How Much Should I Contribute to My 401(k)?
How much should you contribute to your 401(k)? First, take advantage of your employer’s matching plan and claim that free money. Then, follow these guidelines.
What are Rainy Day Funds? [Infographic]
Saving for a Rainy Day Fund. You can budget for everyday expenses, but what happens when life throws you an unexpected expense? Auto repair, major appliance, sick dog? A rainy day fund can cushion the blow.
6 Surprising Things That Hurt Your Credit Score
Your credit score might only be three digits, but it can have a substantial impact on your financial life because lenders use it to decide whether you get a loan and how much interest you pay. Nobody wants to lower their credit score, but if you don’t know what to avoid, you could unintentionally shoot your financial self in the foot and lower your credit score. “If you’re close to a hard cutoff range for a loan or credit options, then it can mean thousands of dollars in interest,” warns Anika Hedstrom, MBA and senior financial analyst in Medford, Oregon.
Healthy Retirement 101: What to Do in Your 50s
When you’re in your 50s, you may feel as though you’re barreling toward the finish line of your career. In fact, you have only 15 years or so left until retirement unless you want to keep working past 65. This can be a good time…
Healthy Retirement 101: What to Do in Your 40s
Saving for retirement can be a balancing act, particularly if you put it off until a time when you’re earning a bit more money. Often, the more you earn, the greater your financial responsibilities become, so by the time you reach your 40s, your income…
Healthy Retirement 101: What to Do in Your 30s
By the time you reach your 30s, you’re probably ready to settle down, buy a home, and maybe even start raising a family. You might also want to keep your eye on a plan for retirement. You may have started one in your 20s, but if not, it’s certainly not too late to .
Healthy Retirement 101: What to Do in Your 20s
College is a few years behind you, and you’re working and feeling pretty good about your future. It may be difficult to stretch your mind to a time 40-plus years ahead — a time when you may not feel so eager to go into work every day. The good news is that you don’t have to do a whole lot in your 20s to plan for retirement time. At this point, even a little bit of prudent saving and investing can go a long way.
How to Save for Long-Term Goals
Whether you’re dreaming of sending your kids to college, having a comfortable retirement, or buying a new house or car in several years, you need to save to reach your long-term goals. “Long-term success comes from tying your cash flow to your goals,” according to…