Veterans benefits continue after death
Dear Savvy Senior: Does the VA provide any special burial benefits to old veterans? My dad, who has late-stage Parkinson’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. — Only Child Dear Only: Most U.S. veterans are eligible for burial and memorial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration. Veterans who were discharged under... READ MORE
Five best moves for your portfolio
These portfolio moves will help boost the income you get from your portfolio, shield it from inflation, and make it less volatile, too. Dial down volatility. Stocks with low volatility should weather dips better than jiggier peers. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (symbol SPLV, $48) holds the 100 stocks in the blue-chip index with the lowest volatility; iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol... READ MORE
Shop around to find good savings interest
Savers rejoice — you can finally earn a little more on the money you’ve been setting aside. To draw in customers, banks — particularly online institutions — have been getting more competitive with the rates they are offering on savings, CDs and even checking accounts. That means a savvy consumer may be able to earn far beyond the norm if they are willing to shop around. Take... READ MORE
A year that most of the markets struggled
Even the most balanced investors have gotten knocked on their heels this year. Typically, spreading one’s bets across several different types of investments (diversifying) has helped deliver steadier returns. When U.S. stocks slide, say, bonds and gold can hopefully help offset the losses. Or maybe stocks abroad will hold up better than their U.S. counterparts. Not so this year.... READ MORE
Why give stock to a donor-advised fund?
What are the benefits of giving appreciated stock to a donor-advised fund if I don’t plan to itemize my deductions this year? Answer: Giving appreciated stock to a donor-advised fund — or directly to a charity — gives you a tax benefit even if you don’t itemize. By doing so, you avoid having to pay taxes on the capital gains that have accumulated through the years. If you... READ MORE
Your pet also needs to have an estate plan
Pet obsession is nothing new, but modern life has taken our love affair with animals to another level. Some people post more photos and videos of their animals online than of their children, and people are spending more money than ever on pet indulgences. But while “fur babies” have worked their way into a place in the hearts, homes and wallets of their owners, the law sees these... READ MORE
How to test-drive your car salesperson
If you work with a good car salesperson, the shopping process can actually be fun, and you’ll be more confident you’re getting a good deal. Unfortunately, most people think they have to stick with whichever salesperson latches onto them first, even if they begin to feel pressured, intimidated or misled. But car buyers can and should test-drive, or vet, their salesperson — and be... READ MORE
Get a sale price even when there’s no sale
If you don’t see a sale sign, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a deal. Here are four ways you could save money the next time you shop online or in person. 1. Sign up If you’re willing to supply a retailer with some of your personal information — such as your name, address or birth date — you could get deals in return. “Consumers can visit the retailers’ website to sign up ... READ MORE
How to prepare your emergency go-bag
Heather Kretzer, a health consultant for the Florida Department of Health in Panama City, lives near the water. However, the most recent call for an evacuation in her area wasn’t because of a hurricane but rather because of an active shooter. The incident, which did not result in any bystanders being injured but did lead to the temporary evacuation of an apartment complex, drove home... READ MORE
With solid economy, why is market falling?
The nerve-wracking anxiety that’s gripped the U.S. stock market might seem oddly unmoored from economic reality: Economic growth is strong, unemployment ultra-low and consumers exceptionally confident. Indeed, in late October, the government reported that the U.S. economy grew at a healthy 3.5 percent annual pace from July through September. In the previous quarter, annual growth was... READ MORE
Money 2024
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