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6 Financial Tasks You Need to Complete Before the End of the Year 11/30/2015 07:00pm • The end of the year is just around the bend, and with it comes a number of opportunities for smart financial moves as well as last chances to take advantage of financial benefits. Here are six things you should consider doing in the next few weeks.Donate to charities. A donation to a charity is tax 11 Tax Moves Every Taxpayer Should Make Before the End of the Year 11/30/2015 07:00pm • It's coming soon -- and we don't mean Christmas or Hanukkah. While the deadline to file income taxes is still more than four months away, now is the time to get serious about tax planning. That's because some moves need to be made by Dec. 31 if you want to take advantage of certain tax breaks. Plus Company finishes contracted yard work after WTOP report 11/30/2015 03:04pm • WASHINGTON — A group of homeowners who say they were swindled by a tree removal company say the stumps that sat in their yards for months were finally removed following WTOP's story about the unfinished job. Joseph Gelo of Stafford County, Virginia, says he and his neighbors were happy to see M How to Shop Cyber Monday Like a Pro 11/29/2015 07:00pm • Cyber Monday comes only days after Black Friday, but the younger shopping holiday sets itself apart from its predecessor in several important ways. While Black Friday is traditionally a brick-and-mortar shopping holiday, Cyber Monday sales occur almost exclusively online. Black Friday specializes i Leave the batteries out: USPS tips for mailing holiday gifts 11/27/2015 04:58pm • WASHINGTON — When buying holiday gifts that need batteries, it's typically good form to make sure they're included in the package — unless the gift is going in the mail. "Don't put it in the mail at all and suggest whoever you're mailing something to that they can buy those lithium batte Tips for holiday shipping from the U.S. Postal Service 11/27/2015 04:34am • WASHINGTON — Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, and holiday gifts will be in the mail soon. This year, the U.S. Postal Service has tips to make sure that your items get to the destination all in one piece. U.S. Postal Service Consumer Advocate John Budzynski says people should know what 5 Holiday Store Return Policies You Need to Know 11/26/2015 07:00pm • You likely already know how to spot a good Black Friday deal (electronics are almost certainly on your list) and how to plan your shopping schedule so you hit all the best sales (cutting short your Thanksgiving dinner is practically a must). But do you know how to return a deal that turns out to be 4 Questions to Answer Before You Retire 11/24/2015 07:00pm • It's an achievement to make it to retirement. Years of hard work pay off once you have saved enough and get to hand over a resignation letter to your boss. You say farewell, and there may be a few tears as you part ways with your former life. But there's also the excitement of finally starting the Will Santa Claus Deliver a Year-End Rally for Investors? 11/22/2015 07:00pm • It turns out Santa Claus doesn't just deliver gifts under the Christmas tree. Traditionally, November and December are positive months for the U.S. stock market as well. Chalk it up to year-end catch-up buying or positive seasonal holiday cheer, but history shows that investors can expect stock ma What it means to be American 11/20/2015 03:02pm • The following is the expressed opinion of WTOP columnist Noah Frank. It does not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of WTOP or its parent company, Hubbard Broadcasting.    I’m an American. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you are, too. And there’s a go 8 tips to spend less and reduce stress while holiday shopping 11/18/2015 11:30am • About 41 percent of millennials are "chronically stressed" about money, according to the Better Money Habits Millennial report from Bank of America/USA Today. This stress can be exacerbated during the holiday season. No matter the generation, many people feel anxious during the holiday season becaus 6 Reasons to Open a Roth IRA for Your Kids 11/17/2015 07:00pm • An extra decade or two of compounded returns may be the best financial gift any parent can give to their kids. This gift can be even more powerful if you encourage your children to open a Roth IRA, which could allow them to never pay tax on the investment gains. Both my children will open Roth IRAs 8 Lessons to Learn After Being Fired 11/17/2015 07:00pm • Getting fired can be the greatest gift your employer can give you. Let's look at the positive side of getting axed. You now have the opportunity to move on and into a new role with a new company doing something you will enjoy. Even if you think you loved your last job, there were things about it t Tips from the Postal Service on holiday shipping 11/16/2015 12:14pm • WASHINGTON — Who better than the U.S. Postal Service to give advice on mailing holiday packages? John Budzynski, consumer advocate for the United States Postal Service, Budzynski, tells WTOP it’s USPS' busiest time of year, and the new emphasis on online purchases and shipping means that it's 5 Simple Ways to Rack Up Rewards Points This Holiday 11/11/2015 07:00pm • Frequent flier miles and hotel loyalty points aren't just for road warriors anymore. Even if you're not a frequent flier with top-tier status and hundreds of thousands of miles under your belt, you can still collect lucrative perks and points in outside-the-box ways, from using shopping portals to d