Personal Finance

While there’s no universal formula for 401(k) contributions, several key strategies can help clients optimize their retirement savings. The appropriate contribution level depends on various factors, including planned retirement age, expected expenses, desired lifestyle, and additional income...

You'd think being the child of one of the richest men in the world might come with some lavish perks, but Warren Buffett's kids had a much more down-to-earth upbringing. In fact, according to his son Howard, they grew up thinking they were just like everyone else.  Back in 2006, Howard Buffett...

Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first exclusive Fox News interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, set the stage for a battle over the economy against Donald Trump.  During her sit-down with “Special Report” host Bret Baier, Harris wasted no time...

Shaquille O'Neal is known for his dominance on the basketball court, his larger-than-life personality and his knack for making headlines. But early in his career, Shaq was making waves for a different reason – his ability to blow through cash at an alarming rate. Shaq once spent $1 million in just...

It's surprising how many people earning more than most Americans still feel like they're barely getting by.  According to a Bloomberg report, even those making over $175,000 a year – which puts them in the top 10% of U.S. earners – often don't see themselves as "rich." A quarter of those...

When it comes to money, it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep. The less you spend on things you want, the more you have for things you need. And if you save enough, you can accelerate the wealth-building process by putting your savings to work for you...

It's no secret that Gen Z and millennials are feeling the financial pinch, but let's be real – their parents aren't exactly living in the lap of luxury.  According to a recent Bankrate survey, nearly 70% of parents are helping their adult kids financially. Parents are delaying retirement,...

Financial expert Dave Ramsey does not sugarcoat things – he's very direct about America’s clutter problem.  For instance, he recently pointed out that many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, weighed down not just by their financial obligations but by piles of unnecessary possessions...

The U.S. retirement system recently received a C+ grade in the 2024 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index – the second year in a row it has earned this score. The index ranks the U.S. 29th out of 46 countries.  The index describes the retirement systems that receive this score as systems...

Have you ever wondered how much money it really takes to be among the top 5% of earners in the U.S.? It's a question many people ask, especially as income levels seem to grow further apart.  So, what does it take to rank among the highest earners? The exact amount depends on where you live,...

What's your version of the American Dream? A cozy home, a secure retirement, family vacations, maybe a couple of kids and a dog? It's a classic vision, but if you're aiming for the traditional American Dream today, get ready for some serious sticker shock: it will cost you around $4.4 million,...

In a recent episode of the Women & Money podcast, a listener named PBS asked Suze Orman a question many people face later in life: should she consider getting a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot with her partner?  PBS is a single mother with two adult children, ages 24 and 18, who...

Dave Ramsey, the renowned financial advisor and radio host, has made headlines with his surprising endorsement for the 2024 U.S. Presidential race. Ramsey, known for his straightforward advice on personal finance and money management, announced that he is supporting former President Donald Trump...

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a government watchdog agency, issued a $89 million fine against Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) due to “service breakdowns and misrepresentations” that impacted Apple Card users. The agency claims these missteps...

In America, the idea of being "rich" is often a topic of conversation and everyone seems to have an opinion. But how close are Americans' perceptions of wealth to reality? The answer depends on where you live and how you define financial independence. Let's unpack what people think "rich" means...