Planning to retire in the next 3-5 years?
It may take decades over the course of a career to save for retirement, but there is a small and defined window of time leading up to one’s golden years that is exceptionally critical when it comes to planning. I often work with my clients three to five years ahead of their anticipated retirement to fine-tune their plan, reviewing everything from financial expectations, probable... READ MORE
Steps to lower prescription drug costs
If you use Part D of Medicare to help cover your prescription costs, Medicare suggests five ways to lower your costs. — Switch to a generic prescription. If you’re using a name-brand prescription that is expensive — the costs of many have increased recently — ask your doctor if there is a generic alternative. You can also determine whether using a mail-order pharmacy will... READ MORE
Post office rates rise for ‘holidays’ again
For the third year in a row, the United States Postal Service has announced a rate increase for what they call “peak holiday season.” If you think that means shipping is going to cost more after, say, Black Friday, you’re wrong: Surge pricing starts Oct. 2 and runs through Jan. 22, 2023. The end date is a new twist: In 2020 and 2021, these surcharges ended Dec. 26. As the... READ MORE
A tax-smart way to tap retirement funds
You work hard for decades and save diligently for retirement, but unfortunately, you can’t retire from paying taxes. An important part of enjoying a fruitful retirement is understanding how taxes apply to different types of income and planning accordingly. Having sizable amounts of money in various accounts is wonderful, but taxes can eat away at them quickly if you don’t have a... READ MORE
Move to digital coupons costs shoppers
At a time when consumers are especially focused on saving money at the supermarket, some shoppers — those who are tech-challenged or digitally unconnected — are unable to access “digital only” sale prices advertised in weekly store circulars. For decades, supermarkets have offered lower prices on certain items to members of their loyalty rewards programs, which require a phone... READ MORE
What to do if you win the lottery jackpot
It’s definitely not likely you’ll hit big in the lottery. But if you win, you could be happy for years to come — no matter what the naysayers tell you. Here are some things to remember before you buy a ticket: Your chances of winning big are itty bitty You’re more likely to get elected to Congress than to strike it rich in the lottery. According to Powerball, the odds of... READ MORE
A new investment strategy to consider
Recently, direct indexing, a lesser-known investment approach, has started outpacing both ETFs and mutual funds in investor adoption. Direct indexing offers unique benefits that can’t be replicated in a traditional ETF or mutual fund structure, particularly around personalization and tax management. Given its benefits, direct indexing is expected to continue to outpace ETF and mutual... READ MORE
A savings circle can help you reach goal
A breezy January morning made the mid-30 temperatures feel even chillier. But it was an important day for a young man pushing 30 himself. He was about to face his entire family to ask for a loan to seed his new business idea. He had contributed to the family’s savings circle, but he was asking for a withdrawal this time. What is a savings circle? A savings circle is a group of family ... READ MORE
It pays to review your subscription costs
Because of inflation, many Americans are looking for ways to reduce their regular expenditures. Unfortunately, many individuals are paying for subscriptions they no longer need — and, in some cases, they’re paying too much for those they do need. Many, myself included, initially subscribe to a publication or to a streaming or cable TV service because it is offered free or at a... READ MORE
Life insurance and retirement planning
There are many reasons why families entering retirement should re-evaluate their life insurance needs. First and foremost, retirees are generally living longer, especially women, so it is important that retirement plans consider the fact that one or both spouses may live into their 90s. Inflation has not been a major retirement-planning factor for some time — until recently. This... READ MORE
Money 2025
