As companies look for ways to reduce their workforce to trim costs during the pandemic, more are offering early retirement packages to their employees. And it’s not just affecting individuals in their late 50s or older. Younger workers who are in their 40s are getting offers too. The trend has become widespread in industries such […]
The only constant is change in the COVID-19 era, and college students and their families are dealing with near-daily upheaval as they look to the fall. Colleges are increasingly releasing updates to their instructional plans that shift most, if not all, of students’ coursework online. But not all colleges have reduced their costs as a […]
Some Americans who qualified for stimulus checks received an unwelcome surprise when the $500 payments for their children under 17 were not included. Starting today, the U.S. government plans to send out the missing cash. That applies to those individuals and couples who are not required to file a tax return and used the IRS […]
Preparing for retirement is tough regardless of your age, but it can be particularly challenging if you’re in your 40s. At this age, you may have a mortgage to worry about, kids to put through school, and you might still be paying off student loans — not to mention all of the other everyday expenses […]
When you begin Social Security is a big decision, and it’s difficult to undo later if you decide you’ve made a mistake, so you want to get it right the first time. Hopefully, you’ve thought it out carefully and understand how Social Security fits into your larger retirement plan, but it doesn’t hurt to review […]
Into the second week of negotiations, Democratic leaders meeting with White House officials say they are making progress, slowly, on the outlines of the next economic relief package. One bit that the two sides already agree on, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is a second stimulus check worth up to $1,200. There’s “enormous bipartisan […]
Retirement savers looking to take advantage of a provision that relieves certain people of taking required minimum distributions this year need to take action by the end of the month. The CARES Act allowed individuals to skip taking their required minimum distribution in 2020, but some people may have already received it prior to the […]
The coronavirus financial crisis has made this a year of record-low mortgage rates, which are currently sitting below 3% for the average 30-year fixed-rate home loan. Maybe you’re saying, “Yeah, I know, I’ve heard about that. It’s been all over the news.” If that’s the case — and you’re a homeowner with a mortgage — have you […]
In moments of financial volatility, like the current economic downturn, it’s natural to start thinking more carefully about how you manage your money. Where once you may have felt financially secure, now you could be having second thoughts about how you’re planning for the future and saving money for unexpected events. Whether you’re just learning how […]
IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE Floyd’s death, thousands of people across the country took to the streets to protest excessive police force and support the Black Lives Matter movement. While rallies and petitions are one way to make your voice heard, financial activism is another. “Every decision we make has an impact, large or small,” […]
Recessions have a way of drawing your focus to your money. This one, in particular, poses some unique challenges and that has led to unprecedented levels of government aid. But even then, many families are still struggling. Everyone’s situation is unique and so is each path to recovery. However, there are a few basic principles […]
White House and Democratic negotiators are now in their second week of discussion on the new stimulus package, are all but guaranteed to include a second stimulus check, but movement is slow. Once the two sides reach an agreement, one thing could happen quickly: getting the IRS to send the first payments of up to […]
