IT’S NEARING THE END OF the year, and for many of Americans, that means it’s time to start putting together New Year’s resolutions. As many of us know from experience, resolutions often don’t last, and the reason for that is that resolutions are often just poorly stated goals. A 2007 study from Dominican University of […]
Category: Personal Finance
The Critical Move 24% of Americans Plan to Make in 2019
The start of a new year is a good time to buckle down and pledge to be more fiscally responsible during the months that follow. And thankfully, 24% of Americans have plans to make one key move that could save them from financial ruin down the line: build an emergency fund. That resolution, in fact, […]
3 Smart Reasons to Take Social Security at Full Retirement Age
If there was ever any question about the value of Social Security income to seniors, a recent analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) hits home on the program’s importance. The CBPP found that the elderly poverty rate would be more than four times higher than it is now without the guaranteed […]
Do Americans marry for love or money? Finally, an answer
Does the size of your partner’s bank account matter? People are more realistic than romantic by the time they wed, Abby Rodman, a psychotherapist in Boston, told MarketWatch. “We’re living in a time when people are waiting longer to get married,” she said. “Today, both genders are closing in on 30 by the time they […]
4 Work Resolutions for a Successful 2019
Major New Year’s resolutions rarely stick; it’s more reasonable and sustainable to operate on the margin by improving from where you are. While it’s unlikely you won’t hit the gym seven days a week, you could resolve to exercise more often than you did last year. It’s nearly impossible to never eat an unhealthy meal […]
5 Steps to Making Sure You’re Ready to Retire
Retirement is a huge financial and lifestyle decision. Retiring successfully takes more than just telling your boss you’re not coming in anymore. You need an end-to-end plan that will get you through a time period that may well measure in decades during which you’ll no longer be drawing a paycheck or have the other benefits […]
4 Money Matters Couples Don’t Talk About — but Should
It’s no secret that money is a major source of contention in many relationships, so much so that it’s currently a leading cause of divorce. But while many U.S. adults might turn to their partners to help pay the bills or provide a dose of much-needed financial security, they’re alarmingly silent when it comes to […]
9 Ways to Live Well and Spend Less in 2019
Curb spending without compromising on a high standard of living in 2019. With the start of the new year ushering in a clean slate, now is a perfect time to revisit financial goals and strategize ways to maximize savings. But aside from determining where to cut back unnecessary spending, it’s important to create a budget […]
Get a bigger check by using these Social Security claiming strategies
Many American workers plan to rely on Social Security benefits as a steady source of income in retirement. Yet if you are not on top of things, you are at risk for not using the right claiming strategy. And if that happens, you could leave thousands of dollars on the table over your lifetime. If […]
Illegal Tax Moves to Avoid
IGNORANCE ISN’T BLISS when it comes to the U.S. tax code. Failing to fill out your tax return correctly, even if you make an honest mistake, isn’t going to earn you immediate forgiveness from the Internal Revenue Service. “When you sign your tax return, you’re signing it (to say) that everything is accurate and true,” […]
3 Major Problems With 401(k) Plans
Gone are the days when employees could work for the same company for years on end and have a pension to look forward to in retirement. These days, most major companies don’t offer pensions (last year, only 16% of Fortune 500 companies did), leaving employees with no choice but to turn to other savings options, […]
How to buy gift cards for friends and family that won’t go to waste
Giving a gift card is often seen as a cop out — but maybe that’s because so many gift cards go to waste. Gift cards are the second most popular holiday gift, with around 56% of purchasing one this time of year, according to data from the National Retail Federation, a trade organization for retailers. […]