptions and form your own assumptions.”

FIND OUT MORE: Contrarianedge.com

Gervais Williams, CF Miton UK Smaller Companies Fund

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Gervais Williams runs the CF Miton UK Smaller Companies fund and is managing director of the Miton Group. In a recent blog, ‘The Retreat of Globalisation’, he argues that the investment landscape has changed: “The positive drivers of passive strategies that have been in place for three decades have now ended. And the radical change in our social attitudes demands an equally radical shift in our investment strategies.

“Going forward, investment strategies will need to be a lot more selective to be successful. Funds will need to select individual holdings with a combination of promising prospects and plenty of fi nancial resilience.”

FIND OUT MORE: Mitongroup.com

Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway

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Warren Buffett is not technically a fund manager – he’s an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. But he serves as the chief executive and chairman ofBerkshire Hathaway and is one of the most successful investors in the world.

There are many great insights provided in Warren Buffett’s world-famous Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters – he writes one a year and has been doing this since 1977.

Mr Buffett wisely states in the2013 letter: “Games are won by players who focus on the playing fi eld (long term) — not by those whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard (short term).”

Another recent letter centres on advice to avoid investing in active funds and instead invest in ultra-low-cost index funds.

This year he took to task investment fees: “The bottom line: When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profi ts, not the clients. Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds.”

FIND OUT MORE: http://ift.tt/2iW0KFJ

Chris Menon is a freelance writer and former editor of Every Investor who specialises in personal finance and investing.

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7 Reasons We Always Check The Krazy Coupon Lady Before Shopping

Saving money has always been one of my hobbies.

It started as a necessity during my Penny Hoarding college years. I never grew out of it.

Why would I pay full price when — with a little research, patience and masterminding — I could pay a fraction of the cost?

For awhile, I was super into couponing. When I started to ramp up my coupon game, The Krazy Coupon Lady was my savior. I quickly learned the tricks of the trade, and my friends started calling me the Coupon Queen.

Thanks to KCL, I was able to snag a pair of $120 Sorel boots for $10. And a $40 cast iron pan for $16. I learned how to save 97% with CVS Rewards.

I even learned how to stack coupons, shop sales cycles, roll offers and use rebates to make money couponing.

Here’s why I love KCL and why you should check out the site if you want to learn how to save an impressive amount of money on almost anything.

1. Find Freebies Galore

Because so many companies want you to fall in love with them and become a loyal customer, the internet is littered with products free for the taking. All you have to do is give them your email and/or mailing address.

But who has time to find these freebies — or knows how to? Krazy Coupon Lady does.

The KCL team scours the web for freebies and posts them on their blog. Some freebies they’ve posted include free address labels, light bulbs, coffee and dog treats.

They also let you know the fine print, like if you have to pay for shipping or cancel a membership at a later date to avoid a subscription fee.

To get the scoop on all the freebies they post, like Krazy Freebies on Facebook.

2. Go From Newbie to Pro

The world of couponing can be crazy overwhelming with confusing lingo, coupon policies and restrictions.

While it is possible to pay next to nothing (and often literally nothing) at grocery stores, drug stores and online, you’ll need time to cultivate that expert coupon know-how.

To help get you started, KCL has an amazing free beginner’s guide.

The simple step-by-step guide breaks down different aspects of couponing and teaches you how to get organized and avoid mistakes. Anytime someone asks for my best couponing tips, I send them straight here.

3. See Only Deals You Care About

Most coupon websites post several times a day, making it tough to keep up with all the deals and promotions. Some of the deals are regional or may not be relevant to you.

KCL posts just as frequently — in fact, perhaps more than other coupon sites — but they make it easy to narrow down the deals to only ones you care about.

Because I’m not as aggressive a couponer these days as I once was, I limit my coupon wizardry to one store: CVS. I love KCL’s comprehensive CVS section and don’t need to look anywhere else to find deals.

The site also has sections dedicated to other drug stores (Walgreens, Rite Aid), grocery stores (Trader Joe’s, Publix, Safeway), clothing stores (Old Navy, JCPenney, Kohl’s) and more.

4. Let The Krazy Coupon Lady Do All the Work

You get the best deals when you stack a coupon from the Sunday circular with a sale.

But it’s unlikely this Sunday’s coupons will match up with this week’s sales. You might need to wait a few weeks for something to get discounted, creating a prime time to use a coupon.

You also need to remember to use coupons before they expire.

It takes a ton of time to scour every store’s sale ads and match them with the coupons you’ve got on hand. Fortunately, KCL does all that work for you. Each week, the site shows what’s on sale at each store and which coupons will score you the best deals. If a coupon expires mid-week, it’ll let you know to take advantage of the deal before then.

You’ll have to keep each week’s circular organized and become familiar with how KCL lists the deal combinations (For example, “RP 5/31” means the Sunday Red Plum insert from May 31.), but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy peasy.

The site even lists the final price you’ll pay, so you know exactly how much you can save.

I still can’t believe how much work must go on behind the scenes at KCL to match all the coupons and sales, but I definitely appreciate how much time it saves me!

5. Watch Deals Come to You

Saving money isn’t just about coupons. KCL also posts promotions, discounts and limited time offers from online retailers. I’ve scored great discounts that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise if I hadn’t seen them on the blog.

How does the team find so many great deals? KCL has a team that scours the web and a huge following of fellow coupon and deal fanatics. If one of the site’s fans sees a great deal, they’ll share it with KCL, which then broadcasts it for everyone.

The downside is these often go fast.

Exceptionally sought-after products might sell out in a few minutes because of traffic from KCL. Sometimes you get the deal; sometimes you don’t. I’ve been lucky enough at times to appreciate the broadcast deals.

6. Get Honest and Ethical Recommendations

Couponing comes with a stigma, which is unpleasant for anyone who plays by the rules. People see you with a stack of coupons and think you’re gaming the system.

Unfortunately, many couponers are dishonest and pull not-cool tactics to save an extra buck.

For example, some people photocopy printable coupons, which is usually against their terms and conditions. KCL discourages this. If you want more printable coupons, the site tells you how to get them legally.

It also discourages its community from being greedy and clearing out the shelves.

Though saving money is one of my absolute favorite hobbies, I don’t want to do it dishonestly.

I appreciate that KCL takes the same stance. It sticks to each store’s coupon policy and never recommends anything shady to get a deal. I trust that any deals on the blog won’t get me into trouble or make me feel queasy.

7. Get Inspiration From Frugal Entrepreneurs

Because I’m a natural-born storyteller and entrepreneur, I can’t help but love Krazy Coupon Lady’s origin story.

Founders Heather Wheeler and Joanie Demer were friends and young moms in Boise, Idaho, who wanted to save more money on groceries. They began to coupon before it was cool, then started a blog in 2008 to share their tips and tricks.

It picked up so much steam, they were able to quit their jobs and make Krazy Coupon Lady their full-time gig!

These women started couponing out of necessity and were able to make it work. I especially love that Heather became the sole breadwinner of her family and paid off more than $50,000 of debt in two years.

When Joanie’s husband lost his job and insurance, then her daughter was hospitalized, she was able to keep costs low through couponing while her family worked to pay the medical bills and get out of debt.

Save Money Through (Krazy) Couponing

Once upon a time, I visited KCL multiple times a day. Thanks to the website, I was able to get many of my necessities and a few fun non-essentials at a fraction of their full price.

Even though I still love a good deal, I’ve scaled back on my couponing these days. But I still have the coupon knowledge I gained from my dedicated KCL days and know exactly what I’ll need to do if I want to get serious about couponing again.

When I’m ready to dive back into extreme savings, I know KCL will be there waiting for me with deals galore.

Betsy Mikel is a Chicago-based freelance copywriter and brand content strategist. She loves biking all over every city she visits to find its best taqueria.

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First 50 Funds Interview: Anthony Cross, Liontrust Special Situations

Moneywise’s Helen Knapman meets fund manager Anthony Cross to get the lowdown on Liontrust Special Situations, a member of the Moneywise First 50 Funds.

What is the Liontrust Special Situations fund?

It’s a large capital growth fund that captures UK companies from right across the stock market.

We hold 40% to 45% of the portfolio in companies listed in the FTSE 100 index, about 20% to 30% in small companies, around 5% in cash, and the remainder in medium-sized companies in the FTSE 250 index.

There is no particular reasoning for this banding, but we’ve always done it and we’ve found it has worked.

How do you identify companies to invest in?

Any company that we invest in must demonstrate that they have a strength in either intellectual property, distribution networks or high contracted recurring income.

Intellectual property covers copyrights, patents, trade secrets and trade know-how. This takes us into areas such as the great engineering businesses in the UK, such as Renishaw. It takes you into healthcare companies, such as Glaxo and AstraZeneca, and into media and software companies

We look for strong distribution networks. These can be split into two types: large global networks built up over decades or hundreds of years, such as Diageo or Unilever, or more modern, data-driven networks, such as Rightmove. Other examples could be YouGov and GlobalData in market research and Fidessa in financial services.

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The third thing we look for is contracted recurring income. To get a tick in that box, you must have at least 70% of your income recurring under contract, so this essentially means you’re a fee-based business, such as Compass Group [a catering company] and Brooks MacDonald [an investment management firm].

These intangible assets are difficult for competitors to replicate. Lots of our companies will have one, two or even all three of these assets.

Does price factor into your investment decisions?

We are sensitive to price; if companies meet all our criteria but they’re overpriced we won’t buy them. I was looking at adding Halmer – an engineering company – into the fund recently, but it was too expensive.

Once a company is in the fund, it’s a different story. We won’t immediately sell companies because they become overpriced. We might buy less or sell some of it, but we don’t buy and sell companies purely on valuation.

How long do you hold companies for?

It’s an indefinite position. If you take the fund since we created it, we own roughly 50 of those companies. Our turnover tends to be about 10% every year.

What have you been buying recently?

We aim to have 20% to 30% in small companies, so the biggest changes this year have been the introduction of more small-cap names. This includes companies such as Kainos in software and CareTech in healthcare provision. We’ve built up our existing holding in the Mortgage Advice Bureau.

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What have you been selling recently?

We’ve sold out of alternative assets business, Sanne Group. It had been very successful – but we require all the directors of our small-cap holdings to own at least 3% equity in the business, so they are motivated by this to grow the business organically. Sanne Group’s directors sold a big slab of equity, which took their ownership below 3%, so we eased our way out.

We’ve also been cutting back on Diageo. We like it, but it kept drifting over our maximum 4% of the fund holding threshold.

What’s been your best investment decision?

The quiet compounders are the best companies – these are the ones when you forget how well they’ve done because they’re not screamers and shouters. RWS – a patenting company – is one of these; it has grown its dividend every year and generates beautiful amounts of cash.

Another is Brooks McDonald: bought at £1.60 a share, it’s now £20.

What’s been your worst investment decision?

There hasn’t been an awful decision, but The AA has been disappointing. Its share price has been down since we bought it and it hasn’t grown its profitability as we hoped it would.

What’s your top tip for a beginner investor?

Average your way in – drip a little into the market into a selected fund each month. And understand how it is that your fund manager builds and picks stocks. They always say that past performance isn’t a guide to future performance and that is very true, but you need to look at managers’ long-term numbers and see how they’ve done during value periods, growth periods and financial crises.

Turn First 50 Funds into a potent portfolio

If you look at the managers who’ve spent 10 or 20 years running one fund, you might then be able to see if there’s more skill than luck in what they’ve achieved.

The managers behind the fund

Anthony Cross (pictured top left) has managed Liontrust Special Situations since its launch in November 2005. Anthony, who was previously at Schroders, has also managed the Liontrust UK Smaller Companies Fund since launch.

Co-manager Julian Fosh (pictured top right) joined Special Situations in 2008. He has previously managed money at Scottish Amicable Investment Managers, Britannic Investment Managers, Scottish Friendly Assurance Society, and Saracen Fund Managers.

Liontrust Special Situations Key Stats

Launched: November 2005

Fund size: £2884.7 million

Yield: 1.83%

Ongoing charges (OCF): 0.87%