What Is A SIM Swap Attack & How You Can Protect Yourself

California man says he lost $38,000 — money meant for his mom — to a SIM swap scam. Here's how you can protect yourself

Danielle Antosz Mon, December 9, 2024 Moneywise

Justin Chan of Carlsbad, California, says a hacker drained $38,000 from his bank account after his phone number was compromised in a SIM swapping scam — and he’s not sure he’ll get the money back.

“This could happen to anybody,” he told ABC 10 News in a story broadcast Nov. 25.

6 Financial Moves You Should Make By Dec. 31: Wills, Trusts, Iras, More

Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY Sun, December 8, 2024

We’re nearing the end of 2024. So it's an especially good time to assess what financial moves you should make before the clock runs out. Luckily, financial planners spend the final weeks of the year thinking about just such things.

Back in 2023, we asked several experts for their thoughts, and we made a list of six key financial steps to take by Dec. 31. Readers responded, so we reached out to the same experts again this year, along with one or two new ones, to see if their advice had changed. The answer: Not really.

8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks

Jordan Rosenfeld  Sun, December 8, 2024 GOBankingRates

Beginning to take Social Security benefits can be an overwhelming process for retirees since there are lots of rules and regulations, often tucked into the fine print, so to speak.

It’s easy to make choices, or fail to, that can have a negative impact on your Social Security checks in big and small ways.

Here are some common mistakes retirees make with their Social Security checks so you can hopefully avoid them.

Suze Orman: 3 Things You Should Never Do When Buying Gifts This Holiday Season

Gabrielle Olya   Sat, December 7, 2024  GOBankingRates

The holiday shopping season tends to be an expensive one. This year, the average American plans to spend around $528 on holiday gifts — an amount that could be budget-blowing for some.  As many Americans are prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on gifts, money expert Suze Orman is cautioning against going financially overboard.

“Are you going to give yourself the best possible holiday gift this year? … I am talking about not overspending on gifts — when you spend more than you can afford out of a sense of love or obligation,” Orman wrote in a recent blog post

6 Signs You’re More Financially Savvy Than the Average American

Vance Cariaga Fri, December 6, 2024 GOBankingRates

There’s no magic formula to being financially savvy, but there is nuance to being good with money. It’s mostly a mix of planning, common sense, your credit score, commitment and a little cost-of-living calculus. People who actively build a financial blueprint they can follow — budget included — are prepared for the future and manage their money in a way that builds wealth.

So how do you stack up? Are you savvier than the average American? Here’s a look at several signs you’re on the right path.

Warren Buffett: 6 Tips on How To Get Rich

Cindy Lamothe  Thu, December 5, 2024   GOBankingRates

There is some advice that stands the test of time, and that is certainly what we can glean from one of the most successful investors in history — Warren Buffett.

He’s imparted a lot of wisdom over the years when it comes to both money and life in general. Below is a deep dive into some of his best advice when it comes to building wealth and achieving financial success.

Half of Americans Feel Safer Holding Cash Over Other Investments. Are They Right?

Laura Bogart   Wed, December 4, 2024  GOBankingRates

These days, you can get the lowdown on virtually any kind of investment delivered right to your fingertips. You can Google information about stocks and instantly find articles, YouTube tutorials and explainers galore. Then there are the TikTokers sharing their stock picks. Or, if you really needed to, you could always ask Alexa — not the device, but your cousin, the financial advisor.

Yet, despite the abundance of investment information, a survey conducted by Empower suggests that cash still reigns supreme. Roughly 52% of people surveyed preferred to keep cash instead of exploring other investments.

7 Key Signs You’ve Reached Financial Freedom

Caitlyn Moorhead  Tue, December 3, 2024  GOBankingRates

Achieving financial freedom is a goal many aspire to, but how do you know when you’ve truly passed that financial finish line?

This concept goes beyond just having a hefty bank balance in your savings account; it’s about living life on your own terms. Whether you have just started investing or have been consistently adding to your retirement accounts, how you reach your short-term or long-term financial goals has many paths.

Financial advisors have an array of methods you should try such as developing passive income streams, diversifying your investment portfolio or even moving your savings to where you can earn the highest interest rates. No matter what financial advice you take, determining when you reach financial freedom will feel differently depending on your ultimate goals.

How Much Money Can I Give Without Worrying About Taxes?

Eric Reed   SmartAsset  Sun, December 1, 2024

How Much Money Can I Give My Daughter and Her Husband Without Worrying About Taxes?

Perhaps your daughter recently got married and you want to help her and her husband start their new life. Or maybe they suddenly find themselves in need of financial assistance and turn to you for help.

Fortunately, the IRS allows you to give away a certain amount of assets – from real estate and stocks to cold hard cash – free of taxes every year. In 2024, you can give away up to $18,000 per individual and not have to pay taxes on the transfer. In fact, you’ll only trigger taxes in 2024 if you’ve given away more than $13.61 million throughout your life beyond that annual exclusion. In 2025, those limits are set to change.