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.

Contingent Beneficiary: How to Choose One for Your Life Insurance Policy Find out what you need to consider when choosing a contingent (or secondary) beneficiary for your life insurance policy and estate planning purposes. Donor-Advised Funds: A Better Way to Donate Charitable Funds and Get a Tax Deduction? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Donor-Advised Funds: A Better Way to Donate Charitable Funds and Get a Tax Deduction? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the standard deduction. However, the... Death of a Spouse in Retirement: How You’re Affected Financially and What to Do Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Death of a Spouse in Retirement: How You’re Affected Financially and What to Do Retirement is often the last major stage of life. Many people look forward to no... Penny Stocks: 5 Reasons to Avoid This Investment Find out why penny stocks are dangerous investments that you should avoid when considering scams, costs, and risks involved. Are Life Insurance Payouts Considered Taxable Income? Find out whether life insurance payouts and death benefits are considered taxable income for beneficiaries and when taxes may affect the value of your policy. Compare Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loans & HELOCs for Retirement Income Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Compare Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loans & HELOCs for Retirement Income When you’ve already retired and you need income, one potential source of income... Best Health Insurance Options for College Students Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Best Health Insurance Options for College Students Paying for college in the United States is outrageously expensive on its... High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs): How to Choose Between Health Insurance Options Find out how high deductible health plans (HDHPs) offer health insurance coverage whilst offering access to health savings accounts (HSAs). Health Insurance Deductibles: How Do They Work? Learn how health insurance deductibles work, which would also be helpful when you’re choosing between different health insurance plans. Mortgage Protection Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance: Pros and Cons to Consider Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Mortgage Protection Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance: Pros and Cons to Consider When you take out that home loan, it gets recorded in the public records of your...