Up there with losing weight and getting into better shape, saving money is a popular New Year’s resolution to aim for. And the key to saving money is none other than having a solid budget in place. If you’ve tried budgeting in the past but have failed at it, here are a few tips to […]
Category: Personal Finance
5 Ways to Cut Business Costs in 2019
If you run a small business, you’re probably aware that the less you spend to keep that operation running, the higher your profits stand to be. As the new year kicks in, it’s a good time to rethink your business budget and come up with ideas to cut costs. Here are a few ways to […]
34-year-old self-made millionaire: If you make $70,000, you could retire in 10 years—here’s how
In 2010, 24-year-old Grant Sabatier had just moved back in with his parents after bouncing from job to job and then getting laid off in the midst of the recession. With less than $5 to his name and only three months to find his own place, Sabatier knew he needed to get his finances back […]
Free college is now a reality in nearly 20 states
“There was no way I could have gone to a university after high school,” said Emily Buckner, 20. “My parents were laid off during the recession and it set us back a lot,” she said. “When I finished high school, there was nothing.” Instead, Buckner took advantage of the Tennessee Promise — an offer of […]
Most Employees Still Aren’t Happy With Their Jobs
Some of us are fortunate enough to love what we do. Others, not so much. And while some of that dissatisfaction might boil down to issues such as career stage and development (or lack thereof), employer attitudes and policies can also dictate the extent to which workers are content. Seeing as how only 38% of […]
Five things you must do before you pack your bags for an overseas retirement
To all those who make the big decision to retire abroad, Cynthia and Edd Staton say, “Congratulations!” In 2009, a look at their battered retirement accounts made the Statons think hard about what their retirement might look like. They could stay in the U.S. where they’d lived all their lives, or they could find a foreign country with a […]
The secret to keeping next year’s financial resolutions
Most people are feeling pretty good about their finances these days. There is, however, room for improvement. About one-third of all Americans intend to make a financial resolution for the year ahead, according to a new report by Fidelity Investments. “There’s a connection between overall financial wellness and happiness,” said Ken Hevert, senior vice president […]
9 Financial Tasks to Complete Before the New Year
Check these financial to-do’s off your list before the clock strikes midnight. The year is quickly drawing to a close, and that means you have only a small window to wrap up some crucial financial tasks. “We get bogged down in the holiday season,” says Michael Landsberg, member of the American Institute of Certified Public […]
Workers can save more in retirement accounts next year
You’ll be able to contribute slightly more to your retirement savings in 2019. The contribution limit for a 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan rises from $18,500 to $19,000 in 2019. You can continue to contribute an extra $6,000 if you’re 50 or older. IRA contribution limits (whether for traditional […]
Traveling a Lot in Retirement? Plan for This Extra Expense
Many seniors travel extensively once they retire. And it makes sense — when you’re working and only have a limited amount of vacation time, trotting across the globe is easier said than done. But when you don’t have a job to report to, you’re free to jet off for weeks or even months at a […]
6 tips to strengthen your financial foundation in 2019
For many of us, the new year means a fresh start and the chance to set new goals. If your resolutions are money related, here are some ways to strengthen your financial foundation in 2019. 1. Review your financial picture As the saying goes, it’s hard to know where you’re going if you don’t know […]
Americans say they feel better about wages and job security — but are they fooling themselves?
How are you feeling? How are you really feeling? The stock market has been on a rollercoaster ride, spooking and confusing investors. Political tensions with China are fragile and unpredictable. There’s growing concerns among business leaders of a recession in 2019. And yet Americans say they feel better about key aspects of their financial security […]