I Am 55 With a $1.5 Million 401(k). Should I Take a 401(k) Loan to Pay for a Home Improvement...
A 55‑year‑old with a $1.5 million 401(k) and $150,000 salary is weighing a 401(k) loan to fund a major home‑improvement project. The loan would cost roughly 7.75 % interest—significantly lower than typical credit‑card rates—but must be repaid within five years and could become taxable if employment ends. Advisors note that strong job security and the ability to keep contributing are essential to avoid eroding retirement growth. Alternatives such as a HELOC or a 0 % intro‑rate credit card may also be viable.
9 Financially Savvy Tips for a Guilt-Free Vacation, From a Wealth Adviser
A wealth adviser outlines nine practical steps for a guilt‑free vacation, starting with a dedicated vacation fund and treating travel as a line‑item in a comprehensive financial plan. The guide stresses using credit‑card points and rewards strategically, securing travel with...
Don't Defer Retirement if You're a Landlord, Defer Taxes Instead
America’s "Peak 65" retirement wave is forcing millions of landlord‑investors to confront an exit dilemma. Traditional sales trigger a 40%+ tax hit from capital gains, depreciation recapture, and state taxes, eroding decades of wealth. By leveraging a 1031 exchange into Delaware...
Income and Life Expectancy Not Adding Up? An Annuity Could Solve the Equation
Retirees facing longevity risk and market volatility are turning to fixed indexed annuities with guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) riders to secure lifetime income while retaining some upside. The GLWB adds about a 1% annual fee in exchange for a...
When Life Gives You Lemons, Don't Rush to Make Lemonade — or Financial Decisions
Life‑changing events such as divorce, widowhood, inheritance, business sales, or an empty nest force many women to confront sudden financial agency. The article argues that the industry’s checklist‑driven advice misses the emotional and values‑based decisions these transitions demand. It introduces...
When Paying for Financial Advice, Think Like Warren Buffett: Price Is What You Pay. Value Is What You Get
The article stresses that the price of financial advice is merely the visible fee, while true value stems from the advisor’s compensation structure and resulting objectivity. It outlines three primary models—commission‑based, fee‑based, and fee‑only—and explains how each influences incentives. Fee‑only...
Why Your Medicare Premiums Are $200 Higher Than They Should Be
A Joint Economic Committee report finds Medicare Advantage plans are being paid roughly 20% more than Original Medicare for comparable care, largely due to aggressive coding intensity and favorable selection. These overpayments trigger a mandatory Part B premium pass‑through, adding an...
Dow Rises Amid Another Crude Oil Spike: Stock Market Today
Crude oil futures jumped 4.7% to $104 per barrel, pushing the Dow Jones up 0.1% to 45,216 despite broader market weakness. The Nasdaq slipped 0.7% and the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, reflecting lingering concerns over the energy shock and potential inflation...
High School Can Be a Pathway to Financial Wellness: Here's How to Get More Kids on It
Financial stress hits teens early, shaping confidence and future choices. A Harvard‑based study shows money habits form in childhood, making high school a pivotal moment for intervention. Today 35 of 50 states mandate personal‑finance courses, but effective programs must blend...
Why Venture Investing Could Be a Win-Win for Family Offices
Family offices are increasingly turning to venture investing as a strategic extension of their philanthropic mission. By deploying permanent, patient capital into early‑stage companies, they can generate scalable solutions to health, climate, education and technology challenges while preserving the potential...
Is There an Ideal Age for Your Children to Inherit? A Retirement Planner Weighs In
Projections from Cerulli Associates show more than $84 trillion in wealth transfers through 2045, with roughly $73 trillion destined for heirs. As Americans live longer, inheritances are increasingly arriving when beneficiaries are in their 50s or 60s, often after key financial decisions...
Gen Z's Biggest Money Mistakes (Plus, Small Wins That Fix Them)
Gen Z faces a steep learning curve as they transition into independent finances, often skipping budgeting, emergency savings, insurance, retirement contributions, and credit building. The article outlines five common pitfalls and offers concrete fixes, from the 50/30/20 budgeting rule to...
Here's How Much Florida Retirees Actually Save on Taxes in 2026
Florida remains a top retirement destination because it imposes no state income tax, allowing retirees to keep thousands of dollars that would be lost in high‑tax states such as New York. Yet retirees still shoulder property taxes averaging 0.79% of home...
Dow Dives 793 Points as Rate-Hike Odds Rise: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity markets slumped Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.7% to 45,166, pulling the S&P 500 and Nasdaq into correction territory. A 5.5% rally in West Texas Intermediate crude to $99.64 per barrel lifted inflation expectations, prompting the...
Financial Flashback: How Smart Planners Weathered the 2008 Recession
The article revisits the 2008 recession to illustrate how Multi‑Year Guarantee (MYG) annuities helped baby boomers preserve retirement assets while markets recovered slowly. A 5% guaranteed rate would have kept a $100,000 portfolio stable and outperformed the S&P 500 by the...
Quiz: How Well Do You Know the New Child Tax Credit?
The 2025 tax law raises the federal Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per qualifying child but tightens eligibility rules that could nullify the benefit for many families. To claim the credit, children must be under 17, U.S. citizens or nationals...
9 Ways Snowbirds and Retirees Can Beat Soaring Gas Prices on the Drive Home
Gas prices have spiked as the war in Iran pushes premium fuel above $5 per gallon and regular gasoline near $4, according to AAA. Retirees and snowbirds returning north face a sudden increase of $1 or more per gallon compared...
Nasdaq Hits Correction Territory as Meta Slumps: Stock Market Today
The Nasdaq Composite slipped into correction territory, dropping 2.4% to 21,408 as oil prices surged 4.6% to $94.48 per barrel amid renewed Middle‑East tensions. Meta Platforms tumbled 8% after a New Mexico court ordered $375 million in civil damages and a...
New $6K Senior Deduction: How Much You Could Save at Different Income Levels
The 2025‑2028 tax bill introduces a senior‑bonus deduction of up to $6,000 per eligible older adult, or $12,000 for married couples, stacked on top of the standard and extra‑age deductions. The credit phases out for incomes above roughly $150,000 (married)...
AI Is Making Your Local Financial Institution More Human, Not Less
Community banks and credit unions are adopting artificial intelligence to streamline back‑office tasks, not replace staff. AI instantly gathers and verifies loan documents, cutting processing time from days to minutes while keeping human bankers in charge of relationship‑focused advice. The...
All That Glitters Is Usually Taxable: Gold and Silver Tax Rules
Gold’s surge has drawn investors to bars, coins, and ETFs. The IRS treats gold and other precious metals as collectibles, imposing a top long‑term capital‑gains rate of 28 % versus 20 % for stocks. Physical‑gold ETFs face the same collectible tax, while...
Will Environmental Hazards Make a Mess of Your Estate Plan?
Environmental contamination can turn a seemingly simple real‑estate bequest into a costly legal burden. Under CERCLA and many state “mini‑Superfund” statutes, owners, trustees and estates face strict liability for investigation and cleanup, with no exemption for trusts. Beneficiaries may invoke...
When Starting a Business, the End Is a Very Good Place to Start
Starting a business with the end in mind forces founders to choose the right legal entity, anticipate ownership changes, and embed exit‑oriented provisions from day one. The article compares sole proprietorships, LLCs, C‑corps and S‑corps, highlighting how each impacts tax...
Millions Could Get IRS Refunds of Pandemic Tax Penalties: Who Qualifies?
A federal court in Kwong v. United States ruled that the IRS may have applied pandemic‑era filing and payment deadlines too early, potentially extending them to mid‑2023 under Section 7508A. This interpretation could mean the agency overcharged penalties and interest for...
Think You're Too Busy to Do an Estate Plan? In 3 Hours (Seriously), You Could Save Your Heirs Months (or...
The article warns busy business owners that postponing estate planning can create costly probate, tax, and ownership disputes for their families. It uses the example of Rick and Linda, a $1 million disaster‑remediation franchise, who lack wills, trusts, buy‑sell agreements, and...
3 Ways I'm Teaching My Kids Healthy Investing Behaviors
Vanguard reports a 56% surge in custodial brokerage accounts between 2020 and 2025, reflecting growing teen interest in investing. The article outlines three steps parents can take—opening a custodial account, gifting investments, and teaching core principles—to instill disciplined, long‑term habits...
Beyond the 183-Day Rule: How to Protect Your Retirement Wealth After Moving to a Cheaper State
Retirees chasing lower income taxes are moving to states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. However, merely staying under the 183‑day threshold does not guarantee a break from high‑tax states such as California, New York, or Massachusetts. Tax authorities assess domicile by...
What Is Your Collection Worth? How to Value and Protect Your Assets
The article outlines how retirees and heirs can accurately value and protect personal collections, from vintage toothpick holders to rare coins. It recommends a six‑step process that includes curating, inventorying, legal planning, insurance, expert contacts, and potential donation. Real‑world examples...
Is Your Portfolio Missing This Key Ingredient?
Investors are increasingly questioning whether a portfolio limited to public equities captures the full spectrum of corporate growth. The number of U.S. public companies has halved since the 1990s as firms remain private longer, backed by deep pools of private...
Retirement Is an Endless Game (and That's Actually the Good News)
James Clear’s observation that life’s core activities are endless reframes retirement from a final destination to an ongoing game. The article argues that retirees often experience boredom and anxiety because they treat retirement as a finish line rather than a...
A Market Crash Isn't Your Greatest Retirement Risk: The Real Threat Lies Closer to Home
Many retirees fear market crashes, but the biggest threat is uncertainty about income, taxes, and health costs. The article argues that unclear cash flow, tax exposure, and lack of a coordinated strategy can erode portfolios faster than market dips. It...
4 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Return for Financial Planning
The article urges taxpayers to treat their tax return as a yearly financial‑planning audit, focusing on four key areas: deduction strategy, Roth conversions, retirement rollovers, and withholding outcomes. It outlines the 2025 and 2026 standard deduction amounts, new senior deductions,...
Ask the Editor, March 20: Questions on Tax Changes for 2026
The 2026 tax year introduces major changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Non‑itemizers can now claim up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) of charitable cash gifts, while itemizers must exceed a 0.5% of AGI threshold before deductions...
Jumbo CD vs High-Yield Savings: Which Is the Best Place to Store $100k?
A retiree looking to park $100,000 can choose between a high‑yield savings account (HYSA) offering 4.20% APY and full liquidity, or a jumbo certificate of deposit (CD) delivering 4.35% APY with a short‑term lock‑in. Both products are FDIC‑insured up to...
Claim the 'Founder' Title After 55: Launch a Business Without Jeopardizing Your Retirement
More older adults are adopting the “Founder” title on LinkedIn, with a 69% jump in 2025 and a 300% increase since 2022. Research shows a 60‑year‑old starting a business is three times more likely to succeed than a 30‑year‑old, and...
Dow Slides 768 Points on Inflation Fears: Stock Market Today
U.S. equities fell sharply on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve kept its policy rate unchanged but highlighted persistent inflation, sending the Dow Jones down 1.6% to 46,224. Elevated producer‑price index numbers—0.7% month‑over‑month and 3.4% year‑over‑year—exceeded expectations, reinforcing concerns about price...
Higher Oil Prices Can't Keep Stocks Down: Stock Market Today
U.S. equities opened higher Tuesday, with the Dow up 0.1%, the S&P 500 up 0.3% and the Nasdaq gaining 0.5% by the close. The rally was tempered by a 2.9% jump in front‑month WTI crude to $96.21, pushing monthly gains to...
Can AI Help You Find a Bigger Tax Refund? What the IRS Says About Amended Returns
Social media posts claim AI chatbots can boost tax refunds by spotting missed deductions after filing. While tools like ChatGPT or xAI’s Grok can clarify tax rules and flag potential issues, they cannot directly amend a return. To claim additional...
We're Retired on $8,000 a Month. My Wife's Plan to Donate 10% to Our Church Makes Me Feel Financially Unsafe.
Retired couple earning $8,000 monthly faces tension over a 10% tithe to their church. Financial experts recommend tax‑efficient routes such as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs and donor‑advised funds. They also suggest calculating donations as a percentage of net...
Are You a Woman Who's Playing It Too Safe? A Financial Empowerment Expert Explains Why That Can Really Hurt You
The article warns women over 45 that long‑standing financial conservatism can become a liability. It highlights how excessive cash holdings and outdated asset allocations erode purchasing power and limit growth. The concept of "opportunity risk" is introduced, showing that excessive...
Can You Afford Retirement in Greece? Say 'Yes' With 3 Tax Benefits
Retiring to Greece offers significant financial incentives for U.S. seniors, including a 7% flat tax on foreign‑sourced retirement income for the first 15 years and low property taxes under €400 annually. The country’s cost of living is roughly $2,500 per...
Claiming Social Security: 7 Tools and Rules for DIY Investors
Social Security is a core, inflation‑adjusted income source for DIY retirees, and the age at which benefits are claimed dramatically shapes lifetime payouts. Claiming at 62 yields roughly 70‑75% of the full benefit, while waiting until 70 boosts payments by...
Inherited Money or Property? What You Need to Know Before Filing Your Taxes
The article explains how different types of inheritances are taxed after the recent increase in the federal estate‑tax exemption to $15 million. It outlines that cash, life‑insurance proceeds, and most securities receive a stepped‑up basis, while annuities and non‑qualified retirement accounts...
65 or Older? These 5 Tax Breaks Could Lower Your Taxes This Year
Turning 65 unlocks several tax advantages that can materially lower a senior's federal liability. For 2025 returns, taxpayers 65+ receive an extra $2,000 standard deduction and a temporary senior bonus deduction of up to $6,000 per individual. Additional savings stem...
These 3 States Might End Property Taxes: What Homeowners Should Know
Rising home values—up 45‑55% since 2019—have intensified pressure on property‑tax systems in several states. Florida, Indiana and Texas are each considering measures that would largely eliminate local property taxes, replacing the lost revenue with higher sales taxes, new user fees,...
We're Retired with $1.5 Million, but My Wife Won’t Stop Shopping. Am I Being Cheap, or Are We Going Broke?
A 63‑year‑old retiree with a $1.5 million nest egg and a $60,000 annual withdrawal rate is concerned that his wife’s frequent shoe and perfume purchases are eroding their budget. The couple enjoys dining out and two vacations a year, but the...
You May Still Be Able to Defer Your 2025 Capital Gains
Recent Treasury regulations cement Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) incentives as a permanent tax deferral tool, allowing any capital gain—except ordinary income—to be postponed by reinvesting within 180 days. For direct sales, the clock starts at closing, while partnership and S‑corp...
How Alternative Assets Are Reshaping the IRA: The Rise of Self-Directed Retirement Investing
A recent survey of over 6,000 IRA Financial clients shows self‑directed IRAs are gaining traction as investors seek alternative assets alongside traditional stocks and ETFs. Real estate tops the list at 58.5%, while crypto, private equity and precious metals also...
Quiz: Do You Know Essential Estate Planning Terms?
The article presents a ten‑question quiz that tests readers on essential estate‑planning terminology, from codicils and conservators to generation‑skipping transfer tax. Each question includes the correct definition, helping users gauge their knowledge and identify gaps. The piece also links to...
Will a $1,000 Overtime Deduction Restore Your Take-Home Pay?
Alabama lawmakers are revisiting overtime taxation with House Bill 527, which would allow a $1,000 state income‑tax deduction for overtime wages from 2025‑2027. The proposal follows the 2022 repeal of a full overtime exemption that cost the state an estimated...