Teaching children financial literacy at all grade levels

Financial literacy is important, and it should be integrated into modern education for all children. Students of today shoulder a lot of burden. Sending them out into the world without a financial education is an injustice that results in a lifetime of hardship. While it can be difficult to teach children and young adults about money, there are some creative lessons available that can make the job easier and help ensure that they are prepared for their future.

The key is to start with an age-appropriate lesson. Later financial lessons will build on your foundation. Financial literacy for school children can be divided up into three main categories by grade level. General money knowledge begins in elementary school. Middle school students build on their financial literacy foundation by beginning to learn how to manage money. High school students can prepare for financial independence with valuable lessons about responsible financial management skills.

 

Elementary School: The Basics

It’s never too early to foster financial literacy in children. Elementary school is a great place to teach children the basics of exchanging money for goods and services. Teaching elementary age school children about money can be fun. Many educators incorporate games into lesson plans about money. This leads to open discussions and demonstrations about saving, spending and sharing money.

Earning & Spending Money – These activities for the very young include simple but important lessons like recognizing different coins and understanding what they’re worth.

Coins For Money – Download this free game for your students to learn how to recognize and count money $1 and under.

Money Booklets – Download these free printout booklets to introduce and review coins with your students.

Bank It! – Use this game to teach your students how to add and how probability works.

Peter Pig’s Money Counter – In this interactive game, kids practice identifying, counting and saving money while learning fun facts about U.S. currency.

 

Middle School: Money Management

As children move into middle school, they are more familiar with the concept of money management. It is time to begin molding and shaping their perception of money and responsible financial management. As youngsters become more independent in middle school, they are ready to learn how to apply some of the concepts they have learned about money. This is a good time for them to learn about banking and balancing a checkbook.

Writing Checks – Use these check print outs to teach your students how to write a check.

Financial Football – Give your brain a Financial Football workout — play the NFL-themed video game developed by Visa.

Financial Soccer – Put your financial skills to the test with Visa’s World Cup-themed Financial Soccer, a multiple choice question video game. Are you ready to play?

Money Metropolis – Navigate Money Metropolis’ multi-dimensional world while making life decisions that will affect whether virtual bank accounts shrink or grow.

 

High School: Real-World Lessons

High school students are preparing to embark on real-world journeys, financial and otherwise. They are starting to make choices that will affect their future, and it is critical to instill responsible money management skills. With more advanced lessons on budgeting and bill paying, high school students have a better chance of becoming financially independent.

Balancing a Checkbook – Many high school students will soon start working their first jobs, so it is important for them to learn the difference between gross and net pay. They are learning to drive and preparing for college as they move closer to independence. It is a good time for them to practice budgeting successfully with take-home pay through classroom activities that can be reinforced at home.

Making a Budget – Information provided on topics such as: What is a budget? Why do I want a budget? How do I start a budget? How do I make a budget? How do I use a budget?

How to Read a Credit Report – Teach your students what a credit score is and how they can make sure that theirs is a good one.

Building the Perfect Teacher Resume

A resume is a snapshot of your strongest characteristics. It should be clear, concise and highlight the most relevant experience that qualifies you for the job. For a soon-to-be teacher or one changing jobs, the interview begins with the resume.

It isn’t rocket science, but writing a teacher resume is different from writing any other. Every aspect of the resume should point to your goal and reinforce the impression you want to make.

Your resume reflects what you can bring to an organization. Here are tips for building the perfect teacher resume.

 

Strong opening

For best results, open strongly. In addition to accurate contact information, use a professional contact email. That means avoiding personal or inappropriate monikers. A simple first and last name will suffice. If necessary, create an email address specifically for job inquiries and responses.

Also, list your GPA if it’s above 3.0. Employers like to see that you have achieved academic as well as employment success. When listing credentials and accomplishments, lead with the strongest.

Consider using a template for professional formatting and overall look and feel. A good template will provide ample space for your experience, education and skills, plus a brief headliner or introduction. Go with one that conveys your enthusiasm and professionalism.

 

Stand out

When creating a resume, many teachers fail to consider that the competition for teacher positions can be quite fierce in some areas. That’s why it’s important that you create one that stands out favorably from all other applicants.

A strong headliner is the easiest way to get the attention of employment decision-makers. Some examples:

• Mayweather School District Teacher of the Year

• Innovative, Research-based Secondary School Educator

• Seasoned School Administrator with 25 Years Experience

Another excellent way to set you apart is to pay close attention to the wording of your bullet points. Be sure to start each bullet with action verbs and highlight your achievements rather than simply giving a historical account of your work.

For example, rather than merely recounting that you “created lesson plans,” you might point out what your particular innovations with lesson planning achieved. If your lesson plan design ensured that children with low scores had significant improvement by the end of the year, you might state, “created lesson plans that improved reading test scores by 40%.”

 

Properly place your education

When it comes to listing education on your resume, a good rule of thumb is to position that section after highlighting your experience.

In it, list just the facts, including the name of your school or institution, the date you started and completed your education and the particular degree or certificate received. Also, be sure to list relevant extracurricular activities. Those may include entries and prizes in writing or research contests, or success in academic clubs or volunteer organizations.

 

Take special care with experience

The experience section of the resume may be the most important one. Evaluators will use it to get an accurate snapshot of your skills, abilities and achievements. They’ll especially be on the lookout for ways you are particularly qualified for the job at hand.

It’s always best to organize your experience section in reverse chronological order. Starting with your most recent experience first, list and convey your abilities and completed tasks for each position. Use bullet points to summarize, starting each with an action verb.

Go beyond merely listing tasks you completed at each position, by noting the particular things you accomplished. Show decision-makers that you are more than just a doer, you’re an achiever with significant and unique accomplishments.

 

Relevant training and skills

Although it may be tempting to submit a teacher resume without listing relevant training and skills, it’s not always the best choice. That is particularly the case when specific certification or training is required.

List continuing education, certifications, advanced certification and even community service to show what you’ve achieved beyond basic education requirements. That’s also a great place to list unique and applicable skills that put your best foot forward.

 

Polish your resume to perfection

Beyond the basic sections of education, experience and relevant training, a few ways to ensure your teacher resume is polished to perfection are:

• Refrain from using abbreviations.

• Definitely triple check for spelling and grammatical errors.

• Avoid the word “I.”

• Check for bullet points that are verbose.

• Remember, keep it short and to the point.

Last, but not least, make sure there are no gaps in experience. If that is unavoidable, be prepared to give a reasonable explanation during the interview or in your cover letter.

Teacher Appreciation Discounts & Freebies

Teacher Discounts & Freebies

Teachers work hard all year long, and they should feel appreciated all year long, too! Below is a list of all the freebies and discounts different businesses offer teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and all year long. Know of another freebie that should be added to the list? Let us know by sending an email to marketing@gcefcu.org.

 

YEAR LONG DISCOUNTS

BusinessOffer
23andMe Educators save $20-$100 on select 23andMe Ancestry Kits.
Academic Super StoreAcademic Superstore offers year-round discounts on school supplies to U.S. teachers and faculty members with valid ID.
Adobe Creative Cloud SuiteTeachers get 60% off the Adobe Creative Suite subscription.
AncestryK12AncestryK12 allows U.S. educators to access select content from Fold3 military records, the Ancestry U.S. Collection, and Newspapers.com for free.
Books-A-MillionThe Books-A-Million Educator’s Discount Program is a discount card program that is free for all educators, entitling them to a 20% discount on all items that they purchase in store.
Bookmans Teachers get 20% off all purchases.
Budget Truck RentalBudget Truck Rental offers U.S. teachers a 20% discount on local moves and a 15% discount on one-way moves. Book using the code TEACH.
ChampionCurrent and retired teachers get 10% off.
ColgateGet a free Bright Smiles, Bright Futures kit, which includes toothpaste samples, toothbrushes, and teaching materials.
CostcoTeachers receive a $40 gift card when they purchase a Costco membership.
Crayola ExperienceTeachers get in FREE every day with a complimentary Annual Pass! Plus, they can enjoy all the pass perks including, but not limited to, 20% OFF tickets for family and friends every day and 20% OFF purchases at the Crayola Store and Cafe Crayola! Crayola also offers many free lesson plans and teacher resources on their website.
Eduporium Eduporium's Educator Discount program is open to all educators at all levels of education. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, administrator, technology specialist, or makerspace facilitator, creating an account entitles you to discounts as high as 20% on STEM tools in their store.
Ergobaby Ergobaby is offering a 20% discount on diaper bags, strollers, baby carriers, and more to teachers who have a valid ID.me account.
First BookFirst Book is offering free learning resources and up to 50% off retail book prices to employees of qualified schools, libraries, and other organizations.
GE Appliances GE Appliances Teachers Discount Program.
GelProTeachers get 25% off their online purchase.
Glasses.comTeachers can save up to 50% on select eyewear at Glasses.com when they sign in and verify through ID.me.
GMC VehiclesThe GM Educator Discount gives current employees of a public school, private school, college, or university special pricing below MSRP on the purchase or lease of eligible new Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC vehicles.
Half Price Books10% off your entire purchase.
Home ChefHome Chef is offering a 50% first order discount to teachers, in addition to a 10% discount for subsequent orders. Available for new customers only.
Hot WheelsTeachers have the opportunity to request a ton of free toys for their classrooms with Mattel’s Hot Wheels Speedometry program.
J. Crew15% off your entire purchase.
Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store15% off your entire purchase.
Lakeshore Learning15% off when you join their Teacher’s Club.
Lenovo Teachers get an extra 5% off everything online.
Michaels15% off your entire purchase by showing school ID.
Microsoft 365Educators can get Microsoft Office 365 for free by using a valid school email address to fill out an online form. Teachers can also get 10% off Windows devices when shopping online.
National Park ServiceFree lesson plans and classroom materials to create a virtual field trip.
New York TimesEducators get 50% off online subscriptions.
Obscure BeltsTeachers get 10% off a leather belt with code GCEFCU at checkout.
Office Depot/Office MaxTeachers get 20% back in rewards on qualifying purchases.
PBSTeachers get free access to PBS's digital curriculum-based resources.
Pencils.comTeachers, administrators, and other school officials receive 10% off on all orders.
Pizza HutPizza Hut's BOOK IT! program allows you to print out reading award certificates for your students, which are redeemable for a free personal pan pizza for kids.
Rothy'sTeachers get 20% off select Rothy’s styles that are perfect for the classroom.
Roxy Roxy is offering a 15% discount on select online orders to teachers who can sign in and verify with SheerID.
SeaWorldTeachers can get free admission for a day at Sea World Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, and SeaWorld San Antonio. In addition, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have been developing resources for educators for over 20 years. You can download entire teacher curriculum guides and individual activities, show the ShamuTV: Saving a Species series in your classroom, or learn more about how to prepare for careers in the zoological field on this site.
Shop.ID.MeCreate an ID.me account and gain access to hundreds of discounts available to educators.
Silhouette AmericaTeachers can apply for special discounts through the Educator Discount Program of Silhouette America. Sign up for a free account and send your credentials to education@silhouetteamerica.com
Sunglass HutSunglass Hut is offering a 15% discount to licensed or certified teachers who can sign in and verify with ID.me
Under Armour40% off for teachers when they log in using ID.me.
Vera BradleyVera Bradley offers a 15% online discount to teachers when they sign in with ID.me and verify their educator status
Washington PostActive K-12 teachers and U.S. college students, faculty, and staff are eligible to save 50% on subscription rates.
GCEFCU not responsible for errors or omissions. Have a discount that you would like to offer GCEFCU members? Please email marketing@gcefcu.org.

 

 

Gulf Coast Educators FCU

About Gulf Coast Educators: We are a credit union dedicated to serving the financial needs of educators and school district employees in the state of Texas. Here you will find all the products and services of a big bank, but designed to help make our members more money, save time, and provide peace of mind.

Learn More

 

Teaching Your Teen How to Budget

Putting the words teen and budget in the same sentence is enough to incite fear in many parents. Teaching teens about money is often difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. The trick is to start with the basics and take it one step at a time. Teens must first understand the difference between pre- and post-tax money before they can fully grasp the concept of a budget. They also should comprehend fully the importance of saving. Remember, perception is everything to young people. Start out by explaining that a budget is not a restriction, it is a plan for spending so they have the freedom to use their money within reason and without worry.

Income

When teaching your teens to budget, listing their income is a good place to start. Talk with them about the different sources of income, including money from work and allowances. Teach them how W-2 income differs from 1099 income. You want your teens to understand that most of their income will be taxed and they will have to file taxes every year. They should also have at least a general understanding of what that means and how it will affect them. If a relative gave them stocks or bonds over the years, you should discuss the basics of the stock market, and interest and dividends. Here are the most popular sources of income for teens.
• Wages from a job (W-2 income)
• Allowance
• Tips
• Gifts
• Freelance work (1099 income)
• Interest and dividends (if applicable)
They also should know the difference between fixed and fluctuating income.

Expenses

Next, talk about expenses, to help them prepare for that month and track their money. For instance, they may have an “automobile” category that includes the monthly payment, insurance, gas and maintenance. Help them set up categories that are relevant to them. It is also helpful to establish the difference between a need and a want. A new smartphone is a want, buying groceries is a need, for example. Some common teen expense categories are:
• Automobile: payment, insurance, gas, maintenance
• Savings
• School supplies
• Groceries: eating out, snacks
• Phone
• Entertainment: sports, music, friends
• Personal: clothes, toiletries, vitamins

Credit Versus Debit

Learning about credit versus debit will also teach them a great deal. Explain that expenses are debited from the account. When cash is paid out, the account is credited. In the accounting world, when one account is credited, another must be debited to maintain the balance. So, help your teens creates a budget, for the month or for a few months. Write down the total income minus each expense and see what is left at the end of the month. Creating a budget for a few months at a time allows them to see how their income and expenses may differ from month to month.

GCEFCU’s Student Checking Account

Now that your teens have a basic understanding of how a budget works, they may be ready for a Student Checking account. It is a simple checking account for students 13 to 17 years old, with a guardian as a joint owner. They will have their own debit card and online banking login so that they can review and track their purchases. The Student Checking account is designed to help them gain financial independence as they work their budget. Help your teen set savings goals along the way and explain that working with a budget constitutes a spending plan. Above all, be patient and explain that it may take a couple of tries to get it right.

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How to Read Your Credit Report

Your credit report is a snapshot of your financial health. It gives lenders a general idea of how you handle debt and cash flow. Just about everything related to your financial life is a part of your credit report. Lenders use this information to determine whether they will extend credit to you and how much that credit will cost.

Understanding how to read your credit report is paramount to improving or maintaining it. There are four main components to your credit report. Some of that data is then used to determine your credit score.

 

Parts of a credit report

While each credit reporting agency uses their own reporting format, the general categories on your credit report remain the same. The four main parts of your credit report include your:

• Identifying information
• Trade lines
• Public records and collections
• Credit inquiries

Your identifying information does not impact your credit score, although it is important to ensure the information is accurate. This includes your name, address, social security number and general employment history.

Trade lines on your credit report refer to credit accounts such as car loans, credit cards and mortgages. These accounts directly impact your credit score, as do public records and collections. Public records include bankruptcies, liens and foreclosures. Collections records could include delinquent debts.

Credit inquiries make up the last part of your credit record. They occur when a lender reviews your credit history because you have applied for some type of credit or loan. While these hard inquiries remain on your credit report for 24 months, they only impact your credit score for the first 12 months.

 

Credit Score

FICO® credit scores are calculated using the data on your credit report. While the exact calculation is a closely guarded secret, the five categories used and how much they contribute to your score are not. Here is a breakdown of the general information and how much each category contributes to your FICO® score.

Payment history 35%
Debt ratio 30%
Length of time 15%
Types of credit 10%
New accounts 10%

Your payment history is one of the most important contributing elements to your FICO® score. It shows lenders how responsibly you handle cash flow. Lenders use your payment history to determine how much risk they will assume by extending credit to you and how much that credit will cost.

Your debt ratio is the second biggest contributing factor to your credit score. It is calculated by dividing the amount of debt you have by the total amount of credit available to you. For instance, if your available credit is $10,000 and you are carrying a $4,000 balance, then your debt ratio is 40 percent. Lenders prefer to work with clients who have a debt ratio below 30 percent.

The next 15 percent of your FICO® score comes from the length of time your credit accounts have been open. Older credit accounts in good standing have a more positive impact on your credit score.

The types of credit accounts on your report contribute to 10 percent of your FICO® score. Lenders will look to see if you have revolving accounts, installment loans, retail accounts and mortgages. It isn’t necessary to have each of these accounts on your credit report, but maintaining a mixture of different types of accounts in good standing positively impacts your FICO® score.

New accounts contribute the final 10 percent of your FICO® score. Opening too many credit accounts too quickly represents risk to the lender. New accounts may lower your score, especially if you don’t have an established credit history.

 

Report Maintenance

It is essential to review and monitor your credit report regularly. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that one in five people have mistakes on their credit report. This means that over 40 million Americans have inaccurate information on their credit reports, which could be having a negative impact on their score. You must take a proactive approach to ensure the information contained in your credit report is accurate.

If you find errors on your report, you must contact the credit bureau as well as the creditor who supplied the information. They may ask you for documentation before making the correction, but they are bound to correct it under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

You may also debate the accuracy of an account on your credit report by filing a dispute with the credit bureau. If you find accounts that are unfamiliar, don’t belong to you or are inaccurately reported on your credit record, filing a dispute with the credit bureau will prompt an investigation. You will be required to provide supporting documentation to the credit bureau, who must investigate within 30 days.

 

How to get a free credit report

Since your credit report is such a big part of your financial health, Gulf Coast Educators is proud to provide members with a free credit report which includes your credit score. A loan officer can discuss your credit report with you and help you find ways to improve and maintain your credit score.

Social Security Fraud

A new scam is on the rise. Recently, several of our members have received phone calls from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Office. They claim that someone rented a vehicle in the member’s name, and then returned the vehicle with illegal items still in it.

The caller goes on to tell the member that in order to clear their name from this case, the member must “freeze” their account by taking all their money out. Then the member must purchase several gift cards and send the caller the serial numbers for the cards (this is how the member pays the caller for removing their name). Once this is done, the caller tells the member that they will be receiving a new social security number.

This is a scam! No legitimate government office will request money from you in the form of gift cards. To understand more about phone scams, see our tips below.

 

Signs of a Scam

• They request money over the phone
• They request payment by means other than credit card, such as in the form of gift cards, cash, or wire transfers
• They offer to send you a check, and then you send them a portion of the check back as their payment
• They ask for confidential information, such as your social security number, as “verification”
• They use scare tactics, such as saying you will be arrested if you do not comply

 

What You Can Do

If you feel that a phone call may be a scam, hang up. Fraudsters will try to manipulate you to send money right away, before you have time to think things through. Always ask questions, such as the person’s name, business, call back number, and reason for the call, if you feel it may be legitimate.

To prevent your number from being added to any call lists, you can add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. This won’t stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most. If your number is on the registry and you still get calls, they’re probably from scammers ignoring the law. Hang up, and report them at www.donotcall.gov.

 

We are here to help

If you receive a call or are worried you may be a fraud victim, give us a call. We deal with these types of situations every day and can tell you whether or not the call is valid.

What to Consider When Contemplating Changing Jobs

Finding that you are unfulfilled or not making enough money to support your lifestyle is depressing. It can also be the biggest motivating factor for changing school districts. However, changing jobs is a big move that shouldn’t be done in the spur of the moment. It will affect many aspects of your life in either a positive or negative fashion. Knowing what to consider when contemplating changing jobs by switching districts can help you avoid the major pitfalls of a bad career move. Here are some things to think about if you believe another school district may be right for you.

 

Monetary Goals

The last thing you want to do is make a bold career move that you will later regret. It is important to consider your alternatives carefully before changing jobs. Ideally, the new school district will offer a larger, more comfortable salary. While a bigger paycheck can be quite a motivator, it isn’t the only important aspect of your career move.

An attractive benefits package can also be a relevant precursor for a job change. Good insurance is attractive, and there may be other benefits that draw you to a specific school district. For instance, teacher performance bonuses often attract some of the best talents while giving students in the district a better education.

You’ll also want to think about grants, scholarships and educational reimbursements. Teachers’ pay often correlates with their skill level and personal education. If furthering your education is one of your goals, you’ll want to ensure that the new district supports that and rewards you for it. Depending on your age, the retirement benefit offered by a school district may be of specific importance. Each school district offers its own pension plan, and some can be quite enticing.

 

Personal Achievement

Your personal and career goals should be a big factor in your decision to change school districts. You’ll want to ensure that the new district offers advancement opportunities that correlate with your long-term goals. As you pursue advanced education, you will develop new skills. You’ll want your new school district to support those skills and challenge you professionally. However, what you read on paper isn’t the only important consideration. The professional culture fostered in the district you choose must be one that you not only agree with but also support. Ask about the district’s mission statement and ensure that it is one you can really get behind. You may be working in the new district for a long time so you want to ensure they have a socially responsible agenda that you can support.

 

Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is a big factor in your decision to change school districts. For instance, when will the new school district be ready for you to make the change? Will you have the downtime you need to make it a smooth transition? Changing jobs is a big decision, and you don’t want to feel rushed. Think about the location of the new school district and how it will affect your commute. If the commute is longer, are you being compensated for it? Will you need to arrange your schedule to make time for the longer commute?

Perhaps, it will be just the opposite, and the shortened commute will be a benefit. You should also consider talking to other teachers and professionals who work in the new district. Ask how they feel about it and see if they are willing to recommend it over others. Other professionals can often shed light on things that aren’t public knowledge, such as the way a district supports its teachers.

Changing jobs is a big move, and you want to approach your decision with caution. Take the time to ensure that this district change will benefit you and your career by doing your due diligence. You will find that it makes your decision easier, and you will be much happier with your choice in the long run.

What to consider when choosing whether to file your own taxes

Since everyone is in a different financial situation, it can be difficult to know if filing your own taxes is a good idea. To further complicate matters, individual finances change with the tax laws. What worked last year may not be the best option for your current situation.

If your tax situation is uncomplicated and you are comfortable using the software, you may be able to file your own taxes. However, major life changes may dictate the need to hire a professional. Here are some general guidelines to help determine the best option for you.

 

A Straightforward Tax Situation

Preparing your own taxes can be a time-consuming process, even for those considered tax savvy. You should only attempt to prepare your own tax returns if you have a simple and straightforward tax situation. This will help minimize the possibility of making mistakes or submitting an incorrect return.

A simple tax return is used by individuals who do not own a business or intend to itemize deductions. These individuals typically do not have any significant assets or investments that must be claimed on their return, including real estate. There are no dependents for them to declare, and the standard deduction is their best option.

A 1040EZ is a simple form often used to file uncomplicated tax returns. If your tax situation is straightforward, you can often file your federal taxes for free. However, there is usually a charge to file the state taxes even if they are self-prepared.

The good news is that using tax software minimizes the work involved by prepopulating subsequent forms.

 

Considerations

If you are filing your own taxes, it is important to choose your software wisely. You can prepare your taxes by hand, but the software is often more reliable.

The tax software you choose will guide you through the filing process and help ensure that your return is prepared correctly. In many instances, your tax software can affect the size of your refund or your ability to get one at all. The most reliable programs will also save you time and aggravation.

The great thing about utilizing software is that it is expected to be up to date on all the tax law and form changes. Many times, you can also purchase an audit guarantee. The software allows you to see how entering different numbers impacts the calculations at the end.

Using the right software will give you the confidence and peace of mind that your taxes have been filed correctly. It can also save you quite a bit of money over hiring a professional.

Tax software can often be purchased at a discounted rate, such as the discount offered to members of GCEFCU. The amount paid for tax filing software is also a deductible expense when you file your taxes.

 

Hire a Professional

Those who have a more complicated tax situation are often better off paying a professional to file their taxes. This typically applies to those who have substantial earnings, assets and investments.

A professional understands which tax laws apply to such items and which forms must be filed to claim them properly. They can also determine whether it is in your best interest to itemize deductions for the current year. For instance, the standard deduction nearly doubled for 2018.

Changes to the standard deduction amount coupled with additional changes to itemized deductions may make itemizing less attractive in some situations. However, if you own a business or side business, then you may need to itemize.

A tax professional can help determine the best approach for your situation and minimize your total tax liability. They will also consider any major life changes that may directly impact your tax liability. Getting married, buying a house or having a child are all considered major life events that have significant tax implications.

 

Choosing Wisely

What works for you may not work for someone else in a similar situation.

Aside from the necessary tax software, you should also consider your schedule and current obligations. Filing your own taxes requires a considerable amount of time and patience, even with the right software.

If you do not have a quiet place to get this task done or access to a computer, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional. The price you pay for a professional to file your taxes is deductible, and it may be worth your sanity.

If your situation is straightforward, then you can probably handle things yourself with the right software. Just be sure to utilize any available discounts when purchasing the software and minimize distractions until you are finished.