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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Study Summary 90% of Americans believe taking care of their mental health is important. 56% are concerned about their mental health. 71% of Gen Z and 58% of millennials said anxiety impacts their daily life. Nearly 1 in 2 people (47%) experienced grief in the past year. More than half…
I’ll come out of the gate swinging. The difference between someone who is well and whole and someone who is not can almost always be summed up in a single word: boundaries. Setting boundaries is the key to mental and relational health. Full stop. Everyone needs healthy boundaries in their…
The phrase “cheap beach vacations” might make you a little nervous. It can bring up images of questionable hotels or camping in the back of a van and trying to convince your family the ocean breeze is “natural air conditioning.” But here’s the deal: Cheap beaches to visit don’t have…
You’ve aced your interview. Great job! But there’s one last step to getting hired, and it’s tiny but mighty. If you really want to leave a lasting impression on your hiring manager, you’ll need to write a thank-you email after your interview. Following up with your hiring manager by sending…
Traveling on a budget? Timing is everything—especially when you’re booking a plane ticket. These days, flying in general has gotten crazy expensive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, airline ticket costs rose 18.6% in April 2022 after rising 10.7% in March 2022.1 If you thrive on a challenge, finding cheap…
If you’ve been around here for more than two seconds, you probably already know how we feel about credit scores. (Hint: They’re really dumb.) You’ll hear us say it time and time again: A credit score does not show how well you’re managing your money or even if you have a dollar…
A new year can mark a new beginning, but for American consumers, the financial worries of 2021 remained top of mind in the first quarter of 2022. The latest quarterly release of The State of Personal Finance examines the different ways inflation has impacted consumers’ budgets and how that impact…
Maybe you’ve been looking at your premiums and scratching your head thinking, Does everyone pay this much? Or maybe you’re just entering the market and your eyeballs are popping. Either way, we get it. Insurance is one of those things you know you need, but it seems to cost. A. Lot. So,…
Looking for a way to pay for a new car, buy that fancy new computer, or escape on a tropical getaway without saving up first? There’s a loan company eagerly waiting to front you the cost—but it’ll cost you. It’s called Upstart, and this digital lending service is on a…
Do you know what the most wonderful time of the year is? Nope—not Christmas. We’re talking about open enrollment season. It’s the one time of the year you get to review and compare health insurance plans to find the right one for you.Okay, you got us. No one’s throwing parties…
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