Unless you are incredibly rich, it’s highly likely that your vacation property is smaller than your primary residence. Having a smaller vacation property is a rational choice given you don’t live there as long as you do your primary residence.…
MargJohnsonVA / Shutterstock.com Each year, Social Security benefits increase by an amount based on the rate of inflation over the previous year. That’s known as a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. But how exactly do recent COLAs compare with past increases?…
Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock.com Retiring comfortably doesn’t have to mean working forever. Some places come with a high price tag, and others offer low costs, great amenities, and a relaxed lifestyle—even on a modest nest egg. If you’re looking…
There are plenty of reasons people choose not to have kids, with the cost of raising them being a major one. Another big factor is the fear that children will disrupt an ideal FIRE lifestyle. Many envision a life of…
eddtoro / Shutterstock.com Winter can be brutal on your home and wallet, with rising heating costs, expensive travel, and unexpected weather-related repairs. But with the right strategies, you can stay warm without spending a fortune. From energy-saving tricks to smart…
Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com Taxes were on everyone’s mind during the election season, with 36% of voters rating them as “extremely important” and another 39% rating them “very important,” according to a Gallup poll. These concerns reflected far past the…
The Congressional Budget Office recently projected that Social Security could face a cash-flow crunch in 10 years. If no changes are made to the program’s funding structure, benefits would have to shrink…
Stella_E / Shutterstock.com Senior workers who continue to punch the clock after the age of 65 may have unlocked the secret to health and happiness. A recent National Poll on Healthy Aging report based on a survey of more than…
The September inflation report confirms it: Crazy high inflation looks to be on its way out. In August 2024, prices rose a modest 2.5% relative to the prior year, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics …
Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com The government plays a huge role in shaping financial policies, but not everything is under its control. Some financial safeguards, like FDIC insurance and private investments, are designed to be off-limits from political interference. But are…
