The IRS has expanded its Free File program this year. Taxpayers with an AGI (adjusted gross income) of $52,000 or less are eligible to e-file their tax returns for free.

That means that 70% (95 million) of all taxpayers will be eligible to file 2006 tax returns for no fee through one of the private sector tax software companies who are part of the Free File Alliance, LLC.

Free File for 2006:

* Free File is a free service offered by companies for taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $52,000 or less.

* Before selecting a company link, review the tax software company’s criteria to confirm that you meet their eligibility for preparing and e-filing your federal return for free.

* Fees for state tax returns may apply. Some companies offer free state tax return preparation and e-filing. Check company websites for more details.

* Some companies offer extensions for free.

* Some companies offer free e-filing of the Form 1040EZ-T, Telephone Excise Tax Refund, for those who want to claim the refund credit and are not required to file a federal income tax return.

* You are under no obligation to buy any of the company’s other products or services.

To use the service, go to: Free File: Getting Started

We’ve all seen the ads that promise big income for little investment. The jobs that promise us more free time and greater control over our lives. Usually the ads or emails declare something along the line of “Work From Home Stuffing Envelopes!”. Sounds like easy money, and it can be – if you are the scammer who places the ad.

Envelope-stuffing scams are pretty basic. You pay a small fee to get started. What you receive, however, will be instructions on how to send the same envelope-stuffing ad out to others in bulk emailings. The only money you may earn comes from others who fall for the scheme. Congratulations, you’ve become a scammer too.

Let’s face it, unsolicited email offers are not likely to result in legitimate employment. Although there are real jobs you can do from home, envelope-stuffing is one of the oldest scams, dating back well before email when the ads were found in the back of tabloids and magazines. It’s tried and true and still entices enough people to make it worthwhile for the scammer.

Make your work at home the task of deleting these email schemes as soon as they hit your inbox.

Do you often think that winning the lottery would be the dream answer to all your financial woes? Most people do, which is why lines for lottery ticket sales get long when the jackpot gets high.

So why then are there so many tragic stories of financial ruin following lottery windfalls?

According to experts, people who aren’t used to having money and then have “sudden money” aren’t prepared to handle it. Whether they are altruistic and want to solve all the financial problems of family and friends or whether they just overspend, invest poorly or live too highly, most winners are doomed to end up in worse circumstances than they were before they won the lottery.

An article from Bankrate.com featured on MSN Money details the stories of 8 lottery winners who ended up living on food stamps, deeper in debt, back to working for a living, and in many cases filing for bankruptcy.

Another story in the news recently is the sordid and tragedy-filled tale of Jack Whittaker, initally hailed as a benefactor in his small community in West Virginia and now claiming his inability to pay a judgement in a lawsuit because of his financial ruin.

If winning the lottery is part of your financial plan, the odds against it are probably enough to ensure you won’t have to deal with the problems attached to sudden wealth. Regardless, learning to handle your money now will lead to a more secure future and give you the tools to handle your income – even if it does suddenly increase.

Christmas morning will be a flurry of fancy wrapping, bows and ribbons flying, a symphony of “oooh”s and “aaahh”s, a festival of feel-good gift exchanging, a surfeit of festivities.

Then comes the sobering chill of January. No, I don’t mean the weather. I mean the bills. Suddenly the true cost of all this merry-making will start to arrive in the form of credit card bills and disappointingly low balances on checking account statements. Is it already too late?

It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf when it comes to your attitude towards finances, although at this time of year it may be more out of necessity than good planning.

If you haven’t made that budget with us yet, now is the time to do it. Finding the funds to pay off this extra debt may seem impossible, but if you are serious about repaying your holiday debt, you can do it.

Start with a few New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Make a budget and stick to it

2. Place a moratorium on your credit card spending, if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it

3. Be consistent about making payments towards credit card debt. If you are in over your head, contact creditors to make payment arrangements that could save your credit standing. Generally, it is best to pay off the highest interest debt first.

4. Start saving on luxury expenses you can do without. It may mean small sacrifices such as going without those morning coffee shop stops or making your lunch instead of eating out. Modify your cable TV choices – give up those premium channels and look into renting movies (or borrow them – even cheaper).