For the second year in a row, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, will be delayed. The FAFSA for the 2025–2026 school year will open on December 1 instead of the typical October 1 date. Last year, despite a redesigned FAFSA that was supposed to be easier to complete, […]
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Two Tax-Friendly Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed
As a business owner, you may devote most of your time, energy, and profits to running and growing your business. But working for yourself means that saving money for retirement is entirely up to you. This is not the only reason it may be worthwhile to divert a sizable portion of your earnings to one […]
Do You Know Your Medicare Coverage Options?
There are two ways to obtain Medicare coverage: (1) Original Medicare (Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance), often combined with a Medigap supplementary policy and a Part D prescription drug plan; and (2) Medicare Advantage (Part C), which replaces Original Medicare and often includes prescription drug coverage as well as features similar […]
If You Don’t Have a Will Yet, Why Not?
A will is a fundamental estate planning document. It outlines how you wish your property to be distributed, who should handle matters related to settling your estate, and who you want to care for your children after you pass, among other things. If you don’t yet have a will, you’re not alone. According to a […]
Treasury Yields Hit 17-Year High
As the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to combat inflation, yields on U.S. Treasury securities climbed to levels not seen since before the Great Recession (see chart). Considering how stubborn inflation has been, the Fed may move slowly in decreasing interest rates. So Treasury yields might remain relatively elevated for some time, even though they […]
What’s Your Real Return?
As an investor, you probably track the return on your investments. But it’s likely that you look at the nominal return, which is the percentage increase or decrease in the value of an investment over a given period of time, usually expressed as an annual return. To estimate actual income or growth potential in order to target […]
Can You Put the Brakes on Rising Auto Insurance Premiums?
When your auto insurance policy renews, chances are that your premium will be going up, possibly by a lot. Rates vary by state and location, but nationwide, premiums increased more than 20% between May 2023 and May 2024.1 Higher vehicle prices and repair costs (including parts and labor), more accidents, a rising number of fraud […]
Cancer Happens: Insurance Can Help Fortify Your Finances
Cancer diagnosis rates are on the rise, especially for younger people under age 55. Meanwhile, U.S. death rates from cancer fell by 33% between 1991 and 2021, largely due to early detection, effective treatments, and declines in smoking.1 Although it’s scary to consider the possibility of a cancer diagnosis, it might be helpful to prepare […]
Making the Most of Your Credit Card
A growing number of Americans are moving towards a “cashless” society. As a result, credit cards are being used more often than ever — especially by those with higher incomes.1 Credit cards are no longer viewed solely as a debt instrument for cash-strapped individuals. Instead, they are prized for a variety of benefits, such as […]
Do You Have Enough Life Insurance?
Your life insurance needs change as your life changes. When you are young, you may not have a need for life insurance. However, as you take on more responsibility and your family grows, your life insurance needs increase but then decrease after your children are grown. You should periodically review your life insurance coverage to […]