In the United States, more than 62 million people rely on Social Security as a source of income, including about 43 million retirees. Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced some important changes to benefits that will begin in 2019. Individuals who rely on this income need to make sure that they understand these changes… Continue Reading
The advent of smartphones has spawned a number of apps to help people with personal finance goals, from budgeting to becoming debt-free. Beyond these uses, apps can also help novices gain confidence with investing. Given the wide range of different investing apps available, it’s important to think hard about your particular investment goals and to… Continue Reading
In the United States, it is very common to carry debt. According to a survey conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts, about 80 percent of American households have some kind of debt. The most common form of debt is a mortgage, although many individuals also have other monthly liabilities. These may include unpaid credit card balances,… Continue Reading
Many people rely on apps to guide their personal finance decisions, create strategies for getting out of debt, and to track their financial health. One app that has quickly been gaining popularity in recent months is Robinhood, which aims to help people make money through stock investing without paying a commission. The app mostly attracts… Continue Reading
It’s a sad fact that the public school system in the United States does little to introduce children to the concept of money and financial responsibility. Even at the college level, colleges typically only offer such classes as an elective, if at all. The results of this lack of financial education are clear: a report… Continue Reading
Repairing a poor credit score takes a lot of diligence and work, but the payoff can be very exciting. For many people, reaching a credit score of 740, which is widely accepted as the threshold between good and very good credit, is a major milestone. At this point, individuals become candidates for virtually any form… Continue Reading
Modern technology provides a wide range of tools for taking control of our personal finances. While many people have heard of Credit Karma, which provides guidance with improving personal credit scores, or Mint, a budgeting app, individuals may be unaware of the many specialty personal finance apps out there. For example, a number of excellent… Continue Reading
One of the most pressing concerns for people nearing retirement is the possibility of running out of money. Unfortunately, this fear is grounded in reality. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRA) reports that more than 80 percent of Baby Boomers in the lowest income quartile will run out of money within two decades of retirement.… Continue Reading
In an ideal world, people retire after they have paid off all of their debt. However, this is not always possible for a variety of reasons. While you should try to eliminate debt in the years leading up to retirement, many people stop working while they still have monthly credit card bills, mortgage payments, and… Continue Reading
No one is born with innate financial knowledge. Unfortunately, this truth means that many Americans will have some major regrets in terms of how they handle their personal finances. On the other hand, individuals today have more tools than ever before to learn about personal finance and possibly avoid some of the most common mistakes.… Continue Reading