Personal Finance & Money Stack Exchange
Personal Finance & Money Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
19
votes
2 answers

If I file as head of household, how does my estranged wife file? (USA)

My wife abandoned my kids and me mid July, 2014. For 2014 the option of "Head of Household" was not available as the IRS says that the spouse has to not have lived with you for the last 6 months of the year to be "considered unmarried", so we ended…
trex005
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3 answers

Can I use an HSA to pay off medical debts incurred before the HSA was funded?

Let's say that in year A I had a medical insurance plan without an associated health savings account, and incurred some medical expenses (co-pays, deductibles). I didn't pay them that year; they may even have gone to collection. In year B, I'm…
david
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19
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3 answers

what happens if you don't start collecting social security until you're 75?

My father recently turned 70 and distrusts banks somewhat. He doesn't feel he currently needs the extra income that social security would provide and that if he took the extra money now that that money could disappear in a hypothetical lawsuit. It's…
neubert
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19
votes
4 answers

I made an investment with a company that contacted me, was it safe?

I am a French person living abroad who invested a bit of money with a company that contacted me some time ago. This leading to that, I am a bit doubtful (legitimately?) that I will ever see my money back. Their website is here:…
FrenchFireman
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19
votes
1 answer

Where Do ESPP stocks come from?

When a company gives its employees an ESPP plan, where do they get the stocks to sell to them? are they being bought in the free market? but then, where does the discount come from? is it stocks that currently belong to the company and this is its…
Blop
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19
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3 answers

Quit my job: What can/should I do with funds in previous employer's 401(k) plan?

I recently changed jobs, and my previous employer offered a 401k. I know I can roll that money into an IRA. Before I do anything, I would like to understand what options I have, and which option is best. What recommendations do you have?
Kyle Trauberman
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19
votes
8 answers

Is a car loan bad debt?

I've heard people saying that a car loan is considered a bad debt, while a house mortgage is a good debt and so on. My bank is offering 1.49% interest for a 36 month loan or 2.49% for a 37-60 month loan. I need help with calculation here because if…
Grasper
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19
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6 answers

US bank w/ free online incoming/outgoing international wire transfers, no monthly charges, online application

What US banks let me do the following: % Send and receive international wire transfers for free % Send wire transfers online % Pay no monthly fees % (optional) Apply for an account online. Accounts requiring a minimum balance of up to $50K are…
user1731
19
votes
5 answers

New car vs used: how to compare value?

When buying a car, I care only about what I'd call "pure utility": maximum usefulness for minimum dollars and trouble. I'd always heard that a new car is nearly always a worse deal than one that's about 3 years old, because although it depreciates a…
Nathan Long
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19
votes
5 answers

Why don't more people run up their credit cards and skip the country?

If I total up the amount available on my unsecured line of credit and the limits on my credit cards, it comes to over $100,000. This amount of money would last a long, long time in somewhere like Honduras or the south Pacific. What is stopping me…
Ether
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19
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1 answer

What's an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)?

I've been hearing a lot about exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. What exactly are they, and how would I use them?
bms1
19
votes
7 answers

Is Real Estate ever a BAD investment? If so, when?

Even in a bad market, over 30 years won't the value of Real Estate always go up? Is it always a sure bet? If not, what should an investor or buyer consider?
Nat_Rea
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19
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4 answers

Why are bank transactions not instant?

I asked myself why bank transactions take 2-6 business days to complete. How does the internal process of a transaction look like? Isn't it possible to redesign the process so that transactions are instant?
norbertVC
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19
votes
7 answers

Can a company pay a net salary?

I have been approached by a start-up which said that the monthly salary I would earn is a net salary, with no taxes to report on my side, because all taxes are paid and reported by the company. A company must pay company taxes, but can a company…
jujenis
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19
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6 answers

What should I do with my credit card debt?

I have almost $20,000 in credit card debt and, though I have stopped accumulating it for quite a while now, I'm trying to figure out the best way forward. Can someone please offer advice based on this scenario? I have three cards: Card #1: $5600…
user17618
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