Personal Finance

Counseling available for homeowners at risk of foreclosure

Sunday, February 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — The Valley Community Development Corporation is currently offering free, one-on-one counseling for homeowners in Hampshire County who feel that they are at risk of foreclosure or need help with financial management. The counseling, which is confidential, is designed to help homeowners understand the options available to them and set up action plans that are specific to their particular situation. “It’s tailored to each household’s needs,” said Donna Cabana, … 0

‘Economic root canal’ — personal bankruptcy primer

Sunday, February 3, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Personal bankruptcy filings continued to decline statewide last year after peaking in 2010, a trend some say signals an improved economy. Other bankruptcy experts paint a more cautious picture and say many Valley residents face significant money problems fueled, in part, by the Great Recession. In Massachusetts, Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, … 0

A child at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School participates in Savings Make Sense program, sponsored by Florence Savings Bank on January 25, 2013.

SARAH CROSBY

Saving Makes ‘Cents’ program instills values in youngsters

Sunday, February 3, 2013

HADLEY — In five years, when she plans to visit China as an eighth-grader, Aine Doherty says she will have enough money saved up to enjoy her visit to the Pacific Rim. Fellow third-grader Odin Moore says he is putting money he earns from allowance into his account for future purchases. “I know … 1

Local Photography »

Northampton High School junior Anna Moore, left, runs Saturday in the 4x800 meter relay event during the Western Massachusetts Division I Track Championship at Holyoke High School. Northampton High School freshman Sierra Loomis runs of the track after passing the baton, at right.

SARAH CROSBY

Northampton wins girls track title; Amherst rallies to second

Taj-Amir Torres of Amherst Regional High School, left, leads Saturday during the 100 meter dash event at the Western Massachusetts Division I Track Championship at Holyoke High School. Oushane Lewis of Central High School, center, and John Ferrera of Ludlow follow behind.

SARAH CROSBY

Chicopee Comp overtakes Amherst to win boys track title

Hampshire College student Esther Dane celebrates during the graduation ceremony Saturday in Amherst. Dane's Division III, Portraits of Wellness, combines art with science research.

SARAH CROSBY

Hampshire’s 300 graduates urged to confront challenges

Other Local News

At UMass K9 training, dogs build, prove police skills

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Justice for Jonas coalition calls police ‘malicious’ in arrest of Amherst man which was videotaped

From News »

Smith program helps kickstart entrepreneurs, aid women’s financial independence

Thursday, January 31, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — On a chilly January morning, Smith College students gathered for an interterm course listen to Kate Hammond, associate director of the college’s Center for Women and Financial Independence, recount her days as an intern at General … 0

Paying estimated taxes critical for those who are self-employed

Sunday, February 3, 2013

WASHINGTON — Some people work for themselves because they like the autonomy. Others have been unable to find full-time, regular jobs and have had to settle for contract work for a specific project or period of time. And still others have retired but have been brought back as … 0

In this Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, photo, Katie Hanson, senior product manager for Turbo Tax Military Edition, poses for a portrait in the offices of Intuit in San Diego. For military personnel, its not unusual to have to file taxes in multiple states, said Hanson, project manager for TurboTaxs military edition. And thats one of several tax complexities that military families must deal with when figuring out their taxes. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Special tax provisions for members of military

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Katie Hanson is a military spouse; her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Marc Hanson, is on active duty in the Navy. He has Florida as his home of record, even though he is based at Naval Air Station North Island, … 0

FILE - This Oct. 18, 2012 file photo shows Edith Windsor interviewed at the offices of the New York Civil Liberties Union, in New York. Windsor sued the government in November 2010 because she was told to pay $363,053 in federal estate tax after her partner of 44 years, Thea Spyer, died in 2009. The federal Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman," and that's what the Internal Revenue Service follows when it comes to federal income taxes. AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Same-sex couples can’t file joint fed taxes

Thursday, January 31, 2013

WASHINGTON — Even though an increasing number of states are legalizing gay marriage, same-sex married couples still won’t be able to file joint federal tax returns this year. The federal Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as “a … 0

Numbers to know when you file your return

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Key numbers to know when filing your 2012 tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service: • PERSONAL EXEMPTION: —Each personal or dependent exemption is worth $3,800. • STANDARD DEDUCTION: —$11,900 for married couples filing a joint return, and qualifying widows and widowers —$5,950 for singles and married … 0

This undated publicity photo provided by courtesy TurboTax shows Vice President, Bob Meighan, of the online tax preparation service, TurboTax. (AP Photo/Courtesy TurboTax)

Changing family dynamic may lead to some tax relief

Thursday, January 31, 2013

WASHINGTON — Members of the sandwich generation — caught between supporting elderly parents whose assets are nearly exhausted and adult children without jobs — might find some relief come tax time. The bottom line is, who’s a dependent? … 0

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2013 file photo, President Barack Obama, right, and Vice President Joe Biden make a statement regarding the passage of the fiscal cliff bill in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington. The payroll tax holiday has ended for all workers, and higher-income people will bear a heavier tax burden. Many people might be surprised when they look at their paychecks this month, scratch their heads and wonder why their take-home pay is less. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Tax rates, AMT patch already set for tax year

Thursday, January 31, 2013

WASHINGTON — You can expect a lot less end-of-the-year drama on taxes in 2013. But there’s a price tag: The payroll tax holiday has ended for all workers, and higher-income people will bear a heavier tax burden. Many … 0

Why it’s important to put your house in order — before you retire

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

My husband and I paid our annual visit to the financial adviser who watches over our undoubtedly inadequate retirement savings, an appointment that is not unlike those with the dentist: necessary but never fun. During our meeting, I proudly listed the home maintenance projects I had undertaken as … 0

Nicolas Frischer and Erin McEnaney have installed new windows and a new heating system in their home in Chesterfield. Now a town grant may help them with more energy-saving measures.
FRAN RYAN

Green Communities helps Chesterfield residents save

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

CHESTERFIELD — An innovative energy-saving program is making an offer some town residents can’t refuse: potential savings of up to $3,000 on improvements designed to weatherize their homes. For Nicolas Frischer and Erin McEnaney, for instance, who want … 0

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