Prediction: More Homeowners Will Refinance Their Mortgages in 2025. Here’s Why
Image source: Getty Images The fact that the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate twice in 2024 didn’t come as a surprise. The Fed was expected to take its benchmark interest rate down a notch in response to cooling inflation. The Fed’s rate cuts are expected to continue in 2025, though. And for that […]
5 Perfect Costco Gifts for the Dad Who Has Everything
Image source: Getty Images Are you running out of gift ideas for your dad? There’s still time to pick up a winning gift he’ll love. Costco has some great finds that will impress, even if your dad already has everything he needs. Plus, you can benefit from the warehouse club’s discounted pricing to stretch your […]
I Used to Think the 4% Rule Made Sense for Retirement. Here’s Why I’ve Changed My Mind.
I’m working pretty darn hard to build up a retirement nest egg. I frequently spend extra hours hammering away at my desk to pad my long-term savings, and I’ve given up certain luxuries, like a bigger home, to be able to afford consistent retirement plan contributions. Because of this, I really want my nest egg […]
Working and Collecting a Social Security Benefit? Big Changes Are On the Way in 2025.
In October, more than 68 million people collected an average Social Security check of $1,787.08. While this is a relatively modest monthly payout, it’s nevertheless vital to the financial well-being of many of these recipients — especially retired workers. No program lifts more people out of poverty each year than Social Security. An analysis by […]
Signing Up for Medicare Part D in 2025? 4 Numbers You Need to Know.
Medicare’s open enrollment period has been in full swing since mid-October. At this point, you only have a couple more weeks to make changes to your Medicare coverage. If you’re switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to original Medicare for 2025, you’ll need to choose a Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. And if […]
I’ll Never Have a Perfect 850 Credit Score. Here’s Why I’m Fine With That
Image source: Getty Images I’ve written about credit scores quite a bit over the years, so I have plenty of knowledge about how they work. You might figure I’ve used that knowledge to get a perfect 850 credit score. Not quite — mine normally fluctuates between the high-700s to low-800s. Sometimes being a perfectionist is […]
5 Tools to Save More Money This Black Friday
Image source: Getty Images Now is an ideal time to do your holiday shopping. Many retailers are running big holiday sales that can help you keep more money in your checking account. But there are other ways to save money when you shop. Here are a few tools that you can use to maximize your […]
I’ve Used Over 20 Credit Cards. Here’s What I Look for When Opening a New One
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Credit cards are one of my favorite financial tools. They may have a controversial reputation, but you can get all kinds of benefits from the top credit cards. With the right one, it’s possible to save $500 to $1,000 or more every year. Often, the hardest part is finding the […]
I’ve Been a Costco Shopper for 18 Years. Here Are the Best Tricks I’ve Learned
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool It’s kind of hard to believe I’ve been shopping at Costco for 18 years now — especially since that means I’ve been a suburbanite for at least that long. Ouch. But over the past 18 years, I’ve learned some useful tricks that help me save big at Costco. And I’m […]
Is a Costco Membership Worth It for a Household of One?
Image source: The Motley Fool/Unsplash If you have multiple people living under your roof, then joining Costco could be a smart financial decision. That’s because Costco’s bulk pricing makes it easy to save money on groceries and household essentials like paper towels and cleaning supplies. When you live solo, it’s a bit harder to make […]
