Personal Finance
Latest Articles
Equifax Opens Claims for $100M Settlement Over Faulty Credit Scores
A coding error in 2022 miscalculated scores for roughly 4 million Americans. Eligible claimants have until Dec. 28 to file.
At 71 and Earning $108K, Is Continuing to Work the Right Call?
A 71-year-old still pulling in $108,000 annually questions whether staying in the workforce makes financial sense with $152,000 saved.
Social Security Benefits Could Drop $540 Monthly by 2031
A new projection warns Social Security recipients face steep automatic cuts within six years if Congress fails to act on the program's funding shortfall.
The Hidden Costs of Self-Custody Bitcoin for Financial Advisors
Holding your own bitcoin sounds empowering, but advisors warn the true costs run deeper than most investors realize.
Parents Gift Duplex Shares to Kids Annually, Avoiding IRS Reporting
A family has transferred duplex ownership slices to three children each January since 2019, keeping every gift below the federal reporting threshold.
Student Loan Borrowers Must Act Now to Avoid Higher Payments
Millions of SAVE plan borrowers face sharply higher monthly bills unless they switch repayment plans soon.
Can $17,000 Monthly Income Affect a $125K Credit-Card Bankruptcy?
A reader with $125,000 in credit-card debt and $17,000 in monthly income asks how disability payments factor into bankruptcy eligibility.
Roth vs. Traditional IRA: How the Account Type Rewrites Your Tax Bill
The same stock held in two different IRAs grows identically, but your tax bill at retirement depends entirely on which account wrapper you chose.
Retired at 61 With $200K Saved? Here's Your Game Plan
A 61-year-old with $200,000 saved faces real retirement pressure. Experts outline a clear strategy to stretch savings and close the gap.
A Psychologist's One Morning Question That Strengthens Relationships
Relationship psychologist Mark Travers says a daily 'capacity check' is the emotionally intelligent habit most couples overlook.
Can a $780K Portfolio Generate $4,750/Month Without Touching Principal?
Retirees chasing income without depleting savings face a critical math challenge. Here's what the numbers actually say.
How Much a 61-Year-Old Needs Saved to Earn $8,600 Monthly for Life
Retirement planning at 61 hinges on portfolio size and withdrawal strategy. Here's what the math looks like for $8,600 a month.
Why Energy Stocks Deserve a Spot in Your 401(k) Portfolio
Energy and resource stocks have shown a consistent pattern of moving against broader market trends, making them a valuable diversifier.
Unemployed at 45, This Man Turned Job Rejection Into Comedy
After months of failed applications, Tim Millard channeled his frustrating job hunt into a one-man theatrical show.
Farmer's Loan Against Corn Triggers Social Security Income Tax
A tax election turned a farm operating loan into countable Social Security income, catching one corn farmer off guard.
Dad Funded My $800K Roth IRA—Does He Control How I Invest It?
A reader asks whether a parent who bankrolled an $800,000 Roth IRA has any say over the account's investments.
91-Year-Old With Dementia Locks Family Out of $100K Stock Certificate
A family is blocked from accessing $100,000 in stock assets held by their 91-year-old mother with dementia. Banks say they need her signature.
Inherited a Rental Property? Here's What to Do With Tenants
A family inheriting a house with renters faces a key decision: evict or keep tenants? The answer hinges on lease terms and local law.
A Longevity Doctor's Health Habits When He Stays Up Until 1 a.m.
Dr. Ronald Primas, a longevity physician, shares how he personally optimizes his health despite a late-night schedule.
The Hidden Costs of Home Insurance Explained
Home insurance carries surprise fees and gaps many owners miss. Here's what to watch for before your next policy renewal.
Why the Mediterranean Diet Tops Rankings but Stumps Americans
The Mediterranean diet consistently earns top marks, but cultural and lifestyle barriers make it hard for Americans to adopt.
Key Insurance Types That Protect Your Income and Wealth
Understanding the right insurance coverage can shield your finances from unexpected loss. Here's what every earner should know.
SCHD vs. FDVV: Which Dividend ETF Belongs in Your Portfolio?
Schwab's defensive SCHD and Fidelity's tech-tilted FDVV take opposite approaches to dividend investing. Here's how they compare.
Should You Sell Investments to Pay Off Your Car Loan?
A reader weighs pulling $1,000 from a hot brokerage account to eliminate car debt. Here's what financial logic says.
How 'Moneymaxxing' Is Reshaping Personal Finance for Young Adults
A financial advisor calls the viral 'moneymaxxing' movement a cultural shift, not a fad, as young people seek long-term security amid affordability pressures.
How Much Stock Exposure Retirees Actually Need in 2024
Ditching equities in retirement can be a costly mistake. Experts say finding the right stock allocation is the critical question.
Fidelity Demands Death Certificate From Ex-Wife After Sister-in-Law Dies
A woman faces an unusual Fidelity paperwork demand after her ex-husband's sister died, raising questions about beneficiary rules.
Can a 62-Year-Old Widow Claim Full Social Security Survivor Benefits?
A widow at 62 wants to collect her late husband's full Social Security benefit after his death a decade ago. Here's what the rules say.
Should You Decline an Inheritance Before It's Offered?
A reader wrestles with whether to tell a 96-year-old stepmother they don't want her estate, raising questions about family, money, and honesty.
Woman Plans Platonic Marriage to Best Friend of 20 Years
A homeowner with no children considers leaving her property to her platonic spouse. Experts weigh the financial and legal stakes.
What Your Answer to a $65K vs. $1.3M Coin Flip Says About You
A viral poll asks whether you'd take $65,000 now or gamble it for $1.3 million. Your choice may reveal your financial reality.
Married Filing Separately Triggers Steep Medicare Surcharges
Couples who file taxes separately face the harshest Medicare premium penalties, with surcharges kicking in at just $109,000 in income.
Mineral Rights Explained: Owning, Leasing and Selling Them
Mineral rights grant owners control over subsurface resources. Here's what you need to know before buying, leasing, or selling them.
Pokémon Cards vs. S&P 500: Why the Returns Look Better Than They Are
Viral claims that Pokémon cards outpace the S&P 500 by 2.5x obscure critical flaws in how those returns are actually calculated.
Pokémon Cards vs. S&P 500: Why the Returns Look Better Than They Are
Viral claims that Pokémon cards beat the S&P 500 by 2.5x obscure critical flaws in how those returns are actually calculated.
US Family of Four Relocates to Trinidad and Tobago on $3,000 a Month
Chantel Henry moved her family from the US to Trinidad and Tobago, cutting costs dramatically while finding a happier, more affordable lifestyle.
Gold ETF, Gold IRA, or Physical Gold: Key Differences Explained
Investors weighing gold exposure face three distinct options, each with different ownership structures, costs, and tax treatment.
Why Stock Pickers Keep Trying to Beat a Market They Know They Can't
Most active investors know the odds are stacked against them, yet they keep trading. Here's how to manage that impulse without wrecking your portfolio.
7 Parenting Habits That Keep Kids Talking, Per 200-Case Study
A parenting expert analyzed 200+ parent-child relationships and found key habits that make children comfortable opening up to parents at any age.
RV Owners Can Claim Mortgage Interest Deduction Like Homeowners
Most RV owners miss a valuable tax break: their vehicle may qualify for the same mortgage interest deduction as a primary or secondary home.