If you’re 10 years or more away from retirement, there are many things you can do to prepare yourself financially and mentally so you make sound spending decisions once retirement arrives. And by “many things,” I mean five key actions you can take in advance to reduce your chances of suffering a painful — and […]
Category: Personal Finance
Why flights to Hawaii could soon be 30% cheaper
Traveling to the Hawaiian islands could soon be easier — and less expensive. Southwest Airlines has been running test flights to the islands as part of its approval process with the Federal Aviation Administration to expand routes there. The budget airline’s entrance into the market could lead fares to the state to decrease by 30% […]
She fell for a common student loan forgiveness scam. You don’t have to.
Facing more than $80,000 in student loan debt, Tiffany Tatafu did what thousands of other student loan borrowers do: She searched for answers on her phone. The single mother of two had heard that as a public employee, she could be eligible for student loan forgiveness. She’d landed a job as a student support coordinator […]
Tax credit for the elderly or disabled: Are you eligible?
If you are over age 65 or are retired due to a disability, you may be eligible for a separate tax credit designed to help the nation’s seniors and disabled. Even better than a deduction, the Senior Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled could take up to $7,500 directly off of your tax bill. […]
Rich retirees can’t switch off their savings mode
Rich retirees can’t switch off their savings mode. Some problems are good to have. That’s the situation for two readers who wanted advice on how to spend the money they’ve saved for retirement. “My wife and I lived frugally for years, prioritizing our tithe and savings,” one reader wrote during my weekly online discussion. “We […]
Your 2018 tax refund is smaller — or you owe money: 4 possible reasons why
Every year, Steve Courtney holds a tax party of sorts. His accountant comes to his home in Livonia to prepare tax returns for a bunch of the family, including his brother, his mother, himself. “We’ve been doing it for years,” said Courtney, 58, who is the sports director at WJR Radio in Detroit. “In the […]
Today’s retirement is comprised of the haves and have-nots. These factors determine which category you will fall into.
Charles Dickens famously began his novel “A Tale of Two Cities” with the line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” That same description can be used to describe the dual nature of today’s retirement. Depending on how well you’ve saved and prepared, you are either ready to enjoy your […]
Allowances in the 21st century: There’s an app for that
The piggy bank is virtually extinct. That’s not to say that teaching kids the value of a dollar and how to save money over time isn’t as worthwhile as ever. Yet you can forget counting coins these days, as most payments are electronic and even kids are joining the noncash majority. To that end, a […]
3 Ways to Boost Your Retirement Savings As You Get Older
If you want to have a financially comfortable retirement, it pays to start saving early. The sooner you get moving, the easier it’ll be to reach your financial goals. However, it’s always a challenge to find ways to save. The most successful retirement investors not only make it a habit to set money aside for their […]
5 Things to Know About Cryptocurrency Taxes Before Tax Season
Cryptocurrency taxes, in their current state in the US, aren’t exactly a walk in the park. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) stance on some crypto-related things isn’t clear, and the taxpayer has to compile all the information himself or herself. This, according to Entrepreneur, means going through every single trade they’ve made, record the necessary […]
The 5 Expenses Derailing Americans’ Retirement Savings
Everyone knows that saving for retirement is important. Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way, preventing us from saving as much as we’d hoped. In fact, a survey by Charles Schwab identifies five major expenses that thwart our best efforts to contribute to 401(k) accounts. There are trade-offs you need to make for any financial […]
What consumers need to know about the upcoming credit card from Apple and Goldman Sachs
Apple AAPL, +1.12% and Goldman Sachs GS, -0.18% are expected to launch a joint credit card later this year that is designed to be used in concert with the iPhone and Apple Pay. The card, which will be Goldman’s first, will help the two companies meet major goals. Apple will diversify its revenue base through […]