Researchers have estimated how much of our lifetime is spent on various activities. For example, based on a lifespan of 80 years, the average person will spend:1 26 years sleeping 7 years trying to get to sleep 13 years at work 8 years watching TV 4.5 years eating 3 years on social media 3 years…

A Medicare supplement insurance plan, also known as a Medigap or Med Supp plan, is purchased in combination with original Medicare to help pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by original Medicare. As of Dec. 31, 2018, nearly 13.6 million people were covered by Med Supp plans, representing nearly a 4% increase from the previous year.…

Recessions have consequences, and the Great Recession of 2008 may have produced one of the most influential consequences of all: the millennial mindset. Because of their early experiences in the “real world,” this generation is poised to have long-term significance — comparable to baby boomers — in work, play and politics. If you think boomers…

Annuities are nothing new; in fact, they’ve been around since Roman times, and maybe even before that.1 But they’re seeing a modern-day surge in popularity, fueled by pre-retirees and retirees concerned about stock market volatility and outliving their retirement income.   The fixed annuity market experienced significant growth between 2017 and 2018, with a 25…

The “elderly” portion of retirement is the phase that is past travel, golf, shopping, piggyback rides and puzzles on the floor with the grandkids. It can often consist of isolation, loneliness and boredom — possibly compounded by the inability to drive, take a walk or even hear loved ones talk on the phone. Many continue…

Kiplinger recently noted that the U.S. stock market appeared more resilient than ever, having bounced back from a devastating end of 2018. Employment remains relatively steady, inflation flat and the Fed has indicated reticence to increasing interest rates through the end of the year. In fact, the only headwinds for the rest of the year…

The Federal Reserve recently reported that four out of 10 American adults surveyed said they would struggle to pay for an unexpected expense of $400 or more.1 This revelation goes against the common financial advice urging adults to have three to six months of expenses saved in an accessible account for emergencies.2   Nearly everyone…

Turn your intent into a commitment.   Goals give you focus. To find and establish your investing and saving goals, first ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Do you want to build an emergency fund? Build college savings for your child? Have a large retirement fund by age 60? Once you have a defined…

Why are investors and economists getting nervous about Treasury yields?    What is the yield curve, and why is the financial media writing about it? Here is a brief explanation, starting with a clarification.   A yield curve is really an X-Y graph projecting expected rates of return for equivalent-quality bonds with different maturity dates.…

What are the keys in planning to grow wealthy together?   When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes – and your approach to managing your money may change as well. To succeed as a couple, you may also have to succeed financially. The good news is that is…