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Another option is to use a home-inventory smartphone app, such as Memento Database, which costs $3 a month for the lite version, or Sortly, which is free (both are available for Apple and Android users). The same goes for your home insurance and automobile policies, which you may be able to access through your insurer's smartphone app. MONEY Severe weather is taking a huge toll on the economy - and the finances of families. The rest of the documents should be securely stored, such as in a fireproof home safe or in a safe deposit box at your bank or credit union. [Extracted from the article]

Kansas State University has been offering a graduate certificate in financial therapy for over 15 years. The program was created in response to the stress experienced by financial planners and therapists during the Great Recession. The certificate program teaches financial planners skills such as asking better questions, tracking nonverbal cues, and improving communication and listening skills. It also encourages planners to examine their own money values and goals in order to better guide their clients. Financial therapy can also help couples resolve financial disagreements and achieve their financial goals. Additionally, therapy can help individuals address and overcome financial traumas that may be influencing their behavior. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards has recently added therapy training to its requirements for certification. Those interested in financial therapy can find qualified planners through the Financial Therapy Association. [Extracted from the article]

Home insurance deductibles can be set as a flat dollar amount, usually ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, or as a percentage of your home's replacement value; for auto insurance, deductibles typically go up to $1,000. "A lot of companies don't want to sell home insurance in Florida because it's high risk", says Dan Karr, founder and CEO of ValChoice, an insurance industry watchdog. Roughly one-third of individuals with home or auto insurance haven't reshopped their policy for better coverage and lower premiums, according to insurance comparison website Policygenius. MONEY The talking lizard from Geico and perky Flo from Progressive claim that switching insurance companies and bundling policies can save you money. [Extracted from the article]

In the article, the author discusses financial management and budgeting tips. Also cited are how to build emergency savings, how to save on one's home heating bills, an explanation of an online outlet store, how to ensure not to break or invalidate a home insurance, and some tips when buying fresh produce during grocery shopping.

See the table on page 57 for the top rates on nationally available savings accounts, CDs and checking accounts. On the downside for savers, interest rates are bottom of the barrel - the average savings account pays 0.07%, according to Bankrate - and they will likely remain depressed for a few years. Some high-yield checking accounts offer rates of more than 4% if you meet certain requirements, such as using your debit card several times monthly and receiving electronic statements. Improve your wealth-building chops by using some of that money to increase contributions to your retirement savings plans. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents suggestions for improving one's personal finances in the year 2020. It outlines several activities including forming a spending and savings plan in January, investing in March and checking up on insurance coverage in April. Other financial decisions include checking financial records and tax return documents, credit reports and paying off credit card debts.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, presented the Autumn Statement to Parliament, outlining the UK government's financial plans. The statement included an increase in the minimum wage to £11.44 per hour from April 2024 and a reduction in National Insurance tax starting in January 2024. Some critics argue that people will still end up paying more taxes under Hunt's plan. Hunt emphasized the government's goal of reducing debt, cutting taxes, and rewarding work, and expressed optimism about the country's finances and economy. The next general election is scheduled to take place by January 2025. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the strategies of making a 401(k) retirement savings plan for quality retirement . Topics discussed include determine the amount needed to earn from investments to support the retirement; review investment plan while noticing the earlier retirement date; and information on Fixed-income investments, and Financial planning.

The article offers tips on how to plan for an early retirement. These include asking one's financial planner to run the numbers to see where one stand, looking at how expenses are going to change after retirement and whether it needs to be cut using online budget tools such as PersonalCapital and Mint.com, and considering finding a part-time job to bring in some money. It also suggests avoiding retirement-plan penalties, and applying for Social Security retirement benefits.

The article offers information on the steps, tips, and approaches which can be followed by the individuals for their retirement planning. The topics addressed include details on the steps which comprising need to accelerate savings, by opening a health savings account, and by applying and taking the long-term-care insurance.

The article discusses how one should save money and improve his/her finances for 2019 in the U.S. It is said that many people wait until the new year to take stock of their personal finances. It is said that workers' withholding was adjusted by employers earlier in 2018 to reflect the federal tax overhaul.

The article considers three aspects of retirement planning including safe withdrawal limits from savings accounts, protection against being forced to sell investments , and the supplementation of Social Security benefits. The author discusses the 4% rule of thumb developed by William Bengen along with asset diversification with a focus on the "bucket system" of market timing as described by Jason Smith in his book "The Bucket Plan: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement". INSET: Tapping Life Insurance.

The article focuses on three topics including Zillow's offer of a 1 percent down payment option for homebuyers, the challenges faced by digital nomads who have relocated to remote locations for work and the age at which people tend to make their smartest financial decisions.

The article offers tips for financial planning and management. Topics discussed include the significance of sizing up for portfolio risk, the automation of investments, the organization of tax records, the association between credit and identity theft, the acquisition of free television through wireless plans, and the contest of property tax assessment.

The article offers suggestions on how people can help their aging parents with their finances. Topics discussed include the need to start the conversation with the parents regarding financial planning, with topics such as estate-planning and powers of attorney; the need to review the bank and credit card statements of the parents; and the need to assess their assets and income. Also mentioned is the need to take help from financial advisors if needed.

The article discusses how more automated advisory services are giving clients the chance to consult with financial planners and investment counselors. The Department of Labor's fiduciary rule, in effect since June 2017, requires anyone giving investment advice regarding a 401(k) or an IRA to act in the client's best interest.. Some firms are reported to have swapped their commission-based pay structure for one that charges clients a fee based on a percentage of assets under management.

The article outlines five financial rules to live by. These include spending no more than half of one's income on living expenses, keeping discretionary items to 30% and saving the rest, getting preapproved for mortgage by a lender, and getting life insurance that equals to eight to 10 times of one's annual pretax income.

If your debt is mostly tied up in student loans, consider using some or all of the money to pay down your loan balance. The moratorium on federal loan repayments is expected to be extended through the end of the year, but it doesn't include private student loans. Although the Biden administration is considering forgiving a portion of federal student loans, that's not a sure thing, and depending on the size of your loan you could still need to make repayments when the latest moratorium ends. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers tips on how to preserve the family's money for the next generation. The suggestions mentioned include the saving and raising money for the children, providing them with financial training, and ways to prevent them from wasting their inheritance. Moreover, it also cites the average inheritance recieved by households. INSET: The Power of a Trust.

The article offers tips on what to do when the term life insurance policy is nearing the end of its term. Topics discussed include the insufficient life insurance among families, the purchase of term life insurance policy, the guaranteed universal life, the long-term care benefits, and the purchase of a new permanent policy. INSETS: A Strategy for Younger Buyers;The Conversion Option.

The article offers suggestions for getting continuing care at retirement communities (CCRC) and offers information on several communities in the U.S. Topics discussed include the services provided at the communities including entertainment, fitness centers and wellness programs; the entrance fees that one needs to pay for the services; and the need to put emphasis on financial planning when applying for CCRC.

The article focuses on maximizing retirement benifits through proper retirement planning. Topics discussed include selection of financial adviser for maximizing the same; services offered by robo advicers, brokers, and registered investment advicers; and fees charged by financial planners in return of their investments.

The article discusess the advantages of 401(k) plan. Topics discussed include its impact of retirement benifits and planning; its role in offering social security benifits; and a study by Alicia Munnell and Anqi Chen, of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College focusing on the decline in the contribution towards 401(k) plan.

Just don't sign up for Part A or B. If you want Medicare coverage to start as soon as your job-based health insurance ends, you need to sign up the month before you or your spouse plan to retire. FROM THE EDITOR My column in the July issue focused on my own retirement planning and how my wife and I have been crunching numbers with the help of our financial adviser. But as long as you have other qualifying health insurance, through either your employer or your spouse's employer, you are not required to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the importance of life insurance. Topics include term insurance, update of insurance coverage, and financial decisions for retirees. Insights from financial planner Mari Adam, life insurance adviser Glenn Daily, and BAM Alliance's director of personal finance Tim Maurer are provided.

The article focuses on how a family with uneven income should take care of its personal finances. Topics discussed include prioritizing spendings by categorizing between wants and needs, taking help of an experienced tax preparer to use the annualized income installment method, saving for retirement.

The article offers tips to boost personal income. Among the tips provided include the avoidance of sketchy municipal bond issuers, the need to find intermediate-term individual corporates and bond funds for decent yield without much interest-rate risk, and the prevention of floating-rate loans as they are fit for professionals.

The article offers tips on how grandparents can help their grandchildren on family finances especially for college payment. Among the suggestions provided are investment in a 529 savings plan through estate planning and effect on financial aid, contribution to Coverdell education, payment of bill, setting-up custodial account, payment of offstudent loans, and tapping of Roth individual retirement account.

The article offers advice for financial planning to help individuals reach their personal financial goals into retirement. Topics include regularly reviewing an investment portfolio especially following major life events, spreading out assets among investments and diversifying within asset classes, early investment in a 401(k) account, and making a budget that includes an emergency fund. It also discusses various options for getting assistance in making financial decisions and mentions potential charges by financial advisers that one may anticipate. INSETS: How to Get Started;When to Call In a Pro;Where to Get Help.

The article discusses how much money the retiree may really need to retire, and suggests that the consumer may be better prepared than they think. Topics include suggestions on recalibrating personal savings, adding up personal health care costs in retirement such as long-term care insurance, assessing retirement income targets in replacing preretirement income, and calculating yearly withdrawals to prevent running out of money. It also mentions using a reverse mortgage for income and details on how retirement assets, such as pensions and annuities, are taxed by the government. INSETS: Consider the Tax Tab;Get Income From Your Home.

In the past, advocates for seniors have criticized Medicare for failing to cover COVID tests. Medicare to Provide Free COVID Tests - Finally The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide Medicare beneficiaries with up to eight rapid COVID tests per month. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how an appropriate time to sell stocks is based on an investor's circumstances rather than the market. Topics include advice from Donna Skeels Cygan, author of "The Joy of Financial Security," on how to develop a financial plan, how to pay fewer taxes on the profits from stock sales, and selling tips based on four scenarios such as retirement, divorce, and an unbalanced portfolio. INSET: More for You, Less for the IRS.

The article offers advice on how to extract the most out of retirement investments. Topics include the need for growth and income in retirement investments, why investors should never dump stocks, and the benefits of only withdrawing interest while leaving the principle intact. Information is provided on the 4% rule, which refers to the investment strategy of only withdrawing 4% of retirement assets annually for thirty years. It is noted that some retirees may benefit from having the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) calculate retirement withdrawal recommendations. INSET: Bump Up Your Benefits by 32%.

Social Security beneficiaries who have a side gig or part-time job will be able to earn a little more before they're subject to the earnings test. AHEAD NEW YEAR, NEW NUMBERS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES WILL receive a 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment in their Social Security benefits in 2022, the biggest jump since 1982, when benefits rose 7.4%. But given price hikes for everything from gas to restaurant meals, some seniors may discover that the pay raise will fall short of increases in their cost of living - particularly when health care costs are taken into account. [Extracted from the article]

The article considers tax planning in personal finance and portfolio management. Changes in U.S. taxation law for 2013 creating higher rates for income from investments for persons of overall high income are noted. Means of mitigating tax increases are discussed including placing securities with higher rates in tax-deferred accounts, potential losses which can lower capital gains and charitable giving of appreciated securities. INSETS: Reasons to review your taxes midyear;Kid-Friendly Tax Breaks.

The article discusses retirement planning. A series of common challenges in personal finance to generating enough savings and investment for retirement income are examined including starting such savings too late in life, reluctance to invest in stocks and the need to also save to finance the higher education of one's children. Means of coping with each challenge are offered. INSET: REBOUNDING AFTER A CRISIS.

The article focuses on the ways for the management of money scripts which is one way of informing the financial life of the money. According to clinical psychologist Brad Klontz, the four categories of money scripts include money avoidance, money worship, and money vigilance. It adds that keeping a journal and jotting down thoughts that pop up in any given financial situation is one way of rewriting dysfunctional money scripts. INSETS: What's Your Issue?;WHERE TO FIND HELP.

The article discusses the difficulty people of modest means can experience in obtaining financial advice, and describes how several individuals succeeded at this task. Some financial planners avoid taking on clients with assets below a set minimum because it is not profitable for them to do so. Occasionally a planner will agree to meet with a family member of a client, even if that person doesn't necessarily meet the planner's financial requirements. INSETS: How to Hire Your Personal CFO;Start Your Search;Go-To Sites for Online Advice.

The article offers several suggestions for employees regarding their retirement planning. It is recommended that employees interview several financial planners about how they would manage their money before choosing one. A potential retiree should also approach retirement on cash-flow analysis to determine what their lifestyle costs them.

The article focuses on allocating investments among stocks, bonds and cash as one approaches retirement. Cutting exposure to stocks may hinder the growth of money and may leave one with less than one need. Assuming that one has a 401(k) plan at work, a good way to start making to change is investment.

The article gives advice on managing personal finances for investors in the U.S. Simplifying multiple investment funds and consolidating them into fewer accounts can result to fewer paperwork, convenience at gauging portfolios and saving additional money. An overview of online tools to help individual investors monitor spending, bill-paying and other money-management chores is presented. INSET: LET THE PROS HANDLE IT.

The article offers advice to consumers on selecting and hiring a financial adviser. It emphasizes the importance of asking for references even before starting the search for a financial adviser. It outlines questions that can guide an individual in determining his or her needs for a financial adviser. Consumers can also consult big firms, such as Fidelity Investments, Vanguard, Charles Schwab or TD Ameritrade, if an independent adviser does not appeal to them. INSET: Personal Service, Lower Fees.

The article offers suggestions on retirement planning. Gerontologist Ken Dychtwald explains two misconceptions on retirement. He says that one should have a vision and dream for the life he wants to live and the capacity to fund it. For many workers, access to employer-provided health insurance is one important factor in deciding when to retire. Several reasons why working until 65 is no longer the definitive retirement model, are discussed. INSETS: Friendly cities for job-hunting boomers;4 steps to your encore job;Resources for work after retirement.

The article offers tips on personal finance. It is important to track one's spending and monitor a savings account. If an individual gets a tax refund, it is significant to adjust the withholding tax to save more money. Researching the possibilities of landing a college scholarship also saves money. Protect one's home and valuables through appropriate insurance coverage. For college students, start a 529 plan to pay for school.

The article illustrates the benefits of financial planning based on the experiences of five people who got on top of their debts and how they managed to stay debt free. The differing situations show how they solved their financial woes by implementing financial strategies which minimized and eventually extinguished their debts like maxing out contributions to 401(k) plans, qualifying for a fixed-rate loan, and seeking the help of a good counseling agency.

The article focuses on the tools used in retirement planning. The author says a software can calculate probabilities based on a long list of assumptions, including the rate of inflation and investment returns. A Monte Carlo simulation can factor in a range of possible returns as well as a range of inflation rates and other factors. Morningstar's Asset Allocator assumes retirees will be conservative so it builds in a gloomy 1%-a-year after-inflation return on investments after retirement.

The article discusses the best values at public colleges that offer top-notch academic programs at affordable prices. When looking at colleges, parents should pay attention to financial aid benefits, which favor in-state students, examine the college's rank on "Kiplinger's" list, and remember that public colleges can be better than private ones. INSET: More GREAT COLLEGE VALUES.

The article discusses easy steps to save money for retirement. Legislation passed by United States Congress in 2005 will allow employers to enroll workers in 401(k) retirement plans automatically and invest the money in the stock market, moving the plans closer to traditional pensions and allowing workers to easily save money for retirement. INSETS: HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SAVE;Quick Web SNAPSHOTS;A free retirement CHECKUP.

The article offers several strategies on saving for retirement. Several cases are presented illustrating the strategies, including a banker who started a new career. Extending one's career gives one more time to save for retirement, delays the start date for collecting Social Security, and reduces the number of years one will have to rely on one's savings. INSETS: Higher savings limits for 2007;Q&A: Catch-up INVESTING;Higher income limits for Roth IRAs.