Personal Finance

At 10 years before retirement, investment priorities often begin to shift. The focus typically moves from maximizing growth to protecting accumulated savings while managing risk and preparing for future income. Portfolios at this stage commonly combine growth-oriented assets with stabilizing investments to help limit volatility and support a smoother transition…

Once you retire, the purpose of your investment portfolio often changes. Instead of concentrating primarily on growth, many retirees focus on generating reliable income to supplement Social Security, pensions or other sources of income. Choosing the right investments to add income after retiring can help support day-to-day expenses while managing…

With fuel prices skyrocketing due to his war in Iran, President Trump says he wants to suspend the federal gas tax “for a period of time.” GOP lawmakers immediately promised to introduce bills to do just that. And Democrats were way ahead of them: Back in March, senators Richard Blumenthal…

One of the few things more stressful than looking for a job in 2026 may be trying to hold onto one, new research suggests. After a year of weak growth, the labor market has shown some signs of picking up steam. The Labor Department estimated U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs…

Annuities are a common financial product used in retirement planning, but their compensation structure isn’t always easy to understand. Many investors are familiar with the basic concept of exchanging a lump sum for a stream of guaranteed income, but fewer are aware of how financial advisors are compensated when recommending…

“Wages have kept up with inflation.” “No, they haven’t.” You’ve heard both. Both sides have data. Both sides are right — and that’s the problem. Pew Research recently ran the math four ways, using four different inflation gauges the federal government produces. The verdict on your buying power since 1999…

Strained by tighter budgets and product price increases, more shoppers are willing to ditch their favorite brand for a cheaper alternative, a new study finds. In a survey of more than 1,000 Americans by DOSS, 60% of shoppers said they have dropped a brand they were previously loyal to because…

Long-term care is one of the most significant expenses many retirees face. Annual costs can easily exceed $100,000 for nursing home care, with tens of thousands more for in-home or assisted living services. And for those without dedicated insurance or the savings to cover care, tapping a 401(k) may seem…

I’ve owned multiple houses and a fair amount of rental property in my lifetime, so I’ve been swinging hammers and slinging paint and fixing toilets for a long time: nearly 50 years. In that time, I’ve made just about every DIY mistake in the book — some of them more…

For high earners who’ve already maxed out their 401(k) and Roth IRA contributions, the mega backdoor Roth offers a rare opportunity to push tens of thousands of additional dollars into tax-free retirement savings each year. In 2026, the strategy allows eligible savers to contribute up to the overall 401(k) limit…