A lot of things go unsaid among couples, but here’s one thing that shouldn’t: retirement age. Couples often assume they will retire together. Yet the majority of couples don’t, according to a recent paper co-written by RAND’s Katherine Carman. Moreover, the couples more likely to retire together were those with a large age gap, a […]
Most Americans don’t bother creating a budget, and those who do often find themselves exceeding it despite their best efforts to control spending. If you’re part of the latter category, knowing what your triggers are and how to avoid them can help you spend less and save more. Here are Americans’ five greatest budget-busters, according […]
Sooner or later, retirement starts whispering your name. Even if it’s a mix of work and leisure, most of us expect a little loosening up on the pressures of working. And starting in your 40s and 50s, it’s natural to start planning and wondering what retirement will look like. Not everyone has the money to […]
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. […]
Retirement is a milestone many Americans look forward to, but the more prepared you are going into it, the more fulfilling it’s likely to be. No matter when you’re planning to retire, these tips will help you make the most of your golden years. 1. Go in with as much savings as possible There’s no […]
Does your bank have a cardless ATM? Cardless ATMs interact with your smartphone to let you withdraw cash from your bank’s enabled ATMs without inserting a card into a card reader. With some ATMs, your smartphone app generates a QR code for your withdrawal, and the ATM scanner reads the QR code off your phone. […]
In 2013, Fritz Gilbert reached a goal he had worked toward for 28 years: His 401(k) hit the million-dollar mark. With that tick to seven digits, Gilbert, who is 55, newly retired and founder of The Retirement Manifesto blog, joined an exclusive club: People who hit millionaire status with their 401(k)s. At Fidelity Investments, which […]
Protecting your hard-earned savings is important. One part of protecting your savings involves following the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) rules. In general terms, deposit accounts at banks and savings and loan associations are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. Included are demand deposits and time deposits. Demand deposits are […]
For better or worse, Social Security is the nation’s most important social program. With more than 62 million current recipients, Social Security is responsible for keeping an estimated 22.1 million of these folks above the federal poverty line each and every month, based on an analysis from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Furthermore, […]
The news on the job front has been overwhelmingly positive in recent months, with unemployment at a low and work opportunities abounding left and right. But despite these solid economic conditions, working Americans still are struggling to save adequately for retirement. Two-thirds of U.S. households have less than $100,000 set aside for their golden years, […]
We all know what inertia means. That’s when an object at rest tends to stay at rest. If that object is you, it means you keep doing what you’re doing, whether it’s watching TV or leaving your retirement plan untouched. After all, why bother? They know all about inertia in the retirement plan industry. Only […]
Though they say 40 is the new 30, it’s still a good time to take stock of your finances and make sure they’re reasonably on track. Here are three milestones you should aim to reach by the time your 40th birthday rolls around. 1. Have three months of living expenses in the bank It’s one […]
