DARK SECRETS: 7 | Vintage Vibes

The Retirement Tax Trap Married Couples Rarely Plan For: What Changes When One Spouse Dies

The death of a spouse can create a retirement tax trap that has nothing to do with a surprise tax law. The problem often starts when one household loses one income source, then discovers that the surviving spouse must file under a less favorable tax status while still paying taxes…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 21

You’re 60 With $1 Million Saved — What Are the Next Five Financial Decisions?

Reaching 60 with $1 million saved sounds like the moment to crack open the champagne and retire by Tuesday. Maybe, but the bigger question now involves what that million dollars needs to do for the rest of your life, because a retirement portfolio needs a job description, not just a…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 21

You Have Enough Money to Retire — But Do You Have Enough Money to Stay Retired?

A retirement account can reach a number that looks wonderfully reassuring, yet that number does not guarantee a retirement that lasts. Having enough money to retire means having enough resources to leave work; having enough money to stay retired means making those resources support a life that could last for…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 20

Treasury Proposes New Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act — Here’s Who Could Be Affected

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking aimed at implementing Section 3 of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, which established a comprehensive federal framework for regulating payment stablecoins. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on August…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 19

Should You Count Your Home in Your Retirement Net Worth?

Your home absolutely counts toward your net worth, but counting it toward your retirement nest egg requires a little more finesse. A mortgage-free house can represent a huge chunk of wealth, yet a roof over your head cannot exactly wander into the grocery store and pay for a cart of…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 19

The Retirement Expense Nobody Budgets for: Helping Adult Children

Retirement planning usually covers the obvious expenses: housing, groceries, healthcare, travel, taxes, and the occasional dinner that somehow costs more than expected. One expense often slips through the cracks, though: helping adult children financially. A struggling son or daughter can turn a carefully designed retirement budget into a financial revolving…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 19

Your Financial Advisor Recommends an Annuity: 8 Questions to Ask Before Buying

An annuity can turn part of a retirement portfolio into a stream of income, but the sales pitch rarely tells the whole story. Before signing a contract, ask eight questions that reveal what the annuity costs, what it guarantees, how easily you can access your money, and whether the recommendation…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 19

Home Equity Investments Promise Cash Without a Monthly Payment: What’s the Catch?

Home equity investments sound almost suspiciously convenient: Get cash from the value sitting inside the house, make no monthly payment, and worry about settling the bill later. Instead of taking out a traditional home equity loan or HELOC, a homeowner receives a lump sum from an investor and agrees to…

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 18

7 Questions to Ask Before Moving Money From a 401(k) Into an IRA

Moving money from a 401(k) into an IRA can look like a simple retirement housekeeping chore: transfer the money, pick some investments, and move on with life. But that little rollover button can affect investment choices, fees, taxes, withdrawal rules, and even how much control comes with the account.

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 18

FTC Says Doxo Used Misleading Bill-Payment Ads and Hidden Fees — Company to Pay $2.1 Million

Online bill payment company Doxo will pay $2.1 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the firm and two of its co-founders deceived consumers through misleading search advertisements and undisclosed fees, according to an official FTC announcement.

The Free Financial Advisor · Aug 18