Each year, Social Security benefits may increase with a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), but higher Medicare premiums can reduce how much of that raise reaches your monthly budget. Since both are calculated differently, they do not necessarily move at the same rate. Comparing the dollar value of your COLA with changes…
If you’re 65 with $900,000 and no pension, the income your portfolio can provide depends on how much you withdraw and the number of years your savings need to last. Taking too large a withdrawal early in retirement could increase the risk of running short later, while spending too little…
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost $115,000…
Home improvements can make your home more comfortable, raise its value and lower energy costs over time. Some projects may also qualify for tax credits or deductions. These tax breaks can reduce what you owe when you file your taxes. In other cases, the cost of improvements can increase your…
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Major changes to federal student loan repayment rules went into effect this month and are rippling across the system. Many…
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How Does Medical Debt Happen? Some health costs don’t fit into a monthly budget. A major dental procedure or a new health problem can be hard to plan for. It’s common to end up financing the gap, whether that’s a clinic’s own payment plan, a…
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By Carmen Chan You’ve got your mortgage and car loan to pay, credit card bills and HELOC payments, and a running list of…
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Team Name: Musgrave Dunn & AssociatesFirm: Merrill Wealth ManagementSenior Members: Travis Musgrave, Timothy Dunn, Valerie MarshallLocation: Lexington, KYTeam Custodied Assets: $1.4 billionBackground: Travis…
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“They pissed away $16,000 trying to make $10,000,” says Douglas Rill, a Century 21 real estate broker in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was representing a seller for a one-bed, one-bath townhouse listed at $195,000. He had one interested buyer who put in a low-ball offer at $165,000 and, after…
I always tell people (and always have to remind myself), “Mind your business, because your mind is your business.” Clever, I know. What I mean by that is true success starts with your mindset. Having a growth mindset will have a positive impact on all areas of your life—finances, relationships,…
Debt is tricky. It starts out innocent . . . just a few swipes here, and a few payments there—nothing you can’t handle, right? But one day, you realize it’s gotten a little out of control and you’re drowning in debt. The payments are getting harder and harder to make.…
You’ve probably heard the terms credit report and credit score thrown around a lot in your adult years. That’s because both of them can be used to help you get stuff—like loans, credit cards, cars and apartment rentals. But what’s the difference between a credit report vs. credit score? And…
With health insurance premiums and costs rising each year, it’s no surprise that folks are always looking for ways to save money on medical expenses. That’s where the Health Savings Account (HSA) comes in. HSAs are pretty popular nowadays. Approximately 34 million people use them to save and pay for medical…
What’s your desired salary? It’s a question that can make any job candidate’s stomach drop, whether they’re reading it on an application or hearing it from an interviewer. And I completely understand the stress around this—you don’t want to give a lowball answer and have to settle for less money…
The term government shutdown sounds freaking scary. We don’t know about you, but putting those two words together makes us think that all laws just get thrown out the window (cue the chaos breaking out in the streets!). Of course, that’s not what happens. In fact, if you’re reading this,…
If you rent, you need renters insurance! No ifs, ands or buts about it. Unless you’re a minimalist whose entire life could fit in a suitcase, your belongings are worth a lot more than you realize. Actually, most people underestimate how much their stuff is worth. But don’t leave yourself exposed. If…
Ever heard the saying, “It pays dividends.” Nine times out of 10 that means you’ve probably just been given a nudge to do something now that might pay off later. But what are dividends? And how do dividends work? Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to navigate this…
Micro-investing apps are one of the latest trends in the investing world. And it makes sense why so many people use them. With a savvy investing app, you can round up your purchases to the dollar, tucking away the extra change into an investing account. If you can start your…
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