With Labor Day approaching, it’s time to start saying our goodbyes to summer. More than just an extra day off of work, it’s important to remember what Labor Day is really meant to celebrate. In addition to recognizing the hard work of our labor force, we’ll also explore five ways to improve your work-life balance. After all, there’s more in life to enjoy than just our careers.
Few things are more magical than enjoying the great outdoors, cooking up a delicious meal on the campfire, and falling asleep under the stars. But what about mosquitos? And the heat? And the lack of bathrooms? If the idea of camping appeals to you but you don’t want to give up the creature comforts you love at home, glamping might be the perfect summer escape for you. Glamping captures the spirit of camping but makes it more comfortable and enjoyable.
One of the most critical decisions you can make regarding your retirement is when you choose to claim Social Security. Deciding when to claim Social Security can make a difference in your monthly bottom line.
There was a time when you'd have a pension at the end of your working years. Now, of course, pensions are not as common as they were in the past, when people may have worked for the same company for all or nearly all of their working years. For those that do have a pension, they often only provide a portion of income needs in retirement. People typically don't work for the same company as long as they used to, reducing the impact a single employer will have on your retirement strategy. It's important to have insight into the range of investment options companies may use, even if they don't apply to you currently. Not all retirement strategies are the same. In fact, there is such a wide variety of retirement strategies that it is worth reading up on your choices. Here's a brief look at the different strategies and what they have to offer.
Over the past few years, you've probably heard—and read—more and more about cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, and many others. A surprising 13% of Americans traded in cryptocurrency in 2020, compared with 24% who traded in stocks. And the number of people trading in crypto is only expected to increase.1 But what exactly is cryptocurrency? In this article, we will cover some crypto and bitcoin basics to help you better understand this new asset and economy.
Tax planning is a year-round process, not just something that happens in the weeks leading up to April 15. It's a wise move to keep your tax planning efficient, educate yourself about potential tax scams, and plan your charitable distributions. Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from both after age 72. However, if you have saved and invested much of your life, you may also end up retiring at a higher marginal tax rate than your current one. In fact, the income resulting from a required minimum distribution alone could push you into a higher tax bracket.
