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Have you noticed that packages are smaller at the grocery store? If so, you’re not alone. A survey of consumers taken in 2022 found that a majority of U.S. adults have noticed shrinkflation :…

More than 37 million U.S. adults are living with some hearing loss, but only about one-fourth of those who might benefit from a hearing aid have used one.1 One big obstacle is cost: The…

Retirees face several unique challenges when managing their income, particularly when it comes to taxes. From understanding how taxes relate to Social Security and Medicare to determining when to tap taxable and tax-advantaged accounts,…

A recent AARP study found that nearly half of all private sector employees ages 18 to 64 had no access to a retirement plan at work. It also found that small businesses are more…

What’s Happening in the World of Higher Education? A 2023 survey revealed a notable shift in public opinion over the past decade about the value of a college degree: 56% of Americans think a…

To say the economy has been uneven over the past few years is an understatement. Amid these bumpy economic times, why buy life insurance? Here are a few reasons. Protection for Loved Ones Savings…

The SECURE 2.0 Act, included in the federal spending bill passed in late 2022, dramatically changed the landscape for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement accounts. As part of the effort to strengthen…

In December 2022, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act. It introduced two new rules relating to 529 plans and student debt that will take effect in 2024. The first provision allows for tax- and…

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers child-care costs to be affordable when they are at or below 7% of annual household income : but many families face costs that are far…

Publicly traded companies are required to disclose their financial performance to regulators and shareholders on a quarterly basis. News organizations and investors pay close attention to these reports because they tend to impact stock…

Headline inflation, which refers to the 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased 9.1% in June 2022 : the highest rate since 1981 : before the U.S. economy began the fraught process…

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023 was 8.7%, the largest benefit increase since 1981. Obviously, the COLA helps current beneficiaries, but you may wonder whether it will make a difference if you’re…

Economists have been predicting a recession for the U.S. economy ever since the Federal Reserve began aggressively raising interest rates in 2022. This is Econ 101. High interest rates, which make it more expensive…

Tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs are intended to promote long-term retirement savings and thus offer preferential tax treatment in return for a commitment to keep savings in the account until…

Is This Bull Timid or Ready to Charge? On June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 index closed at 4,293.93, just over 20% higher than its lowest recent closing value of 3,577.03 reached on October…

The IRS issued about 95 million federal income tax refunds by May 12, 2023 (for tax year 2022), averaging $2,812.1 You might consider this type of windfall a stroke of good fortune, but is…

A legal will describes how you want your material assets to be distributed, but how do you leave behind your values? Using an ethical will, also called a legacy letter, you can tell your…

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) can offer a consistent income stream that is typically higher than Treasury yields and other stock dividends (see chart). A qualified REIT must pay at least 90% of its…

A couple of federal personal tax credits are available for the installation of certain energy efficient or clean energy property in your home. The energy efficient home improvement credit is available for qualifying expenditures…

If you would like to reduce your monthly mortgage payment without having to refinance, then you may want to explore a mortgage recast. When you recast your mortgage, you put money toward the principal…

With the COVID pandemic receding in most areas of the world, Americans are traveling again. U.S. citizens took more than 80 million international trips in 2022, an increase of almost 66% over 2021.1 If…

The bulk of Social Security benefits go to retirees, but Social Security is much more than a retirement program. Most Americans are protected by the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program : the…

The U.S. stock market struggled in 2022, with the S&P 500 index ending the year down 19.4%.1 The S&P 500, which includes stocks of large U.S. companies, is generally considered representative of the U.S.…

The arrival of spring is always a good time to dust off the cobwebs that have built up in your home during the winter. It's also a good time to clean out and organize…

The IRS warns that although scams are especially prevalent during tax season, they also take place throughout the year.1 As a result, it’s important to always be on the lookout for suspicious activity so…