10 Signs You’re Financially Secure

Nicole Spector nFri, June 21, 2024

Financial security: What exactly is it? Essentially, it means you’re not only getting by, but getting by comfortably. Surveys have shown that most Americans do not feel financially secure, and it’s understandable why that’s the case. Wages aren’t keeping up with rising costs of living, inflation is still bullying our bank accounts and companies across sectors are carrying out mass layoffs.

Though it makes sense why you may be feeling financially insecure, it’s important to truly understand what financial security entails so that you can determine if your feeling is aligned with your reality.

Stephen Kates, CFP, principal financial analyst at RetireGuide.com and Annuity.org, walked us through the 10 key signs that indicate you’re financially secure.

I’m a Bank Teller: 7 Reasons You Shouldn’t Keep More Than $3,000 in a Checking Account

Laura Beck  Thu, June 20, 2024

Many people simply leave a large chunk of money in their checking accounts and let it sit there. But is that the best move? Probably not. GOBankingRates spoke to Rachael P., a seasoned bank teller who had seen it all when it came to customers’ banking habits. She knew firsthand the pitfalls of keeping too much money in a checking account and was always ready to offer tough financial advice when needed.

Here are the seven reasons why a bank teller advised against keeping more than $3,000 in a checking account.

No Interest Earned on Larger Balances

The number one reason Rachael disliked seeing huge balances in checking accounts was the complete lack of interest earned. “Why would you keep $10,000 just sitting there doing nothing?” she asked. Checking accounts are meant for money that will be spent in the short term, not for larger sums that could be earning interest elsewhere.

Giving Your Kids a Living Inheritance? Why It Might Be Necessary With Today’s Cost of Living

Cynthia Measom   Tue, June 18, 2024

Depending on their goals, wealthy parents or grandparents may opt to give a living inheritance instead of waiting until they die to pass on their assets.

Dana Blue, Esq., an experienced estate planning attorney at Dana Blue Law, explained that a living inheritance — also known as an accelerated inheritance — means giving some of your money or assets to your family while you’re still alive, rather than waiting until after you’re gone.

 “It’s like helping them out when they need it, whether it’s for buying a house, starting a business or paying for education,” she said.

I’m a Bank Teller: 7 Biggest Cash Withdrawal Mistakes I See People Make Every Day

Madeline Duley   Tue, June 18, 2024

If you have a bank account, you’re likely familiar with the process of withdrawing cash, depositing checks and handling bills. While these might seem like basic tasks, there are a few common mistakes that are easy to make when carrying out these seemingly simple financial transactions.

Find out from a bank teller if you’re making these seven common cash withdrawal mistakes — and learn how to avoid them.

Getting Bills Too Large

Although efficient and compact, large bills aren’t as versatile as you might think.

“One mistake I often see is taking out large bills to spend at local businesses, because most won’t accept them because businesses are worried about fraudulent bills,” said Haley West, head teller at Kohler Credit Union.

"Strategy to Retain Wealth" by Quantum Warrior

Emailed to Recaps 11/19/2013  From Recaps Archives

 (Dinar Recaps Note: This post is for informational purposes only.  It is not legal, tax or investment advice.  Dinar Recaps advises that everyone should do their own due diligence and seek local Professional tax, legal and/or investment advisers.)

Strategy to Retain Wealth by Quantum Warrior

The "recipe" below is my personal one- if it does not suit you, don't do it. If you don't like the ideas, fair enough, we all have that right, but please don't complain to Recaps or me, just read something else. The usual disclaimers apply- do your own due diligence, every situation is different.

Like all of you, I am not wealthy now (except possibly spguru :-) ). However, I have spent considerable time working on my strategy to retain the wealth, there are lots of comments in many posts (including my earlier one) about not behaving like a lottery winner. What does that mean? Simply spending like the money will never run out. It will.

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on a Trust Inheritance?

Hilary Collins   Sun, Jun 16, 2024

When making an estate plan, using a trust is a way to make passing assets — including both cash and physical assets — a bit easier. In fact, when using a trust, you can often allow your family to avoid a lengthy probate process after you’ve died. Inheriting a trust comes with certain tax implications. The rules can be complex, but generally speaking, only the earnings of a trust are taxed, not the principal.

A financial advisor can help you minimize inheritance tax by creating an estate plan for you and your family. Find a financial advisor today.

Trust Basics

A trust is simply a legal vehicle which can be filled with myriad assets, including cash and physical holdings. The person who creates the trust is known as the grantor. A trust is overseen by a trustee. The trustee can be a person or a firm that manages the trust for the beneficiary. The beneficiary of the trust is the person who benefits from these assets. This beneficiary can be an individual, such as a child or other relative, or an organization like a charitable group.

Buy two, get one half off? How 'Spaving' Discounts Can Derail Your Finances

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY  Updated Sun, June 16, 2024 119

Any time you buy two of something and get a third item for half off, or add a few dollars to an online order to secure free shipping, you are “spaving.”

Spaving is a mashup of “spending” and “saving”: spending more to trigger savings.

But don’t fool yourself, experts say: Spaving is mostly spending.

“It’s always more spending. It’s not always more saving,” said Jeff Galak, an associate professor of marketing at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Elon Musk: 5 Things Poor People Waste Money On

David Nadelle   Thu, June 13, 2024

Despite a rough start to 2024, Elon Musk is once again the world’s richest person, according to Forbes, and in the spotlight this week due to the vote to approve his vote-of-confidence $56 billion pay package being held later today and a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him and SpaceX recently by eight former employees.

Even the most news-avoidant person will know who Musk is. If there is one thing we can say with certainty, it’s that the SpaceX and Tesla, Inc. CEO knows how to stir the pot like few others. Musk’s social media influence and business acumen is always up for debate. However, as Aeon reported, “Not since Steve Jobs has an American technologist captured the cultural imagination like Musk.”

Older Americans Are Stashing Thousands Around The House. Here's Why This Practice Can Lead To Lost Wealth

Serah Louis  Fri, June 14, 2024

Adrienne Volpe almost threw out her grandmother’s collection of books after she passed away — a decision that could have lost her a small fortune.

“My grandmother had pressed thousands of dollars in single bills inside books,” Volpe told the New York Times (NYT), recounting how she thought she would find autumn leaves within the pages instead.

Volpe’s grandmother had stashed about $10,000 in bills as small as $20 within her books.

Children and grandchildren of older Americans report finding hidden cash and valuables in their loved ones’ homes after they die — like under the mattress or even inside a freezer — due to mistrust in financial institutions.

5 Myths About Debt That Nobody Should Believe in 2024

May 1, 2024 4 MIN READ    by Vance Cariaga

If you’re an adult, chances are you have some kind of debt. More than three in five Americans (61%) are in credit card debt and owe an average of $5,875. Americans collectively have about 84 million mortgages totaling more than $12 trillion, according to LendingTree. The Education Data Initiative estimates that 43.2 million U.S. borrowers have federal student loan debt.

Those stats don’t even include car loans, personal loans, business loans, lines of credit and other sources of debt. Given how much debt Americans carry, you’d think they’d do a better job of separating myth from reality.

Sadly, that’s not the case. Many debt myths are still alive and well in 2024. Here’s a look at five myths nobody should believe anymore.

Barbara Corcoran: Spend Money the Right Way and It Will Come Back to You

Adam Palasciano  Wed, June 12, 2024

Many people may be under the impression that diligently saving money can make them rich. However, two self-made millionaires have a different opinion.

Barbara Corcoran, a real estate entrepreneur and star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” is a firm believer that saving money doesn’t result in wealth.