Category: personal finance

Get More Money in Your Roth IRA by Avoiding These Mistakes

Many types of retirement plans are available today, but you have only so much time to put money into them. If you have a Roth IRA, it can be easy to think your money is secure. Unfortunately, just because it offers options that other plans do not will not make it safe from mistakes that…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Dec. 22)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery fell 80 cents to $77.49 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for February delivery fell $1.22 to $80.98 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for January delivery fell 1 cent to $2.25 a gallon. January heating oil fell 1 cent to $3.13 a gallon. January natural gas fell 33 cents to…


6 Ways Developing Good Habits Can Significantly Improve Your Productivity

By Srikar Karra The correlation between habits and productivity is a strong one. Habits are the small, consistent actions that we take on a daily basis, and they can have a big impact on our ability to be productive and successful. By understanding the role that habits play in productivity, and by developing and implementing…


Should You Collect Social Security at 62? Pros and Cons

Whether to collect Social Security at 62 depends on your individual circumstances. There are many reasons that you may want to collect Social Security early. But what are the benefits of signing up for benefits at 62? And does it really hurt in the long run? Here are some pros and cons of collecting Social…


Vast Majority of Americans Don’t Expect Their Finances to Improve in 2023, Cite Inflation

A large number of Americans do not feel optimistic about their finances improving next year amid the continued cost of living crisis and higher interest rates, a new survey has found. The consumer financial services company Bankrate.com commissioned YouGov Plc. to conduct the survey among 3,656 adults in the United States between Nov. 15-18. Respondents were asked: “Compared…


The New Approach to Work Requires a New Approach to Trust

By Tom Medema In a remote work environment, trust becomes more complex and more critical. Without the ability to quickly engage in casual chit-chat, share in social events or even maintain eye contact, trust has proven challenging to establish and nurture in a remote setting, especially regarding relationships with managers. The trust deficit many experience…


Closing Prices for Crude Oil, Gold and Other Commodities (Dec. 21)

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for February delivery rose $2.06 to $78.29 a barrel Wednesday. Brent crude for February delivery rose $2.21 to $82.20 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline for January delivery rose 4 cents to $2.26 a gallon. January heating oil rose 8 cents to $3.14 a gallon. January natural gas was unchanged at $5.33 per…


For Spouses, Claiming Social Security Is a Joint Decision

By Sandra Block From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Getting the most out of your Social Security benefits could significantly improve your retirement security, and if you’re married, it’s not a decision you should make in a vacuum. Before you and your spouse file for benefits, you should consider a host of factors, including your respective earnings…


US Single-Family Housing Starts Drop in November Due to High Mortgage Rates

Monthly construction of new single-family homes and building permits fell to a two and a half year low in November. This was caused by higher mortgage rates combined with inflation, which further weakened housing market activity, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, on Dec. 20. The single-family housing market once boomed during…


Decisions You Must Make Before Retiring

Sooner or later, you will want to retire. When you do, you will want to ensure that you are both comfortable and healthy during that time so you can enjoy it. The Department of Labor (DOL) says the average length of retirement for Americans is 20 years. This much time requires that you do some…