How to Protect 529 College Savings in Case of Divorce or Death
Many 529 college savings accounts lack a designated successor and are owned by a single individual, creating complications in divorce and upon the owner’s death. About a quarter of accounts have no successor, which can trigger probate and delay tuition payments. Experts advise couples to address 529 ownership in settlement agreements and to name and periodically update a successor to safeguard the funds. Proactive steps can prevent costly legal battles and ensure the intended beneficiary receives the education money.
Student Loan Repayments Are Being Overhauled. What Borrowers Should Know.
Starting July 1, the Trump administration will dismantle the SAVE income‑driven repayment plan, forcing roughly seven million federal student‑loan borrowers to choose a new repayment option. Servicers will issue notices with deadlines, and a new Revised Pay As You Earn (RAP) plan...
Want to Move 529 Account Money to a Roth IRA? There’s a Hitch.
A 2024 law lets savers move up to $35,000 from a 529 college‑savings plan into a Roth IRA after the account has been open for 15 years. The statute’s language refers to a “qualified tuition program of a designated beneficiary,”...
Utility Bills Are Likely to Be Higher This Summer. Here’s What You Can Do.
The National Energy Assistance Directors Association forecasts an 8.5% rise in average U.S. electricity bills this summer, reaching $778 for the June‑September period. Southern states face steeper hikes, with Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas projected at $860 (13.5% increase) and...
The World’s Central Banks Are Wrestling With a Gigantic Problem
The Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Bank of England and European Central Bank all chose to keep short‑term interest rates unchanged this week. Policymakers cite surging inflation, slowing growth and heightened uncertainty from the Iran‑driven energy shock. In Washington, the...
A Longer Life Can Lead to Financial Concerns, and More Questions
The New York Times highlights how longer lifespans are intensifying worries about outliving retirement savings. Through the story of occupational therapist Cathy Schuh, the piece shows how seniors are rethinking work, health, and estate plans as they watch parents thrive into their...
For Many Pro Athletes, Post-Career Financial Worries Loom Large
Professional tennis player Mackenzie McDonald, 31, has earned over $7 million in prize money but faces mounting financial pressure after his ranking fell from a career‑high No. 37 to No. 125. In 2025 he collected $710,040 despite a modest win‑loss record and early...
Trump Wants Private Equity and Crypto Accessible in 401(k)s. There Are Risks.
The Trump administration's Labor Department has proposed new rules that would make it easier for private equity, private credit, and crypto assets to be included in employer‑sponsored 401(k) plans. Proponents argue the $14.2 trillion retirement pool is overly concentrated in about...
Delta, WestJet and Other Airlines Announce Higher Baggage Fees and Fuel Surcharges
Delta Air Lines announced a $10 increase to its U.S. domestic checked‑bag fee, joining United and JetBlue, which raised fees last week. In Canada, WestJet will add fuel surcharges up to CAD 60, following Air Canada’s $50 surcharge and Porter’s $40...
Tucson: A City for Outdoor Lovers
The Frugal Traveler’s piece highlights Tucson’s unique geography, where the Santa Catalina Mountains rise from desert floor to alpine peaks, allowing visitors to transition from saguaro‑studded deserts to pine forests within an hour. The city’s 350‑plus sunny days support a...
What the Iran War Could Mean for Stocks, Bonds and Growth
The ongoing Iran‑Gulf conflict is already weighing on global markets, with oil supply disruptions driving higher energy prices. Investor sentiment swings between brief equity rallies sparked by President Trump’s optimistic remarks and swift pullbacks as fighting persists. Analysts warn that...
The Oil Shocks of the ’70s Changed the World. Will the Iran War Do the Same?
The 1973‑74 Arab oil embargo and the 1978‑79 Iranian revolution caused oil prices to quadruple, triggering severe gasoline shortages and reshaping global financial markets. Those shocks redirected capital flows and solidified the U.S. dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency....
They Want to Stop Paying Taxes as a Protest. There Are Consequences.
A growing cohort of Americans is openly questioning whether they can refuse to pay federal income taxes as a form of moral protest against policies such as immigration detention and foreign wars. While conscientious objection is recognized for military service,...
You’ve Lost Your Health Insurance. It Shouldn’t Have Been a Surprise.
Tammy Alexander, a retired veteran services worker, discovered her federal health insurance had been terminated without any prior notice. The lapse occurred after a policy change that should have provided individual coverage for each spouse. No emails, texts, calls, or...
It’s Good to Be a Billionaire, Even at Tax Time
The article highlights how U.S. billionaires legally sidestep income and payroll taxes, often paying little or nothing despite massive fortunes. It cites Boston College tax expert Ray Madoff, who likens the ultra‑wealthy to a modern aristocracy protected by loopholes. The...