This Was the Average Social Security Benefit in 2004, and Here’s What It Is Now
“The only constant in life is change,” goes the old saying, and Social Security benefits reflect that fact. For better or worse, there are constant changes to the Social Security program, from eligibility to benefit calculation methods to the average monthly retirement benefit. Part of the “better” portion of “for better or worse” is that […]
4 Reasons ‘Coast FIRE’ Could Be a Financial Disaster
Image source: Getty Images The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is dedicated to helping people retire before the traditional retirement age of 65-70. The premise of FIRE is that people who live frugally and invest enough throughout their working years can become financially independent and spend the rest of their lives living off the […]
Have $10,000 or More in Credit Card Debt? Here’s How to Get Rid of It
Image source: Getty Images If you’re struggling with credit card debt, you’re not alone. As of the second quarter of 2024, Americans owed a collective $1.142 trillion on credit cards, according to research from The Motley Fool Ascent. And the average balance among consumers in 2023 was $6,501. But what if your personal debt load […]
Want to Shop at Costco for the Holidays? Here’s How to Do It Without a Membership
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool The holiday season will be here before we know it. In the coming weeks, you may find yourself hitting a series of stores in an effort to avoid last-minute holiday shopping. Costco is one store it pays to check out for holiday gifts, decorations, and more. Not only is the […]
Target Just Dropped These 5 Incredible Deals
Image source: Getty Images The holiday season is quickly approaching, and many retailers have reduced the prices of popular gift items to help make the upcoming gift-giving season more affordable. Target is one such retailer that offers early holiday deals that could help you save money. Want to get a head start on your shopping […]
You’ve Finally Achieved a Perfect Credit Score. Here’s What to Do Next
Image source: Getty Images Based on information gathered from credit reporting agencies, your FICO® Score ranges from 300 to 850, with 850 considered “perfect.” According to Experian, only 1.54% of Americans have a perfect credit score. Let’s find out whether a perfect credit score benefits you, and what you should do with it once you […]
5 Surprising Benefits of Joining Costco You Didn’t Know About
Image source: Getty Images You probably know that a big reason to join Costco is to save money on things like groceries, cleaning supplies, and paper products. But if you don’t tend to do a lot of cooking, and you commonly buy your cleaning products from a competitor like Target at a fair price, then […]
The 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025 Are Bigger Than Ever
If you’re looking to boost your retirement savings next year, the new 401(k) contribution limits can help make it easier. This month, the IRS announced 2025 inflation-adjusted limits for retirement accounts, and the 401(k) limits are higher than ever. If you’ve delayed making contributions in the past or only contributed minimally, you might want to […]
5 New Brands Are Coming to Kohl’s Stores
Image source: Getty Images Now that the holiday season is right around the corner, it’s time to start making your lists, checking them twice, and searching for deals on the products you want to scoop up this month. November is a great time to shop for holiday gifts, since retailers tend to run sales for […]
Starbucks Will No Longer Charge Extra for Non-Dairy Milk
Image source: Getty Images Do you have a dairy allergy or prefer to consume dairy-free alternatives? Depending on where you stop for coffee and specialty drinks, ordering a beverage with milk alternatives can be much more expensive. And every extra cent you pay impacts your checking account balance. Starbucks is one coffee chain that has […]
