Don’t let your kids wreck retirement plans
Are your kids putting your retirement at risk? Parents of adult children give their kids about $500 billion annually — double the amount they contribute to their own retirement accounts, according to recent research by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave. And roughly half of parents in a recent Bankrate survey said that paying their adult children’s bills was jeopardizing their own... READ MORE
With interest rates down, time for a refi?
Interest rates for mortgages are low — really low. As of the first week of June, long-term mortgage rates were down for the sixth consecutive week. The 30-year fixed rate average was below 4%, its lowest point since September 2017. If you’re a homeowner, you may be wondering if now’s the time to refinance. Here’s what to consider: Reason It’s important to know why you want ... READ MORE
How to make your retirement money last
Many people worry about running out of money in retirement. That’s understandable, since we don’t know how long we’ll live, what our future costs might be, and what kind of returns we can expect on our savings. There are several ways, however, to boost the odds that your money will last as long as you need it. Among them: Reduce ‘must have’ expenses Lowering your fixed... READ MORE
Investing with a conscience is catching on
Socially responsible investing has really blossomed in the past few years. What used to be viewed as a niche investment philosophy is now firmly planted in the mainstream, with everyday consumers using their dollars to support companies that align with their personal values around sustainability and social progressiveness. But beyond the day-to-day choices — like what stores to... READ MORE
Computer error results in unexpected Medicare bills
It seems like the simple, hassle-free way to pay your Medicare premiums: Have them withheld from your Social Security benefits. But now, about 250,000 people who opted to have their Medicare premiums taken out of their Social Security checks are getting bills for as much as five months of unpaid premiums. Because of “an isolated software issue,” the Social Security Administration... READ MORE
Resources to help cover Medicare costs
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any sources you know of that can help me save on my Medicare coverage? I’m 65 and live primarily on my Social Security, and I’m having a hard time paying my Medicare out-of-pocket costs. —Need Some Help Dear Need, There are several financial assistance programs that can help lower-income Medicare beneficiaries who are having a difficult time paying... READ MORE
Hospitals ordered to reveal costs up front
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that calls for upfront disclosure by hospitals of actual prices for common tests and procedures to help keep costs down. The idea is to give patients practical information that they can use to save money. For example, if a hospital charges your insurer $3,500 for a type of echocardiogram and the same test costs $550 in a... READ MORE
Consider a side hustle to earn extra cash
Can you make a decent living in the gig economy? The odds are against you if you rely on the best-known job platforms, such as Uber and DoorDash, which offer miserable net pay to drivers. A dozen other well-known sites — including HomeAdvisor, Mechanical Turk and TaskRabbit — treat workers equally poorly. Their specific sins vary from site to site, ranging from charging workers for... READ MORE
Economic abuse and fraud on the rise
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of financial abuse and fraud in our country, and much of it is aimed at individuals 50 and older. Attorney Michael Hackard, the founder of a California law firm that focuses on estate and trust litigation, has self-published an informative, comprehensive book, The Wolf at the Door, now in paperback. This book can be helpful to people with elderly ... READ MORE
Smart ways to handle an inheritance
We’ve all heard stories about individuals who passed away quietly after a life of frugality, leaving a fortune to their unsuspecting heirs or, occasionally, a beloved pet. The reality is a lot less riveting. Although two-thirds of baby boomers are expected to receive an inheritance — mostly from parents — longer life spans and the rising cost of healthcare can shrink the size of... READ MORE
Money 2024
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