Mississippi taxes a $250,000 home about $900 a year more than Alabama does, according to WalletHub’s ranking of effective property tax rates nationwide. Alabama comes out cheaper on that account. But Mississippi is cheaper on many of the other bills people pay. These are the places the Alabama and Mississippi tax gap works against you….
Some conversations keep getting pushed to next week. For many couples, money is one of them, and Texas law can make waiting an expensive habit. These are the money conversations Texan couples often avoid until they become a problem. Note: This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Texas property, estate, and benefit rules…
Thinking about a move after years in the same Arizona home? If you’ve had a property tax break as a senior, the move could change more than your address. These are the things that happen to the Senior Freeze when a homeowner moves. Note: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Assessment rules…
A renter in San Diego skims past the paragraph about assistance programs on her SDG&E bill every month, then pays the total anyway. She has never once applied. Help like that exists for households that qualify, and the first step is finding out if you do. These are the California utility bill relief programs some…
A retiree in Fort Myers calls to pull $40,000 out of an annuity for a new roof, and their check comes back short. Annuity contracts can be full of terms that work against your favor, and you may not learn about them until you need the money. These are the annuity terms that often cost…
Most New York homeowners no longer have to send in any documents for the Enhanced STAR exemption. The state now automatically upgrades most homeowners already on STAR, New York’s School Tax Relief program, once they turn 65 and their income clears the limit, which the state Tax Department sets at $110,750 for the 2026-2027 school…
More than 90 percent of drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway pay with E-ZPass instead of cash, according to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The monthly statement rarely matches the number on the sign at the plaza. These are the reasons your New Jersey E-ZPass bill runs higher than the toll…
A Las Vegas woman paid $12,000 for a Hilton timeshare. When she wanted to hand it back in 2024, Hilton’s answer was to have her buy $15,000 more instead. She said no. So, she turned to two companies that promised an exit, and nearly two years later, she still didn’t have it. These are the…
Fall is when Idaho homeowners start calling contractors for cold-weather repairs, and a bad contractor knows exactly when to knock. These are the fall home-repair scams targeting Idaho homeowners this season. Note: This is general information, not legal advice. Contractor registration and cancellation rules are subject to change, so confirm the current requirements with Idaho’s…
Michigan’s Department of Treasury said this spring that homeowners were leaving hundreds of dollars on the table by skipping one property tax break. These are the Michigan property tax breaks some homeowners over 65 never apply for. Note: This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility rules, deadlines, and dollar amounts are subject…
