I just did my taxes online with turbo tax ($7,000 refund by the way) and they suggested that I try out mint.com which is an online budgeting program and it's free. Mint uses a secure connection to link with your bank accounts ( USAA included) and credit card/cards. Once you set up a budget Mint tracks you spending automatically and will email or text you alerts. It will also review your credit cards or savings/bank accounts and will let you know if you could make or save more with someone else (that's how mint makes money-through referral fees). Anyway just thought that I'd share in case someone on here needs a little budgeting help.

Also...

Use Turbo Tax or something similar. H and R block is a total rip off. Last year I would have gotten over $1k more if I had used turbo tax. Ridiculous right?

turbo and h&r block both have effective programs. for a layman turbo tends to be a little easier to use. i have used both systems and my returns come out the same. and actually, if you seriously understand taxes (as much as anyone can) h&r is more effective. when i have to itemize and include our small business income my return is always higher with h&r block.

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I avoid the tax refund companies like the Black Plague. I have a CPA handle my taxes. It costs a little more, but she's a deduction bloodhound, and keeps me updated on ways to boost next years return.

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"I have the terrible feeling that, because I am wearing a white beard and am sitting in the back of the theatre, you expect me to tell you the truth about something. These are the cheap seats, not Mount Sinai."

-Orson Welles

i would agree with you whole-heartly. lol~i have a degree in accounting....not a cpa i realize.....but i don't have the money to invest in peachtree's software.....i use what works best on my budget!! lol

rule of thumb.....people with accounting degrees tend to be very conservative and can usually squeeze a nickel out of a ****. haha

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A degree in accounting, and that is why you are awesome, Jen.

I need a scientific calculator to balance my check book. Hence, I let the experts handle my taxes. I don't need the IRS taking me out SWAT style because I forgot to carry the 2.

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"I have the terrible feeling that, because I am wearing a white beard and am sitting in the back of the theatre, you expect me to tell you the truth about something. These are the cheap seats, not Mount Sinai."

-Orson Welles