As summer fades and fall approaches, it’s the perfect time to start planning for the holiday season. This guide walks through four simple, weekly steps to help you build a stress-free holiday budget, no financial overhaul required, just 30 minutes a week. Read more.
A few years ago, scam calls and emails were easy to spot — bad grammar, a robotic voice, an offer too good to be true. Not anymore. Today’s scammers have AI, and it’s changed the game entirely. Read more now.
Before you do anything fun this summer, from heading to the beach or lake to a family road trip to an extended vacation in an exotic locale, we bet you do a bit of planning. Read more.
Saving for the future matters, but so does what’s happening in your bank account right now. That’s why this month, we’re keeping things close to home: four simple, doable ways to free up money in your everyday budget. Nothing drastic, nothing overwhelming — just 30 minutes a week, one small shift at a time. Read more.
You just bought a house. Or refinanced. Or took out a home equity line. And a week later, a postcard shows up in your mailbox that looks official. It may even appear to reference your lender or loan servicer. It says something like “ACTION REQUIRED” or “Your loan servicing has changed.” It has your loan amount. Sometimes your closing date. It feels real, because it includes information that may be available from public records or other sources. Read more.
A 401(k) plan is a powerful tool for retirement savings, offering tax advantages and employer contributions. However, life’s financial demands may tempt you to consider withdrawing money from your 401(k) accounts. Hardship distributions may be available for certain immediate and significant financial needs, subject to your employer’s retirement plan provisions and applicable IRS rules. Please note that, according to the IRS, you are limited to a hardship distribution in the amount necessary to satisfy that financial need. Read more.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, but it becomes much easier when you break it into small, manageable steps. Whether retirement is decades away or getting closer, taking one focused action each week can help you build a stronger foundation for the future you want. Read more.
A new friend request. A message from someone who seems familiar. A party invitation. A professional-looking profile offering advice. A romantic connection that feels genuine. Read more.
A K-shaped economy can feel confusing because two things can be true at once: some households are moving ahead, while others are falling behind. In a K-shaped recovery, different parts of the economy move in opposite directions, often based on income, job stability, debt levels, savings, and access to assets like home equity or investments. Read more.