Bottom Line Inc

12/02/2025

You may be pleasantly surprised about what you can write off on your taxes. Here, Bottom Line expert Abby Eisenkraft elaborates. Eisenkraft is EA, CEO of Choice Tax Solutions, Inc., a federally licensed enrolled agent, an accredited tax preparer and a chartered retirement-planning counselor who specializes in federal and state tax audits and the author of 101 Ways to Stay Off the IRS Radar.

The term tax write-off is another way of saying “tax deduction.” The phrase typically is used to refer to self-employment and

12/01/2025

There's an app for everything these days, but budgeting apps may be one of the most helpful of all. Here, Bottom Line expert Karen Bennett, Consumer Banking Reporter at Bankrate, explains how you can use them to help you manage your weekly spending.

Managing household finances is seldom fun. Does anyone actually enjoy monitoring every dollar spent? Fortunately, there’s now a slew of budgeting

11/30/2025

Property taxes vary by state. However, tax rates do not tell the whole story. Before you pack up and move to a so-called cheaper state, hear what Bottom Line expert Chip Lupo, analyst with the personal-finance website WalletHub, has to say about balancing property taxes with other pertinent points.

Property taxes have been increasing in recent years—the average annual bill now is close to $3,000. That $3,000 figure no doubt seems surprisingly low to

11/29/2025

Did you know that flights are cheaper some days of the week than others? Here, Bottom Line and travel expert John DiScala, who runs the travel website JohnnyJet.com, explains the best days to book flights.

When is the best time to book a flight? If you’ve been a traveler for many years, you probably once heard that you should shop around for flights on

11/28/2025

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You may have heard that the tax rules regarding overtime pay are changing—but taxation of overtime earnings is not ending entirely. Historically,

11/27/2025

If you're a "foodie" and would love to base your travel about culinary delights, you're in luck, because there are trips designed for you! Here, Bottom Line expert Adriane Berg, an expert in senior travel who hosts the podcast The Ageless Traveler, author of Luxury Travel for Less and the weekly newsletter Travel Tuesday, and recipient of the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Award, explains.

Many hardcore amateur chefs and gourmands (self-described “foodies”) give gastronomy top billing when they travel…and travel companies

11/26/2025

OASDI is just a fancy name for something you're used to having withdrawn from your paycheck. Here, Bottom Line expert Abby Eisenkraft, EA, CEO of Choice Tax Solutions, Inc., a federally licensed enrolled agent, an accredited tax preparer and a chartered retirement-planning counselor who specializes in federal and state tax audits and author of 101 Ways to Stay Off the IRS Radar explains.

You may have noticed the acronym OASDI on your paycheck—especially when you realize that it is taking a big chunk out of your earnings. But the

11/25/2025

You're taking a family vacation and you want everyone to stay together in one house. Should you choose Vrbo or Airbnb? What are the features of each and how are they different? Here, Bottom Line expert Adriane Berg, an expert in senior travel who hosts the podcast The Ageless Traveler, author of Luxury Travel for Less and the weekly newsletter Travel Tuesday, and a recipient of the JourneyWoman Solo Travel Award, explains the differences and benefits of each.

Not very long ago, if you needed a place to stay while traveling, you were pretty much limited to booking a hotel room. But today’s travelers have

11/24/2025

MORE SEVERE FLU SYMPTOMS PREDICTED, reports William Schaffner, MD. Although flu rates are still relatively low, they are rising in 39 states and spreading more rapidly than was the case last year. Also, the predicted most dominant virus, H3N2, causes more severe symptoms than H1N1, the most common strain last year…and H3N2 has developed mutations that allow it to elude immunity from previous infection. Self-defense: While flu vaccine may not prevent flu, it can help protect against severe disease.

What has been your experience so far this season? Have you gotten the flu, and if so, how were your symptoms? And are you vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated? Answer in the comment section below.

William Schaffner, MD, is professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, VUMC.org

11/24/2025

You've probably heard talk of a detox cleanse to rid your body of toxins. Is it something you should consider? Here, Chris Meletis, ND, former chief medical officer for the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and currently the executive director of the Institute for Healthy Aging, a physician on the staff of Beaverton Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon and author of 18 books on health and healing, including most recently The Hyaluronic Acid Miracle (Freedom Press), explains exactly what a detox cleanse is and how to decide whether it is right for you.

Our bodies are exposed to more toxins than ever these days, so you may have wondered if a detox cleanse is right for you. Reality: Complex detox regimens

11/24/2025

President Trump has made it easier to write off charitable contributions on your taxes. Here, Maryann Reyes, CPA, PFS, principal with the tax group at WithumSmith+Brown, PC, in Whippany, New Jersey, explains how your charitable giving benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Thinking about donating to your favorite charities? The recently passed tax legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), provides an

11/22/2025

It's entirely likely, as you get older, that a friend or relative may ask you to be the executor of their estate. Before you say yes, however, you should understand what is involved. Here, Bottom Line expert Peggy Hoyt, JD, principal at the estate-planning law firm, Hoyt & Bryan, Oviedo, Florida, explains what an executor does and what you need to know before you agree.

Has a loved one or close friend asked you to be the executor (also known as personal representative in some states) of his/her will? You may feel