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by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterMillions of people use 401(k) accounts to save for retirement each year.These tax-advantaged savings accounts invest your money in long-term mutual funds, stocks, bonds and other securities to grow your nest egg over time.But there’s a catch: You can only open a 401(k) at work — and not all employers offer them.In 2020, about 33% of private industry workers didn’t have access to any employer-sponsored retirement

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterWith rising rents and housing costs, people all over the United States are being priced out of the cities they once called home.In 2021, rents jumped up by 20 to 30% in cities ranging from Phoenix to Boise to Tampa, and more rent hikes are coming in 2022. Home prices have been rising at a record pace, too.It’s not just the notoriously expensive cities like New York

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterWouldn’t it be great to be the first millionaire in your family? Think of the bragging rights!None of your relatives would ever be able to question your judgment again. You could brush them off by asking, “I’m sorry, are YOU a millionaire?”Also, as a millionaire, you’d be able to help the rest of your family, if you’re into that sort of thing.Ah, but how to make your

by Adam HardyContributorAnytime a letter bearing the seal of the Social Security Administration arrives, James feels afraid to open it.A 34-year-old with cerebral palsy, he depends on Social Security disability benefits for the majority of his income. The benefits cover his rent and bills each month. But it’s not enough to live on, so he supplements it with side gigs like DoorDash, Instacart and other delivery apps.It’s a difficult, frustrating

by Mike BrassfieldSenior WriterPrices in 2021 rose at the fastest pace in nearly 40 years, and inflation looks like it’s going to be Americans’ biggest economic challenge in 2022. Consumer demand, supply chain problems and the spread of the Omicron variant threaten to keep prices rising sharply this year.A lot of us are feeling the effects at the grocery store, but there are things you can do to save money

by Kari FaberStaff Writer The only constant in our world is change, right? And the financial world is no exception. No, we’re not talking about a shake-up on the executive floor of the JP Morgan building in Manhattan — but there are day-to-day changes that you might not even notice happening. And those are the ones you’ve got to watch out for. We spoke to one of our own in-house