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Many people are not aware they can combine most of their retirement accounts into a single IRA. (Spouses can’t combine their retirement accounts together.) If you have a 401(k) plan that you need to transfer to an IRA, here are the steps to take. Pick the Financial Services Company You Will Work With Pick one firm that will serve as the custodian for your retirement account(s). If you manage your own investments, you might pick Vanguard, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab....

How an HSA Can Help You in Retirement A health savings account (HSA) is an account in which you can deposit pre-tax money for the express purpose of saving for medical expenses. You can deduct contributions to an HSA just like contributions to a 401(k) or IRA. However, a key difference is that you can also withdraw the money tax-free as long as you use it to pay for qualified medical expenses....

A well-written resume that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the job will help you get selected for an interview. Often, interviewers will consult your resume during the interview, too. Above all, your resume needs to be consistent, concise, and easy to read. If it’s not, your resume and cover letter won’t get a second glance from any hiring manager. Here is information on how to write a resume that will get noticed and help you get invited for an interview....

But if you decide to return to work after being out of the workforce for a while, it can be challenging to kick off a job search. Updating your resume is the first and most important step to take. With time away from a paying position and a gap since your last job title, how can you make sure hiring managers don’t flip past your resume? What can you put on your resume so that you’re taken seriously as a qualified candidate?...

To learn how to create an invoice, it’s critical to know the factors to consider when invoicing, the key details to include, the terms and timeframe of payments, and the answers to frequently asked questions. Factors To Consider When Invoicing What you include on an invoice can depend on a few key factors, such as: The type of clients you work with: While larger companies may require a professional, well-detailed invoice in a specified format, newer, smaller businesses may be more open to accepting a variety of invoice types....

As with any other skill set, your communication abilities are demonstrated by your professional employment history. In your application materials and your interview, you can draw attention to how your prior experiences exemplify your communication skills. Then take the time to match your credentials to the job requirements, so you can show the employer you’re a strong match for the job. What Are Communication Skills? It may seem simple enough to say, “I know how to communicate....

Land is a finite commodity, so it will always appreciate in value. As population increases, cities spread out and more land will be incorporated, zoned, and developed. Prices correspondingly rise as land is improved. What Is Improved Land? Improving land is the process of converting unused or differently used land into a construction-ready site for commercial, residential, or industrial building. It can incorporate a number of secondary design concerns such as drainage, excavation, paving, and zoning/land use that must be addressed as part of the development process....

There isn’t a big difference between the two in the eyes of the IRS—but in everyday language, these titles can have different meanings. What’s the Difference Between a Freelancer and an Independent Contractor? If you aren’t an employee, you’re likely self-employed. You may be a sole proprietor of your own graphic design business, an independent contractor for a fintech startup, a gig worker driving for a rideshare company, or the owner of a part-time pet-sitting business....

Here’s a quick look at the most significant economic indicators of the day and what they tell us. Consumer Price Index The inflation rate accelerated yet again, blowing past economists’ expectations to reach the highest since February 1982, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed. The Consumer Price Index rose 7.5% in the 12 months through January, up from 7% in the 12 months through December and higher than the 7....

In the week ending March 20, there were 684,000 initial claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 97,000 from the week before, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor Thursday. It was the first time since mid-March of last year that the weekly number dropped below 700,000. Claims were lower than the most optimistic forecast of 695,000 cited by Econoday. Week-to-week figures can be volatile, but claims have consistently run three to four times higher than pre-pandemic levels since late August....

What Is an Appraisal? An appraisal is a detailed, written, independent assessment of a property’s worth by an appraiser or relevant expert. It can be ordered by you, a trusted advisor, a lender, a lender’s agent, or your insurance company, depending on the appraisal’s purpose. When the appraisal is used to buy or sell a home, it describes what makes the property valuable and how it compares to other homes in the area....

If you are applying for an IT job outside of the United States, you will likely need to submit a CV instead of a resume. Unlike a resume, a CV can be longer than one page: usually they are at least two pages long. An international IT CV typically includes information related to your education, work experience, research, publications, and other achievements. Make sure you know what to include in your international CV so that you impress employers and show that you are right for the job....

“Why did you leave your last job?” “Why did you quit your job?” “Why are you looking for a new job?” “Why were you fired?” It’s important to have a response prepared so you’re not caught off guard by the question. When you respond, you’ll need to give an answer that’s honest and reflects your specific circumstances but avoids negativity. That is, even if you quit because your boss was difficult or because you disliked the company, now is not the time to share....

This allows these organizations to maintain their tax-exempt status. Certain organizations are not required to file Form 990. What Is Form IRS 990? Form 990 provides the IRS with pertinent information regarding a nonprofit’s activities, finances, and income. The purpose is to ensure that they continue to meet all the rules and regulations necessary to qualify as a nonprofit organization. The majority of nonprofits must submit this information form to the IRS....

In this story, we’ll go over five types of property liens, describing what they are, how they affect you, and how you can get them removed if necessary. What Is a Property Lien? A property lien is a legal right or claim against a property that is owed to a creditor. Sometimes, liens are just a normal part of having a mortgage, said Kevin Callender, branch manager and loan originator at Motto Mortgage Direct in Milford, Michigan....

Morsa Images / Getty Images While there are several types of life insurance, we’ll focus on whole life insurance, including what it is and its pros and cons, so you can decide if whole life insurance makes sense for you. What Is Whole Life Insurance? Whole life insurance provides a fixed amount of coverage that can last for as long as the insured person is alive. Unlike term policies that end after a specific number of years, whole life policies may continue to offer coverage as long as you continue to pay the costs of insurance....

Laws for Making a Will Each state has specific requirements that a last will and testament must meet to be legally enforceable. Some of the common requirements in most states include: You must typically be over the age of 18 or an emancipated minor, beyond the scope of your parents’ control, to make a will. You might move beyond your parents’ control because you’ve married, if you’ve joined the military, or if you’ve taken steps to judicially separate yourself from them by asking the court to emancipate you....

Stand Out in the Job Market Despite all the skills and experience that you bring to the table, you will still need to convince employers that you are the right person for the job. However, you also have a number of qualities that make you very hirable. Here are some tips for standing out in this competitive job market: Emphasize your experience. Older job seekers have so much experience they can draw on....

There were 222,000 initial jobless claims last week, 28,000 more than the previous week, but still better than any other time since the pandemic first gripped the economy and triggered massive layoffs, according to seasonally adjusted data released by the Department of Labor Thursday. Claims started to creep up in mid-March of last year, when they rose to 256,000, and soared as high as 6.15 million in one week that April....

Eric Cahan/Getty Images Initial claims rose to 419,000 in the week through July 17, an increase of 51,000 from the previous week’s revised level, according to seasonally adjusted data released Thursday by the Labor Department. Last week’s jump—the largest in a single week since an increase of 71,000 in late March—returns claims to a level not seen since mid-June. Progress toward the pre-pandemic level of 210,000 has stalled this summer, with claims seesawing above and below the 400,000 mark for the last two months....