Will Social Security keep its promises?
The Social Security Administration will happily forecast your future monthly retirement check. Trouble is, it’s often off the mark. Understanding the sometimes-flawed assumptions underlying the estimate can help you make smarter decisions about when to claim your benefit. First, of course, you should know how to access those estimates. You can find yours online by creating a “My... READ MORE
New options to return online purchases
Ahead of the holiday season, shoppers have more options to return unwanted items bought online as retailers look for new ways to drive traffic. Plenty of retailers like Target and Walmart allow shoppers to return at their brick-and-mortar stores items bought from them online. But now, a growing number of retailers are accepting even rivals’ returns. In July, Kohl’s started... READ MORE
How to quit stalling and write your will
You know you should have a will, but you keep stalling. No one likes to think about dying or about someone else raising their children or grandchildren. But if you get no further than scribbling notes or thinking about which lawyer to hire, you risk dying “intestate” — without a will that could guide your loved ones, head off family feuds and potentially save your family thousands of... READ MORE
Earn higher yields while doing good
What if you could measure your investment performance not only in terms of yield and total return but also by the number of small businesses financed, tons of waste reduced and affordable homes created? A growing number of “impact” investments allow investors to do just that — while also earning decent yields. Impact investments belong to a broader principles-based investment... READ MORE
Understand the risks inherent in bonds
It’s important for investors interested in bonds to understand the potential pitfalls. For example, some don’t realize that there is an inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. When interest rates increase, the value of bonds decreases in value, and vice versa. Regardless of the quality of the bond or bond fund you invested in, if interest rates increase... READ MORE
How to submit a complaint and get results
Taking a complaint to customer service can be maddening. No one wants to deal with endless phone trees, outsourced representatives reading from inflexible scripts, automated responses or chatbots. “Despite saying they provide more ways than ever to contact them, companies are building fortresses around themselves so that no one has to interact with you,” said Christopher Elliott of... READ MORE
Is pet insurance a cost-effective purchase?
Dear Savvy Senior, I own two dogs and a cat that I would do almost anything for. But expensive veterinary bills put a strain on my budget. Is pet insurance a good idea? —Older Pet Owner Dear Pet Owner, If you’re the kind of pet owner who would do anything for their furry family — including spending thousands of dollars on medical care — pet insurance definitely is an option to... READ MORE
Avoid the latest phone and email scams
Some of us in the personal finance realm have a weird little hobby: We try to scam the scam artists. We’re not out to steal their money — just their time. When fraudsters call to say we’re about to be arrested for tax debt, our Social Security number has been “suspended” or a loved one is in trouble, we play along. This gives us valuable insight into how the scams operate... READ MORE
Considering a timeshare? Don’t you ever!
Over the past several years I’ve written about the nightmares that timeshare owners lived through, both when first purchasing — often under physical and mental duress — and then when attempting to get themselves out of their contracts. I had never before said, “Don’t ever buy a timeshare!” But no more. I now believe that because of the nature of timeshare contracts — and ... READ MORE
Beacon celebrates 20th year of 50+Expos
For the past 20 years, the Beacon newspaper has been providing free community education events every fall for readers and their families. Known as the 50+Expos, they are held in both suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia for the convenience of residents throughout the metro area. Between the two events, more than 100 informative exhibitors will provide giveaways and helpful... READ MORE
Money 2024
#Retirement #advice #Investments #money #Solutions #Stocks #Legal #EVs #hybrid cars #Domestic #Savvy Senior #scams #Taxes #pets
