It’s not easy to put a price on your life. There’s a lot to consider to find out how much life insurance you need, including whether or not you have kids, a working spouse, a mortgage or other debt, and savings or investments. Not everyone needs life insurance. Insurance-comparison website Policygenius boils it down to […]
Category: Personal Finance
6 Ways to Legally Lower Your Taxes This Year
Whether you’ve filed your 2018 tax return already or are still in the process of putting it together, you probably have one goal: to pay less tax this year than you did the previous year. The good news is that there are a number of strategies you can employ to lower your tax burden, so […]
The best way to build your credit is the same strategy people use to build wealth
Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that tells creditors your risk of not paying back a credit card or other loan. Think of it kind of like your high school GPA, but instead of helping you get into college it helps you get the best credit cards and interest rates. If you’re trying […]
Jean Chatzky: Here’s how women can take charge of their money
When it comes to money, as with many things, men and women approach the topic differently. Though traditional gender roles are changing, many opposite-sex couples still adhere to them, with men generally taking the lead on finances and women taking a less active role. That’s according to a recent study from UBS Global Wealth Management, […]
3 Personal Finance Habits That Will Help You Retire Rich
If you’re struggling to save for retirement, you’re in good company. One in five Americans has nothing at all saved for retirement, according to a survey from Northwestern Mutual, and 55% of Americans say they plan to work past age 65 because they won’t have enough saved to retire. Preparing for retirement may seem like […]
The 5 worst pieces of financial advice that will cost you time, money and sanity
It doesn’t take much time on the internet to see that financial tips are a dime a dozen. Everyone’s got advice on how you can make more and spend less. Some of these tips can be useful, but there are also quite a few ideas that are just plain bad. After scouring the web, here’s […]
Social Security Scams Abound. Watch Out for This One.
Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing is certain but death and taxes. To that, he could have added Social Security scams. Fraudsters have long been calling Social Security benefit recipients and telling them their Social Security number is being suspended for criminal or fraudulent activity — and that the government is taking action against them. […]
How to Use an HSA to Save for Retirement
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS either have or are eligible for health savings accounts, but many fail to understand their benefits. Only a quarter of workers say funding their account is a financial priority, according to the 2018 Health Accounts Employee Attitudes Survey from Willis Towers Watson, a global advisory and solutions firm. By not contributing to […]
Credit Monitoring Vs. Identity Theft Protection
You know you need to protect your accounts and personal information – but what is the best method? Should you use a credit monitoring service or subscribe to identity theft protection instead? What’s the difference between the two methods? Credit monitoring services do exactly what they say they do – monitor activity on your accounts […]
The new retirement: Watchin’ the sun bake on my front porch swing
Today’s retirees Opens a New Window. are living longer, enjoying a more active lifestyle, making friends in different social circles, learning new things, pursuing passions, tapping more options to stay “engaged,” and more, says Christine Russell, senior manager of retirement and annuities at TD Ameritrade. “Our surveys show they have a positive outlook overall on […]
Consumer spending, personal income data show economy slowing swiftly in the new year
U.S. consumer spending rebounded less than expected in January and incomes rose modestly in February, suggesting the economy was fast losing momentum after growth slowed in the fourth quarter. The Commerce Department said on Friday consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, edged up 0.1 percent as households cut back […]
Getting rid of debt may actually make your brain work better
A new study has a whole different take on what debt relief means. Getting rid of debt doesn’t just unburden finances, it takes a weight off the mind that clears up cognitive functioning, lessens anxiety and improves impulse control. The findings come from researchers at the National University of Singapore’s Social Service Research Centre, who […]