by Kari FaberStaff WriterIf you’re determined to have the lowest cost of living among every other human being in the United States, move to Mississippi.Seriously — it has the lowest cost of living overall, taking into account grocery, housing and transportation expenses.Dollar for dollar, your cash will probably go further in the Magnolia State than if you were to live in a major urban cluster like New York, California or
by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterMillions of Americans quit their jobs this year as the Great Resignation took hold of the U.S. labor market.But many of those workers didn’t really quit — they retired.The United State’s retiree population has grown by about 3 million since the pandemic, according to The Washington Post. That’s about double pre-pandemic retirement trends.Generous federal stimulus checks, strong stock market gains and rising home values prompted some
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterYou don’t have to be married to face some of the drama that comes with a messy divorce. Whether you have a roommate who’s been casually dropping hints that you should be looking for a new roommate or they’re downright spelling it out, the prospect of that person leaving can feel like you’re about to lose everything the two of you worked so hard to maintain. Even
by Robert BruceSenior WriterOne of the most significant workplace changes that came from the pandemic has been the economy-spanning shift to remote work away from the traditional office environment.Many companies that never offered it now have a remote work option. Some companies that were thinking about going partially remote pulled the trigger and have moved their workforce into working remotely full time.And unless you work in an industry that really
by Katherine Snow SmithContributorMaybe you were part of the Great Resignation of 2021 and you’re looking for a different job in 2022. You might be a parent ready to return to work after helping your kids with virtual schooling. Or you’re just ready to move on to something new.Whatever the reason, now is the time to polish your resume, think about your transferable skills and, yes, learn how to interview
by Steve GillmanContributorAre you worth more than you’re paid?If so, have you asked for a raise? The “Great Resignation” of 2021 — when an estimated 1 in 4 Americans quit a job — could work to your favor. Companies are being forced to offer higher wages and better benefits to attract and retain employees, according to an employer survey by the Society for Human Resource Management.If your company is doing relatively
Best for Helping Out a FriendChime Referral Bonus$100 Best for Socially Conscious ClientsAspiration Plus$200 Best for Basic CheckingChase Total Checking$225 Best for ATM Power UsersPNC Virtual WalletUp to $400 by Timothy MooreContributor So, you’re looking for a new bank account. You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly account fees, minimum balances, online bill payments and more. Another factor: sign-up promotions and bonuses. Banks and credit
The world wants you to be vanilla. It has a funny way of trying to make you conform, though. Nobody will come right out and say it. Instead, they’ll say things like:If you’re an IWT reader, you’re probably going to make some unconventional choices in your life. Maybe you’ll rent instead of buying. Maybe you’ll start a business. Maybe you’ll spend an extravagant amount on a personal trainer.As you build your
by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterAs it turns out, noticeably more people are scared for their children’s future these days.Yep. According to a survey by financial advice website WalletHub, roughly 13 million more Americans are scared about their children’s financial future compared to last year.Of course that makes sense, what with the COVID-19 pandemic and a rocky economy and all. Still, that statistic stuck with us. So if you find yourself worrying
by Quinten PlummerStaff WriterA low credit score can haunt you. Mundane tasks like renting a car or signing up for a new cell plan can put you on edge, knowing that your low credit score is always lurking right behind you.Getting a new credit card and making on-time payments is one of the best paths to a better score. But how do you get a credit card when your score
