20 Things You Didn’t Know About Social Security
Even if you’re nowhere close to retirement, you’ve probably at least heard of Social Security. But how much do you really know about it? The more educated you are on Social Security, the…
All Work
Maurie Backman
We racked up lots of debt and want to know if a HELOC is the best way to tackle it
There are plenty of reasons why consumers end up with debt. For some people, it’s a matter of unplanned bills. For others, it can boil down to a lack of budgeting. If you’re…
Cash Back Goldmine: How Baby Boomers Can Maximize Savings with a Card Switch
The baby boom generation is getting older. More and more baby boomers are reaching retirement age and leaving their careers behind. The problem? A large percentage of boomers aren’t financially ready for retirement.…
My Bank Called With A $70,000 ‘Free’ Credit On A Card
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. It’s common for people to rack up large balances on…
I’m trying to decide if a financial advisor is worth it but am having doubts
There was a time when I was hesitant to work with a financial advisor. It wasn’t that I didn’t think advisors offered value. Rather, it was that because I was knowledgeable about the…
What do I need to do to get the maximum Social Security benefit?
There’s a good chance Social Security will become an important source of income for you once you retire. And this holds true even if you’re coming into retirement with a decent chunk of savings.…
Ramsey’s “Credit Score Lie” Statement: Technically True, But What Else Matters?
Your credit score is a number you may not stop to think about until you’re ready to borrow money. But the higher it is, the easier it becomes to not only get a…
How To Achieve A Near-Perfect Credit Score by Age 35
A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to attain. According to recent data from Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, only about 1.5% of U.S. consumers have a perfect FICO score…
Are dead people really getting Social Security or is that a myth?
Social Security tends to be the subject of rumors. You might read on the internet that the program is going bankrupt, or that it’s stealing money from the government or vice versa. Another…
The Top 5 Reasons to Claim Social Security at 62
There are a number of important decisions you might have to make as retirement gets closer. Where will you live? Will you help support your grown children? And what will you do about…
My first Social Security check came early and now I’m so confused
Government agencies aren’t exactly known for being efficiently run. So you might encounter your share of delays when dealing with one. That extends to Social Security. It’s a good idea to apply for…
Is It Better to Pay off Small Credit Card Balances, Or Leave Them Be?
There’s a reason so many Americans end up with credit card debt. Instead of paying their balances in full every month, they carry those balances forward, allowing interest to accrue. In this Reddit post,…
5 Social Security Changes You Missed This Year
If you’re someone who follows financial news, you may have seen the words “Social Security” on a number of occasions this year. Even though Social Security has been around for many decades, the…
I was planning to take Social Security at 67 and retire, but I’m stuck being a caregiver at 63. What should I do?
Becoming somebody’s caregiver can take a huge toll on you mentally and physically. It can also drain your finances and hurt your long-term plans. In this Reddit post, we have a 63-year-old widow…
Does Social Security Really Keep Up With Inflation? Here’s the Truth
During your working years, it’s typical to get a raise from one year to the next. Sometimes, that raise is based on merit. Other times, it may be a basic cost-of-living raise —…
Using a Debit Card is a Mistake
There’s a reason some people refuse to get themselves a credit card. Credit cards tend to have a bad reputation. And a big reason is that so many Americans are saddled with credit card…
This could be the easiest strategy to get more Social Security
Once you retire, you’ll probably want to get as much money from Social Security as possible. Even if you manage to save nicely for retirement, your nest egg could run out on you…
Should I Transfer My 401(k) To a Roth IRA?
When you leave a job, it's generally a good idea to take your 401(k) plan with you. Cashing it out can trigger income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Rolling it into a…
If You Retire at 55, Here’s What You Need to Know About Accessing Your 401(k)
There are real advantages to building retirement savings inside a 401(k). Contributions go in before taxes, reducing your taxable income today. Investment gains then compound on a tax-deferred basis, meaning you pay taxes only…
My spouse died and I’m not sure what Social Security survivor benefit I’m eligible for
Many people who collect Social Security are able to do so because they worked and paid into the system for years. But Social Security doesn’t only pay benefits to retired workers. If you…