.How to Make Better Financial Decisions

By Barbara O’Neill

A key financial decision people struggle to make is how to allocate savings for multiple financial goals. Do you save for several goals at the same time or fund them one-by-one in a series of steps? Basically, there are two ways to approach financial goal-setting:

Concurrently: Saving for two or more financial goals at the same time.

Sequentially: Saving for one financial goal at a time in a series of steps.

Each method has its pros and cons. Here's how to decide which method is best for you.

.Financial Gurus: Who Are They and What Can They Teach Us?

Wed, April 20, 2022, Top 10 Financial Gurus to Learn From

By Eric Whiteside Updated April 20, 2022 Reviewed By Thomas Brock

Learn more about investing by reviewing lessons from major financial advisors

History's most famous financial advisors are known for very different reasons. They include successful investors who share their knowledge with the masses, television celebrities who write books, and criminals who stole millions of dollars. Ten of the most famous financial advisors are discussed below.

.How Financial Literacy Changes Once You’re Retired

John Csiszar Wed, April 20, 2022

Financial literacy covers a wide range of topics, from budgeting and saving to investing and planning for retirement. Once you retire, however, financial literacy broadens to include scenarios that may not have been as relevant during your working life. For example, income typically drops in retirement, while expenses may remain the same or even rise, depending on the type of lifestyle you lead and the condition of your general health.

Financial Literacy Month is a great time for both seniors and those about to retire to review their planning and make sure they're prepared for the changes encountered in retirement. Here are seven topics that are important to understand if you want to avoid any financial landmines in retirement.

.5 Pieces Of Money Advice That No Longer Apply (And Updated Advice)

Tue, April 19, 2022

The world has changed A LOT in the past two years, and money advice that worked in 1978 doesn't work today. So here are five pieces of advice I think we all need to say goodbye to, and what to do instead.

1. Old School Money Tip: Always share your money with a married partner.

Common financial advice says that splitting bank accounts, investments accounts, and every day spending 50/50 with your spouse is the only way to go. The thinking is that shared accounts provide greater transparency and that once you're officially married, you stop being separate financial entities and become one. You should be working together on all financial goals and joint finances allows that.

.What Happens to Your Mortgage When You Die?

Mark Henricks Mon, April 18, 2022

If you die owing money on a mortgage, the mortgage remains in force. If you have a co-signer, the co-signer may still be obligated to pay back the loan. A spouse or other family member who inherits a house generally has the right to take over the payments and keep the home. Alternatively, terms of a will may direct that the estate’s assets be used to pay off the mortgage, and sometimes a life insurance policy will pay off the mortgage if the original borrower dies. If no one will assume the mortgage and there is no provision to pay it off, the lender may foreclose on the property and sell it. A financial advisor can help you deal with mortgage challenges during the estate planning process.

.The 11 Most Extravagant, Exclusive and Surprising Credit Card Perks

Don't miss out on these impressive credit card perks.

Cameron Huddleston Life and Money Columnist Jun 3, 2019

Cash back, free hotel stays and flights are among the more common perks of having a rewards credit card. Certainly, these perks are great — and an easy way to have your credit cards work for you. However, some high-end cards dole out benefits that make you truly feel like a VIP.

To qualify for some of these perks, though, you need to get an excellent credit score. You might also have to pay steep annual credit card fees. Fortunately, not all rewards credit cards come with fees or are quite so exclusive.

.The Top Purchases You Should Always Make With a Credit Card

Don't miss out on the perks of using your card in smart ways.

By John Csiszar Apr 18, 2022 Get Credit Advice

Some financial advisors suggest that consumers should never buy anything with a credit card and should only use cash for purchases. The philosophy behind this advice does have some merit, but for those that use credit responsibly, there’s a whole host of benefits. In fact, for some types of purchases, failure to use a credit card can actually be a mistake, as you’d be forsaking various forms of protection and benefits.

Although the caveat is always there that you must use your credit responsibly, here’s a list of purchases that you should always consider making with a credit card.

.Not Good With Money? These 5 Expert Tips Are Made for You

Casey Bond Mon, April 18, 2022

Being "good with money" means different things to different people. Maybe it's having a lot of savings, zero debt or a big investment portfolio.

For those who don't have those things, it can feel hopeless. The good news: If you consider yourself bad with money, that's probably not the case. You simply need to learn a few basics. So if you'd like to get your finances on track once and for all, consider these tips from money experts.

.The Riskiest Places To Swipe Your Credit Card

Scott M. Brodie Mon, April 18, 2022, 1:00 PM

Credit card fraud has become a constant and pervasive threat, and debit cards aren't immune to being stolen either. The Federal Trade Commission reported 66,090 instances of credit card fraud in 2020. This is why it's so important to know where the risks are, so you can better protect yourself from those looking to steal your information.

ATM Machines

Thieves have been skimming debit (and credit) card information from ATM machines for years, and the innovation of chip cards was partly developed to address this risk. As the credit card industry advances, though, thieves adapt -- and Consumer Reports notes they now have "shimmers" that can read chip-based cards.

.25 Things To Sell When You’re Ready To Retire

Gabrielle Olya Sat, April 16, 2022 GOBankingRates

Many people downsize in retirement as a way to cut back on expenses and make their lives simpler. For some, this means relocating to a smaller home or a retirement community. For others, this can just mean getting rid of stuff they no longer use anymore.

If your retirement planning includes downsizing, there are numerous things you can sell to clear out clutter and add some extra funds to your retirement nest egg.