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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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Investing can be daunting, whether you are experienced or a beginner. Even if you feel confident about your investing strategy, it can be easy to lose focus or make decisions based on emotion. Here are eight quotes from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers that may help provide perspective and focus for your own […]

If you earn money through a payment app or online marketplace, you may be affected by a tax reporting change enacted by the 2021 American Rescue Plan. The law requires third-party settlement organizations to report business transactions totaling over $600 per year by issuing a Form 1099-K to the taxpayer and the IRS. The previous […]

Did you know that if you postpone claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, you have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when you finally apply? Receiving retroactive benefits in a lump sum might be helpful if you face a change in health or need cash […]

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provided homeowners who sell their principal residence an exclusion from capital gains taxes of $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers. At that time, the average price of a new home was about $145,000, so this exclusion seemed generous and allowed more Americans to move freely from […]

The SECURE Act of 2019 dramatically changed the rules governing how IRA and retirement plan assets are distributed to beneficiaries. The new rules, which took effect for account owner deaths occurring in 2020 or later, are an alphabet soup of complicated requirements that could result in big tax bills for many beneficiaries. RMDs and RBDs […]