41 States That Don’t Tax Social Security Benefits

You can increase your Social Security benefits in several ways: Work at least 35 years in jobs that qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Wait at least until your full retirement age to claim your benefits. Once you’re fully retired and receiving Social Security, though, your benefit amount will only increase with annual cost-of-living adjustments […]

3 Smart Reasons to Open a New Credit Card Before 2025

Image source: Getty Images We’re just a couple of months away from 2025, and no, I can’t believe it either. Even though people often save their financial changes for after New Year’s, there’s no reason you need to wait until then. If you’re searching for a way to improve your finances, don’t overlook getting a […]

Here’s the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit at 62, 67, and 70

If you’ve worked a long and highly compensated career, you may be in line for the maximum possible Social Security benefit when you retire. But even if you qualify for the largest possible retirement check, the age at which you claim can still have a massive effect on the ultimate size of your check. There’s […]

Interest Rates Are Falling. Are Your Credit Card Rewards Safe?

Image source: Getty Images Last month, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by half a percentage point. It’s also expected to cut rates again in November. That’s welcome news for anyone who’s house hunting and planning to apply for a mortgage in the near future. But rate changes have a widespread financial impact, […]

Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Whose Gift Cards Are Better?

Image source: Getty Images Joining Costco and Sam’s Club isn’t just about bulk shopping. It’s not about the free samples either. Sure, the gas prices are legendary, but very few of either club’s products can offer such clear-cut savings as their gift card packages. Call me optimistic, but buying gift cards at either club can […]

Should You Retire in South Dakota?

Seeing Mount Rushmore might already be on your bucket list, but retiring in South Dakota? That probably hasn’t crossed your mind yet — though maybe it should. South Dakota ranks favorably in terms of cost of living, per the MERIC Index, and there are plenty of other reasons why you might want to give it […]