Most people carry some debt, whether it’s a credit card balance or the money they owe on a car loan or home mortgage. Debt is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can become a problem if you allow it to get out of control. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these tips on mistakes to avoid in managing your balance:

The holidays are an exciting time, but they can also be an expensive one. Many people have tightened their belts during the last year because of the troubled economy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss the joy of giving presents to loved ones or indulging in the celebrations. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) advises that there are some smart steps you can take to ensure that you are a savvy shopper, even during what can be a costly time of year:

Even in a bad economy, people still reach deep into their pockets to help out those who are less fortunate, especially as the holidays approach. However, in good times or bad, it’s important to know that the money you are giving to a charity is truly being put to good use. Many con artists try to cheat people out of their dollars by pretending to be involved in a legitimate charitable organization. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these questions to ask to ensure you are avoiding charity scams:

Retirement used to mean leaving work forever at age 65. Today, that description no longer applies to many of the millions of Americans who are at or near the traditional retirement age. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2016, workers age 65 and older are expected to account for 6.1 percent of the total labor force, up sharply from 3.6 percent in 2006. Many of these workers don’t want to be idle and are interested in beginning a second career, while others continue to work well into their golden years due to economic necessity. No matter the reasons, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these suggestions for anyone redefining retirement:

If a promise sounds too good to be true, it usually is. And that’s the case with many offers for magazine subscriptions that you may receive over the phone or from someone selling door-to-door. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers this advice on how to be sure you’re getting the most sensible deal for you dollar:

529 college savings plans allow you to set aside funds for tuition costs where they can build up profits that are usually exempt from federal, state and local taxes. They can be a good tool for parents, but after recent stock market declines, many people found they had lost some of the money they had put in these plans. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following guidelines on how to make the best choices when investing in a 529 savings plan, especially given recent market uncertainties:

The price of providing health care to small company employees is soaring. In fact, according to a study by the National Small Business Association, 28 percent of businesses surveyed said their health care insurance rates had jumped more than 20 percent in the past year. If your company is struggling to pay health insurance premium costs, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following options that can help you ease the burden:

Small business owners face many tough problems in a troubled economy. One of the most difficult challenges can be managing a staff through uncertain times. Whether it’s a matter of keeping anxious employees focused on their work or making hard decisions about layoffs, company owners often find themselves wondering what the best steps may be. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these timely suggestions:

Many people are struggling to pay their mortgage as a result of the bad economy. Don’t despair if you are concerned about falling behind on payments. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) there may be options available that can help make it easier to keep up with those monthly bills:

Every day, it seems as if the news is filled with reports of layoffs and job cuts at more and more companies. If you’re concerned about the safety of your own position, the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following steps you can take to recession-proof your situation:

The American population is aging. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, one in five Americans will be over age 65 by the year 2050. As these people grow older, many will choose to continue living on their own or may decide to move in with family. However, some will prefer to reside with people closer to their own age or will, by necessity, need to live in a facility that can cater to their changing medical needs. What should you keep in mind if you must choose an eldercare facility for yourself or a loved one? The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following tips:

Reverse mortgages have become a popular option for seniors who would like to reap some of the benefits of the equity they have accumulated in their homes. However, it’s important to be aware of both the advantages and drawbacks to these loans. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) explains how they work and the issues to consider:

During the current economic recession, many have lost their jobs, seen their credit lines cut or experienced other serious financial misfortunes. When the bills pile up and times become desperate, many people begin to question whether declaring bankruptcy is a viable option for them. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) advises there are many issues to consider before taking this drastic step:

As college students graduate this month, many will be taking the monumental step of renting their first apartment. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following advice on getting the right start.

Congratulations, youre getting married! So if youre starting to plan for your upcoming nuptials, you know that the price can be steep. In fact, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is around $28,000. However, it is possible to have a memorable day while sticking to a realistic budget, advises the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). Here are some tips:

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, the amount of money that Americans spend on prescription drugs today is more than five times higher than it was in 1990. Many people struggle to meet the steep price of medications for their families, particularly in a tough economy. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these tips to make this necessary expense more affordable:

Problems in the stock market have affected virtually every sector of the economy, but the impact on retirement accounts has been the most worrisome for many people. Thats not surprising, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates, retirement accounts have lost approximately $2 trillion during the last two years due to market declines. Dont despair, however, according to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), there are steps you can take now to protect your remaining savings:

The downturn in the economy has taken a toll on everyone, but senior citizens are often hardest hit by a recession. Thats because they generally live on a fixed income, including the earnings on retirement plan investments that may have declined sharply in value due to drops in stock prices and interest rates. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) provides the following advice on how to help your parents or other aging relatives weather a recession:

Many people have lost their jobs in the last few months as the economy falters. Scam artists are still fully employed, however, in good times and bad. So be careful.

Wills are not just for the very rich. They are important legal documents that help guarantee that your wishes will be followed and your family or other beneficiaries can receive their inheritance without unnecessary delays. Everyone should have a will, particularly if you have children or if you have assets that you plan to leave to a person(s) or an organization. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following tips on writing an effective will:

Making  and sticking to  a household budget can help you conserve cash and limit your credit needs in tough economic times. There are some traps, however, that can bust your budget quickly, despite your best intentions. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers the following advice to avoid making these mistakes:

The recent turmoil in the financial markets has touched virtually every sector of the economy. One huge source of anxiety for many people is the state of their retirement savings. Late last year, many saw the value of their retirement nest egg dwindle as stocks and mutual funds plummeted. The market will always be subject to ups and downs, but the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) advises that there are steps you can take to better protect yourself for the future:

Between reluctant buyers and a tightening up of bank lending, many people have found its a tough time to be selling a home. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), all is not lost. There are several steps you can take to make your home more attractive to buyers:

In a troubled economy, many companies are cutting jobs. According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) there’s no need to panic if you are laid off. Here are some strategies for keeping your finances in order even if you lose your job:

When opening a checking or savings account, security and convenience top the list of must-haves. But how do you know which bank, savings and loan or other choice is the right one for you? According to the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) there are many different factors to consider: