What to do if you win the lottery jackpot
It’s definitely not likely you’ll hit big in the lottery. But if you win, you could be happy for years to come — no matter what the naysayers tell you. Here are some things to remember before you buy a ticket: Your chances of winning big are itty bitty You’re more likely to get elected to Congress than to strike it rich in the lottery. According to Powerball, the odds of... READ MORE
A new investment strategy to consider
Recently, direct indexing, a lesser-known investment approach, has started outpacing both ETFs and mutual funds in investor adoption. Direct indexing offers unique benefits that can’t be replicated in a traditional ETF or mutual fund structure, particularly around personalization and tax management. Given its benefits, direct indexing is expected to continue to outpace ETF and mutual... READ MORE
A savings circle can help you reach goal
A breezy January morning made the mid-30 temperatures feel even chillier. But it was an important day for a young man pushing 30 himself. He was about to face his entire family to ask for a loan to seed his new business idea. He had contributed to the family’s savings circle, but he was asking for a withdrawal this time. What is a savings circle? A savings circle is a group of family ... READ MORE
It pays to review your subscription costs
Because of inflation, many Americans are looking for ways to reduce their regular expenditures. Unfortunately, many individuals are paying for subscriptions they no longer need — and, in some cases, they’re paying too much for those they do need. Many, myself included, initially subscribe to a publication or to a streaming or cable TV service because it is offered free or at a... READ MORE
Life insurance and retirement planning
There are many reasons why families entering retirement should re-evaluate their life insurance needs. First and foremost, retirees are generally living longer, especially women, so it is important that retirement plans consider the fact that one or both spouses may live into their 90s. Inflation has not been a major retirement-planning factor for some time — until recently. This... READ MORE
Indeed, you can haggle for almost anything
Haggling over prices isn’t just for people buying cars or houses. Think bigger. You can negotiate for just about any product or service: cable and cellphone bills, credit card interest rates, even your rent. You just need to borrow these tried-and-true methods of savvy negotiators. Talk less, listen more. Ask open-ended questions rather than ones that might yield an abrupt yes or no... READ MORE
Your old cellphone may not work in 2022
Dear Savvy Senior, My 80-year-old father has an old flip phone he carries around with him for emergency purposes, but I’ve heard that these devices will soon be phased out. Is this true? If so, how can we know if his phone will be affected, and where can I find him a simple new one that he can operate? —Searching Daughter Dear Searching, Yes, it’s true! If your dad’s... READ MORE
How to protect your portfolio this year
I have received many questions about investment strategies for the rest of 2022. It’s no secret that the values of many equities, as well as bonds, have fallen significantly since the beginning of the year. Investors want to know if they should be selling some of their equity and bond holdings — or should they be investing more because there is a high probability that equity prices... READ MORE
Free answers to your pension questions
I have written often about retirement benefits in general, and about pension plans and retirement plans in particular. A very helpful resource to me in writing these columns has been the Pension Rights Center, a national consumer organization that works to protect the retirement income security of workers, retirees and their families. The Pension Rights Center also provides services,... READ MORE
Down market suggests Roth conversion
While a down market may not be a fun time for investors, there are some bright spots and opportunities to be had. Stock market drops like we’ve seen recently might make a Roth IRA conversion more appealing as a strategy for investors. Should you consider converting a traditional IRA to a Roth during a down market? There are a few things to consider. What is a Roth conversion? When... READ MORE
