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 is a Credit Card Hardship Program and Do You Qualify? Find out which credit card issuers offer credit card hardship programs and learn how to qualify and prove financial hardship to help manage your debt. Should You Open a Cash or Margin Brokerage Account? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Should You Open a Cash or Margin Brokerage Account? If you enjoy investing, chances are you have a brokerage account. Brokerage... What to Do If You Haven’t Been Paying Quarterly Taxes Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern What to Do If You Haven’t Been Paying Quarterly Taxes When it comes to paying federal income taxes, W-2 employees have it easy. As... How to Choose the Right Family Health Insurance Plan Learn about the various factors to consider when choosing a family health insurance plan that will also provide coverage for your spouse and children. 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...