Last year, spending on healthcare grew a whopping 8.2%, reaching $5.3 trillion overall, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Per person, healthcare spending hit $15,074 in 2024, with a further 7.1% increase expected in 2025. Unfortunately, these costs will likely only grow as we age. That’s why it’s vital for us plan for these costs, tucking away as much as possible — as strategically as possible -– during our working years. There are a few ways we can do this. Read More.

So you’ve probably used Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal — maybe even all of them. These apps are convenient. You go out for a group dinner, throw the whole tab on your credit card, and then everyone sends you their share through an app. Easy. But here’s the catch: A lot of people just leave the money sitting in the apps afterward. Life gets busy, and suddenly the app balance feels like a little slush fund — “mad money” you can dip into later. The problem? That money isn’t as safe as you think. Read More.

Picture this: you see an email that promises “Insider Secrets Wall Street Doesn’t Want You To Know” or a hot stock pick with projected returns of 3,000%. Sounds exciting, right? The idea that you could beat the markets and strike it rich with just a few clicks. But here’s the reality: Most of these come-ons are likely stock scams. Read More.

We live in a time when scammers have gotten all too clever. Their emails look legit. Their websites look polished. Their phone calls sound super convincing. But here’s the thing: Once you know the most common tricks, you’ll start spotting the red flags everywhere. Read More.

We live in an era rife with scams. The truth is, scammers want everything: your birthdate, your address, your Social Security number, your logins, your mother’s maiden name. To a professional scammer, no type of information is too trivial. Anything they can collect helps them build a more convincing version of you. So if you’ve had that “uh-oh” moment — realizing your info may be in the wrong hands — what should you actually do? Read More.

Let’s face it: When a natural disaster strikes — whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, flood, or earthquake — you’re probably not going to be in the best frame of mind to make calm, rational decisions. That’s why the smartest financial move you can make isn’t waiting until the moment disaster hits. It’s preparing well before it happens. Read More.

If you are thinking about buying a new car, there is a new financial benefit on the horizon that may be worth keeping on your radar. Starting in the 2025 tax filing year, a new federal law will allow some borrowers to deduct the interest paid on qualifying auto loans — a first for many modern consumers. This change could mean extra savings at tax time, however, like most tax updates, there are a few important details to understand before making decisions. Read More.

Healthcare in the U.S. is complicated, expensive, and often just plain overwhelming. And yet, it’s one of the most important parts of your financial life — because one unexpected diagnosis or injury can derail even the most carefully laid financial plans. So if you’re asking, “How can I save on health care costs?” — you’re asking the right question. Read More.

Someone at work mentioned disability insurance, and now you’re wondering: “Do I actually need that?” Maybe. Because here’s the truth: Disability insurance sounds more complicated than it is. And the name doesn’t help — it makes you think it’s only for rare, dramatic events. But at its core, disability insurance is really just income protection. Read More.

Let’s be real: Emergencies don’t RSVP. They show up unannounced — usually at the worst possible time — and demand your attention and your money. Maybe it’s a broken water heater, a fender-bender, or an unexpected vet bill. Whatever the curveball, your best defense is a well-stocked emergency fund — think of it as your financial first responder. Read More.