Does fully funding your child’s college education make them entitled?
When I was applying to college, the process was kind of depressing because I knew my parents didn’t have much money to contribute. So as a result, I knew my choices would be…
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Maurie Backman
I’m headed to college and will be paying $21k a year after scholarships. How do I avoid going into debt?
When I was applying to colleges, I knew it would be on me to cover the bulk of my costs. So when I got a $10,000 annual grant to the university that was…
I’m in my mid-40s and am retiring in a few days – here is how I prepared for everything financially the year before
Most people don’t manage to retire in their mid-40s. But with enough savings and proper planning, it’s something you may be able to pull off. That said, it’s important to go into an…
3 Reasons You Should Reevaluate Your Medicare Advantage Plan Every Year in Retirement
Once you turn 65, you’re eligible for health coverage under Medicare. But that doesn’t mean you should stick with original Medicare, which is Parts A and B plus a Part D drug plan.…
I just got offered a job I’d love to accept – is a $250k pay cut too much even if I hate my job?
When I left my high-pressured finance job in my 20s to pursue work that was more creative, I knew I’d be looking at a pretty big pay cut. But I was willing to…
I’m in my 30s and making more money than I ever dreamed but I hate my job – which exit path should I take?
When I was in my 20s, I worked a demanding job with long hours and mean people. And I think the people bothered me more so than the hours. Because my salary was…
Living Off of Interest in Retirement May Not Be a Pipe Dream Any More
One of the biggest fears Americans carry into retirement is running out of money. It almost does not matter whether you start your senior years with $600,000 or $4 million. Somewhere in the back…
The 3 Best Investments to Supplement Your Social Security in Retirement
There are many Americans who get all of their retirement income from Social Security. But people in that situation tend to struggle financially. And seeing as how the average retired worker collects just $1,976…
Will You Have to Pay Taxes on Your Social Security Benefits? Here’s How to Know
A lot of people end up relying heavily on Social Security for income in retirement. And unfortunately, folks in that boat often get an unpleasant surprise when they learn that Social Security benefits can…
How Likely Are Social Security Cuts? Here’s What We Know So Far
Social Security serves as a financial lifeline for millions of retired Americans. And there are a lot of retirees who don’t have access to any income outside of those monthly checks. That’s why the…
3 Dangers of Early Retirement You Can’t Afford to Ignore
I have a friend who’s in his early 50s and is ready to retire ASAP after many years in a stressful industry. And from a financial standpoint, he can probably pull it off if…
My mother is passing with $1 million to her name – should this cash go to me or to the grandkids?
In the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion in assets is expected to change hands as older generations pass down inheritances to their children and grandkids. If you’re expecting an inheritance, you…
Mark Cuban says “if you’re happy when you’re poor, you’re gonna be happy when you’re rich” – and he’s spot on
Mark Cuban is well-known today as a billionaire. But he wasn’t always rich. Cuban’s origins are fairly humble. He was raised in a middle-class family and once had a job selling garbage bags…
I’m in my 30s with a $6.5 million net worth – how should I organize my nest egg so I don’t blow it?
A lot of people dream of retiring with a $6.5 million net worth. So if you’re able to get there in your 30s, you’re way ahead of the game. That’s the situation this…
I’m 31 Living in NYC and Just Passed Six Figures for The First Time, Here’s What It Took
I don’t remember exactly how much money I made my first year out of college (mainly because, ahem, it was quite some time ago). But I don’t think it was much to write home…
Worried You’ll Run Out of Money in Retirement? 3 Moves to Make
There are a number of aspects of retirement you might find daunting. The idea of not showing up to work every day might be unsettling. And having to get used to Medicare instead of…
This Strategy Guarantees You Won’t Run Out of Money in Retirement — But Can You Pull It Off?
Running out of money is a lot of retirees’ biggest fear. In fact, a 2024 Allianz survey found that Americans were more worried about running out of money later in life than actually dying.…
Save for Retirement vs Pay Down a Mortgage: Here’s What You Should Do First
Most people can’t afford to purchase a home in cash, which is why it’s a common thing to sign a mortgage in conjunction with becoming a homeowner. But if the idea of having that…
Top 3 Benefits of Delaying Retirement
A recent MassMutual survey found that Americans consider 63 an ideal retirement age. And that makes sense on a lot of levels. By age 63, many people have already put in 40 years or…
The Surprising Reason You May Not Get Any Social Security
Although Social Security has a lot of rules for retirees to follow, the program is more flexible than one might think. For example, there’s no single preset age to sign up for Social Security.…