Author: Moneywise

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

If you and your partner are in your 60s and have $70,000 in savings, you don’t have a ton of money set aside for retirement. The good thing is, you do have Social Security, so if you have a $3,780 monthly benefit, you at least have some income you can count on.

Plus, some retirees even make it work with Social Security alone. In 2024, The Senior Citizens League found that 27% of seniors rely on Social Security for 100% of their income.

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Unfortunately, seniors face many big costs — and health care is often one of the biggest. Spending on medical care alone could take up a huge portion of your Social Security benefit, so it’s not a surprise you’re worried about how you can cover your care.

Fortunately, you may have some options available to you. Here’s what you need to know to try and ensure your retirement money lasts.

Health care spending is a huge burden on retirees

If you have a nest egg of $70,000, your savings will provide you with only around $2,800 in income per year. That’s because you’ll likely maintain a safe withdrawal rate to avoid emptying your accounts — and most experts say that means capping spending at around 4% of your account balance in year one and making annual adjustments for inflation.

When combined with your $3,780 per month Social Security benefit, you’ll have around $48,160 per year in income from your savings and Social Security.

Unfortunately, data from the Federal Reserve reveal average expenditures on health care among those 65 and over total more than $8,000 per year in 2023.

Fidelity also found a 65-year-old retiring in 2024 needs around $165,000 saved to cover all of their out-of-pocket costs throughout retirement. The cost is steeper if you end up needing long-term care. An average 65-year-old couple could spend upwards of $100,000 per year for long-term care, according to a report from RBC Wealth Management.

All of these numbers paint a troubling picture.

Opting for long-term care insurance could be rewarding, as it offers coverage for the costs of in-home assistance, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. This way, you don’t have to drain your financial resources or compromise on crucial healthcare decisions.

GoldenCare offers comprehensive long-term care insurance policies — including hybrid life or annuity with long-term care benefits, short-term care, extended care, home health care, assisted living, and traditional long-term care insurance.

Americans under the age of 65 can get a head start by purchasing health insurance right away, as premiums tend to become more expensive with age.

U65 Health Insurance lets you compare rates offered by leading insurance providers like Kaiser, Anthem, Oscar Health, etc., for free.

The process is simple: Enter your age, household income, and zip code, and U65 will compare rates from various providers and display the the most affordable quotes in less than five minutes.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

How to cut costs and cover your medical care

The best way to preserve your nest egg is to do what you can to lower medical care costs so you can use your Social Security benefits and limited savings to pay for other necessities.

MedlinePlus suggests some of the following ways to do that:

• Shopping carefully for a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan to reduce out-of-pocket costs associated with traditional Medicare. While you must pay premiums for these plans, it can be cheaper to buy them than to pay for all coinsurance costs and things Medicare doesn’t cover.
• Asking your care provider to switch to generic medicines to keep costs down.
• Getting routine health care screenings and focusing on preventative care to prevent small health problems from turning into major health issues.
• Seeking charity care at non-profit hospitals.
• Looking into financial assistance programs that help seniors cover medical and food costs and arrange transportation to doctor visits.

If you are unable to reduce your costs, you can also look at ways to increase your retirement income or cut other spending.

For instance, shopping around for car and home insurance policies can help you save money. According to a LendingTree survey of roughly 2,000 American consumers, 92% saved money when they switched their auto insurance providers.

Comparing auto insurance rates from reputable lenders — like Progressive, Allstate, and GEICO — is now easier than ever with OfficialCarInsurance.com.

All you have to do is answer some basic questions about yourself, your driving history and the type of vehicle you wish to insure, and OfficialCarInsurance will sort through its database and show rates starting at just $15/month.

For those looking to switch their home insurance carrier, OfficialHomeInsurance.com lets you compare rates from over 200 insurers near you and helps you find the best deals available in your area. You can save an average of $482 per year when you compare rates and select the lowest possible.

The best part? This process is entirely free and won’t impact your credit score.

Preparing for retirement

Retirement investing isn’t one-size-fits-all. For seasoned investors with portfolios of $50K or more, you might consider diversifying your nest egg through a flat-fee self-directed retirement account.

A self-directed retirement account is a tax-advantaged individual retirement account (IRA) that lets investors allocate funds to a significantly broader range of alternative assets than typical IRAs offered by banks or brokerage firms.

While traditional IRAs limit options to stocks, bonds and mutual funds, a self-directed account allows you to invest in real estate, cryptocurrency, private businesses, precious metals and private lending.

With IRA Financial, you can work directly with experienced retirement specialists. If you prefer making your investments online, their platform and mobile app makes it easy to manage your account. They also have an in-house tax team to ensure your investments stay fully compliant with IRS rules.

With over $5 billion in retirement assets under custody, guaranteed IRA audit protection, 25,000+ clients nationwide and a 97% client retention rate, IRA Financial can help you grow your retirement fund with alternative assets.

Simply answer a few questions — including the kinds of assets you would like to invest in and how much you’d like to start with — to prequalify for an account in just 90 seconds.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

If you’ve been ignoring those pesky "suspicious login" alerts in your inbox, now might be the time to pay attention.

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler discovered an unprotected online database in May, exposing over 184 million records — including email addresses, passwords and login links — stored in plain text. The leaked data is tied to major platforms like Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft along with government and financial services.

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Fowler is usually able to trace an exposed database back to its source — spotting breadcrumbs like company names, employee records or customer information. But this time the trail ran dry. There were no telltale signs of who the data belonged to or how it ended up online, making the breach even more unsettling.

“As far as the risk factor here, this is way bigger than most of the stuff I find, because this is direct access into individual accounts,” Fowler told Wired. “This is a cybercriminal’s dream working list.”

The breach could fuel fraud, identity theft and more. While data leaks might feel like background noise, ignoring this one could come back to bite you — especially if your Netflix password doubles as your online banking login. Here’re some smart steps you can take to keep your information safe.

The cloud comes at a cost

In a 10,000-record sample of the breached data, Fowler found hundreds of compromised accounts including major consumer platforms like Netflix, PayPal, Amazon and Apple. A keyword search revealed 187 mentions of “bank” and 57 of “wallet,” suggesting the breach may have exposed financial data, too. Perhaps most concerning was the discovery of 220 email addresses associated with .gov domains, raising broader national security implications.

The scale of cyberattacks isn’t just growing but evolving in ways that are becoming harder to contain, track and remediate.

Take crypto exchange Coinbase: On May 11, the company received a ransom email after bad actors bribed overseas support agents to steal internal information.

“These insiders abused their access to customer support systems to steal the account data for a small subset of customers,” Coinbase wrote in a blog post.

While the company says it didn’t pay, the breach could cost up to $400 million to fix.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Protecting yourself

Protecting your personal information online doesn’t require a tech degree — but it does take intention.

“This is perhaps a kick in the pants for some people who’ve been a little bit lax in doing some of the things we talk about,” Teresa Murray, who directs the Consumer Watchdog office of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, told WFLA News Channel 8.

Murray suggests changing your passwords now, updating them regularly and never reusing the same one, or even a similar one, across multiple sites. Your primary email and financial accounts should have strong, unique passwords that aren’t used anywhere else.

Murray also recommends freezing your credit files with all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — and leaving them frozen until you need to make a major purchase. This won’t affect your credit score, but it will make it much harder for criminals to open new accounts in your name.

Another step you can take is to enable multi-factor authentication wherever it’s available. This adds an extra layer of protection, even if a hacker does get their hands on your login credentials. You can also use free tools like Google’s Password Checkup to see if your information has been compromised in a breach. If it has, update your login credentials as soon as possible.

There are also paid tools that offer extra layers of protection, like Norton 360 with Genie. Their service includes an assistant that answers any questions you have about online fraud. Even better, Norton’s Genie tool uses AI to detect if websites you visit are scams in real time, and can answer questions you have about them.

Norton may also be able to warn you if you have already been the victim of cybercrime. They offer dark web monitoring to alert you if your personal information has been leaked to the dark web, which contains sites that are only accessible with specific internet browsing tools. Norton 360 can check for suspicious content while you browse online for potential threats, scams, hackers, viruses, malware and ransomware.

Finally, another way to easily protect yourself is to sign up for transaction alerts from your credit card provider, and make sure your contact details are up to date. Murray’s best practices for internet password safety can also be easily applied to your banking practices.

When it comes to cybersecurity, vigilance can pay dividends for your peace of mind.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Before you retire, you want to make sure you have enough income to cover your spending needs. But, plenty of people hope to leave work with the ability to cover more than just the bare necessities.

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• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Let’s say you happen to be a few years out from retirement, and are on track to have an extra $2,700 a month after covering the basics. Well, that’s a pretty good financial position to be in. Annually, that would amount to $32,400 for life after paying the bills.

So, what should you do with this "extra" money if you’re lucky enough to have it? Here are a few possible options to consider.

Diversify your investments

One of the first things you can do with that extra cash is invest it, so that you’re putting it to work in the background. That way, the $2,700 a month can turn into even more.

If you’ve already maxed out your 401(k) and you’re looking for new assets to invest in, you might consider alternatives like gold or art.

A gold IRA is one option for building up your retirement fund with an inflation-hedging asset.

Gold IRAs provide significant tax advantages – and you can open one easily with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

As for investing in art, that’s the type of investment that used to require having a billionaire’s checkbook. Now, anyone can invest in blue-chip artwork worth millions through Masterworks’ art investing platform.

Masterworks has already distributed back $60+ million in total proceeds (including principal) to investors across their 23 exits, posting a profitable return from selling a Basquiat painting for $8 million in 2024. See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd

Donate to charities

Beyond investing, you can use surplus cash to give back to causes that resonate with you. 78% of pre-retirees and retirees between the ages of 50 and 80 indicated to Fidelity that they are committed to donating, and expect it to play a significant role in their retirement.

Giving some of your extra money to causes that you care about can allow you to make a real difference in your later years. A financial advisor can also help you explore tax-efficient strategies for giving, as 21% of retirees aren’t aware of any tax-advantaged methods of donating.

Advisor.com is a free service that helps you find a financial advisor near you. They can help co-create a plan to reach your financial goals, based on your tax circumstances, by matching you with a small list of the best options for you to choose from.

From their database of thousands, you get a pre-screened financial advisor you can trust. You can then set up a free, no-obligation consultation to make sure they’re the right fit for you.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Invest it on behalf of your kids or grandkids

Investing for your kids or grandkids is also a solid way to park your extra retirement money, as you can play an active role in helping the next generation get a head start on financial security.

College costs are seeing significant increases. A four-year degree in the 2035-2036 academic year could run as high as $230,176 for a four-year period. If you want to spare your grandkids the burden of substantial student loans, you could look into funneling some of your extra money into a 529 plan.

Platforms like Wealthfront offer 529 plans where your investments can grow tax-free. Wealthfront also has taxable, automated investing accounts where you can automatically invest in a globally diversified portfolio – without having to do the research or stock picking yourself. And when you fund it with $500 or more, you get an extra $50.

Enhance your lifestyle

Typically, common financial wisdom dictates that you shouldn’t succumb to lifestyle inflation (where your spending increases alongside your income). But, while this is prudent advice throughout much of your working years, if you now find yourself in a position to reap the benefits of smart financial moves or simple good luck, you could also use your extra funds to enjoy your life.

You can begin by asking yourself what would personally bring you joy? You may decide you want to travel more or spend more time on your hobbies, as you aren’t forced to work into your later years or you can let yourself enjoy dining out at nicer restaurants.

Just be sure you don’t go overboard, that you maintain a safe withdrawal rate, and maintain an emergency fund for any incidentals or unforeseen health expenses, even if you feel flush with cash for now.

If you have a lot of cash sitting in your checking account, consider moving it to a high-yield savings account so you can get more bang for your buck.

You can easily compare multiple online banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 4% or more in annual interest in a matter of minutes. Many options now offer $0 monthly fees and don’t require a minimum balance to earn their high APY.

For example, you can open a high-yield checking and savings account with SoFi and earn up to 4.00% APY Plus, SoFi charges no account, monthly or overdraft fees.

The best part? You can get up to $300 when you sign up with SoFi and set up a direct deposit.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

After 10 years of marriage, it can be hard to find new ways to surprise your spouse.

But as some couples would tell you, that might not be such a bad thing. Especially when the well-kept secret has to do with money.

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• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

For one wife, it took a decade of marriage before her husband came clean: he’s dug himself into a hole of $50,000 in credit card debt and he doesn’t know how to get out. Now, in addition to dealing with how this may impact their relationship, the wife is wondering — rather, stressing — about the legal and financial implications for her personally.

What does it really mean when someone married for, say, 10 years wasn’t aware of their husband owing over $50,000 to creditors?

With the average American credit card debt hovering around around $7,321 in the first quarter of 2025, this predicament is, unfortunately, more common than it might seem.

How do we tackle this?

While many couples take a “what’s mine is yours, and vice versa” approach to finances, that’s a choice they make together. And so much depends on your husband’s attitude here. If he’s contrite and this is your first issue in 10 years, you might handle this very differently than if he’s been known to hide things from you.

Your husband is certainly not alone in this debt trap. Americans have an absolute mountain of credit card debt — $1.182 trillion, to be exact.

You may decide to take on the debt as a couple. In which case, keep in mind that credit card debt is among the country’s most expensive forms of debt. Over the last 10 years, average interest rates on credit cards have almost doubled from 12.9% in late 2013 to around 24.33% — the highest level recorded since the Federal Reserve began collecting this data in 1994.

For most people, avoiding debt — especially the expensive type — is their biggest challenge. The first step? Pay off high-interest debt as soon as possible.

If you have significant equity in your home, consider using a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) to consolidate debt, reduce interest rates, and speed up repayment.

A HELOC is a secured line of credit that leverages your home as collateral. Depending on the value of your home and the remaining balance on your mortgage, you may be able to borrow funds at a lower interest rate from a lender as a form of revolving credit.

Rather than juggling multiple bills with varying due dates and interest rates, you can consolidate them into one easy-to-manage payment. The results? Less stress, generally reduced fees, and the potential for significant savings over time.

LendingTree’s marketplace connects you with top lenders offering competitive HELOC rates. Instead of going through the hassle of shopping for loans at individual banks or credit unions, LendingTree lets you compare multiple offers in one place.

If you don’t have much equity in your home, you could still explore consolidating all your debts into a personal loan with a much lower interest rate through platforms like Credible. This can help you pay off debt faster, with just one predictable monthly payment instead of struggling with several.

Through Credible’s online marketplace, the process of finding the right loan becomes much simpler. Credible lets you comparison-shop for the lowest interest rates with just a few clicks.

In less than three minutes, you’ll see all the lenders willing to help pay off your high-interest credit cards with a single personal loan.

Your husband might also consider credit counseling. A reputable counselor can help create a debt repayment plan and provide free financial education resources on managing your money.

Ultimately, you’ll probably need to have a few frank conversations to get back on the same page when it comes to spending. Dave Ramsey reminds us that "debt isn’t a math problem; it’s a behavior problem.”

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

What are my rights and responsibilities?

But maybe things aren’t so straightforward or simple. If you’re worried your husband is drowning in debt and might try to take you down with him, you’ll want to find out how your state handles financial responsibilities differently when it comes to marriage. Divorce or the death of a spouse can impact this, too.

Most states follow common law, where each spouse is responsible only for debts in their own name. You’re generally not liable for your spouse’s credit card debt unless you co-signed or share the account. Still, creditors can sometimes go after jointly owned assets, like a home or bank account.

Nine states — Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin — use community property laws. In these states, most debts and assets acquired during the marriage are considered shared, even if only one spouse incurred them. That means you could be responsible for debts your spouse took on during the marriage.

Since financial responsibilities in marriage can be complex and vary by state, it’s a smart move to talk with a financial advisor.

A trusted, pre-screened financial advisor can help you understand your exposure, protect your assets, and plan a path forward.

Finding the right advisor for your needs is simple with Advisor.com. Their platform connects you with experienced, qualified financial professionals in your area who offer personalized guidance and support in managing market fluctuations and optimizing your portfolio mix.

According to a Bank of America study, over 90% of the country’s richest individuals work with a financial advisor. Wealthy people know that having money is not the same as being good with money.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Retirees are flocking to some states in droves. While their motivations aren’t entirely clear, the growing cost of living — especially property taxes — is a likely factor.

A John Burns Research and Consulting study ranked states based on their highest and lowest median property tax rates.

Don’t miss

• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Those who are ready might look to West Virginia and South Carolina — two states standing out as retiree hotspots, with property taxes of under 0.5%. While it can be tempting to save money, retirees should fully understand their finances, including their budget and spending habits, before relocating. This ensures they can afford the move, no matter how financially appealing it may seem.

Here’s what they offer and what retirees should consider.

West Virginia

West Virginia is ranked second best for retirement, just behind Delaware. While an official annual retiree count isn’t available, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that as of 2020, the state has a population of approximately 1.8 million, with 22% of the population aged 65 and older.

According to the Bankrate study, West Virginia is the most affordable state in the country. But West Virginia’s appeal stretches beyond finances. Charleston offers laid-back, scenic mountain living with big-city amenities, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene.

West Virginia’s affordability also helps residents battle inflation, another sticking point in choosing where to retire. For example, the state has the ninth-lowest average property tax rate in the U.S. (0.55%).

Another way to combat inflation is by investing in inflation-protecting assets, like gold. One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

Of course, no retirement destination is perfect. Challenges in West Virginia include access to health care facilities in rural areas, colder winters with significant snowfall and fewer job opportunities for retirees to supplement their fixed income.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

South Carolina

South Carolina’s affordability has improved since 2023, moving up six spots in Bankrate’s study from the previous year. However, the overall cost of living remains above average, at about 95.9% of the national mark.

Utility costs contribute to the higher expenses, while housing remains affordable. House prices vary by region, but the state’s average home value is around $303,1260 — about 21% below the U.S. average.

To bring the cost of homeownership down even further, consider OfficialHomeInsurance.com, which can help you get great rates to protect your home. All it takes is two minutes for them to comb through over 200 insurers, for free, to find the best deal in your area. The process can be done entirely online.

What makes South Carolina stand out is its tax structure. There’s no estate tax, Social Security benefits aren’t taxed and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are only partially taxed.

With nearly 200 miles of coastline, retirees can also find idyllic communities on islands like Kiawah and Seabrook.

While South Carolina’s mild winters and sunny summers appeal to many, retirees should consider the region’s hot summers (with July highs of 89°F), as well as the risks of hurricanes and flooding. Another potential drawback is the state’s relatively high health care costs, ranking 33rd in the study. It’s worth considering how to decrease costs on other essentials to compensate for that.

For example, OfficialCarInsurance.com makes comparing multiple insurance companies easier than ever. They’ll ask you some quick questions then sort through leading insurance companies in your area, ensuring you find the lowest rate possible. The process is 100% free and won’t affect your credit score.

Talk to a financial advisor

At the end of the day, there are plenty of factors to consider before you up and move for your retirement. It’s about so much more than just finding somewhere with better tax benefits or cheaper rent. To figure out the best decision for your personal circumstances, it might be worth consulting with a financial advisor.

With Advisor.com, you get a trusted partner that’s with you every step of the way in your retirement journey.

The platform matches you with vetted financial advisors that offer personalized advice to help you to make the right choices, invest wisely, and secure the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Start planning early, and get your retirement mapped out today.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Imported household appliances that are made with steel parts — like washing machines, refrigerators and stoves — will be subject to President Trump’s expanded tariffs starting June 23, according to the Commerce Department.

This marks one of the first times that the administration has targeted everyday household products, and could mean higher prices for the average American household.

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

The administration increased tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to 50% from 25% on June 4. This is in addition to a baseline 10% tariff on imported goods from most countries, along with a 25% tariff on foreign-made cars and auto parts.

Many fear costs will continue to rise. Experts say that, regardless of any further actions from Trump, the prices of certain products and services are expected to rise significantly this year.

Here are five you should watch out for.

1. Homeowners insurance

U.S. homeowners’ insurers have hiked premium rates by double digits over the past two years. Premiums increased by 10.4% in 2024, following a rise of 12.7% in the previous year, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. If you’re worried about affording your insurance policy, it’s a good idea to shop around for rates when your plan is set to renew.

OfficialHomeInsurance.com takes the hassle out of shopping for home insurance. In just under 2 minutes, you can explore competitive rates from top insurance providers, all in one place. OfficialHomeInsurance makes it easy to find the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.

The side-by-side comparison is helping homeowners save an average of $482 on their home insurance policies.

Home insurance premiums aren’t the only thing coming out of homeowners’ pockets. If you own a car, you have another cost to deal with.

Car insurance rates rose an average of 16.5% in 2024 according to ValuePenguin. Shopping around and bundling your auto and homeowners’ insurance can lead to substantial savings.

OfficialCarInsurance.com lets you compare quotes from trusted brands, including Progressive, Allstate and GEICO, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. The matching system takes into account your location, vehicle details, and driving history to find you the lowest rate possible.

You can find deals starting at just $29 per month and switch over your policy in just a few minutes.

And if you have a furry friend, consider getting pet insurance to avoid expensive vet bills. With only 2% of pets insured across the U.S., pet owners typically spend up to $186 on average for a routine veterinary checkup, and anywhere between $374 and $1,285 for an emergency visit.

BestMoney lets you compare pet insurance policies offered by reputed providers like Spot Pet Insurance, ASPCA, Pet Best and more.

You can compare the coverage benefits, deductibles (if any), geographical availability and reviews — all in their online marketplace.

Find offers starting at just $10 per month.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

2. Eggs

Eggs are a staple item in many people’s fridges. But in 2025, egg prices are expected to rise due largely to a wave of avian flu, plus the effects of Trump’s tariffs.

The impact is already being felt. While costs may vary depending on your location, the consumer price index reported that the price of a dozen large eggs reached $4.95 nationwide in January, up from $4.15 in December. Just a year ago, the average price was only $2.52 per dozen.

If your household uses eggs regularly, buying in bulk could be a potential way to save. Alternatively, check out local farms to see if they offer fresh eggs at a lower price compared to your nearby supermarket.

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3. Coffee

If you’re someone who can’t function without your morning dose of caffeine, here’s some bad news: The price of coffee rose more than 80% in 2024, according to The Wall Street Journal, surpassing a record set in 1977. And with concerns brewing about a weak 2025 harvest in Brazil, plus Trump’s tariff threats to Mexico, prices could easily follow a similar pattern this year.

A 2024 survey by Drive Research found that 73% of Americans drink coffee every day, and 51% purchase coffee outside the home at least once a week.

Little luxuries like café treats are often worth their extra cost if they boost your mood — but to keep them in your budget, you should look for ways to make your money work harder for you, so you can grow your nest egg.

You can easily compare multiple online banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 4% or more in annual interest in a matter of minutes. Many options now offer $0 monthly fees and don’t require a minimum balance to earn their high APY.

For example, you can open a high-yield checking and savings account with SoFi and earn up to 3.80% APY Plus, SoFi charges no account, monthly or overdraft fees.

The best part? You can get up to $300 when you sign up with SoFi and set up a direct deposit.

4. Streaming services

The cost of streaming services is increasing in 2025. YouTube TV raised its monthly rate to $82.99 from $72.99 in January. Netflix also followed suit by announcing price increases across all plans at the same time.

Most budgeting experts recommend an annual content audit to make sure you’re not paying for platforms you rarely use. According to a study by Bango, one-third of Americans pay for a subscription they don’t use. Another practical and long-lasting way to save is by keeping track of where your money is going.

However, budgeting can be challenging, especially when trying to track multiple accounts and daily expenses simultaneously. Monarch Money’s expense tracking system simplifies the process.

The platform seamlessly connects all your accounts in one place, giving you a clear view of where you’re overspending. It also helps you monitor your expenses and payments in real-time.

Whether you’re looking to save, invest, or simply control your spending, Monarch Money offers the tools to help you succeed. For a limited time, you can get 50% off your first year with the code NEWYEAR2025.

5. Travel

Travel is a luxury that a lot of people are willing to prioritize. But in 2025, it might cost you more to get away.

American Express Global Business Travel predicts prices on most routes involving U.S. airports will increase modestly, with domestic flights facing the biggest hikes.

Some of America’s top travel destinations are also introducing additional fees, as more countries in 2025 will require Electronic Travel Authorizations. These are permits travelers must pay for to enter visa-free countries, and they are linked to your passport.

To save on travel, aim to book your vacation at an off-peak time, which may depend on your destination. Travel booking site Kayak found that the cheapest month to travel in 2024 was February.

You can also save money by using the credit card that offers the most travel rewards and cash back. The challenge, however, is that searching for the right credit card can be overwhelming.

With CardRatings.com, the process is quick, easy and personalized. Whether you’re looking for cash back, travel rewards, a low APR or zero annual fees, their CardFinder tool matches you with the best offers from top providers.

The process is simple: First, share a few details about your preferences and credit profile. Next, a soft credit check is performed, which won’t affect your credit score. Finally, you can instantly compare and choose from a curated list of cards, complete with overviews of rewards, fees, and benefits.

CardRatings.com will help you find the perfect match and recommend a travel reward card that maximizes savings and benefits — all tailored to you.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

In an episode of Suze Orman’s Women & Money podcast, Jane from California wrote into the show to pick Orman’s brain about her husband’s credit card debt.

Her question for the personal finance guru: “If something were to happen to my husband, am I responsible for his credit card debt?”

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Jane added that her name is not tied to anything related to her husband’s credit card. However, Orman and her co-host, KT Travis, were quick to point out that this was irrelevant anyway — because Jane lived in a community property state.

“You most likely will be held responsible for your husband’s credit card debt that was incurred during the marriage,” Orman explained. Here’s what this means for Jane.

What is a community property state?

In essence, your spouse’s debts are also your debts.

In community property states, all assets and debts that are taken on during your marriage (with few exceptions) are considered equally owned by both spouses. In the event of divorce, anything accumulated during the marriage is split 50/50.

It doesn’t matter who’s name is on the asset or debt since the legal union binds both individuals. So, all financial assets that come into the marriage are typically considered community property.

If Jane’s husband incurred any debts before the marriage or after a legal separation (such as divorce), Jane would be off the hook because, as Orman pointed out, “they are considered his debts and you would not be responsible for those unless you specifically agreed to take on such debts.”

While the majority of U.S. states don’t have community property laws, these laws currently apply in nine states, including Arizona, California and Texas. That being said, it is possible to opt out if you sign a prenuptial agreement before the marriage.

Whether you want to merge or split your finances with your spouse, you can get ahead of the game by speaking to a financial advisor to guide you in taking the right steps. This is especially important if you own property together or if either of you has an extensive portfolio.

If you’re searching for financial advice, Advisor.com connects you with vetted fiduciary financial advisors near you. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about your finances, and Adivsor.com matches you with a short list of certified experts to choose from.

You can then set up an introductory meeting with no obligation to hire.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

What to do if you get stuck with your spouse’s debt

In the unfortunate event that you get stuck with your spouse’s debts, there are some things you can do to help your financial situation.

Start by reviewing your finances and create a spreadsheet that includes any other outstanding personal debts and an estimate of your monthly expenses. Budgeting aggressively or consolidating the debt is a possible option.

For example, credit card interest rates tend to be quite high, but by consolidating the debt with a personal loan through Credible, you can get much lower interest rates. That way, you can manage payments more efficiently and prevent the debt from ballooning even more.

Credible is an online marketplace of vetted lenders where you can browse the best personal loan rates for you and opt to consolidate your debt.

With interest rates as low as 6.49% and repayment schedules ranging from 24 to 84 months, you’ve got time and flexibility.

In the end, ensure you and your spouse are in good financial standing before you say, “I do.”

Another way to consolidate your debt is by tapping into your home’s equity through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).

A HELOC is a secured line of credit that leverages your home as collateral. Depending on the value of your home and the remaining balance on your mortgage, you may be able to borrow funds at a lower interest rate from a lender as a form of revolving credit.

Rather than juggling multiple bills with varying due dates and interest rates, you can consolidate them into one easy-to-manage payment. The results? Less stress, generally reduced fees, and the potential for significant savings over time.

LendingTree’s marketplace connects you with top lenders offering competitive HELOC rates. Instead of going through the hassle of shopping for loans at individual banks or credit unions, LendingTree lets you compare multiple offers in one place. This helps you find the best HELOC for your situation.

Terms and conditions apply. NMLS#1136.

Make sure you have savings

Jane can also offset some of the debt by having savings to fall back on.

It’s important for anyone — regardless of marital status — to have money saved in case of emergency or in this case, incurred debts from a spouse.

One way to bulk up your savings is with a high-interest savings account.

You can easily compare multiple online banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 4% or more in annual interest in a matter of minutes. Many options now offer $0 monthly fees and don’t require a minimum balance to earn their high APY.

For example, you can open a high-yield checking and savings account with SoFi and earn up to 3.80% APY Plus, SoFi charges no account, monthly or overdraft fees.

The best part? You can get up to $300 when you sign up with SoFi and set up a direct deposit.

Leave security for your family

Whether it’s you or your other family members saddled with debt, having financial security guaranteed by life insurance can mitigate the financial impact of losing a loved one.

By opting for term life insurance through Ethos, you can help ensure that your family will be taken care of when you’re no longer there.

With Ethos, you can secure coverage in just 10 minutes online or via phone and approval is guaranteed regardless of any pre-existing conditions.

Ethos also gives you the flexibility to select coverage amounts ranging from $2,000 to $100,000.

With fixed rates, you can rest assured that your rates will never go up on your policy. Ethos offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied with their services.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Since 1950, the US has weathered 11 recessions, proving time and again that downturns aren’t a question of if, but when.

After a strong performance from the S&P 500 in 2024 — which experts hailed as a “very good year” — storm clouds are forming. Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have rattled markets with the S&P 500 entering correction territory in April 2025.

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• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Times like these may have long-term investors wondering what they should do to protect their portfolios. The answer? Do nothing and stay the course.

“Generally, the advice boils down to staying invested. But I firmly believe that just saying ‘stay invested’ doesn’t work on days when stocks are in free-fall and the world feels terrible,” Callie Cox, chief market strategist for Ritholtz Wealth Management, said to The Washington Post.

“We’re not robots, we’re humans with emotions, and we need to honor that in times like these.”

Why you shouldn’t panic sell

Watching the portfolio you’ve built for retirement fluctuate can be unsettling, especially when market downturns threaten the very assets you plan to rely on.

However, selling and moving your money to the sidelines is typically not the best course of action.

“Seventy-eight percent of the stock market’s best days have occurred during a bear market or during the first two months of a bull market,” according to Hartford Funds, an asset management firm that includes Schroders and Wellington Management. “If you missed the market’s 10 best days over the past 30 years, your returns would have been cut in half. And missing the best 30 days would have reduced your returns by an astonishing 83%.”

The importance of a diversified portfolio

One way for investors to diversify a portfolio is by buying into international assets, with well-known asset management firm Vanguard suggesting at least 20% in international stocks and bonds as a benchmark.

However, diversification isn’t just about protecting your portfolio — it’s about building resilience. That’s why holding investments beyond the S&P 500 can act as a cushion when the economy hits a rough patch.

But stocks aren’t the only way to diversify your portfolio.New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Another popular hedge against inflation with investors is gold, which historically performs well when the market is shaky, and hit an all-time high in early April.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Nearing retirement

As you near retirement, market volatility and ongoing inflation can make the road ahead feel precarious, but reacting to short-term turbulence with long-term portfolio changes can be a costly misstep. Instead it can pay to prepare your portfolio for retirement by slowly switching your investments to low-risk options.

Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, told The Post that allocating 25% to 30% of your portfolio to short and intermediate-term bonds is a good approach for those approaching retirement.

But make sure you don’t give up on growth entirely.

“Remember that even though retirement is a few years away, that is just the start of retirement,” Corbin Blackwell, senior manager of financial planning at Betterment, told The Post. “For most people, their money needs to last decades, so don’t lose sight of your real-time horizon.”

If you’re unsure of the best approach for you, it might be worth speaking with a financial advisor who can help craft a retirement strategy that fits your goals — and gives you peace of mind as you step into your next chapter.

Advisor.com can help you find someone that’s right for you.

This online platform connects you with vetted financial advisors in minutes. How it works is easy: Just answer a few quick questions about yourself and your finances, and the platform will match you with a financial advisor best suited to helping you make your money last in retirement.

From here, you can view their profile, read past client reviews and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings give shareholders the opportunity to pick CEO Warren Buffett’s brain on a wide range of topics.

However, one investor who attended the conference in 1999 cut right to the chase.

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• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

“Mr. Buffett, how do I make $30 billion?” he asked.

As always, the Oracle of Omaha conveyed complicated ideas in simple terms. Here are the three crucial rules that helped the 93-year-old accumulate a massive fortune and that could help ordinary investors too.

Start young

Buffett’s best advice for investors is to get started as early as possible. He has a simple metaphor to explain his wealth-building strategy.

“We started with a little snowball on top of a very tall hill,” he said. “We started at a very early age in rolling the snowball down, and of course, the nature of compound interest is that it behaves like a snowball.”

The length of Buffett’s career is a key piece of his enormous wealth. He bought his first stock at the age of 11. He’s now 93 years old and still actively investing.

The majority of Buffett’s wealth was accumulated after he turned 65. In 1999, his net worth was just $30 billion. Today, it’s four times greater at over $140 billion, according to Bloomberg.

In other words, one of the keys to Buffett’s long term success was investing early and often.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Search for small companies

Buffett said that if he started investing again today with $10,000, he would focus first on small businesses.

“I probably would be focusing on smaller companies because I would be working with smaller sums and there’s more chance that something is overlooked in that arena,” he said at the shareholder meeting.

In his early days, the billionaire investor focused on companies that would be considered small-caps. He bought a tiny furniture company in Nebraska in 1983 when it was still expanding across state lines. He acquired See’s Candies when it made just $4 million in annual profits in 1972.

These small businesses were overlooked, undervalued and had room to grow, which gave Buffett the chance to buy in early.

This trend continues today. Small-cap stocks were around 30% cheaper than large cap stocks as of the start of the final quarter of 2023, according to an analysis by BNP Paribas. This valuation gap is near a 25-year low, suggesting the potential for small-cap outperformance as market conditions shift, based on a report by Royce Investment Partners.

If small-cap investments sound too much like micro-management, you could instead consider using an automated investment portfolio to take some of the pressure off individual stock picking. Platforms like Wealthfront Automated Investing can help you start investing with as little as $1.

Depending on your risk profile, Wealthfront can create a customized portfolio of low-cost index funds combining up to 17 global asset classes. Wealthfront can also automatically rebalance your portfolio, diversify your deposits and help reduce your tax liability by tax-loss harvesting.

Even better, up to $500,000 of your deposits with Wealthfront Invest are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. This means that, in the event of a brokerage failure, your cash and securities are protected.

If you get started today, you can snag a $50 deposit bonus when you open your first investing account with $500 or more.

Circle of competency

Thomas J. Watson Sr., the founder of IBM, once said, “I’m no genius. I’m smart in spots — but I stay around those spots.” That’s the mantra Buffett has applied to his investing too.

Investing is risky, and Buffett has mitigated that risk by sticking to industries he understands. Much of his portfolio is focused on either consumer goods businesses or financial service companies. This disciplined approach helps him manage risk and make confident, long-term decisions.

Ordinary investors can similarly reduce risk by sticking to their circle of competency and avoiding speculation.

If you’re not sure where your strengths lie as an investor, that’s where platforms like Moby can come in. Moby offers expert research and recommendations to help you identify strong, long-term investments backed by advice from former hedge fund analysts.

In four years, and across almost 400 stock picks, their recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Moby’s team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts, and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Another path is to work with a single, dedicated financial advisor to find your investment angle — no matter where you are in your financial journey.

A good advisor can help ensure your investment strategy aligns with your personal goals and long-term financial plan.

But with over 321,000 financial advisors in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where do you start?

One option is to search for a financial advisor near you with Advisor.com. How it works is simple: Just answer a few questions about your finances and goals, then Advisor.com will match you with a financial advisor near you.

From here, you can book a free consultation call with no obligation to hire.

The best part? Advisor.com is a SEC registered advisory network, and so are the registered investment advisors you can be matched with. This means that they have a legal obligation to look out for your best financial interests.

After all, smart investing starts with self-awareness and succeeds with the right guidance.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.