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
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
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
People who want to learn about personal finance have more tools than ever before with the growing popularity of blogs, podcasts, and more. One of the best resources that individuals can use to learn more about taking control of their finances are TED Talks, a series of presentations providing unique insight on a particular subject… Continue Reading
One of the most stressful personal finance processes that people may go through is purchasing a home, which includes everything from making an offer to securing financing. In a seller’s market, like the one we are currently in, individuals often face a lot of competition when they put in an offer on a home. For… Continue Reading
People often think that managing personal finances boils down to saving money whenever possible and minimizing spending, but this is a very simplistic point of view. In reality, one’s financial wellbeing is more about mindset than actions. While actions are what get people out of debt and boost their savings, individuals need to take the… Continue Reading
Once individuals hit their 40s, they need to focus on securing their finances so that they are ready for retirement and other demands. During this time, kids may be preparing to start college and parents may need expensive nursing care. Consequently, our 40s prove extremely stressful in terms of finances, and this makes it extraordinarily… Continue Reading
One of the most critical yet confusing aspects of personal finance is saving for retirement. Individuals have a number of different options for saving, and it can become difficult to decide which avenue is the best. Many people do not even realize all the different options that exist and tend to stick primarily with the… Continue Reading
Individuals working to improve their credit scores need to understand how the score is calculated. There are many misconceptions about what factors do and do not contribute to this score. Dedicating time and energy to address issues that will not even affect one’s score is a waste of effort. Fortunately, when individuals understand the approximate… Continue Reading
One of the most important tools that individuals use to save for retirement is the 401(k) plan, which now faces an uncertain future. With different messages coming from the legislative and executive branches regarding potential changes to tax law considering 401(k)s, many Americans are rightfully worried about what the future holds for this popular investment… Continue Reading