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by Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorYou’ve probably heard that holiday shopping will be a nightmare even the Grinch himself couldn’t dream up. Supply-chain troubles, shipping bottlenecks, and worker shortages will make it harder to find big-ticket items.Meanwhile, demand is up. Holiday shoppers expect to spend $785 on average this season, more than they planned on in both 2019 and 2020, according to market research company The NPD Group Inc.If you haven’t

by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterMarijuana is big business.The once-shadowy industry has transformed into a highly commercialized and profitable sector, spanning biotech and research companies as well as marijuana growers and consumer retailers.By 2028, the global legal marijuana market is expected to reach $70.6 billion, according to a May 2021 report by Grand View Research.Buying into a burgeoning industry poised for moonshot growth is enough to make any investor’s mouth water.But

by Nicole DowSenior WriterIf you’ve noticed yourself spending more at the grocery store or to fill up your gas tank lately, chances are it’s not because you’re purchasing more food or doing a lot of extra driving.Consumer prices were up 6.2% in October compared to the year prior.If you’re looking to stabilize your rising costs, you’re going to have to think a bit differently about the way you shop. Here

by Rachel Christian, CEPF®Senior WriterForget high-yield savings accounts and CDs. If you want a nearly risk-free way to grow your cash, Uncle Sam has an attractive offer.The U.S. government announced a new 7.12% interest rate for Series I savings bonds from November 2021 through April 2022 — the second highest interest rate ever for these investments.That’s big news because Series I bonds— also known as inflation bonds or I bonds

by Quinten Plummer You knew the experience from that internship or entry-level job would pay off someday, but did you ever think it could hurt you, as well?If you do anything long enough, it’ll become a habit. And those thrifty tricks we used to weather the rough stretches of road and everyday struggles can linger like rain clouds on the horizon, occasionally dampening the progress we make toward financial stability.The

by Kent McDill Quick Navigation 4 Options for Health Insurance for Early Retirees Don’t Retire Completely Private Health Insurance Coverage COBRA Coverage The Affordable Care Act Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance for Retirees? Can You Get Medicaid if You Retire at 62? What Is the Full Retirement Age According to Social Security? The old standby that people retire when they turn 65 years

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI have requested that one of my grown children include me in their living arrangements to avoid leaving me totally on my own as I get older. That way, I would not have to lean on strangers for help. All I am asking for is a room with a bathroom and kitchen privileges. I would pay them a small monthly fee. I

by Nicole DowSenior WriterThe holidays are the perfect time to eat, drink and be merry. But all that boozing gets expensive.Save yourself some money — and maybe a headache in the morning — with these eight mocktail recipes that skip the pricey liquor but keep all the festive flavors of the season. Serve one of these festive mocktails at your holiday get-together — or indulge in one after a day

by Sarah Li-Cain Vanguard Digital Advisor is the brokerage’s new automated advisor service, combining their low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs) with some of the services of a traditional financial advisor.Investors can receive a personalized plan to help them reach their retirement goals using varying allocations of Vanguard’s ETFs. Vanguard Digital Advisor is a new offering from the Vanguard Group, a brokerage offering some of the world’s most popular exchanged traded

by Dana Sitar, CEPF®Contributor Axos Bank was one of the first online-only banks. It opened for business on July 4, 2000, as Bank of the Internet USA and grew steadily for nearly two decades before rebranding itself as Axos Bank in 2018. It has a lot of options for checking and just one savings account, plus some solid options for small businesses. But, it’s not perfect and our review of