Author: Rebecca Lake

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How much income do couples need to survive & thrive in retirement?

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Being the main breadwinner in a couple usually increases the amount of income you’ll need for retirement, since you’re saving for two people instead of one. …

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Why you should always negociate, even if the salary offer is pretty good

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Salary negotiations can be one of the most stressful parts of the hiring process. You don’t want to offend your new employer but you don’t want …

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Do you have sound money values? Here’s how to tell

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Money values are a set of beliefs about money and how it’s meant to be used. Do you believe that money is meant to be spent …

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25 high-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree

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A four-year college degree is a minimum requirement for many jobs, and more education can translate to higher earnings. It’s possible, however, to find jobs that …

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457 vs 401(k): What’s the real difference?

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  Depending on where you work, you may be able to save for retirement in a 457 plan or a 401(k). While any employer can offer …

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Even if you can retire at 62, should you really do it?

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  Planning to retire at 62 is worth considering, but whether it’s a realistic goal depends on how much you’ve saved, your anticipated living expenses, and …

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15 high-income skills to learn in 2023

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Want to boost your earning power? High income skills can translate to a bigger paycheck since employers or clients may be willing to pay a premium …

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Will running Christmas lights take a not-so holly jolly bite out of your wallet?

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  For many families, the holiday season may not be complete without a festive lighting display. Whether you prefer to go full Griswold or stick with …

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Average net worth in every state

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The average net worth of Americans is $748,800, according to the Federal Reserve’s most recent Survey of Consumer Finances released in September 2020. Meanwhile the median …

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14 questions that will get your budget in shape for 2023

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Making a budget is often the first step in building a solid financial foundation. It helps you get better acquainted with how much money you earn, …

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10 signs you’re finally financially stable

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Am I financially stable? That’s an important question to ask if you’re wondering how your money management skills measure up. Financial stability can mean different things …

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Are you addicted to money and don’t even know it?

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When you think of addiction, you might automatically think of people who are dependent on drugs, alcohol, or food as a coping mechanism. But it’s also …

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This is how much you should have in your 401(k) by 30

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A 401(k) can be a great way to save for retirement on a pre-tax basis, while enjoying the added benefit of an employer match. But it …

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23 ways to make extra money from home

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If you’re interested in how to make extra income from home, today there are more opportunities than ever before. Some ways to earn extra income from …

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Should you be saving money or paying down debt?

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  Should I save or pay off debt?   It’s a tough financial choice. Prioritizing debt repayment can help you pay off what you owe faster, …

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Seniors, these 12 retirement mistakes could cost you big

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Part of planning for a secure future is knowing what retirement mistakes to avoid that could potentially cost you money. Some retirement planning mistakes are obvious; …

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5 moves you should make when choosing a financial advisor

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  Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal …

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Want to retire early? You need to know about this rule first

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The rule of 55 is a provision in the Internal Revenue Code that allows workers to withdraw money from their employer-sponsored retirement plan without a penalty …

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Inherited a 401(k)? Here’s how to minimize taxes

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  Inheriting a 401(k) can add a wrinkle to your financial plan from a tax perspective. Under 401(k) inheritance tax rules, any assets passed on from …

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The 10 worst IPO failures of all time

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An Initial Public Offering or IPO represents a company’s first foray into the world of publicly-traded stock. While an IPO can be highly anticipated by the …

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Can you retire at 55? Let’s run the numbers

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  Can I retire at 55? It’s a question you might be asking yourself if you’re hoping to make an early exit from the workforce. While normal …

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What are lifestyle funds & should you be investing in them?

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Lifestyle funds are investment funds that base their asset allocation on someone’s age, risk tolerance, and investing goals. Individuals who want to grow wealth over the …

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Want to know how the economy’s doing? Pay attention to these 9 things

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An economic indicator is a statistic or piece of data that offers insight into an economy. Analysts use economic indicators to gauge where an economic system …

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Here’s why your credit risk should matter to you

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Credit risk measures the likelihood of incurring a loss if one party to a financial transaction fails to follow through on their obligations. Credit risk often …

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Tax loss carryforward: What is it and how does it work?

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  A tax loss carryforward is a special tax rule that allows capital losses to be carried over from one year to another. In other words, …

Money

Cyclical vs. non-cyclical stocks: What you need to know

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Cyclical investing means understanding how various stock sectors react to economic changes. A cyclical stock is one that’s closely correlated to what’s happening with the economy …

Money

Is inflation a good or bad thing for consumers?

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Inflation is an economic trend in which prices for goods and services rise over time. The Federal Reserve uses different price indexes, including the Consumer Price …

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What are 401(k) catch-up contributions?

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  Retirement savers age 50 and older get to put extra tax-advantaged money into their 401(k) accounts than the standard annual contribution limits. Those additional savings …

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Building wealth in your 30s

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  While you may have established your career once you reach your 30s, it’s still not that easy to build wealth. Suddenly, you’ve often got a host …

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Income-contingent repayment plan explained

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Income-contingent payment (ICR) plans are one kind and can help make federal student loan payments more affordable. The income-contingent repayment plan allows you to extend your …