Getty | Westend61 Everyone has to save for retirement. If you have a job with a company that offers retirement savings, you are in luck. You sign up (or you might be enrolled automatically) and then contribute through your paycheck. You don’t have to do a thing. But when you’re an independent entrepreneur, you have
Personal finance
Aimstock | Getty Images It’s the gift that everybody wants: the ability to get a do-over when you make a mistake. In golf, it’s called a mulligan, or the chance to redo a stroke. With Social Security, it’s called a withdrawal of application. However, the circumstances under which you can exercise this option are limited.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (R) participate in the Democratic presidential primary debate at Drake University on January 14, 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott Olson | Getty Images Social Security policy has already prompted some presidential contenders to resort to fighting words. But for many
A pedestrian wears a face mask while pushing a stroller past the Tiffany & Co. luxury goods store at Times Square in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Bloomberg Here’s a comforting fact as the market grapples with the coronavirus: Your 401(k) plan is pretty resilient. The alarming
Low-angle view of the facade of Tesla Motors dealership with logo and sign in Pleasanton, California, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) Smith Collection/Gado This week’s mania around Tesla stock, which saw the share price of the automaker and sustainable energy company hit its biggest one-day gain in six years, likely has some
Sirinarth Mekvorawuth / EyeEm LendEDU, a website that compares loans, credit cards and insurance for consumers, engaged in a pay-to-play scheme that saw the online marketplace accept money from financial firms in exchange for higher ratings and post fake customer reviews, according to the Federal Trade Commission. LendEDU and three company officers deceived the public
Young female barista has a disappointed expression on her face as she counts her tips at the end of the day. Steve Debenport | E+ | Getty Images When it comes to tipping, most Americans believe they are better than average. But some may be overestimating just how generous they are. A new survey from
Research shows that kids who learn to manage money when they’re young will be able to better handle their finances as adults. Yet, up until recently, only 17 states required high school students to take a class in personal finance. Now, a new report from the Council for Economic Education found that the number of
Thomas Barwick Health savings accounts can be a great tool for retirement medical costs — if you don’t make any mistakes using them. These accounts work alongside high-deductible health plans and they offer three major tax benefits. First, you can make pretax or tax-deductible contributions to your HSA. Second, your funds will grow tax free
These days college affordability is a huge concern, and as a result, more students and their families are wary of applying to pricey private schools. That is a mistake. Yes, annual tuition and fees plus room and board at four-year, private universities is much higher — $49,870, on average — compared to public institutions —
Rob Daly | OJO Images | Getty Images The last decade has seen a surge in the number of gig workers, indicating broad economic and demographic shifts and raising concerns around long-term financial security for a growing share of the workforce, according to some experts. “We’re just going to keep seeing more of it,” Kerry
Bloom Productions Lawmakers recently upended a tax strategy for wealthy Americans who want their loved ones to inherit sizable retirement accounts. Luckily, taxpayers have a workaround at their disposal that could help accomplish their goal. “Your trust won’t work anymore the way you thought it did,” said Ed Slott, CPA and founder of Ed Slott
Foreign travelers wearing masks walk past a departures information board at Beijing International Airport in Beijing, China as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, February 1, 2020. Jason Lee | Reuters When the market makes big moves, you might be tempted to make big decisions. However, having a one-size-fits-all approach
The Burj Khalifa looms over Dubai, United Arab Emirates. owngarden Back in early 2012, I bounded up to the ticket booth at the then-new, 2,722-foot Burj Khalifa in Dubai, hoping to snag a last-minute elevator ride to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper. Taking a seven-hour tourist detour from a business stay in neighboring
Cassidy Claire Risien, 34, is a resident at the Haven co-living community in Venice, California. Source: Kalen Hayman Cassidy Claire Risien, 34, is an actor and artist living in Los Angeles but, even with her day job as a spin instructor, her budget is tight. Despite that, she lives in a newly renovated townhouse in
Photographer is my life. Americans may soon be able to withdraw cash from ATMs around the country using only their phones. While there are several clear benefits, especially for those without a bank account or debit card, there may also be security risks, according to some experts. Mastercard and a technology partner, Pin4, have been
Christopher Futcher | Getty Images Nearly 100 million people will watch the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. What they watch it on is nearly as important as who wins. However, there are only a few days left to score a deal on a new TV to
Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain. Ihor_Tailwind | iStock | Getty Images When Petra Ahmann decided to uproot her life in New York and move to Barcelona, she was motivated by the same reason as many other expatriates. She fell in love with the city. “I felt like I could live here,” Ahmann said. An initial trip
Jackie Beck says a vision board helped her realize a dream trip to Africa. Source: Jackie Beck Here’s a great way to save money when what you really want to do is enjoy the moment. Just close your eyes. Now think of something you really want: a trip to Europe, college for your kids, a
If your weekend plans include dropping a bet on the Super Bowl, don’t forget that Uncle Sam wants a piece of anything you win. Americans are expected to wager about $6.8 billion on Sunday night’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Miami. And no matter where you place your bet