Social Security is a government program, so it is unnecessarily complicated. Working or retired? Married or divorced or both? Disabled? Private or public employer? All these factors affect your Social Security benefits and options. The factor you can directly control, however, is the age you choose to claim your Social Security benefit after retiring. You […]
When trying to pay off student loans, there are a few ways to whittle down your balance. The more you pay toward your loans, the less you’ll owe, and the quicker your balance will vanish. Extra payments can help pay off student loans quicker, but refinancing may also be an option to pay off loans. […]
Getting out of debt is never easy. Especially, for those with low income, paying off debt can be a monumental challenge. The good news is that it is still possible to pay your debt off — even if you do not have plenty of money coming in. Here are five steps you can take to […]
Starting your stock investments can be intimidating. There is so much that seems to go into it: rates of increase, declines, crashes…the list goes on. For a first time investor, you might not even know where to start. And this is your hard-earned money we’re talking about! You don’t want to risk putting your money […]
So you have finally decided that your financial situation requires some professional help. You are going to hire a financial advisor. But you have no idea where to begin the search for such a person. This is one of those occasions where a simple search bar phrase like “find a financial advisor” is not likely […]
Saving money can be a difficult task, but it is essential for achieving financial stability. It all starts with saving, even a small amount at first. Here are five ways to save up $1,000. Create a budget One of the most effective ways to save money is to create a budget. This will help you […]
Your bank account is more than a place to store your money; it can also help you control your spending. If you have trouble sticking with a monthly budget, a solution may be turning to your bank account. Whether your financial goal is to prioritize expenses, save more, or curb bad spending habits, budgeting using […]
The trouble with retiring is that you never get a day off afterward. Retirement is no joke. A retirement fund must sustain your post-working life for as long as you live. But retirement is also not a one-size-fits-all situation. While it’s an positive life goal to attain, retirement has several harsh realities attached to it. […]
Maintaining a personal budget is an essential aspect of financial well-being. It helps you control your expenses, save for the future, and achieve your financial goals. However, sticking to a budget can be challenging, especially when faced with temptations and unexpected expenses. In this post, we will explore several effective strategies to help you stay […]
I recently came across an interesting recently entitled “Old Age and the Decline in Financial Literacy.” It was authored by a couple professors from Texas Tech and one from University of Missouri. It was published in October 2015. Basically, the study provides empirical proof that knowledge of basic financial concepts, including investing, declines appreciably after age […]
