Social Security 2025: This 1 Lesser-Known Change Could Boost Your Benefit Just as Much as the COLA
Last week, the Social Security Administration announced the much-anticipated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. Next year’s adjustment will land at 2.5%, giving the average retiree an extra $48 per month. This adjustment will be the smallest since 2021, which saw a COLA of 1.3%. While many retirees may be disappointed at the smaller raise, there’s […]
Social Security Will Pay Its Largest Checks Ever in 2025. Here’s How Much They’ll Be
Social Security’s wealthiest beneficiaries take in $4,873 per month from the program in 2024. That’s more than $58,000 annually. Some households may even get more if they have more than one person claiming benefits. That’s already a pretty large sum, but it’s about to get even bigger. Starting in 2025, Social Security benefits are going […]
3 Amazing Costco Items You Won’t Find at Other Stores
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Many people join warehouse clubs like Costco to shop members-only deals and reap big savings. Buying groceries, toiletries, household goods, electronics, and more for less means shoppers can keep more money in their checking accounts. Some products sold at Costco are unavailable at other retailers. For example, Costco has a […]
I Saved $164 on These 5 Products by Buying Them at Costco Instead of the Grocery Store
Image source: Getty Images I’m probably not the typical Costco member. I share my home with three cats, and no other humans. I don’t have a ton of fridge and freezer space (and don’t want to absorb the credit card hit of buying a new appliance right now), so I can’t store bulk perishable food, […]
Mortgage Rates Are Falling. Ask Yourself These 3 Questions Before Refinancing
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash It wasn’t so long ago that mortgage rates were creeping up toward the 8% mark. Such was the case last November, in fact. But thankfully, mortgage rates have been falling in recent months. And in September, they hit 6.09% — their lowest level since February of 2023. In light of […]
3 Simple Ways to Beat the Average Social Security Benefit
Social Security is a lifeline for millions of retirees. For many, it’s the only thing keeping them above the poverty line. According to the Social Security Administration, roughly 40% of beneficiaries age 65 and older rely on their monthly payments for at least half of their income. For 12% of men and 15% of women, […]
Here Are the Top 3 Pieces of Money Advice I’ve Learned in 2.5 Years as a Finance Writer
Image source: Getty Images I love my job. I’m a freelance finance writer and editor, and since I started doing this, I’ve learned about making a budget, using different financial accounts, and ways to save money in my everyday life. Here are the top three tips I’ve gleaned over the last few years — I […]
October Could Be a Great Month to Sell Your Home. Here’s Why
Image source: Getty Images When mortgage rates fell to record lows in 2020 and 2021, many buyers rushed to purchase homes. And many existing borrowers were quick to refinance their home loans. But because rates climbed substantially in 2022 and remained high in 2023 and 2024, buyer demand decreased. And so did housing inventory. In […]
Should You Retire in West Virginia?
Are you thinking of relocating for retirement? If so, go ahead and consider Florida, Arizona, or other popular places — but consider West Virginia, too. The folks at Bankrate have actually named West Virginia the second-best state to retire in. Let’s look at what’s good and bad about the state. Image source: Getty Images. A […]
All Costco Members Should Do This Before They Renew
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool A Costco membership can do plenty of great things for you. If you have a larger household to feed, buying groceries at Costco could lead to a world of savings. And if you’re someone who enjoys traveling, booking trips through Costco could give you access to not just unique itineraries, […]
