35 minutes to riches

It's Money Magazine's 35th anniversary. In its honor, here are 47 smart ways to get on track to a rich life.

By Asa Fitch, Amanda Gengler, Josh Hyatt and Ismat Sarah Mangla

Top 10 year-end tax tips
1. Live energy efficient
2. Do a tax projection
3. Figure out your income and deductions
4. Postpone that bonus
5. Sock away some for retirement
6. Pay off those deductible expenses before year's end
7. Give it to charity
8. Give gifts to children
9. Offset your capital gains
10. Marriage helps

Source: The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants

20 of 41

Double-check your taxes

Time it takes: 35 minutes

Next April remember this: Before you seal the envelope or tap the key that whisks your return to the IRS, spend 35 minutes looking for easy-to-spot errors. Overlook a dependent (the one at college may count) and you could owe an extra $1,000 in taxes. Transpose your Social Security number and your refund may never arrive. Did you sign your return?

Most tax-friendly states

Tax-friendly cities

Credit score Raise your credit score Triple the return on savings Stop junk mail Freeze your credit Cut your credit rate Upgrade to a better card Add to your 401(k) Asset Allocation Buy a forever portfolio Find promising funds Track returns Check salary Retirement plan Life insurance Tax bracket Escape late fees Write bounce-proof checks Auto insurance Double-check your taxes Keep more of your paycheck Tax break for day care Pay less for your cell Cut drug costs No more waiting rooms Burn calories Be like Buffett Save for college Automate your savings Get credit, even in a crunch Read your mortgage Save on your mortgage Create an insurance record Curb impulse buys Spend consciously Slash recurring charges Boost your mileage Find it cheaper online Demand a lower cable bill Save on drinking water 35-second solutions

35th Anniversary

5 money dreams - a reality

For baby boomers, five cherished lifetime goals. And five smart game plans for making them come true. (more)

Your financial future - the next 35 years

Eight noted thinkers, from Vanguard founder John Bogle to tech futurist Ray Kurzweil, weigh in on what's ahead for investing, real estate, health care, work and more. (more)

How boomers really feel

Money Magazine's survey of nearly 3,000 boomers found that they are reinventing the American dream. (more)

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