Groceries, clothing, cars, and countless other essential and luxury items have increased in price over the past few months, putting a significant strain on the average American household. Aside from the increasing cost of living, Americans have experienced lower interest rates on savings, meaning families are being clobbered financially, which is jarring — to say […]
People typically make financial decisions based on taxes, either lowering or avoiding them. While some financial choices are inconsequential when weighed against tax incentives, retirement investing is not. When and how you pay taxes on retirement savings depends on the type of account you have and when or how you choose to withdraw or invest […]
Buying and selling individual stocks and investments requires access to a minimum of one brokerage account. There are many benefits to opening a single account, including the broker’s expertise and customization of your portfolio through them. However, many investors wonder if a single account is the most lucrative and practical way to diversify their portfolio […]
Many retirees fear “retirement brain”: premature cognitive decline. While research is a little thin on the relevance of the worry, it is not surprising that people suffer from boredom, loneliness, and potential depression following retirement. A career makes up a significant portion of identity, and when it is no longer an aspect of your individuality, […]
According to the Federal Trade Commission, one in five Americans experiences errors on at least one of their credit reports. Unfortunately, most people do not realize the mistakes because they do not check their reports often or not often enough. Credit reporting errors at TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian can lead to weaker credit scores regardless of […]
The real estate market typically peaks in the summertime, but this past year experienced a somewhat historic rise in home values. Sellers loved the growth because it allowed for increased profits, but buyers were frustrated because nearly every purchase became a bidding war, which is not good from an investment standpoint. The market is cooling, […]
If there is anything worse than filing your taxes, it’s finding out that you owe money at the end of the year. While everyone is posting to social media about their massive returns and what they plan to do with them, you’re over there wondering how you’re going to come up with the funds to […]
With a health savings account, commonly called an HSA, you can set aside pre-tax funds to pay for future medical expenses. While an HSA sounds like a no-brainer, reviewing the benefits and possible drawbacks of these types of accounts can help you make the best decision for your finances. Here’s what you need to know […]
You don’t need to run a survey or review the data to know that vacations are expensive. While the average cost of a vacation varies drastically from family to family and based on several factors, one survey found that approximately three-quarters of Americans admit to falling into debt of at least $1,100 following a holiday. […]
For anyone who has experienced credit card debt, the decision to have even one credit card can lead to feelings of anxiety. However, while credit cards are easy to abuse, the little pieces of plastic do play a vital role in rebuilding and establishing credit.The American Bankers Association recently estimated that approximately two in three […]