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Personal finance : article

10 steps to protect your identity this holiday season

MEXICO, Mo. – Don’t let an identity thief steal the sparkle out of your holiday season.

Avoid identity theft during tax season

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Identity thieves thrive during tax filing season. Take steps to prevent those electronic criminals from lining their pockets with your refund and personal information, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt.

BTC Bank supports Missouri 4-H financial ed program

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Young people across Missouri will experience interactive, hands-on financial education thanks to a five-year pledge of support from BTC Bank to the Missouri 4-H Foundation. The pledge will support the statewide launch of On My Own, a household finance simulator for youths ages 13-…

Camp Ca-Pow sparks love and giving

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri alumni Alyssa Roost, BHS ’16, and Matt Praiswater, BS ’15, met in 2016 when they worked as interns for Camp Ca-Pow (College Access-Planning Our Way), a program that helps middle school students explore career and college opportunities.

Choose your tax preparer wisely

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Exercise caution if you pay someone to do your taxes, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt. Most tax return preparers are professional and honest, but not all, he says.

Create a household inventory before disaster strikes your home

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - The damage from recent flooding reinforces the importance of having an up-to-date household inventory. Imagine trying to compile a detailed list of property for an insurance claim just after a natural disaster.

File a tax return even if you don't have to

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt offers three reasons why you should file a tax return even if it is not required.

Free hotline offers counseling, referrals for Missourians in crisis

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians in crisis can take advantage of a free 24-hour hotline for stress counseling as well as information and referrals on legal, financial, crisis/disaster and personal health topics. Individuals can seek help by phone or live online chat.

Free webinar series on financial health in the COVID-19 era starts May 1

COLUMBIA, Mo.

Give yourself the gift of a debt-free shopping season

SHELBYVILLE, Mo. – ’Tis the season to be jolly. And in debt. Plan your seasonal shopping purchases to avoid overspending, says University of Missouri Extension family financial education specialist Wendy Brumbaugh.

Holiday entertaining without breaking your budget

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – When holidays approach, many will face the daunting task of keeping up family traditions without breaking their budget.

How to replace lost documents after a disaster or loss

CARTHAGE, Mo. –Replacing important family documents after a tornado or flood can be a time consuming and costly exercise in frustration, according to Janet LaFon, family financial education specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

MU Extension specialists on coping with COVID-19's financial impact

Get expert advice on managing the financial impact of COVID-19, including budgeting, debt relief, and financial planning strategies.

Paying for college

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many students have the desire to go to college, but not the funds to pay for it. Fortunately, there are options available to help students afford higher education.

Paying to borrow your own money is a bad deal

Payday loans often trap borrowers in cycles of debt due to high interest rates and fees, making them a costly option for covering expenses.

Play helps farmers talk about succession planning

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. - University of Missouri Extension will present a free play to help farmers talk about succession planning, 7-9 p.m. Friday, June 10, at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center at Chillicothe High School.

Property loss from disasters may be tax deductible

Related video: Coping with disaster, youtube.com/watch?v=q6_ugKGvd_MCOLUMBIA, Mo.

Questions about the ACA? MU Extension can help you get answers

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent news may have some consumers confused about the status of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Record-keeping for income taxes

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Do-it-yourself tax preparation, for complicated returns, means shuffling though statements, receipts and other records. Your record-keeping system for tax-related documents can be as simple or complex as you want.

Spend wisely using the Rule of Three

CARTHAGE, Mo. – Smart consumers know money isn’t earned accidentally, so they don’t spend it carelessly. One useful tool for shrewd shoppers is the Rule of Three.

Tax refund advice: Save some, spend some

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Income tax refunds are ready to roll out. You might want to hold on to some of that cash. Refunds are wages you earn throughout the year and should be thought of as hard-earned money rather than found money, says Andrew Zumwalt, personal finance specialist with University of…

Teaching your teen financial literacy

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - In a recent national survey of high school seniors' knowledge of basic personal finance and economic topics, students could answer only 48 percent of the questions correctly. "Adolescents clearly need a crash course in personal finance to prepare them for the future.

Use gallons per mile to measure fuel efficiency

COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’re in the market for a car that will save you money at the pump, looking at miles per gallon may not be the best way to compare fuel efficiency, says a University of Missouri Extension financial planning specialist.

Vacationing on a budget

The summer is almost here and that usually means families hit the road. But with high gas prices and a sluggish economy, many are having second thoughts about this year's vacation. Yet family fun doesn't have to break the bank. Learn how in this video news story.
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