Will a Fan or Air Conditioner Keep You Cooler for Less?

Plus, how to determine if you should convert to a Roth 401(k). Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( June 12, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] [Stepping Into a Decedent's Final Tax Return]( People like the old quote about death and taxes — but the dead do pay taxes and it just might be your responsibility to file their final tax return. Don’t be tempted to think that the IRS will overlook a tax debt because of death. They will seek out the executor, or maybe even the decedent's heirs, to recover inherited property to satisfy an unpaid tax bill. Editor of The Kiplinger Tax Letter Joy Taylor has assembled [a guide to filing a decedent's last tax return]( and has important tips for a surviving spouse. - Donna LeValley, personal finance writer [Is your money working hard enough?]( It should be! Learn how Betterment’s automated investing and savings technology can make your money hustle, while you don't. [Learn more]( ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement] [] 401(K) CONVERSION [] [Should You Convert a Traditional 401(k) into a Roth 401(k)?]( [Should You Convert a Traditional 401(k) into a Roth 401(k)?]( (Getty Images) When the Roth IRA was created, it was exciting to see a new type of savings vehicle that could provide a tax-free stream of income in retirement. The big drawback was the loss of a current tax deduction for your contributions. Now, you can access that advantage through your 401(k). We have [the information you need to decide whether to convert your traditional 401(k) to a Roth 401(k)](. [] HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY [] [Are Fans or Air Conditioners the Cheaper Way to Cool Off?]( [Are Fans or Air Conditioners the Cheaper Way to Cool Off?]( (Getty Images) I am a fan of fans and go to great lengths to [stay cool without air conditioning](. While working on this article didn’t change my mind, it did make me aware that fans aren’t always up to the job and can sometimes make you hotter. The differences in energy consumption and energy costs reinforced my thrifty habit of limiting the use of air conditioning in my home. Read my article about [the cost and cooling differences between fans and air conditioners and learn how to calculate the costs of cooling your home](. [Vanguard vs. Fidelity vs. Schwab]( Who are you partnered with? It’s no secret these could be considered three of the most popular brokerage firms. But they stack up slightly differently when it comes to fees and their specific suite of services. Learn more about who should work with Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab. 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[Learn more]( ADVERTISEMENT [] OTHER KIPLINGER ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY [] [How to add home equity to your retirement income planning]( You don’t have to sell your biggest asset to find income and liquidity. [Apple TV+'s 'Loot' offers five lessons for inheriting wealth]( Loot offers many real-life lessons about what to avoid when inheriting wealth. [How to tackle summer childcare costs]( Here are some suggestions on how to keep childcare costs down this summer. [Prosper with the Latest Insights from Practicing Financial Pros in Kiplinger's Building Wealth E-Newsletter — Free]( ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. Kiplinger is a trusted provider of unbiased financial advice, objective business and economic forecasts, and practical help to millions of business professionals, investors, and individuals seeking to make more profitable decisions with their money. 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