Retiring at 55—Do You Have to Wait Until 59½ to Access 401(k) Funds?
There’s a reason retirement savers are generally required to wait until age 59 and 1/2 to access the money they have in a 401(k). The IRS offers some pretty nice tax breaks to…
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Maurie Backman
Suze Orman’s 2025 Credit Card Alert: Still Time to Correct Your Course
In 2024, the average American’s credit card debt rose to $6,730, according to Experian. But that doesn’t mean everyone who ended the year with credit card debt started out with it. A lot…
My Parents Have a $100K Mortgage and Are Struggling to Live on $2,400 a Month. What Can They Do?
There’s a reason I always tell people to save for retirement, and then save some more. After working hard for a lifetime, it’s a lousy thing to end up cash-strapped when you’re older. But…
Relying on Old Apple Stock at 55: Too Risky for Early Retirement?
When you come upon a winning stock in your portfolio, it’s a good idea to hang onto it and let your shares appreciate in value. Doing so could be a winning formula for…
Thinking of Putting All Your Savings Into VOO? Here’s Why You May Not Want To
The money you’re saving for long-term goals like retirement needs to be invested. If you let it sit in cash, you risk having its growth stagnate. The result? A nest egg you’re not happy…
2 Social Security Changes Happened This Past Month That You Need To Know About
It’s not unusual for Social Security to undergo changes on a yearly basis. Sometimes, those changes are positive ones. Other times, less so. It’s most common for Social Security to undergo changes at the…
Should I Cash Out 90% of My 401(k) Ahead of a Potential Recession?
These days, a lot of people are worried about an impending recession. Tariff policies could drive the cost of goods up in a very big way, leading to a broad decline in consumer…
Two Social Security Policy Shifts That Could Change Your Benefits
The typical retired worker on Social Security today collects about $2,000 a month. Some seniors get more, while others get less. But no matter how much money you’re getting from Social Security right…
We’re Saving for Retirement but Worried About Inflation. What Should We Do?
Many people worry they aren’t saving enough for retirement. But what if you’re saving consistently and still aren’t confident you’ll be fine once your career comes to an end? If so, you may be…
Pairing a $2M 401(k) With $120K Pension—Is Retirement Within Reach?
In many ways, being a teacher sounds like my nightmare. The idea of having to wrangle a classroom full of unruly kids day in, day out just doesn’t appeal to me. But there’s…
Am I Keeping Too Much (Or Too Little) In My High-Yield Savings Account?
I was talking with a friend of mine the other day who mentioned that she was going to put her tax refund into her high-yield savings account. I told her it was a good…
Everyone Tells You to Claim Social Security at 70 But This May Be a Bad Deal For You
One big myth about Social Security is that once you reach a certain age, you get enrolled to take benefits automatically. The truth is that if you don’t actively sign up for Social Security,…
At 48 With $4.5M in Assets—Is It Time to Walk Away From Work?
Some people can’t wait to escape a bad job situation. But if you like your job, the decision to leave it may not be an easy one — even if you no longer need…
We’re Making More Money Than We Ever Have Before. What Do We Do With It?
My first year out of college, I earned a salary that was only okay at the time. But within a couple of years, I had managed to work my way up at a…
Our mortgage eats one full paycheck and our portfolio’s sinking – how are others handling this market?
Ever since tariff policies were announced in early April, the stock market has been going wild. Many people’s portfolios are down year to date, and it’s making a lot of investors anxious. In…
I’m a Dave Ramsey follower but didn’t do a 15-year mortgage – was choosing flexibility over speed a bad call?
A home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll probably ever make. So it’s important to make sure that purchase is affordable to you. And the method you use to finance your home…
We live rent-free and just received $80,000 in inheritance – what’s the best way to put this to work for our future?
Losing a loved one can be a devastating thing — even if you end up with an inheritance afterward. But if you’re getting that inheritance, it’s important to put that money to good…
Nearing Retirement? 3 Steps To Take After The Stock Market’s Recent Rally
When the Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate cut in September, the stock market was quick to react. That wasn’t surprising. What was surprising, though, was the extent to which stocks had dipped…
I’m a big savings nerd. These are the biggest money mistakes I see people make.
For some people, managing money is a chore. For others, it’s a hobby. In this Reddit post, we have someone who clearly enjoys coming up with ways to better their finances. And they’ve…
I was approved for Social Security but told it’s suspended because I’m still working – how do I “prove” I stopped?
Many people look forward to being able to collect Social Security in retirement. But actually, you don’t necessarily have to wait until you retire to start getting benefits. You’re allowed to sign up…