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I realize I am in an unusual position saying this, given that I have spent the last three years writing monthly columns on the comings and goings to the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max, but it’s sad to see how far it has fallen. For a streamer that once produced a ton of…

When it comes to deciding how much cash you should keep in your checking account, the right amount depends on your financial situation. That being said, there’s a good chance that one you hit $5,000 in checking (that is, $5,000 in liquid assets), your money could be put to better use elsewhere. Here’s why you…

Retirement is one of those life stages that seems inevitable. From an early age, it’s pounded into us: You have to save for retirement, and you have to plan for retirement, which pretty much implies that you have to retire. And after a few decades spent working in order to pay the bills, retirement certainly…

It pays to start investing early. Even if your kid isn’t yet old enough to count, let alone make savvy financial decisions, you can give them a head start by investing for them now. Many online brokers offer custodial accounts designed to allow a parent to make investments in their child’s name. When your kid…

Photo: mangpor2004 (Shutterstock)Investing in 529 college savings plans have always been a risk. What if your kid doesn’t need all the money you saved? If their tuition is cheaper than expected, or they decide not to go to college at all, what happens to all the money tied up in your education-specific savings account? Under current…

Photo: BearFotos (Shutterstock)It’s never too late to start saving for retirement, but anyone who starts early sure does get a huge advantage. The reason for this is compound interest, which we’ll run the numbers on below. If you’ve been waiting to invest in your retirement until you check off other financial goals (cough cough, students…

Photo: fizkes (Shutterstock)You have your basic checking and savings accounts—beyond that, how can different types of accounts serve your savings goals? What’s the smartest way to stash your hard-earned funds? We’ve recommended before that dividing your money into multiple accounts helps you see all your saving goals separately, so they’ll be easier to track. The…

Photo: Colin Dewar (Shutterstock)SECURE 2.0 was signed into law at the end of 2022. Standing for “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement,” the second version of this act is designed to keep building on improvements to the U.S. retirement system. Whether retirement is far off or fast approaching for you, here’s what to know…

Photo: Prostock-studio (Shutterstock)As with any type of resolution, actions speak louder than words when it comes to achieving your financial goals. Making personal finance progress requires taking concrete steps, which can spell the difference between a vague “I want to save more!” and the more substantive “I am going to max out my Roth IRA…

Photo: fizkes (Shutterstock)The end of the year is always a time for reflection, and your personal finances are no exception. Even in a year marked by record-high inflation, there’s a good chance your finances aren’t as bad as you might think. But as 2022 winds down, it’s the perfect time to conduct a year-end review.…