Articles by Lance Cothern

Lance is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Virginia and he covers money management, budgeting, financial products, and more. He is also the founder of Money Manifesto, a personal finance blog, where he writes about his family's relationship with money. Education: B.B.A. in Accounting from James Madison University.

What to Do If You're Claimed Wrongly as a Dependent on Someone Else's Tax Return Find out what you should do if you find out that you (or your legal dependent) was claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. Brokerage Account vs. IRA: What is the Difference? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Brokerage Account vs. IRA: What is the Difference? If you’re starting to learn about investing, chances are you’ve come across a lot... 403(b) vs. Roth IRA: Which is Better for Your Retirement Savings? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern 403(b) vs. Roth IRA: Which is Better for Your Retirement Savings? Saving for retirement can feel overwhelming. There are many acronyms and weird... Stocks vs. Mutual Funds: How They Differ for Your Investing Strategy Learn the key differences between stocks and mutuals funds so that you know how to use them as part of your investment portfolio and strategy. Short-Term Health Insurance: What Is and Isn't Covered Learn about short-term health insurance plans, including what is covered, state-law limits, how much they cost, and where to find them. No-Exam Life Insurance: How It Works and How Much It Costs Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern No-Exam Life Insurance: How It Works and How Much It Costs Getting life insurance is an essential part of most financial plans. The life... Opting Out of Employer Health Insurance: When Does it Make Sense? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Opting Out of Employer Health Insurance: When Does it Make Sense? Most people get health insurance through their employer as an employee benefit.... Business Certificates of Deposit (CDs): How They Work Learn about business certificates of deposit (CDs) and how they work to safeguard and grow a portion of your business's funds. Can U.S. Expats (Americans Abroad) Contribute to IRAs or 401(k)s? Find out whether U.S. expats can qualify to contribute to IRAs or 401(k)s despite being an American living abroad -- especially when it comes to taxes. What Is a Brokerage Sweep Account & How Does It Work? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern What Is a Brokerage Sweep Account & How Does It Work? As an investor, your money may not always be fully invested in stocks, bonds,...