Stacy Johnson CPA

I'm the founder of Money Talks News and have spent the last 40+ years in the personal finance trenches. I'm a CPA, author of a few books and multiple Emmy recipient. I'm married to a woman I don't deserve, have an awesome dog and live on the water in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Today Is Free Shipping Day
Today Is Free Shipping Day

on December 17, 2010

If you’re sitting at your desk at work, take note of where the boss is. Nowhere to be seen? Then it’s time to finish up your Christmas shopping!

Ask Stacy: How Do I Know When an Email Is Safe?
Ask Stacy: How Do I Know When an Email Is Safe?

on December 17, 2010

Remember when you were new to email? It was hard to tell who you should respond to. That’s this week’s question – check it out and see if you know the answers.

Visa and MasterCard – Overcharging by 80 Percent?
Visa and MasterCard – Overcharging by 80 Percent?

on December 17, 2010

The Federal Reserve yesterday suggested that the fees merchants have been paying for debit card transactions have been way too high and disproportional to costs.

IRS Hikes Audits by 11 Percent
IRS Hikes Audits by 11 Percent

on December 16, 2010

IRS audits swelled Uncle Sam’s coffers by $57 billion last year, largely by targeting the rich. Lesson learned? If you possibly can, try to keep your 2010 reportable income less than $1 million.

A Man’s Guide to Buying Diamonds in 5 Simple Steps
A Man’s Guide to Buying Diamonds in 5 Simple Steps

on December 15, 2010

There are as many facets to the diamond-buying decision. But you can make the process less stressful by learning a little before you venture out. Here’s everything you need to know, told by someone who’s been there.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines Looming
Holiday Shipping Deadlines Looming

on December 14, 2010

How can a holiday that falls on the same day every year so easily creep up and surprise you? If you’re sending presents, you’re running out of time.

Incoming Chair of Banking Committee Says Regulators Should Serve Banks
Incoming Chair of Banking Committee Says Regulators Should Serve Banks

on December 14, 2010

One would think that regulators are supposed to oversee the companies they regulate. But the incoming chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Spencer Bachus apparently has a different idea.

2010 Reduced to a Great 3-Minute Video
2010 Reduced to a Great 3-Minute Video

on December 13, 2010

You’ll probably see a lot of short video reviews of 2010 before the year’s out. But you may not see one cooler than this.

Barron’s Jumps on Corning Bandwagon
Barron’s Jumps on Corning Bandwagon

on December 13, 2010

Turns out that the highly-respected investment magazine Barron’s likes one of the same stocks I do for the exact same reasons. They even have the same price target. The only difference between their article and mine? I liked the stock of the LCD glass-maker 3 months and 3 points before they did.

Wreck Your Car in the Big Apple, Get a Big Bill From the Fire Department
Wreck Your Car in the Big Apple, Get a Big Bill From the Fire Department

on December 13, 2010

New York City may soon start charging motorists up to $500 if the fire department shows up at the scene of a traffic accident. Other cities are already doing something similar. More fallout from driving municipal budgets into a ditch?

Tobacco Virus Could Extend Battery Life by 1,000 Percent
Tobacco Virus Could Extend Battery Life by 1,000 Percent

on December 13, 2010

If you’re a tobacco plant, the tobacco mosaic virus is no friend. But if you’re a battery-burning human being, it could soon turn out to be the best thing ever to come from a tobacco field. Someday your iPad battery may last a year.

The 10 Worst Places You Can Retire
The 10 Worst Places You Can Retire

on December 11, 2010

Lists of “10 Best” or “10 Worst” places to live are often nothing more than thinly veiled attempts at media attention. That being said, like a car wreck, it’s kind of hard not to look.

Foreclosure Rip-offs – First the Banks, Now the Lawyers?
Foreclosure Rip-offs – First the Banks, Now the Lawyers?

on December 10, 2010

In prior stories, we’ve covered blatant rule violations by lenders and the lawyers they hired to process foreclosures. Turns out some of the lawyers defending hapless homeowners may also be more interested in money than justice.

Ask Stacy: How Do I Work from Home without Getting Worked Over?
Ask Stacy: How Do I Work from Home without Getting Worked Over?

on December 10, 2010

Can you really make money working from home? Sure, but it’ll take some work to separate the scams from the scores.

Bush Cut Compromise Hurts the Poor, Fattens the Rich
Bush Cut Compromise Hurts the Poor, Fattens the Rich

on December 9, 2010

If the proposed compromise preserving the Bush Tax Cuts moves forward as agreed, it will benefit the wealthy a lot more than it will the working poor.

How to Save A Third on Your Winter Food Bill
How to Save A Third on Your Winter Food Bill

on December 9, 2010

Let’s talk turkey: shopping for generic groceries this holiday season could save you a third off your food bill.

Gas tank eating money
28 Ways to Save on Gas You Already Know – And Maybe One You Don’t

on December 8, 2010

Checking your tire pressure, tuning up your car, carpooling… While tired ideas like these might help you cope with higher prices at the pump, they’re not your best defense. Not even close.

Reader Shrinks Credit Card Debt
Reader Shrinks Credit Card Debt

on December 8, 2010

An inspirational story about how one reader paid off more than $10,000 in credit card debt in one year by keeping focused on her goal… and using the plan in Life or Debt.

Bush Tax Cuts Extended for Everyone, Including the Rich
Bush Tax Cuts Extended for Everyone, Including the Rich

on December 7, 2010

For the next two years we’ll be living in tax heaven: we’re going to have the Bush tax cuts extended, along with all the other cuts established during the Great Recession. So much for deficit reduction.

Deficit Reduction Recommendations: A Real Page Turner
Deficit Reduction Recommendations: A Real Page Turner

on December 5, 2010

Read the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform’s recommendations for a fascinating – and horrifying – glimpse of just how much money our government has been wasting.

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