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.

Foreign Bank Accounts: Reporting & Tax Rules That You Have to Worry About If you have (or are thinking about) a foreign bank account, learn about the rules regarding reporting and taxes to ensure that the IRS doesn't come after you. New 20-Year Treasury Bonds: Pros and Cons to Consider Before Investing Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern New 20-Year Treasury Bonds: Pros and Cons to Consider Before Investing The U.S. Treasury hasn’t issued a 20-year bond since 1986, roughly 34 years ago.... Tax Efficient Investing: Put Investments in the Right Places to Reduce Taxes Owed Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Tax Efficient Investing: Put Investments in the Right Places to Reduce Taxes Owed Investing is tricky on so many levels. You have to figure out what to invest in,... How to Save on Life Insurance With the Ladder Strategy Learn how to use the ladder strategy to save on life insurance premiums in the long run by reducing coverage needed as time passes. 8 Business Checking Account Fees to Watch Out For See the most common fees associated with business checking accounts so that you know what to watch out for when picking a checking account for your business. 5 Signs You Need a New Checking Account Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern 5 Signs You Need a New Checking Account Switching checking accounts to a new bank can be a major pain. Besides... How to Protect Against Wage Garnishments, Bank Levies Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern How to Protect Against Wage Garnishments, Bank Levies When you have creditors coming after you to repay the debt you owe, life can be... How to Help Manage the Finances of Aging Parents Learn what you can do to help manage and monitor the finances of aging parents, who may not be able to make smarter money decisions later in life. What Happens If You Need an Early Withdrawal from a 529 Plan? Learn about the penalties and taxes that may apply to early withdrawals (aka. unqualified withdrawals) from a 529 saving plan that was for education costs. Why You Should Pay Attention to the Expense Ratio on Mutual Funds and ETFs Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Why You Should Pay Attention to the Expense Ratio on Mutual Funds and ETFs Investing isn’t the easiest concept to wrap your head around. When you first get...