Do you remember those resolutions you made just a couple of months ago? It’s okay if you answered “no.” An estimated 80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions by February. If you’re one of the rare few who have been keeping up with yours until now, that’s very impressive. The majority break theirs within just a matter of days.
Over time, we have all become generally smarter about identifying and avoiding cyber threats. Unfortunately, scammers and hackers have become more creative with their deceptive techniques in response to society's increasing awareness of their activities. Therefore, it is important to still take cybersecurity issues seriously. You must diligently review communications and look for telltale signs of fraud. Keep reading to learn how to recognize these early on!
Year-end giving, or “Giving Season,” refers to the last two months of the year when the amount of incoming charitable donations dramatically increases. Overall, 31% of yearly charitable giving happens in December. Here are some other related facts you may not be aware of yet:
Topics: charitable giving
Do you have a hard time discussing finances? You’re not alone. This topic has historically been somewhat taboo and even though Gen Z has already significantly shifted societal conversations to be more open, for some reason many people of all generations still struggle to speak up about money.
Topics: investing, debt management, budgeting
There has been a lot of hype about self-driving cars. But when, realistically, can we expect to be driven to our destination by a vehicle that has no steering wheel, gas pedal, or seat specifically designated for a driver? In 2021, self-driving cabs hit the roads in select test cities. Companies like Waymo, Tesla, and Uber have been actively involved in autonomous taxi development, but this service is still not commonly available in most places.
There are all kinds of “rules for retirement” out there, but who’s setting them and why should you feel like you must follow them? A common piece of advice given to people on the verge of retirement is to downsize your home. While it’s true that this move can reduce your cost of living in several ways, that’s not the only factor to take into consideration. Here are some of the pros and cons of downsizing for retirement that you can use to inform your decision.
Topics: retirement
Bonds are commonly considered poor investments when rates are on the rise. But is that really a fair assessment? This blog will address misconceptions about bonds.
Topics: rate of return, investing
One pitfall of most investment accounts is that you must pay taxes any time you sell investments for a gain, or you receive dividend payments. Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs for short, are great options for those looking to defer taxes. They are primarily designed to help people without 401(k)s save for retirement, but they can also help you save on taxes.
Topics: retirement
A new vehicle can be one of the biggest financial expenses you face, which is why you must explore your options before you make your final decision. When you break it down, there are really only two routes you can take: buy or lease. So the question is, which option better suits your lifestyle?
Is It Mandatory to Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65?
When it comes to Medicare, one thing that many people agree on is that the enrollment process isn’t completely straightforward. Correct, helpful information is out there, but it’s often buried under jargon, lengthy articles, and conflicting sources. If you feel like your 65th birthday is approaching with gaining speed and you’re still confused about what exactly that entails, read this blog for answers to some of the most frequently asked Medicare questions.