Personal finance

Daniel Grizelj The stock market surged in 2019, closing out the end of the decade by posting its best annual gain in six years. But investors hypnotized by the prospect of big profits should temper any knee-jerk reaction to load up on stocks as the new year gets under way. Charlie Fitzgerald, a financial advisor

Rolf Bruderer Living in another country is a save-your-retirement move that few people consider. For Edd and Cynthia Staton, it was a lifesaver. During the 2008-2009 financial crisis, they took a hard look at what retirement might look like if they remained in the U.S. Staying would have meant severe belt-tightening. After some research and

For those considering a career change, the year ahead looks particularly promising. With the unemployment rate at a 50-year low and U.S. companies adding many more jobs than expected, 2020 could be the year to land a new job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But not just any job will do. Job seekers

Rawpixel | Getty Images Rawpixel | Getty Images 1. Create a budget Not having a budget is probably what got you here in the first place. Keeping track of how much you bring in versus how much you spend is vital to prevent future budget busts. Some experts recommend looking at three to six months’

Many Americans hold multiple retirement accounts — and there are many reasons why they should consider combining those nest eggs instead of letting them gather dust. Around 25 million Americans left behind money in a 401(k) account when separating from an old job, according to the Government Accountability Office, which analyzed 10 years’ worth of

A sign displayed on Bruckner Building reads ‘Commercial Space Available’ in the Port Morris neighborhood of the Bronx borough of New York. For a limited time, investors who develop real estate or fund businesses in opportunity zones are able to defer capital gains on profits earned elsewhere and completely eliminate them on new investments in

Getty Images It’s never too early to resolve to save more for retirement and trim your tax bill. The IRS has made inflation adjustments to a range of key figures, from the amount you can put in a 401(k) retirement plan at work to the individual income tax brackets that help you determine your tax

Activists participate in a rally urging the expansion of Social Security benefits in front of the White House July 13, 2015. Getty Images Raising the retirement age is an emotional issue. For evidence, just look at proposals to move up the full retirement age for Social Security. Even the idea upsets advocates who want to

Hero Images | Getty Images When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, it will not only usher in a new decade. It will also bring in a host of retirement changes. And that could have big implications for your money. The good news is that you will be able to save even more in

The maze that is Medicare includes some higher costs for 2020 that beneficiaries might want to factor into their health-care budgets. For the program’s 61 million beneficiaries — most of whom are 65 or older — certain costs are adjusted by the government from year to year and can affect premiums, deductibles and other cost-sharing

This year has been one of superlatives: The longest bull market in history. Historically low unemployment. S&P 500 returns approaching 30%. Millions of Americans had a great financial year. If you’d like 2020 to be another of positive financial steps, don’t just rely on the economy and luck. Instead, craft realistic resolutions that can help

For some couples, this winter holiday will be unforgettable. December is the most popular time to pop the question and, for the recently engaged, 2020 will be the very beginning of a new life. However, weddings are expensive, and merging personal finances can get complicated. The average American wedding costs nearly $39,000, and more young

U.S. President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Health Care for America Act during a ceremony with fellow Democrats in the East Room of the White House March 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee | Getty Images Recently, a federal court decided the central provision of the Affordable Care Act requiring all Americans to be

Chances are, making better money choices is one of your goals for 2020. Almost 99 million people will make a financial resolution this year, according to a recent survey from personal finance website WalletHub. For many, there are two burdens they want to eliminate in 2020: low savings and high debt. Putting aside more money

Monthly student loan payments can dictate when people have children and how much they’ll retire with. Pat Greenhouse | Boston Globe | Getty Images Student loans have become a defining feature of American life. It was 10 years ago that education debt eclipsed credit card debt. The next year, in 2011, it exceeded auto debt.

Nakhorn Yuangkratoke / EyeEm | EyeEm | Getty Images Don’t underestimate that $20 bill your child got in a holiday card this year. Put to use, it can teach them a lot. The start of the new year – and this round, new decade – is a good time to teach your kids about the

SDI Productions Student loan borrowers who want to repay the balance owed with their 529 college savings plan should think twice. President Donald Trump signed the Secure Act into law last week. It will take effect on Jan. 1. In addition to changing the way you save for retirement, the legislation also allows you to

Jason York | Getty Images It may be a better time than ever to save in a Roth retirement account. A Roth 401(k) plan or Roth individual retirement account allows savers to stash away money after it’s been taxed, meaning Uncle Sam won’t take a bite when retirees withdraw their funds later. Contributions to a

Paul Bradbury | Getty Images No debt is your goal for the new year. It’s a perennially popular resolution, says Lauren Anastasio, a certified financial planner at New York-based personal finance company SoFi. When people are coming off the holidays and holiday spending, they often have larger credit card bills coming due. “It tends to

Dan Herron, CPA, at the New York City Marathon in 2013 Dan Herron, CPA Dan Herron, CPA, didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news, yet there he was explaining to a couple why they owed the federal government approximately $10,000 in taxes on their 2018 return. “They were used to paying around $1,100,”