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Tax season seems far off, but when that April 15 deadline starts approaching, we make begin to worry and stress about our taxes. Get started early by following these simple tax tips from USAA’s financial expert June Walbert.

Organize your receipts and records

Identify a spot where everything should go, then start collecting. Anything from a filing cabinet to a shoebox works great, as long you save everything, especially receipts for big ticket items. Gather unreimbursed business expenses, medical expenses, daycare, charitable donations, and everyday sales tax receipts in this spot, as well as tax guides and the name and phone number of your tax guy. Employer forms are also necessary, such as your W9’s and 1099 forms. Having them all in one place saves you time and stress.

Begin crunching the numbers

Use a tax worksheet or software to start plugging in your estimates. This is a great way to begin looking into deductions that you may otherwise miss, as well as other information, like retirement savings.

These simple tips will boost your chances of filing an accurate return and ease your stress in April.

If you’re worried about securing your retirement, the USAA offers some questions you should answer in order to make the most out of your retirement.

When do you want to retire?

The sooner you plan to stop working can means the less time you have to save, the less time your portfolio has to grow, and the longer you’ll be in retirement. Set a date you’d like to retire and be prepared to postpone that date, because it may take longer for you to acquire sufficient funds.

How long will your retirement last?

Your life expectancy is unclear, and half of all people live beyond their life expectancy so setting that as the target for your retirement is a major mistake. For married couples, chances are that one person will live to be 95, so the USAA suggests planning a retirement that last until at least that age.

How much income will you need?

A rule of thumb is that you’ll need about 80 percent of your pre-retirement income, but it’s best to make your own estimate. Benefits from military pay or Social Security should also be taken into account, but only conservatively given the sustainability of such benefits.

How big is your retirement portfolio?

The more you’ve saved the better. Having a bigger portfolio means a brighter retirement, so make sure you can be confident in the amount of money you’ve accumulated in your portfolio.

How much are you saving?

Ongoing retirement savings are an important part of your retirement future. Factor in the contribution from your employer, but only if you’re planning on staying there long enough to reap the benefits.

Finally, add it all up. Crunch the numbers and use online retirement calculators that can help you discover if your plans are accurate.

Getting your first credit card is a big step in securing your financial future. This is usually done around the age of 18, as freshmen in college or seniors in high school. It’s important to do because setting up a stable credit history will help you in the future, when applying for home or car loans. Even though credit cards are dangerous in irresponsible hands, they are a necessary evil. So here’s what to do when you apply for your first credit card.

It is often difficult to get approved for a credit card when you have no credit history. That is why it is a good idea to begin with a student card. Companies that offer student cards know the difficulties that students face when applying for credit cards, and may be willing to offer you a good deal in the hopes of gaining a lifelong customer.

Although a secured card is not always the best option, it may be the only option available to first-time card recipients. Secured cards allow you to put down a deposit that qualifies you for a limit equal to that deposit amount. Be careful when applying for secured cards; the goal is to demonstrate a responsible payment history, not rack up a huge balance.

Because everyone is different, it is a good idea to start at a website like Billshrink.com or Bankrate.com that can help you customize a package of services, fees, and interest rates that best fit you, without having to divulge any personal information. These websites give a number of options for people of all walks of life and also provide tips on how to effectively manage credit.

Although debit is always the best option for those who struggle with finances, using a credit card has its advantages. So when do you know when to use credit and when to use debit? Here are a few rules of thumb when deciding.

Going with credit:

Shopping online itself comes with financial risks, since you have to divulge account names and numbers. But one of the benefits of using your credit card is purchase protection. If an item never arrives, arrives broken or damaged, or you have a dispute with the person making the sale, then you can ask your card company to withhold payment.

When buying bigger, more expensive items, such as a home entertainment system, certain appliances or electronics, or even furniture, buying with a credit card can extend the warranty, adding another year’s protection automatically. Review the specifics of your card before making purchases.

If you want to improve your credit history, and are able to pay off your purchases in full, pay with credit. This can have positive effects in the future when taking out loans or getting better interest rates.

Going with debit:

If you struggle with your payments or financial budget, go with debit. The money for purchases is taken out of your account immediately, and can be off your mind.

Most retailers accept debit cards for inexpensive purchases. Using your debit card for purchases under $50 is fast, simple, and convenient when you don’t have cash on hand.

Paying with your debit card helps you avoid interest charges and purchase only what you can truly afford. Keep track of your spending so you avoid overdraft, or look into overdraft protection.

If you’re deep in debt, you may find the debt collectors on your back 24/7. Luckily the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from unfair and nasty practices from credit companies. Know your rights. Here is what they can and CAN’T do to get their money.

What they can do:

∙Contact you in person, by mail, telephone, or fax.

∙Call your employer if they don’t mind.

∙Contact others to get your address, phone number, or where you work.

∙Contact you, if you haven’t instructed them not to.

∙Tell you their plans, without threatening, cursing, or harassing you.

What they can’t do:

∙Contact you at inconvenient times and places, unless you agree.

∙Call you at work, if they know your employer disapproves.

∙tell anyone other than your attorney that you own money.

∙Contact you if you’ve told them, in writing, to stop – other than to confirm your request or notify you of their intent to take a specific action.

If you believe a debt collector has gone too far, or broken one of trade commission rules, contact your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission or 877 – FTC – HELP.

Many of us have poor credit without even knowing it. Knowing our credit scores however is extremely important to our financial safety. They are free and available from the three major consumer reporting agencies once every twelve months.

The Fair Credit Reporting Agency (FCRA) requires three major companies provide people with their credit reports for free: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They promote accuracy and privacy of information, and are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The three companies have a central website where the credit report can be ordered for free once a year, annualcreditreport.com. There is also a phone number (1-877-322-8228) and a mailing address where you can order your annual report.

Your annual credit report includes information such as where you live, how you pay your bills, whether you’ve been arrested, or whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy. There are many imposter websites that claim to give you your report for free, though they charge for subscriptions or trial offers. That however does not happen under these three agencies. After reporting your name, address, and social security number, you should receive your report within 15 days, or immediately if done online.

If there are inaccuracies in your report, you have the right to report what you think is inaccurate. Tell the consumer reporting agency in writing what you think is inaccurate, and then they will investigate the claim within 30 days. If the dispute results in a change, the agency must send you the changes along with a free copy of your credit report.

Raising capital for a home business is tough, and with the current economic climate, it’s tough now more than ever. So what can you do to raise the money you need? Here are a few tips from Tamara Monosoff, founder and CEO of mominventors.com.

Know that raising money is a full-time job.

Raising money takes a lot more effort than many people realize before they start their business. From finding investors, to preparing presentations, from listening to feedback and communicating with investors, to juggling paperwork, raising money can be a job of its own. Be ready to dedicate much time to raising money.

Get expert help.

Many terms are used and thrown around that the beginner home business owner may not be familiar with. Capitalization, dilution, warrants, preferences, convertible notes, and valuation are all terms that need to be known, among others. If you’ve had no prior experience with these terms, be ready to hire an expert that will help you sort out their meaning.

Prepare for the emotional toll.

Psyching yourself up for a presentation is only part of the mental preparation needed when trying to raise money. You must believe every presentation will be worth the time and effort and you must be enthusiastic. However, investors hear dozens of pitches a week and few ever receive funding. Be prepared to hear “no” or some variation of it most often.

After graduating from college, students have an average of $20,400 of debt that they need to worry about. Consolidating student loans can be helpful if you have a large balance across multiple lenders, but it’s important to know the pros and cons of consolidating before taking that step.

Consolidating can help you lock in a low interest rate. Now, interest rates are at all-time lows, so it’s the perfect time to consolidate. In the coming years, interest rates will be on the rise. Consolidation also makes managing debt much easier. Combing a large number of loans into one allows you to reduce the amount you have to pay each month and increases your repayment period. In the long run, it can also raise your credit score by reducing the number of open accounts on your credit report. If you pay on time consistently, you can also get special deals on consolidation.

There are also risks in consolidating. Consolidating can increase the overall cost of your loan by increasing your long term interest costs. If you can afford to repay your loans quickly, consolidating is not a good idea. Consolidation requirements can also be tough. Your loans must be from select lenders, your total amount must exceed $10,000, you must have graduated or left school already, and you must not be in default on your loans. In the end, consolidation may not be your best option. Government programs exist that help you pay back your loans or have them forgiven. Research all your options before settling for consolidation.