A 58-year-old physician running a solo practice can legally shelter $374,000 from federal income taxes this year by combining a cash balance plan with a 401(k). Most accountants know about the 401(k). Few bring…
A 35-year-old software engineer earning $220,000 can’t contribute directly to a Roth IRA. The income limit phases out completely for single filers above $168,000 in 2026. Instead of skipping the Roth entirely, she makes…
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and it comes with a steep learning curve. While juggling tons of information related to loans, realtor fees, or inspections, unexpected…
George Kamel did not mince words when a 24-year-old newlywed called into The Ramsey Show asking whether he should skip a vacation to save more for a house. "You guys are going to be…
If you’re a retiree who receives Social Security and are worried about benefit cuts, you’re in good company. There’s been talk of benefit cuts for years. And the program’s Trustees even said last year…
On a recent episode of The Clark Howard Podcast, John from North Carolina asked which cars are cheapest to insure. Clark Howard pointed out that it typically costs more to insure electric vehicles. “You…
Your choice of when to claim Social Security may feel like a very personal decision. After all, many people need Social Security checks to support themselves in retirement. If that’s the case, your decision…
Andrew Sather, co-host of The Investing for Beginners Podcast, described the regulatory decision to scrap the Pattern Day Trader rule in language no listener could miss. "It's like, let's let kids under 18 buy…
Your parent spent 40 years building a $500,000 traditional IRA. When they leave it to you, the IRS becomes your silent co-heir. For a working adult in their 50s earning a solid salary, the…
A 58-year-old earning $280,000 a year has already maxed their pre-tax 401(k) deferral. What most do not know is that their plan may allow them to contribute an additional $47,500 per year in…
Millions of Americans worry about theft of their financial identity and personal data. Wayne from New York recently called The Clark Howard Podcast to ask if identity theft insurance is worth it. He’s paying…
A couple in their early fifties with $2.1 million saved and $350,000 in annual household income wrote in to the Rich Habits Podcast wanting to retire at 54. Austin Smith’s reply cut to the…
Your net worth is an important measure of your financial health. One common question is whether your home equity should be included in that calculation. While it’s technically part of your net worth, it…
Filing for Social Security at 62 costs more than a smaller monthly check, and most people who sign up early have no idea how deeply that decision reaches into their financial future.
The hosts of the How to Money podcast, on Friday Flight episode #1131, drew a line most parents funding a 529 have never thought about. “If you have $35,000 in there, great. If you…
