Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI was married 22 years. The marriage ended in 2002. When my ex-wife retires, will I be able to collect half of her Social Security? If so, how do I go about that? I am 61; she is 62 now.Also, would she be able to come after half of my Social Security? How can I prevent the latter? (I earned less
by Tiffany ConnorsEditor/WriterIf you’re a woman and have been worried about finances lately, you’re not alone.More than 60% of working women said they had to make changes due to a financial strain related to the pandemic, according to a 2021 survey by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.Combine that with the fact that women are more likely to take time out of the workforce to shoulder caregiver responsibilities — plus that
by Cassidy Alexander Gold prices have been hovering around $2,000 per ounce after almost hitting the record high in early March and are expected to stay robust through much of 2022.Which means this is a good time to sell your gold jewelry if you’re looking for some extra cash. That tangle of chains in the back of the jewelry box or the heavy gold earrings you never wear could be
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior Writer Estate planning has long provided mechanisms for passing on bank accounts and retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s. In most cases, the owner designates a beneficiary, which provides for a smooth transfer of assets after the owner’s death. But what about newer digital assets, like money in your Robinhood portfolio? Or the balance of your account in PayPal? And what about your cryptocurrency —
by Kari FaberStaff WriterBills, bills, bills. They never seem to end, do they? They take more and more out of your account each month before you even realize it.You can’t escape them entirely (wouldn’t that be great?), but you can stop them from being so darn painful every month. All it takes is ending your loyalty to a few companies you currently use for bills and fees that come every
by Tiffani ShermanContributorWant to invest in real estate but don’t have the money to buy a property or have no desire to be a landlord? There is a way and it’s called REIT investments.Investing in a REIT, or a real estate investment trust is a way to own parts of a property without the traditional tasks of maintenance, taking rents or finding tenants.A REIT involves buying shares of a fund
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorIf you’re hoping that 2022 will bring another round of stimulus checks, you’ll almost certainly be disappointed. The economy is booming. Inflation is soaring. That means Congress isn’t exactly itching to dole out more free money.But you may still have stimulus cash coming for you when you file your 2021 tax return. Here’s why: The $1,400 stimulus checks that went out in spring 2021 were an
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterDo you have an FSA? An HSA? Is it possible you mix up the two? If so, you’re not alone. Lots of people confuse these accounts.Both a flexible spending account (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA) are used to help you set aside funds for medical expenses and save money on taxes.They share a few similarities, but it’s important to understand their key differences if
by Jamie Cattanach, Sarah Li-CainThey say it because it’s true: The only certain things in life are death and taxes.While we’re still working on the whole immortality thing, we have found some ways to reduce that pesky bill from Uncle Sam each April after filing a tax return.Don’t worry, we’re not talking about tax evasion, but there are some totally legit ways to keep more of your hard-earned dollars in
by Kari FaberStaff WriterWho couldn’t use some extra income these days? The thing is, more money almost always means more work. And you’re busy enough as it is. That’s why passive income is so great. But without a rental property or some massive investment, chances to earn passive income are pretty hard to come by.But if you live in California, it couldn’t be easier. A company called OhmConnect pays Californians
