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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People love the idea of sitting back, doing nothing, and making money. You know it’s true. That’s why get-rich-quick schemes like cryptocurrency and nothing-down real estate have gotten so popular these days. Well, here’s one more thing you can add to that list: sports betting apps. If betting on sports…
The average American adult hasn’t made a new friend in five years.1 Five years! So, if you’re wondering how to make friends, you’re not alone. Why is making friends so hard? Because friendships are formed through shared experiences, in doing hard things together, which is why a lot of our ride…
Keeping up with your car maintenance probably isn’t the most thrilling item on your to-do list. But paying a little bit of routine attention (and cash) on your vehicle is completely worth it—for your safety and your savings. Maintenance can keep your car from depreciating as fast as it normally…
Okay guys, picture this: Your parents have worked hard their whole lives and have a nice little nest egg set aside to enjoy their retirement years. Then one day, someone calls or emails them from the IRS or somewhere else super official-sounding, and your parents share private financial info with…
Like it or not, winter is here (unless you live in Florida). And you know what that means—it’s time to brace yourself (and your budget) for a crazy high heating bill. Ugh. It’s no secret that paying to keep your whole house warm isn’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save on…
Buying or selling a house is probably the biggest financial transaction you’ll ever make—after all, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake. That’s a lot of money! Because buying or selling a house is so expensive and complicated (hello, paperwork!), having a good real estate agent in your corner…
Retirement is a time for you to enjoy what you love—whether that’s traveling, spending time with family, or serving your community. If you want to live your retirement dream, you need a plan. And knowing the best cities to retire can help you make your hard-earned dollars go farther when…
When it comes to car insurance, the age-old question is, How much car insurance do I need? Here’s a quick-and-dirty answer: You need $500,000 worth of liability insurance. That’s the type of auto coverage you’re legally required to have to drive anywhere. And that’s the bare minimum amount of coverage…
The Sun Belt has caught a chill, as some of the nation’s hottest housing markets from a few years ago have cooled substantially. Take Nashville, Tennessee, for instance. In the first six months of 2022, its median listing price skyrocketed 24%, from $453,000 to $561,468. The peak came in July…
Ever wondered why we need so many acronyms to talk about health plans? There are a lot of letters! But look at it this way. It’s way easier to say PPO than preferred provider organization. Or HDHP instead of high deductible health plan. Shortening the names is a good start!…
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