Don’t Ignore This Student Loan Email
Student loan repayment plan changes are impacting millions after the end of the SAVE plan. Here’s what borrowers need to know to avoid higher payments or lost forgiveness.
Best States for Preparing Kids for College
Discover the best states for preparing kids for college with PlaygroundEquipment.com's recent study. Find out where your state ranks!
Stressed About Credit Card Debt? You're Not Alone
Stressed about credit card debt? US totals hit $1.14 trillion in 2024. State-by-state analysis and demographic trends reveal rising debt impact on consumers.
How Do You Build Credit?
Build credit with a credit card strategically by choosing the right card, using it responsibly, paying on time, monitoring your ratio, and avoiding new accounts. Start building your credit today with Finstream.
A Beginners Journey Into Financial Security
A Beginners Journey Into Financial Security
When Should Parents Plan for College?
When Should Parents Plan for College? In this excerpt from Level Up with Lee - The Ultimate Guide to the New FAFSA Changes:, Lee Baker interviews Peg Keough, Director of Education for College Aid Pro, about the complexities of college planning and the recent changes to the FAFSA process.
Navigating the New FAFSA: What You Need to Know
Navigating the New FAFSA - What You Need to Know: What Parents and Students Need to Know about FAFSA in 2024: In this episode of Level Up With Lee, Lee Baker interviews Peg Keough, Director of Education for College Aid Pro, about the complexities of college planning and the recent changes to the FAFSA process.
Save Big, Invest Smart: 7 Life Hacks to Grow Your Investment Capital
Tired of reading endless budget cuts for lattes? This article dives into practical, real-life strategies to save significant sums without sacrificing your lifestyle. Investment adviser Brian Regan, who successfully built his investment capital, shares 7 actionable tips that have worked for him.
Understanding the SAVE Program: Student Loan Repayment Options
Understanding the SAVE Program: Student Loan Repayment Options: In this episode of "Ask the Hammer," Jeffrey Levine, aka The Hammer, reviews the SAVE program, a new form of income-driven repayment (IDR) option for student loans. Jeffrey explains that the SAVE program is generally superior to existing IDR options for several reasons:
How to Save $1 Million for Retirement
n this episode of “Your World on Money”, Andini Makosinski explores the history of retirement and some of the best strategies you can use to secure your own. Initiating the process may seem daunting, but by understanding the nuances of investment vehicles such as 401(k) plans and IRAs, and harnessing the power of compound interest, the prospect of a comfortable retirement becomes achievable.
How to Open the Right Checking Account
"Adulting with Richard Sherman" guides on choosing the right checking account for your financial journey, providing essential insights for beginners.
Your World on Money-Credit
Your World on Money-Credit: Overwhelmed and anxious about money? Not anymore. Master money basics – from budgeting to investing, homeownership to retirement – in Your World on Money. In this episode, we discuss credit.
What is a Credit Score?
What is a Credit Score? Understanding credit scores and why it matters to understand them.
How to Beat Inflation and Save Money
When inflation is high, your money loses its purchasing power, meaning that you can buy less with the same amount of money.
Credit Card Debt
Credit Card Debt: Results of a study from Northwestern Mutual on personal debt.
Personal Budgeting
Personal Budgeting: Consider following these 6 steps to build your personal budget.
Student Loan Payments
Author Mark Kantrowitz joins student Jake Guldin to discuss how to prepare for the return of Student Loan Payments.
Addressing The Gender Savings Gap
A new study from Bank of America/Merrill Lynch finds that the gender savings gap persists, despite recent gains. The study, which was released in July 2023, found that the average 401(k) balance for women is $59,000, compared to $89,000 for men. This represents a gender savings gap of 30%. The study found that the gender savings gap is due to a number of factors, including: Income disparity: Women earn less than men on average. Caregiving responsibilities: Women are more likely to take on caregiving responsibilities for children and elders, which can limit their ability to save for retirement. Lack of financial knowledge: Women are less likely than men to have financial knowledge, which can make it harder for them to make sound financial decisions. The study's findings are concerning, as women are more likely than men to live longer in retirement. This means that women will need to save more for retirement in order to have a comfortable lifestyle. The study's authors called on employers, financial institutions, and policymakers to take steps to close the gender savings gap. These steps could include: Providing financial education and counseling to women: This could help women to understand their financial options and make sound financial decisions. Encouraging employers to offer paid family leave and flexible work arrangements: This could help women to balance their work and caregiving responsibilities. Changing the retirement savings landscape: This could include making it easier for women to contribute to retirement savings plans and increasing the amount of retirement savings that women can deduct from their taxes. The study's authors concluded that closing the gender savings gap is essential to ensuring that all Americans have a secure retirement.
Managing Personal Debt
Managing Personal Debt. Results of a study on debt by Northwestern Mutual. What strategies are you using to break free of personal debt?
Retiring From College Debt - Advice for Young Adults
Retiring From College Debt - Advice for Young Adults: Michelle Singletary encourages young adults to pay off student loans before saving for retirement.
Ask The Hammer - Strategies to eliminate credit card debt
Jeffrey Levine, CPA/PFS at Buckingham Wealth Partners - aka The Hammer - discusses strategies to eliminate credit card debt including the snowball method of paying off debt.
Where Is My Stimulus Check?
Jeffrey Levine, CPA/PFS from Buckingham Wealth Partners, AKA The Hammer, discusses the factors that determine the distribution of economic stimulus checks.
Understanding Inflation
Beau Kemp CFP, RMA of Sensible Money explains inflation, core inflation and excess inflation.
Survey on what’s impacting American savers
Nationwide Financial shares the results of their survey about how savers are responding to financial uncertainty.
Steps to Make Being a Stay-at-Home Parent Work
Amy Shepard, CFP, RMA with Sensible Money reviews the steps you need to make to be a stay-at-home parent.
Set Yourself Up for Financial Success
Kurt Wunderlich, CFA from Buckingham Strategic Wealth discusses 4 steps to set yourself up for financial success.
Saving for a Child’s Future
Amy Shepard CFP RMA with Sensible Money discusses how to save for your child's or grand child's future, including saving for college, savings accounts, 529 plans, UGMA's, UTMA's, etc.
PSLF Waiver and Student Loan Forgiveness
Mer Brown meets with Becca Craig to discuss the limited PSLF Waiver and Student Loan Forgiveness.
Old Fart, Young Money – Improving Credit Scores
Host of Instagram's Work.Retire.Die talks to Bob about Credit Scores
Managing Debt
Credit scores, good debt vs bad debt.
How Public Policy Changes Can Impact Savings
How maintaining an emergency fund and consulting with a tax professional can help protect you against public policy changes and other financial risks.
How Interest Rates Can Impact Your Savings
Carol Bogosian ASA, EA, MAAA retirement risk expert reviews how interest rates can impact your savings.
How Employee Benefits Influence Job Searches
Catherine Collinson from Aegon/Transamerica discusses findings from a study about how employee benefits influence job searches.
Helping Family With Unforeseen Financial Needs
Cindy Levering discusses how retired Americans should plan for the potential need to provide financial help for family members, according to a report published by the Society of Actuaries (SOA).
Getting Your Finances In Order
Bob Powell, CFP interviews Rob Williams, VP of financial Planning at Charles Schwab about financial planning in the new normal.
Four Tips for Eating Well and Saving Money on Groceries
Amy Shepard CFP with Sensible Money, reviews 4 tips for eating well and saving money on groceries including meal planning, online grocery ordering and how to buy in bulk.
Five Ideas for Your Tax Refund
Brad Wright, CFP from Launch Financial Planning presents 5 ideas for your tax refund.
FIRE – Financial Independence, Retire Early
The goal of F.I.R.E. - Financial Independence, Retire Early - is to save and invest very aggressively (around 50–75% of your income) so you can retire sometime in your 30s or 40s. Hear from someone who did it.
College Funding Options – Parent Plus Loans
Becca Craig, CFP with Buckingham Strategic Wealth discusses financial aid options for college funding including Parent Plus Loans.
Buying A Boat
Brad Wright, CFP talks about buying a boat.
Ask The Hammer – Advice On Buying Used Cars
Tips on auto loans and buying used vs. new cars from Jeffrey Levine, Buckingham Wealth Partners.
Adjusting your savings strategies
Turbulent markets require making adjustments to your financial planning goals. These experts discuss what you can do.
Retiring in Maryland: Maximize Your Savings with Tax Breaks
Maryland's tax-friendly policies can help you maximize your retirement savings and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle.
The 10 Best-Selling Electric Cars
Tesla dominated electric vehicle sales in 2024, but new contenders are gaining ground. Check out the full list of the most popular electric vehicles and what’s driving the shift.
Medical Debt No Longer Impacts Credit Scores
The rules ban credit agencies from including healthcare debts on consumers’ credit reports but will likely face challenges in the Trump Administration and in the courts.
Expert Wealth-Building Strategies for Black Americans
Lee Baker, Lazetta Rainey Braxton and Dr. Preston Cherry offer actionable advice to grow wealth, set financial boundaries, achieve financial fluency and more.
Top States for K-12 Education Revealed
A recent study highlights the best states for K-12 education. See where your state ranks.
5 Tips to Protect Medicaid From Congressional Budget Cuts
Here’s how to call your representatives in Washington. By keeping people healthier, Medicaid boosts enrollee outcomes and saves Medicare dollars, strengthening the program.
When to Buy a Used Car
The top 10 times of year to buy a used car.
The Longest-Lasting Affordable Cars
A good car at the right price can stretch your dollar and last for several years.
Congress is Eyeing Cuts to Medicaid. What’s Medicaid, Again?
Congress has announced federal budget proposals that could dramatically curtail Medicaid. Here's everything you need to know.
Digital Estate Planning Tools for Older Adults
Digital platforms can make it easier to organize documents, communicate with advisers and protect your legacy. Here's everything you need to know.
How to Measure the Value of Financial Advice
Dana Anspach explains how to quantify the value of financial planning using household balance sheets and other key metrics.
Is Your Social Security Data Safe?
Should you be concerned about the privacy of your Social Security data? The experts say, “Yes!”
Social Security Strengthens Identity Proofing Requirements and Expedites Direct Deposit Changes to One-Day
The updated measures will further safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraudulent activity.
Preparing a Retirement Budget With Beau Kemp
Preparing a retirement budget, explained.
Retirement Budgeting Tips
Creating a solid retirement income plan starts with budgeting. Follow these steps to set yourself up for a secure and fulfilling retirement.
Top 5 New Cars for Older Drivers
Based on accessibility, visibility, comfort, associated costs and safety. Here are the best new cars for older drivers, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Digital Pump and Dump: How Scammers Target Retirees on Social Media
Explore how cybercriminals steal financial advisers' identities to create convincing scams, and learn how investors can verify legitimacy and avoid these costly frauds.
The Top 5 Cars for Older Drivers
Based on accessibility, visibility, comfort, associated costs and safety. Did your car make the list?
Musk, DOGE Claim They’ll Stop Health Care Fraud in Medicare and Medicaid
But Trump’s been allowing the CMS scammers to walk free, according to this new KFF Health News investigation.
Estate Planning for Retirees: Avoiding Debt Traps and Ensuring Family Peace
Understand how unsettled debts impact your family's financial well-being, explore proactive estate planning strategies and learn to utilize digital tools to streamline debt management.
Maximize Your Physician Income: Smart Financial Strategies After Residency
Transition from residency to financial success with expert advice on job selection, debt management, investments and tax planning tailored for physicians.
Funding College: 529 Plans vs. Alternatives
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but what are your other options?
Your Guide to Retiring in Indiana
Tax benefits, low housing costs, recreational opportunities and more.
APR Explained: What You NEED to Know About Loans and Credit Cards
Understand the true cost of borrowing with APR for loans and credit cards. Make informed financial decisions. #APR #creditcards #loans
4 Ways to Boost Your Income
Haley Tolitsky, CFP with Cooke Capital, joins Hannah Sammut to discuss four effective ways to boost your income.
Budgeting Tips - How Much Do People Spend on Vices?
Discover how Americans spend on vices in a Bankrate survey, with key insights on common habits, demographic differences, and budgeting tips for financial wellness.
Tips for Building Wealth Early
Build wealth early with retirement planning tips from FinStream's Bob Powell. Diversify investments, plan for inflation, and more.
Weathering the Storm: Navigating Market Volatility in Retirement
Grab your umbrella. We're not going to let market volatility rain on your retirement. Explore data-driven investment strategies built to last through any storm.