DIY New Year Money Finder

Answer 1

Add finding lost money to this New Year’s list of resolutions. Use the listed DIY suggestions to find extra cash in familiar places.

Work Bennies

Adjust your W-4 tax exemptions in January and get a mini raise by paying less income tax on earnings. But, remember to reduce the number of exemptions later in the year to avoid owing taxes next April.

Make cost-reduction changes to health coverage during the plan’s open enrolment period. Reduce coverage and cost of employer provided life insurance plans.

Use found money from other employer benefits to meet the company’s matching contribution to retirement plans.

Tax Time

Visit the irs.gov website in advance of preparing taxes. Look for information about exemptions and credits that can reduce tax debt. Make a list of tax filing questions for tax preparers. File taxes early to receive refunds quicker or to avoid late fees on taxes owed.

Wall Street

Ask fund administrators of investment groups for information on managing retirement portfolios. Request a free fund comparison from a competing investment firm, before rolling over to a new plan.

Gifted

Sell gift cards online for cash or exchange them for a store credit before they lose their original value. Sell old items, cameras, phones, televisions, and game systems, replaced by newly gifted ones. File for rebates before they expire and verify the terms of credit card reward programs.