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How Has SECURE 2.0 Affected 401(k) Plans?
Since its inception in 1980, the 401(k) plan has become a key tool in helping Americans build wealth. In fact, the number of people who have become millionaires through their 401(k) plans…
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Grocery Games: Strategies to Help Stretch Your Food Budget
After several years of unusual price hikes, many shoppers still feel stung when they check out at the grocery store. Measured by the consumer price index, grocery prices rose just 2.2% over…
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The Fed Lowers Rates in an Economic Balancing Act
On September 17, 2025, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered the target range for the benchmark federal funds rate by one-quarter percentage point : the first rate cut in…
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Could Employee Ownership Be Part of Your Succession Plan?
An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is a type of qualified retirement plan that enables a business owner to gradually transfer ownership shares to employees. Moreover, establishing an ESOP sets up opportunities…
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Three Ways to Help Build Financial Resilience
Roller-coaster markets, global events, and unexpected life changes can catch you off guard. Little wonder that you might worry about the potential effects on your financial well-being. Fortunately, you can take steps…
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Life Insurance Might Help During Turbulent Economic Times
During times of economic uncertainty and when the stock market is volatile, life insurance may be a useful tool to consider. Income protection Finances that were intended to provide support for you…
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Playing Fair: New Consumer Protections for Airline Passengers
There’s no doubt about it, airline travel can be stressful. Thanks to a new federal law and rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline passengers could have extra consumer protections.…
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Mining Maelstrom: Why Rare Earths Are Making Headlines
Over the past several years, news reports have grown more intense about the precarious global supply of rare-earth minerals. Yet outside scientific and national security arenas, many people may not fully understand…
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Why Renters Should Have Their Own Insurance
A recent survey found that 35% of Gen Z adults pay for a cell phone protection plan, but only 21% have renters insurance.1 Young renters who are just striking out on their…
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Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income
In 2024, the municipal bond market saw record trading for the third consecutive year. New issues also set a record at $508 billion, the first time muni issues exceeded $500 billion. The…
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Mega Backdoor Roth: A Tax-Friendly Retirement Strategy for Serious Savers
Contributing to a traditional 401(k) or IRA can help reduce your current tax bill, but you may run into some drawbacks in retirement. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and you must…
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Voluntourism: A Vacation That Makes a Difference
Is your idea of a perfect vacation spending time alone on a beach with a good book? Or would you prefer a more active experience where you are part of a group,…
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Navigating Financial Conversations with Aging Parents
Having a conversation with your parents about their finances can seem like a daunting task. However, it is an essential step in helping to ensure their financial well-being as they get older.…
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Life Insurance in Retirement
What role can life insurance play in your retirement plan? Most of us think of life insurance as protection against financial loss should we die prematurely. But when we reach retirement and…
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Home Appliance Economics
As a category, the prices of major home appliances have fallen 19.5% over the past three years (between April 2022 and March 2025), and they cost less now than they did ten…
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Catch Up for a More Comfortable Retirement
A 2024 survey found that only a third of U.S. workers age 50 and older feel that their savings contributions have them on track to enjoy a comfortable retirement.1 If your retirement…
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Buffett Takes a Bow: 7 Lessons from an Iconic Investor
At the age of 94, Warren Buffett recently announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the massive holding company he has controlled since 1965.1 Buffett is a venerated investor due to…
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Have You Set a Retirement Savings Goal?
It’s difficult to reach a destination unless you know where you’re heading. Yet only 54% of workers or their spouses have tried to estimate the savings they would need to live comfortably…
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Will You Pay a Medicare Surcharge?
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to retired individuals, regardless of their medical condition, and certain younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. Medicare has several parts, many…
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Versatile 529 Plans Can Help with More than Just College
529 plans were originally created in 1996 as a tax-advantaged way to save for college. Over the past several years, Congress has expanded the ways 529 plan funds can be used, making…