by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterLiving in a one-income household is like being a gymnast walking on a balance beam. You have absolutely no margin for error, and the slightest misstep can spell disaster. The tens of millions of jobs lost to the COVID-19 pandemic have left millions of families surviving as one-income households for the first time. That’s a really hard thing to do these days, especially if you’re not used
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI am 73 and have one son who is unmarried and lives in the same town. I also have five siblings. I am very close to my youngest sister who is on disability. I paid my home off two years ago, and I have some 401(k) savings. I am planning on leaving my home and all of my 401(k) and savings accounts
by Kathleen GarvinContributorAmericans and the word debt often seem like they go hand-in-hand. And for good reason.U.S. household debt hit an astonishing — and record-breaking — $14.6 trillion in 2021, according to Debt.org. Granted, this high total was partially influenced by the pandemic. And this figure is total debt, which includes non-loan amounts like money owed on credit cards.But, if used wisely, debt can be a tool. Contrary to the opinion of
by Catherine HilesContributorNo matter where you live, you are not immune from disasters. Floridians and Gulf Coast residents frequently deal with hurricanes, Californians with wildfires, Oklahomans with tornadoes and Minnesotans with blizzards.But one thing remains the same with all natural disasters: You need an emergency kit.Hopefully you keep sufficient batteries, bottled water and canned food in your home in case of emergencies. If not, it’s time to stock up.Sure, you
by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorLove and marriage don’t always last forever. But if your matrimony lasted 10 years or more, the financial benefits can last a lifetime. That’s because you may be able to take Social Security based on your ex-spouse’s benefits instead of your own, even if you divorced decades ago.The philosophy is that both spouses often contribute economically during the marriage, even if only one person was employed.
by The Penny Hoarder Staff Are you looking for a summer experience you won’t forget? You don’t have to break the bank for a good time. We’ve come up with 100 activities to help you make the most of your summer — and best of all, they’re free. Keeping in mind that COVID considerations will vary depending on your location or preference, our summer bucket list includes options that can
by Katherine Snow SmithContributor Trivia nights are becoming must-have entertainment at bars across the country, where a good host can make $50 to $250 a night depending on if they work for a company or themselves. The friendly competition is also a regular feature at many restaurants, craft brweries, private parties and churches. Google “trivia nights Atlanta” and more than 70 listings pop up. Search in a much smaller town
by Kiara TaylorContributor Many people today are worried about their finances and savings. Concerns about disruptive global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine further strengthen the desire to stay on top of our savings and budgets. Fortunately, consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to how they save their money. An often under-discussed option is the cash management account. Cash management accounts can be
by Quinten PlummerStaff Writer You love your RV. But chances are, you’re not using it every day of the year. In fact, there are more than 18 million RVs in the U.S, that sit idle for 350 days out of the year. Not only that, but RVs are often the second-most expensive purchase Americans make outside of their home.If you’ve got a road-ready RV sitting in storage or in your
by Timothy MooreContributorElectric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as gas prices skyrocket. In fact, automakers plan to pivot to largely electric lineups in the coming decade, in response to ongoing climate concerns.For more than a decade, brands like Nissan and Chevrolet have offered affordable electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Spark EV, but their gas-powered subcompact and compact counterparts were always more affordable.While that’s still true today —
