Before retirement, you probably had the chance to increase your income, such as by earning promotions or changing jobs. But during retirement, it’s more common to live on a fixed monthly income determined by your savings. This can force a different approach to your personal finances and perhaps even to your lifestyle. Follow the tips below to help...
How to Live on a Fixed Income in Retirement
Topics: Retirement, Financial Education
College vs. Trade School
Continuing your education after graduating from high school is a serious, personal, and complicated decision. You might automatically think college is the way to go, but then you calculate the time and money a college education requires and your sure thing doesn’t seem so sure. Trade or vocational schools offer certification and training in a...
Topics: Financial Education, Family
Benefits of Investing
You work hard for your money — now it’s time to make your money work for you. When you invest, you have the chance to build wealth and diversify your streams of income. Here’s a look at what investing can do for you:
Topics: Financial Education
What Is a Certificate of Deposit Account?
In the world of investments, certificates of deposit (CDs) occupy a middle ground. They provide you with a guaranteed interest rate in return for keeping a specific amount of money in an account for a set period of time. CD accounts typically offer better interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and are a less volatile option than stocks...
Topics: Financial Education
Teaching Your Kids the Basics of Finances
Learning how to handle, where to invest, and what not to do with money are skills everyone needs to be successful in life. The earlier kids are introduced to smart money-management practices, the better prepared they’ll be to handle their finances when they leave the nest. Teaching your kids how to protect their money is a lesson with unlimited...
Topics: Financial Education, Family
Tax Breaks You Might Have Overlooked
Every year, American citizens perform their civic duty by writing a check for their taxes. While the process of filing taxes can be a challenge, the real stress comes when you find out how much of your hard-earned money needs to be sent to Uncle Sam. Before you finalize your next round of taxes, be sure to keep these easily overlooked tax breaks...
Topics: Financial Education
Tax Differences Between Corporations and LLCs
You want to ensure you set your business up properly from the start. Choosing the right entity can be one of the most important decisions you make. Corporations and limited liability companies have many differences worth weighing, including how the money earned is taxed. Paying taxes on profits is part of running a business, but how much you pay...
Topics: Small Business, Financial Education
When to Hire a Financial Planner
No matter where you are in life, handling your personal finances can be a complicated and overwhelming task. One way to get the advice and assistance you need is to consult with a financial planner. These professionals are trained and certified to give you expert advice on how to make the most of your money. If you’re not sure whether seeking out...
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Writing Your First Will: What You Should Know
Writing a will may seem simple — just say who should get your property when you die — but there are several less obvious elements to it that are just as important. Though you may not be inclined to think about your mortality, taking the time to prepare a well-written will is key to ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible for your loved...
Topics: Financial Education
What is the FAFSA?
If one or more of your children is getting ready to start looking at colleges, there are a ton of things to think about. Since educationdata.org states the average yearly cost of attendance at a public institution is more than $25,000, one of them is probably trying to figure out how to pay for it. That’s where the FAFSA, or Free Application for...
Topics: Financial Education, Family
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