Here’s How to Boost the Average Social Security Check by Up to $160 in 1 Year
You probably can’t imagine life without Social Security, and yet, even with its regular monthly checks, it’s not always easy to make ends meet. The average monthly benefit as of March 2025 was just $1,997 for retired workers. Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will give you a little more cash over time. But there’s another way you […]
Is Taking Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) in May a Good Idea?
Using retirement accounts is one of the best ways to save for your retirement. Not only are you proactively saving for retirement, but you’re also getting a tax break for doing it. Accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs have upfront tax breaks by allowing you to lower your taxable income the year you make contributions. […]
“Shark Tank’s” Kevin O’Leary Says “Panicking Helps Nothing” When It Comes to Saving for Retirement. 3 Strategies to Lean Into Instead.
Saving for retirement has become increasingly challenging in recent decades. Few workers still have access to a pension, and Social Security doesn’t go as far as it used to — leaving many Americans worried about how much they’ll need to save on their own. Shark Tank‘s Kevin O’Leary discussed these concerns in a 2012 interview […]
Financial Education for Kids: Creating a Path to Financial Fluency
Reading, writing, arithmetic … and finance? Teaching kids about financial concepts and prudent decision-making can help them become financially proficient adults and deserves a spot alongside early learning basics. Here are four tips to help build a foundation for financial fluency. 1. Talk About Money Beginning discussions about money, budgeting and saving when kids are […]
4 Types of IRAs: Which Is Most Likely to Benefit You?
An individual retirement account (IRA) is a versatile personal savings plan designed to help Americans save for retirement, offering tax benefits along the way. If you’ve heard about IRAs but never explored their flexibility, now might be a good time to do so. Here, we will delve into four different types of IRAs, empowering you […]
Avoiding Pump-and-Dump Scams
Pump-and-dump stock scams are nothing new. These scams have been a mainstay of financial fraudsters for centuries. And while technology has changed the way they operate, the underlying principles and motivations of these unlawful practices remain the same. The Elements of a Pump-and-Dump In a pump-and-dump scheme, fraudsters will first accumulate a large position in […]
Will You Have to Pay Taxes on Your Social Security Benefits? Chances Are, Yes. Here’s Why.
If you’re working now, you’re no doubt losing a chunk of your salary to Social Security taxes. But there’s good news. Once you retire, you’ll most likely be eligible for a monthly benefit. So while it stinks to have to pay into the program, you at least get something out of it. But don’t assume […]
Stock Investing and Due Diligence
You probably wouldn’t make a major purchase without first reading product reviews, comparing an item to its competitors or assessing its features, performance, pricing and overall value to meet your needs. A similar approach can be followed before investing. Gathering the information necessary to make an informed decision about an investment is a process commonly […]
When Do Most Americans Plan to Claim Social Security?
When do you plan to claim Social Security? The answer to this question is really important. That’s because there is an eight-year window during which most people claim their benefits — and the specifics of when you start your first check within those eight years can profoundly affect how much income you get, both on […]
Hoping to Retire in Your 50s? 3 Reasons That Plan Might Backfire
A friend of mine in his mid-50s is retiring this year. He’s had it with work and is feeling burned out. And he wants to enjoy retirement before, as he puts it, he’s too old to get out and do things. Thankfully, this is something he’s been planning for a while. And being single without […]
