The first monthly Social Security check was cashed in 1940 for a grand total of about $23. Fast forward to 2019 and the average retired worker gets almost $1,500 a month from Social Security. Nearly nine out of 10 people aged 65 and older receive benefits, making it an essential part of retiring in the
Personal finance
Saying thank you with cash has always been a little tricky. Although etiquette experts suggest tipping 15% to 20% for most services, some people are more generous than others and many aren’t giving a gratuity at all. Among all diners who leave tips, the average was 19%, according to a study by CreditCards.com. Men also
On Thursday night’s Democratic debate stage, at least one candidate might mention the idea of supplying you with free cash simply for being a U.S. citizen. So what gives? The concept of universal basic income — generally a set amount of money that all people receive monthly, no strings attached — is not a new
When it comes to the forecast for your Social Security benefits in 2020, there’s good news and bad news. Your Social Security checks are poised to grow next year; however, the annual increase likely won’t be as much as you got in 2019. That’s according to The Senior Citizens League, which on Thursday released its
hept27 | iStock | Getty Images More and more college graduates are regretful. A recent survey by Fidelity found 40% of graduates would now make different decisions about their education if they could. Half of college grads polled by Gallup wish they’d studied something else or attended another institution. Graduates’ regrets are mostly financial, Fidelity’s
Tony Anderson | DigitalVision | Getty Images Some people will do just about anything to buy their first home. Just under 10% of homeowners surveyed by Bankrate.com, a personal finance website, said they took out money from their retirement savings to help cover the down payment and closing costs on their first dwelling. The site
Donald Trump and Jerome Powell Getty Images Cutting interest rates to zero would throw savers under the bus. Greg McBride Bankrate.com Since the recession, rising rates have paved the way for pay raises and a better return on savings, despite the impact on borrowing costs. And still, interest rates are historically low, which leaves the
Photo by Troy Aossey via Getty Images While most of the nation’s youngest adults say they learn about money from Mom and Dad, they also think high schools should step up for future graduates. More than three-quarters (76%) of 18- and 19-year-olds say classes about managing finances should be required in high school, according to
Early retirement may sound like a dream. However, if today’s retirees are any indication, you may want to rethink how you plan financially. Photo taken in Big Island, United States Shawn Walters / EyeEm | EyeEm | Getty Images A new survey from NerdWallet finds that today’s retirees stopped working at 59, on average. That
Petri Oeschger | Moment | Getty Images One of the best ways financial advisors can bolster their credibility and reach potential clients is available for free. It’s called social media. However, merely joining Twitter and Facebook won’t cut it, according to Dasarte Yarnway, founder of Berknell Financial Group in San Francisco. He shared his views
Most people looking for better money skills turn to the money pros — certified financial planners or advisors. Yet sometimes a nonmoney maven can get you on the right track. Marija Jovovic | E+ | Getty Images Marie Kondo, the anti-clutter crusader, has some useful things to say about spare change (don’t let it sit
It’s a debate that typically comes up when discussing whether to delay Social Security benefits: Will that result in less total money over your lifetime? The longer you wait on those retirement checks — up until age 70 — the larger the monthly payments you’ll receive. Aimstock | Getty Images That’s why experts generally advise
If you signed up for the Equifax settlement to get $125 as a result of their massive data breach, you now have until Oct. 15 to verify your claim. Just remember you may get far less than that. The credit-reporting company’s $700 million settlement, announced in late July, gave consumers affected by its huge 2017
If you’re among the estimated 38 million adults expected to bet on NFL games this season, remember that good ol’ Uncle Sam expects a piece of your winnings — and, in some cases, will grab a slice without asking first. The NFL’s 100th season, which kicks off Thursday night on NBC in a game between
Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images Chad Chubb, a certified financial planner, walked a 66-year-old client through four premium increases on her long-term-care insurance policy. In all, the retiree, who is single, has seen her annual premiums rise by more than 60% over the last six years. Her cost in 2018 was $2,721, up from
Women are more educated and successful than ever. Yet, when it comes to their money, they still tend to stand on the sidelines, according to financial experts. It’s something advocates are trying to change. “We still abdicate our money decisions to other people,” said certified financial planner Stacy Francis, president and CEO of Francis Financial.
Joseph Barbarito holds a sign as he waits for protesters to deliver a petition to Walmart in Danbury, Connecticut January 15, 2013. The petition was signed by about 300,000 citizens nationwide urging Walmart, the nation’s largest gun retailer, to halt sales of assault weapons and munitions nationwide. Michelle McLoughlin | Reuters Recent mass shootings have
When Marie Villegas, 46, an IT project manager, was about to start a new position with the Department of Defense contractor she works for, she Googled “salary negotiation tips.” “I knew my responsibilities would increase, but I wasn’t sure how to actually ask for more money,” she said. That’s how Villegas learned about a free
Geber86 | Getty Images The cost of care has become so onerous that some people have ditched going to the doctor altogether. To save on health care, a third of people aged 25 to 45 avoided seeing a medical professional, hoping instead that their condition will eventually resolve, according to data from the Nationwide Retirement
Jill Fromer | E+ | Getty Images While you might feel numb to data breaches due to their increasing frequency, experts say you shouldn’t be indifferent to the possibility of one actually causing you harm. Two years after the announcement of the massive Equifax breach — a cyberattack that compromised the personal information of about