E. Jones: Tax season here, but you still have time for smart moves to lighten 2025 tax burden

Contributing to an IRA is one of the most popular strategies.  For 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000, or $8,000 if you’re 50 or older.  Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, while Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Crime 101’ casting makes all the difference in cliche story" by: Jessica Shepard

Several of my friends had been curious about “Crime 101” and asked me to review it ahead of them seeing it.  So, last weekend, I did just that.  Honestly, it was already on my list to catch based off the stacked main cast members alone.

Settling for less

Wouldn’t it be nice to just settle down, exit off the rat race freeway, kick back and watch the world go by?  I was asked this question several months ago and my first thought was to say yes, but my instincts whispered to me to think again.

"Never was a Patriots fan, but I did follow their 1980s coach" by: Mike Reddell

Football to many people ended last Sunday as the Seahawks buried the New England Patriots 29-13.    I didn’t much care who won but New England seemed to be the underdog, reminding me of an earlier Super Bowl in 1986 when the Patriots were destroyed by the Chicago Bears.

"Taking on new personal challenges for the New Year" by: Jessica Shepard

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I don’t “do” New Year’s Resolutions.It’s not something I subscribe to or believe is worth investing too much thought in.    That said, I do sometimes give myself little mental challenges to goals to strive toward.

"Football is finally over and it’s time to get a life" by: John Sample

Well, we have gotten past the Super Bowl and it was a hard watch.    I love sports, but that was not an offensive juggernaut.I didn’t have a dog in the hunt anyway.    It was amazing how much money gambled and the total advertising budget.

Love languages help you enjoy Valentine’s Day on a budget

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to break the bank.    The key is understanding your partner’s love language.    When you know what makes them feel valued, you can create meaningful moments without overspending.

"Reel Reviews: ‘Dracula: A Love Tale’ lives up to its name entirely" by: Jessica Shepard

Almost everyone knows the basic story of Dracula – at least form a literature or historical perspective.I mean, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” novel came out in 1897, so, I think we’ve gotten a good grasp of it by now.Still, most on-screen iterations have focused more on the monstrous and horrific aspects...

Uncomfortable Truths

Admit it, we all struggle with challenges that appear just out of our grasp, frustrated by numerous failed attempts to succeed at finding a job, being promoted, losing weight, trying out to make a team or completing a marathon.

"UIL football district alignment sort of like history, geography lessons" by: Mike Reddell

The 2026-2028 version of the UIL District football and basketball Realignment surfaced late Sunday.  For Matagorda County coaches, I don’t imagine there were any local surprises.