Spousal Social Security Benefits: 3 Things All Retired Couples Should Know
Millions of people other than retirees claim Social Security benefits, and spouses of retirees who don’t qualify on their own are one of these cohorts. In fact, nearly 1.9 million people claimed Social Security through the spousal benefit in September of this year. The average monthly check size was about $909, which comes out to […]
Home Prices Are Actually Falling in These 5 States
Image source: Getty Images If you’ve been watching the housing market, you’ve likely noticed a shift. Home prices, which seemed to be on a never-ending upward trajectory, are now beginning to drop in certain states. According to data from Zillow, U.S. home prices fell by 0.03% month over month between July and August 2024 — […]
How to Shop at Sam’s Club Like a Pro: 4 Tips to Save the Most
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Using a membership to a discount warehouse club is one of the best ways to save money on everything from groceries to gas. Sam’s Club is one of the best membership clubs, but even the most frugal shopper knows it’s easy to go over budget when good deals surround you. […]
How Canceling Your Unused Credit Card Could Hurt You
Image source: Getty Images If you have a credit card you’re no longer using, it might seem logical to close the account. Maybe the card doesn’t have a competitive rewards program or valuable travel perks you can use. But before you close it, it’s important to know how closing a credit card account can impact […]
How to Navigate Costco Like a Pro: 4 Tips to Save the Most
Image source: Getty Images Diehard members already know that saving money at Costco is easy, but it’s not necessarily guaranteed. With a long list of good deals, you can easily overspend even when trying to pinch pennies. Luckily, you can follow a few simple tips to maximize your savings, allowing you to splurge guilt-free on […]
Refinancing Alert: Take Advantage of Falling Mortgage Rates Now
Image source: Getty Images The average 30-year mortgage rate peaked at 7.90% in late 2023, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Since that time, rates have cooled off considerably, with the average 30-year mortgage interest rate falling as low as 6.13% just a few weeks ago. Since that time, rates have climbed back […]
Living in One of These 41 States? Here’s Good and Bad News About Social Security Taxes
As of the start of September, nearly 54 million Americans received Social Security retirement benefits. For many, Social Security is their main retirement income source, making it one of the country’s most important and effective social programs. There are a lot of valid critiques of Social Security, but it should be easy to appreciate the […]
Here’s How I Save $100+ a Month Without Even Trying
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash It’s estimated that 1 in 5 Americans has no emergency savings, and I know how scary that can be. I’m convinced that the people who become the best money managers have lived without it at some point in their lives. For us, it was while my husband was in grad […]
3 Ways You’re Overpaying for Hotel Stays
Image source: Getty Images It’s easy to get sticker shock when booking a hotel. In major U.S. cities, mid-range hotels cost about $200 to $300 a night, according to research by Viqal. For just a long weekend trip, you could spend well over $1,000, especially after paying for meals, parking, and all those other extras. […]
3 Surprising Things About Costco’s Kirkland Products
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand is beloved for its affordable pricing and high quality — buying these products can help you maximize your Costco savings. Here are three facts about the Kirkland Signature brand and products that might surprise you. 1. Kirkland products are often made by top-tier brands We’ve all […]
