Personal Finances

Medicare Enrollment Which Medigap Plan Is Best for You?
Medical Expenses

Medicare Enrollment Which Medigap Plan Is Best for You?

Danielle ­Roberts | December 19, 2021

Only two of the 10 plans Medigap plans offered during open enrollment in 2021—G and N—are worth considering.

Smart Money Strategies for 2022
Personal Finances

Smart Money Strategies for 2022

Vitaly Katsenelson | December 15, 2021

The post-pandemic economy and consumer spending are robust. But surging inflation…global supply shortages…stocks near record highs…and bond yields near record…

How to Get Rid of Your Timeshare
Personal Finances

How to Get Rid of Your Timeshare

Brian Rogers | December 14, 2021

Getting out from under a timeshare that you no longer want can be expensive and difficult. Here are the steps to take to making it easier.

7 Costly IRA Withdrawal Mistakes to Avoid
Personal Finances

7 Costly IRA Withdrawal Mistakes to Avoid

Ed Slott, CPA | November 30, 2021

A single mistake in withdrawing money from an IRA can derail decades of contributions. Here’s how to avoid the traps.

Choosing the Best-Value Wine on the Menu
Personal Finances

Choosing the Best-Value Wine on the Menu

Vikram Pathania, PhD | November 14, 2021

The next time you order wine off a restaurant's wine list, go ahead and buy the second-cheapest bottle—surprisingly, it does not have the highest markups in price.

The Death of Cash
Money Savers

The Death of Cash

Lisa Ellis | November 14, 2021

If you want to find the big stock winners for the next decade, take a look at powerful growth trends…

Don’t Let These 5 Surprises Derail Your Retirement
Personal Finances

Don’t Let These 5 Surprises Derail Your Retirement

November 1, 2021

Beware of these five retirement financial surprises—ranging from the real results of downsizing to the tax consequences of retirement—that can derail plans, consume savings and leave retirees wondering what went wrong.

Massive Medical Bills? 6-Step Plan to Help You Pay Much Less
Medical Expenses

Massive Medical Bills? 6-Step Plan to Help You Pay Much Less

Caitlin Donovan | October 15, 2021

Even well-insured patients can be subjected to hefty healthcare bills for out-of-network doctor visits, ambulance rides, treatments “not medically necessary.” Here’s help…

Your Inflation Rate Is Not the Same as the Government’s
Personal Finances

Your Inflation Rate Is Not the Same as the Government’s

Christine Benz | September 17, 2021

Many retirees and older ­consumers on fixed incomes keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers…

Beyond Your Stimulus Check: How the ­American Rescue Plan Will Affect Your Taxes and Health Insurance
Personal Finances

Beyond Your Stimulus Check: How the ­American Rescue Plan Will Affect Your Taxes and Health Insurance

Gregory Black, CPA, JD, LLM | September 3, 2021

The $1.9 trillion American ­Rescue Plan Act received plenty of publicity for providing a third round of stimulus checks and…

Preparing Your Portfolio for the Coming Inflation Time Bomb
Personal Finances

Preparing Your Portfolio for the Coming Inflation Time Bomb

Robert Carlson | September 3, 2021

It’s been a long time since investors have had to worry about inflation. But as the US economy springs back…

Your Unclaimed Assets Are Waiting for You
Personal Finances

Your Unclaimed Assets Are Waiting for You

Mark Kantrowitz | August 1, 2021

Tens of billions of dollars are just waiting to be claimed—and you could be the winner. That may sound like…

How to Avoid 5 Social Security Surprises That Could Cost You Big
Retirement Planning

How to Avoid 5 Social Security Surprises That Could Cost You Big

Cindy ­Lundquist | July 15, 2021

Beware these hidden traps among the Social Security rules. They could cost you big, but here’s how to keep that from happening.

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: Which Is Better for Retirement Savings
Retirement Accounts

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: Which Is Better for Retirement Savings

Anqi Chen | June 15, 2021

Traditional IRAs allow pre-tax contributions and tax your withdrawals; Roth contributions are with after-tax dollars and withdrawals are tax free. What’s the right type for you?

Best Credit Cards 2021

Best Credit Cards 2021

Sara ­Rathner | June 1, 2021

The past year dramatically shifted how Americans spend their money—and that has shaken up the roster of most-rewarding credit cards.