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  • Author Robert Kiyosaki says there’s ‘nothing wrong’ with buying a house – except he uses debt to buy it and ‘pay no taxes’ — here are other ways to invest in real estate

    Author Robert Kiyosaki says there’s ‘nothing wrong’ with buying a house – except he uses debt to buy it and ‘pay no taxes’ — here are other ways to invest in real estate

    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.

    With elevated home prices these days, buying a house can be a significant challenge. But for “Rich Dad Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki, it’s a breeze.

    During an interview with personal finance YouTuber Sharan Hegde, Kiyosaki stated, “I own 15,000 houses.”

    Hegde asked if Kiyosaki rents out these houses to collect income, to which Kiyosaki simply responded, "Yeah."

    The famed author elaborated on the topic of purchasing a house, explaining,

    “Nothing wrong with buying a house. The difference is, I use debt to buy it, and I pay no taxes. It’s not the house, it’s not the stock, it’s not the bond, it’s not the ETF. It’s your brains.”

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    Use debt and pay no taxes?

    Kiyosaki is referring to a strategy often employed by real estate investors. They often use borrowed money (debt) to finance their purchases. This allows them to acquire more assets than they could with their own money alone. Mortgage interest from these loans can be deducted from taxable income, lowering their overall tax burden.

    In addition, investors can claim expense deductions for property taxes, property insurance, and costs associated with managing and maintaining the property, such as repairs, maintenance, and property management fees.

    By leveraging debt and taking advantage of tax deductions, real estate investors can boost their returns while minimizing taxes.

    If this is an approach you want to take, it should be done with caution — and hiring a financial advisor is a smart approach.

    With Advisor.com, you can find the right financial professional to help you fulfill your wealth goals. It’s a free service that helps you find the right financial advisor for you, by matching you with a small list of the best options for you to choose from.

    Set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of their pre-screened financial advisors today.

    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

    Asset vs. liability

    Kiyosaki distinguishes between income-generating properties and a primary residence, emphasizing they serve different financial purposes.

    “Your house is not an asset,” Kiyosaki said.

    According to Kiyosaki, there’s an easy way to determine if something is an asset.

    “What is the definition of the word? If it puts money in my pocket, it’s an asset. If my house is taking money from my pocket, it’s a liability,” he explained.

    By this definition, a primary residence is not an asset. Most homeowners face mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, which take money out of their pockets.

    If you want to use real estate to generate income, you can still benefit from home ownership without buying a house. 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.

    Becoming a real estate mogul

    Of course, you can invest in income-producing real estate assets. After all, in an era where passive income has become a big buzzword, one of the most popular ways to create a passive income stream is through real estate — at least in theory.

    The good news? These days, you can invest in real estate without becoming a landlord. For instance, necessity-based commercial real estate are properties that serve an essential function – like health-care facilities or grocery stores – making these properties in demand because they are always in need regardless of economic conditions.

    With First National Realty Partners (FNRP), you can enter the world of commercial real estate and enjoy the potential returns of deals anchored by necessity-based properties.

    FNRP has developed relationships with the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on- and off-market

    FNRP’s secure online platform makes investing in commercial real estate convenient and simple. You can engage with experts, explore available deals and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized portal.

    What to read next

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

  • Are you ready for your first year of retirement? Here are 5 things you might not see coming — but you definitely need to be ready for

    Are you ready for your first year of retirement? Here are 5 things you might not see coming — but you definitely need to be ready for

    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.

    You prepare for retirement your whole life — maybe as far back as your teenage years and your first paycheck. You put cash aside. You invest. You live within your means, and when the time comes, you downsize. So are you really, truly ready to retire?

    That depends.

    According to an April 2025 study by Northwestern Mutual, Americans believe they need to save around $1.26 million for a comfortable retirement. While this figure is $200K less than what was reported last year, 25% of Americans say they have one year or less worth of income in retirement savings.

    Even with decades of planning and saving, surprises are likely to come your way that first year of retirement.

    Here are five strategies retirees — and those about to take the plunge — should consider following.

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    5. Get ready for an adjustment period

    Even if you have a smart plan for retirement, there’s still an adjustment period, where leaving the labor force means far less money coming in and more going out. And let’s face it, pre-retirement habits and assumptions can be difficult to change.

    Make sure to look over your budget before you retire, not after. Where and what do you spend on? What’s your projected cash inflow?

    Crunching these numbers might feel overwhelming, especially if it looks like you’re going to have to make some big changes to your lifestyle, so it’s a smart idea to sit down with a financial advisor and take stock of your situation.

    If you don’t have one yet, researching and calling multiple advisors can be a hassle, but there are easier ways to find one fast.

    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.

    4. Make sure your loved ones are protected

    No one ever feels ready to start thinking about life insurance.

    But the truth is, the younger you are when you purchase a policy, the lower your premiums will be. Life insurance can be used by your loved ones to make up for lost income, pay outstanding debts, cover unexpected expenses and pay for funeral costs.

    With Ethos, you can get term life insurance in just five minutes — no medical exams or blood tests required.

    And, you can get up to $2 million in coverage, starting at just $2/day.

    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

    3. Have a Social Security strategy

    If you take your Social Security starting at age 62, you’ll miss out on additional funds you’d reap at a later retirement age, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

    If you wait until you hit 66, the SSA calculates that you’d receive $1,000 instead of $750. Further, you could receive delayed retirement credits should you wait until full retirement age, which stops when you reach 70.

    To be sure, managing your bills might not make deferment possible, but you may be able to strengthen your savings by regularly contributing to a retirement account.

    You know that an IRA is one of the best savings vehicles for retirement and can help you to be less reliant on Social Security benefits when the time for retirement comes. However, you may not know there are different types of IRAs.

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

    Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining 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 $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

    2. Prioritize your expenses

    Want to travel? It’s a delicious luxury but it’s incredibly expensive when you factor in food, lodging, flights and frequency of trips. Want to renovate your home or buy a seaside getaway? Interest rates on first and second mortgages these days are through the roof.

    Before you break open the coffers and live it up, get a sense of your “nice to haves” versus your “need to haves.” You can also take steps to lower the cost of those “need to haves” so that you’ve got more money leftover for the fun stuff.

    One beneficial way to lower those costs is to shop around for a better deal on your home insurance. OfficialHomeInsurance, an easy-to-use platform, helps you compare home insurance rates in your area.

    Shopping for a better policy fast and easy: all you have to do is answer a few quick questions about yourself and your home, and you’ll see get a list of quotes tailored for your needs.

    A report by MarketWatch found that 82% of Americans struggle to keep the monthly cost of car ownership below the recommended threshold of 10% of their monthly income.

    When you use OfficialCarInsurance, you can ensure that you’re cutting your insurance costs down to size, and keeping them within the scope of your fixed income by comparing available policies and prices.

    Getting started with a quote is easy: When you enter your age, your home state, the type of vehicle you drive and your driving record, OfficialCarInsurance will sort through the leading insurance companies in your area, including top providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. You can then easily compare rates and choose the policy that best suits your needs and budget.

    The platform is 100% free to use and it can help you ensure you aren’t overpaying for insurance every month.

    1. Keep adding to your savings

    Once it’s time to retire, many folks throw their savings plan out the window of the cruise ship or dream home. That’s the wrong way to go. Saving not only offers a buffer but also a means to make even more aspirations possible.

    If you once put 10% of each paycheck aside, you could now aim for 10% of each Social Security check. Even just 5% is better than nothing, especially if you invest it wisely.

    Yes, the stock market may be rocky these days, but there are other ways to invest for your future than just dumping your savings into stocks.

    You can also shop around to find the best savings options with the Moneywise list of Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 to compare your options and start building your retirement or emergency fund more efficiently.

    What to read next

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

  • Suze Orman: If you think you’re ready to retire, think again — 4 critical money moves to avoid a financial crisis when retired

    Suze Orman: If you think you’re ready to retire, think again — 4 critical money moves to avoid a financial crisis when retired

    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.

    Everyone hopes that their reward for decades of hard work will be decades more to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

    But if you ask financial guru Suze Orman, the average American is nowhere near ready. Their savings won’t last decades — they’ll last about three years.

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    The average amount that Americans have saved for retirement dropped slightly to $88,400 in 2024 from $89,300 in 2023, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.

    If you want more than three good years, Orman’s book The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+ offers four key moves you can make today to set yourself up for a happy retirement.

    1. Maximize your savings

    You don’t always have to put away large sums to move toward your retirement goals.

    Acorns makes saving effortless by automatically rounding up your everyday purchases and investing the spare change.

    Every time you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and places the excess — the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash — into a smart investment portfolio.

    It’s a simple way to grow your savings without even thinking about it.

    A certificate of deposit (CD) is another helpful way of growing your retirement savings. A CD is a low-risk savings account that offers a fixed interest rate for a specified period.

    You can easily get a rate of return over ten times higher than the average 0.41% on most traditional savings accounts.

    With SavingsAccounts.com, you can shop and compare top certificates of deposit rates from various banks nationwide.

    Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates, with daily rate updates and personalized recommendations based on your risk preferences and time horizon, so you can find the right CD to meet your retirement savings goals.

    2. Take a hard look at your finances

    If you haven’t already, Orman says it’s time to buckle down and take a deep look through your budget.

    Compare what you’re spending to what you’re saving. Trim the fat where you can and cut back on unnecessary spending so you can allocate more to your retirement savings account.

    When it comes to essential expenses like home and auto insurance, you can find ways to save without sacrificing quality. For instance, regularly shopping around for better rates could shave hundreds off your annual premiums.

    OfficialCarInsurance makes it easy to comparison-shop for car insurance by providing quotes from various providers based on your personal information and driving history. In just minutes, you can see if switching to a more affordable plan could be worth it.

    The savings don’t have to stop at car insurance. With OfficialCarInsurance, you can easily compare home insurance rates and reduce another significant monthly expense.

    In less than two minutes, OfficialCarInsurance scans the leading insurers in your area to find the best offers. Just provide a few details, and you’ll quickly see the coverage options available at the lowest possible cost.

    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

    3. Update your investing strategy

    Taking a “set it and forget it” approach to your investment portfolio rarely pays off. You have to regularly revisit your portfolio and make sure it’s still in line with your financial goals and timelines.

    Orman generally recommends either stocks or ETFs that pay dividends. So even if the market sees a downturn, your investments will still provide you some income. But you don’t need to get down on yourself for not knowing what approach to take — that’s what financial advisors are for.

    To ensure your retirement fund is on the right track — and help you spend less time worrying about it — Advisor.com is an online platform that can match you with a vetted financial advisor near you.

    Advisor connects you with experienced fiduciary advisors nearby to help you create a customized retirement strategy tailored to your goals and timeline. Whether you’re looking for guidance from established firms like Vanguard and Fisher Investments or boutique local advisors, Advisor will find your ideal match.

    How it works

    Three easy steps to get matched with a financial advisor.

    4. Open a Roth IRA

    Orman recommends opening a Roth IRA to avoid paying tax on withdrawals from your retirement account.

    “Later on in life, you want to be able to take that money out tax-free,” she explains.

    Because your contributions to a Roth account are made after tax, you won’t have to deal with deductions when you withdraw. Traditional IRAs, on the other hand, aren’t taxed when you make contributions, so you end up paying later.

    RothIRA.org connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who can guide you in choosing the best Roth IRA to meet your retirement needs.

    When you sign up with RothIRA.org, you’re custom-matched with two or three advisors near you who meet your specific needs. Your financial advisors will contact you to set up your initial one-on-one consultation — for free, with no obligation to hire.

    What to read next

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

  • 36% of millionaires say it’ll ‘take a miracle’ to retire amid rising costs and a shaky market — how to get on the right track even if you don’t have $1 million in the bank

    36% of millionaires say it’ll ‘take a miracle’ to retire amid rising costs and a shaky market — how to get on the right track even if you don’t have $1 million in the bank

    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’re planning on putting your feet up by the coast and sipping margaritas in your golden years, make sure you’ve got the funds for it. These days, even a seven-figure net worth may not be enough to pay for the retirement of your dreams.

    More than a third of millionaires say it “will take a miracle” to retire securely, according to a survey from Natixis Investment Managers.

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    About 58% expect they’ll have to keep working longer, while 36% worry that retirement may not even be an option.

    But it’s never too late to get your retirement savings in fighting form with these three steps to catch up on saving and help secure your retirement.

    Start by paying down your debt

    Before you bolster your retirement savings you’ll want to get any debt cleared.

    Paying down your debt can open the door to the lifelong contributions needed to achieve your financial goals and secure your retirement. However, this can take up a lot of time, which can cut into your ceiling of life-time savings.

    With home values higher than ever, you can make your home work harder for you by making the most of your equity. The average homeowner sits on roughly $311,000 in equity as of the third quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic.

    Rates on HELOCs and home equity loans are typically lower than APRs on credit cards and personal loans, making it an appealing option for homeowners with substantial equity.

    Unlock great low rates in minutes by shopping around. You can compare real loan rates offered by different lenders side-by-side through LendingTree.

    Just answer a few simple questions, and LendingTree will match you with up to 5 lenders with low rates today. Terms and Conditions apply.

    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

    Find an advisor to get expert financial advice

    When it comes to retirement it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. Setting yourself up for your golden years is already nerve-racking enough — especially with rising market uncertainty and recession fears.

    One option to help you sleep better is to work with an advisor to maximize your contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s.

    For example, a Roth IRA can help you reduce your tax burden during retirement, as withdrawals are tax-free. It can also help you avoid panic selling — especially under volatile economic conditions — as you can only withdraw from a Roth IRA if it has been open for at least five years.

    If you’re unsure about where to begin, it might be time to find a financial advisor who can help you make the most of your money.

    RothIRA.org is an online platform that connects you with vetted financial advisors suited to your unique needs and eliminates the legwork of shopping around for a suitable adviser.

    Most advisor matching services pair you purely based on your net worth and location. But RothIRA.org takes a personalized approach where you also describe your unique needs.

    All you have to do is provide some information about yourself and your finances, and you’ll be matched with 2 to 3 FINRA/SEC-registered advisors near you. Once you select one you like you can set you up a free, no-obligation call.

    Ramp up and earn passive income

    Creating a diversified portfolio with assets that traditionally fare well over economic cycles is a great way to boost your retirement fund.

    Real estate is known to yield steady returns while diversifying your portfolio. However, investing in real estate as an asset class has been out of reach for the average investor.

    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.

    And then there’s commercial real estate. For years, direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector has been limited to a select group of elite investors — until now.

    First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

    With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

    What to read next

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

  • Do you rely on your monthly Social Security check to get by? Here are 3 simple money moves for US seniors during Trump’s presidency

    Do you rely on your monthly Social Security check to get by? Here are 3 simple money moves for US seniors during Trump’s presidency

    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.

    Many Americans are heavily reliant — even solely reliant — on their Social Security benefit to get by in retirement.

    More than half of non-retired Americans (53%) expect to rely on their benefit to “pay their necessary expenses once they retire,” according to a survey from Bankrate. This includes 28% of Americans who expect to be “very reliant.” Of those already retired, 77% say they rely on Social Security for necessary expenses.

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    President Trump has promised to protect Social Security, but has also floated the idea of cutting taxes on Social Security benefits. This means baby boomers could get a bump in the short term, but experts predict this could speed up its insolvency.

    So, no matter what happens (or doesn’t happen), it may be a good time to take control of the reins for your retirement.

    Here are three money moves you can consider that will possibly provide more financial stability in retirement and reduce your reliance on Social Security.

    1. Max out your retirement savings

    Some financial experts, like founder of Financial Samurai Sam Dogen, say you should aim to max out your tax-advantaged retirement vehicles. “Hopefully, it’s something that becomes automatic, and you’re not going to touch it until you’re 59½,” he said to CNBC. This will help you set yourself up for a comfortable retirement.

    However, as Dave Ramsey’s Ramsey Solutions points out, you should avoid doing this if you’re still getting out of debt, don’t have money saved for emergencies or are saving up for other financial goals.

    Only 15% of private sector workers had access to a defined benefit retirement plan as of 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 67% have access to a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k). For those who don’t have access to either, there are other options available to help you save.

    For example, an individual retirement account (IRA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that can help you save for retirement. With a traditional IRA, contributions are tax-deductible; you pay taxes upon withdrawal – ideally when you’re in a lower tax bracket. With a Roth IRA, you pay the taxes upfront, but investment growth and withdrawals are tax-free once you reach age 59½. For 2025, the contribution limit is capped at $7,000 (or, if you’re 50+, at $8,000), and you have until Tax Day in April to top it up.

    Priority Gold is an industry leader in precious metals, offering physical delivery of gold and silver. Plus, they have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating from Trust Link.

    If you’d like to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA, Priority Gold offers 100% free rollover, as well as free shipping, and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases will also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.

    To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you reduce inflation’s impact on your nest egg, download their free 2025 gold investor bundle.

    2. Capitalize on lower taxes — while you still can

    In 2017, the Trump Administration passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). While this law is complex, it essentially provided for a number of tax breaks and deductions, many of which are scheduled to sunset in 2025. However, President Trump has said he plans to extend these tax cuts.

    In the meantime, it may make sense for you to convert a tax-deferred retirement account into a Roth IRA if you expect the tax rate on the converted amount to be higher in the future.

    “One reason to consider a Roth conversion this year or next: Without further action from Congress, tax rates are set to rise with the sunsetting of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of 2025,” according to Fidelity. “Although the new administration and many Congressional Republicans support an extension of the current lower tax rates, record debt and deficits could complicate a full extension.”

    “In the meantime, a Roth conversion at current lower rates could reduce taxes on the conversion, and allow for qualified distributions in retirement that are tax-free.”

    This should be done over time so you don’t end up getting bumped into a higher tax bracket. Whether this strategy is right for you depends on your financial situation, so it’s worth talking to [a financial advisor]https://moneywise.com/c/1/410/1777?placement=4) about your options for capitalizing on lower taxes.

    With Advisor.com, you can find the best advisor for your needs — both in terms of what they can offer your finances, and what they’ll charge to work for you.

    Advisor.com is a free service that helps you find a financial advisor who can co-create a plan to reach your financial goals. By matching you with a curated list of the best options for you 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 see if 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

    3. Contribute to an HSA

    Even with Medicare, retired Americans can expect to spend a chunk of money on healthcare throughout their golden years. Medicare doesn’t cover premiums or deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, nor does it cover long-term care.

    For example, a 65-year-old retiring in 2024 can expect to spend an average of $165,000 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement, according to Fidelity’s annual Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. Unfortunately, Fidelity research found the average American estimates these costs will be about $75,000 — less than half the amount it calculated.

    If you’re relying on Social Security to get by, unexpected medical costs could leave you stretched thin. One way to save for these additional costs in retirement is to enroll in an eligible High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and open a Health Savings Account (HSA).

    An HSA has three big tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, the money can be spent tax-free for qualifying healthcare expenses and any investment growth in your account is tax-free.

    You cannot contribute to your HSA once you enroll in Medicare at age 65, so you may want to max out contributions to your HSA until then.

    “While your HSA can’t pay your premiums, it exists as an emergency fund for health care, and maxing it out can leave you better prepared for large out-of-pocket medical bills,” says Experian author Emily Starbuck Gerson. “There is a risk of saving more than you need, and later wanting that money for other purposes. You can’t withdraw that money penalty-free until after age 65, and even then, you’ll still owe taxes on non-qualified expenses.”

    Many people combine the benefits of an HSA with a traditional health insurance policy to manage their health care expenses.

    But searching through numerous websites to find the most affordable health insurance can be overwhelming.

    With U65 Health Insurance, however, you can quickly compare rates from various providers and get the cheapest quote in less than five minutes.

    Finding an affordable health insurance policy through U65 Health Insurance is easy, fast and free. They cover any American under the age of 65, including those who might have pre-existing health conditions.

    What to read next

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

  • US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims American economy has become ‘hooked’ and ‘addicted’ to excess government spending — warns of ‘detox period.’ 3 ways to shockproof your portfolio

    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims American economy has become ‘hooked’ and ‘addicted’ to excess government spending — warns of ‘detox period.’ 3 ways to shockproof your portfolio

    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.

    For much of last year, President Donald Trump promised “extraordinary” economic benefits from his policies and “the brightest economic future the world has ever seen” for the country. But just months into his second term, the administration is asking Americans to brace for an economic dip instead.

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    In a recent interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the ongoing efforts to cut back government spending would negatively impact the economy. “The market and the economy have become hooked, become addicted, to excessive government spending and there’s going to be a detox period,” he said.

    The impact of the ‘detox period’ may already be unfolding

    At the end of 2024, government expenditures as a percentage of gross domestic product was 34%.

    However, despite the efforts of Elon Musk to cut costs via the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, there is little evidence that government spending has been reigned in. The federal budget deficit hit $1.3 trillion in March — 15% higher than the same time last fiscal year.

    While federal government revenues have risen 3% year-over-year last month, total spending increased by 7%. All told, the government is still spending a huge amount of money.

    Meanwhile, tariff-driven uncertainty has caused the stock market to record the most volatile week ever during the second week of April. Plus, JPMorgan & Chase raised the odds of a recession from 40% to 60% earlier this month.

    Such drops suggest that the only thing this “detox” is eliminating is economic optimism. Here are three ways you can prepare your portfolio for the ongoing fallout.

    Gold

    In times of uncertainty and volatility, investors often consider gold to be a safe haven. Amid the recent market turmoil, gold has been regaining steam over the last few months, trading above $3,000 per ounce.

    With more uncertainty looming, JPMorgan predicts an ounce of gold could reach an average price of $3,675 by the end of 2025, and $4,000 by the second quarter of 2026.

    Adding a little gold exposure to your portfolio could help insulate your wealth. You can do so by opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold. This way, you can combine the recession-resistant nature of gold and the tax advantages of an IRA.

    Opening a gold IRA with Priority Gold is easy — especially if you already have an existing IRA. They offer 100% free rollover, as well as free shipping and free storage for up to five years.

    Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.

    Priority Gold is an industry leader in precious metals, offering physical delivery of gold and silver. Plus, they have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating from Trust Link.

    To learn more about how Priority Gold can help you grow your retirement nest egg, download their free 2025 gold investor bundle.

    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

    Inflation-linked treasuries

    While consumer confidence is dropping, expectations of inflation are rising. Consumers surveyed by the University of Michigan said they expect 4.9% inflation in the year ahead, while their long-term inflation expectations have jumped from 3.5% to 3.9%, the highest level in 32 years.

    Luckily, the government offers Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS, which are designed to protect investors against inflation. For investors worried about the cost-of-living or those living on fixed income, these special treasuries could offer a safe place to park cash.

    But note that if you need to access your money in the event of an emergency, you have to sell them in the bond market. While U.S. Treasuries are quite liquid, selling them when the prices are down could lead to losses.

    Instead, consider opening a high-yield savings account. These accounts typically offer yields significantly higher than the average yields on traditional savings accounts.

    To compare your options and find one that suits your needs, check out Moneywise’s best high-yield savings accounts of 2025 list.

    Alternative assets

    Despite the 90-day pause on tariffs and increasing calls for trade agreements, the U.S. has yet to reach finalized deals with its major trading partners. As the broader market uncertainty impacts stocks and bonds, investing in alternative assets like real estate and art might help diversify your portfolio.

    You can invest in shares of single-family homes and vacation rentals across the country with Arrived, a real estate crowdfunding platform backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos.

    Arrived takes care of the entire lifecycle of the investment — from vetting properties for their investment potential to finding reliable tenants and paying property taxes. So you can sit back and generate potential monthly rental income disbursed through dividend checks.

    Sign up with Arrived and become a landlord with just $100.

    If you want to invest in real estate but don’t want to take on too much risk, consider tapping into the $36 trillion home equity market.

    Homeshares’ U.S. Home Equity Fund is allows accredited investors to gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top cities across the country.

    Homeshares enters into home equity agreements (HEAs) with the property owners, which typically have built-in downside protection. Because HEAs only represent 25% to 35% of the property’s total value, there’s significant return potential at reduced risk levels.

    With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, the U.S. Home Equity Fund could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities — without the headaches of buying, owning, or managing property.

    This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties, plus the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets – with a minimum investment of $25,000.

    Another option for diversification is investing in art – which has almost zero correlation with stocks. Bluechip contemporary art has outperformed the S&P 500 index by 43% between 1995 and 2024.

    Investing in art was once reserved for the ultra-wealthy, but Masterworks has changed that by enabling retail investors to invest in blue-chip art from the likes of Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso. From their 23 exits so far, investors realized representative annualized net returns like 17.6%, 17.8%, and 21.5% (among assets held for longer than a year).

    It’s easy to get started with Masterworks, and you can even skip the waitlist with this link.

    What to read next

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

  • Warren Buffett used to think that ‘predicting’ the stock market was the most important thing in investing — until 1 book changed his life forever. Here’s the real key to long-term gains

    Warren Buffett used to think that ‘predicting’ the stock market was the most important thing in investing — until 1 book changed his life forever. Here’s the real key to long-term gains

    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.

    Warren Buffett is one of the most renowned investors of our time. So, it’s easy to forget that he was once a beginner too.

    Buffett claims he bought his first stock at age 11, then spent eight years focusing on stock price movements instead of studying the underlying companies.

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    “I had the whole wrong idea,” Buffett said in a 2022 interview with journalist Charlie Rose. “I thought the important thing was to predict what a stock would do and predict the stock market.” But when Buffett was 19 or 20 years old, he read a book that would change his perspective forever: “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham.

    Instead of charting stocks or "stock picking," Graham advocated for the valuation of underlying companies. He theorized that stock prices eventually follow a company’s financial performance. This simple philosophy shifted Buffett’s view on investing forever.

    “I realized that I was doing it exactly the wrong way,” Buffett said. “I rejiggered my mind when I read the book.”

    This philosophy has worked for Buffett, but not everyone has time to read 500 pages of financial analysis a day. Here are three ways to level up your investing depending on how much time you have.

    Do your research

    Buffett once famously said that he reads 500 pages a day. While this might not be what every investor needs to do, you should think about spending more time with news and analysis from reputable sources.

    Buffett’s approach favors analysis based on understanding the companies you’re investing in, their industry, and the forces impacting their potential for growth. However, technical analysis — focusing on the numbers — also has a place for the modern investor.

    When you learn to balance both data and investment philosophy, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a savvy market player. In short: where you get your stock market info from matters.

    With Moby, you can get advice from expert former hedge fund analysts, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. In four years, across almost 400 stock picks, Moby’s recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average.

    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.

    Trust the experts

    Aside from doing your own research, it can pay to invest in professional advice.

    Even Buffett surrounded himself with knowledgeable advisors at Berkshire Hathaway. Everyone has areas of expertise, but no one knows everything.

    With this in mind, an expert advisor can help you raise your game. As Buffett once said, “Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”

    “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

    As such, finding a financial advisor who puts your interests first is critical. If you’re looking for some guidance, Advisor.com can help you find a trustworthy wealth expert to make the most of your money.

    Advisor.com is an online platform that connects you to a vetted financial advisor for free. Just answer a few quick questions about yourself and your finances and the platform will match you in minutes.

    From here, you can view the advisor’s profile, read past client reviews and schedule an initial consultation 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

    A ‘set it and forget it’ approach

    While keen investors may be willing to spend the time to learn the markets, many investors can be better off with a passive approach.

    "In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett once said.

    "The trick is not to pick the right company. The trick is to essentially buy all the big companies through the S&P 500 and to do it consistently and to do it in a very, very low-cost way.”

    A passive approach might not produce spectacular wins, but it can be a low-risk option for the investor who is simply looking to build a reliable nest egg for retirement.

    If you’re totally new to investing and are looking for a simple way to get into the market you may not realize you can get started for pennies on the dollar.

    One option is Acorns, an automated saving platform that can smooth out your investment process.

    How it works is simple: Sign up and link your bank account then Acorns will automatically round up each of your purchases to the nearest dollar, depositing the difference in a smart investment portfolio.

    That morning coffee for $4.50? With Acorns you’ve just squirreled away 50 cents for your portfolio. Over a year these contributions can add up, especially if combined with more conscious investing.

    Plus, if you sign up today, you can get a $20 bonus.

    What to read next

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

  • Super-rich Americans like Mark Zuckerberg and Jay-Z have taken out mortgages for homes they can easily afford — here’s why

    Super-rich Americans like Mark Zuckerberg and Jay-Z have taken out mortgages for homes they can easily afford — here’s why

    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.

    For many people, the only way to afford a home is to finance it with a mortgage and pay off that loan over time.

    During the first quarter of 2025, the median U.S. home sale price was $503,800, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data. Given that median annual wages were just $61,984 during the last quarter of 2024, it’s easy to see why the typical working American can barely afford a down payment on a home today, let alone the entire cost in one fell swoop.

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    But uber-wealthy folks are in a different position. Those with billions of dollars to their name can buy a home outright rather than take out a loan.

    Yet celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jay-Z have all made headlines for taking out multimillion-dollar mortgages — not out of necessity but to reap a couple of key benefits.

    It allows for better cash flow

    Someone who’s a billionaire a couple or several times over may not have to worry so much about cash flow. But borrowing for a home allows them to hang onto their cash for other purposes, rather than tying their money up in an illiquid investment.

    Take Hollywood’s it couple, Jay-Z and Beyonce, with an estimated combined net worth of roughly $3.2 billion, for instance. But back in 2017, when their net worth was $1.6 billion, the power couple took out a $52 million loan to buy a hillside estate in Los Angeles., worth $88 million, according to a report published by the L.A. Times.

    "Depending on how their portfolio looks — what they’ve invested in — I think there could be a huge benefit to Beyoncé and Jay-Z. It gives them flexibility, and they could pay the mortgage off anytime," Robert Cohan, managing director at Carlyle Financial, said in an interview with Business Insider.

    You can still land an affordable mortgage rate even if you don’t fall in the category of America’s elite 1%. The key is to not accept the first offer on the table — and to shop around and get quotes from at least two-three lenders.

    According to a study conducted by LendingTree, 45% of homebuyers who received more than one quote got a lower rate than their initial one .

    Mortgage Research Center can help you shop around for rates from vetted lenders near you.

    All you need to do is enter some basic information about yourself, such as property type and zip code in which it is located, total cost, desired down payment, and your annual income and credit score.

    Mortgage Research Center then matches you with lenders best suited to your needs. You can then set up a free, no-obligation consultation to further assess whether 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

    Free up more money to invest

    If you purchased a house in the last couple of years at a fixed rate, chances are you might be able to refinance it at a lower rate right now.

    Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s second richest man (according to the Forbes Real Time Billionaires list) did the same.

    Back in 2012, when Zuckerberg was #40 on the list with an estimated $15.6 billion net worth, he refinanced his home in Palo Alto, California, with a 30-year adjustable rate mortgage at 1.05%.

    While rates probably won’t go down to that level any time soon, the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts over the past few months have already had a noticeable impact. Median mortgage rates are currently hovering around 6.95% — down from 8% in October last year.

    With the Fed slated to lower the benchmark rates further in the upcoming months, it might be a good idea to start looking at your options.

    Ideally, you can land a lower rate by shopping around. According to a study from LendingTree, 56% of homebuyers shopped around when they refinanced their mortgage. What’s more, 81% of those who chose to refinance, came away with a lower rate than what they started with.

    Mortgage Research Center is also a beneficial tool if you are looking to refinance your current mortgage.

    The process is the same — you need to enter some information about yourself and your current mortgage, and Mortgage Research Center will match you with vetted lenders offering competitive rates.

    More ways to invest in real estate

    Buying additional properties to yield rental or investment income can be inconvenient, even for accredited investors. Not only do you have to worry about timely maintenance and property taxes, but you also have to deal with the hassles of being a landlord if you are thinking about renting it out.

    This is where First National Realty Partners (FNRP) comes in. With a minimum investment of $50,000, accredited investors can own a stake in grocery-anchored institutional-grade commercial real estate without having to do any of the legwork.

    FNRP’s team of experts manages the entire life cycle of the investment — from due diligence of properties to acquisition and tenant management.  The firm typically leases its properties to national brands selling essential goods, like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Kroger.

    FNRP also pays out any positive cash flows as dividends quarterly, helping you generate passive income without worrying about property and tenant management.

    For those looking for affordable investment options, 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.

    What to read next

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

  • This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs

    This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs

    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.

    Car dealers aren’t always known for prioritizing your budget — and the lengths some will go to to separate you from your hard-earned money are greater than you might think.

    Most car shoppers have never heard of the four-square method, although it’s often used to convince you to make a big financial commitment without the full picture.

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    Here’s how it works, along with some tips on how to avoid falling into a car dealer’s trap.

    How the four-square method works

    The four-square method refers to the dealer making four squares on a piece of paper. The squares contain the following figures:

    • The value of your trade-in
    • Your down payment
    • The price of the vehicle you’re buying
    • The monthly payment for your new car

    Writing this info down might seem innocent, but dealers often cross numbers out and write them all over the sheet, causing you to lose track of what’s happening.

    Dealers sometimes try to obscure the car’s total costs when using this method. Instead, their goal is to get you focused on the amount of your monthly payment. They want to convince you the vehicle is in your budget if you can manage the monthly costs — no matter how many months it takes.

    Unfortunately, dealers aim to lock you into long-term car loans to make that price appear lower. But what it does is increase the total cost of the car, leaving you in debt for longer. You also pay more in interest over time, which is never good considering you also have to account for the ongoing cost of car insurance.

    Of course, the total cost is nowhere to be found on the squares.

    Insurance costs are an important factor to consider. Due to new tariffs on imported cars and auto parts from Canada and Mexico, your premium could increase by an average of 8% by the end of 2025, according to a study by Insurify — going from $2,313 a year up to $2,502.

    Whether you’re in the market for a car or not, you can always benefit from doing a little comparison shopping on your policy. This used to take hours of research, but not anymore with free services like OfficialCarInsurance.

    OfficialCarInsurance helps you instantly sort through the best policies from car insurance providers in your area, including trusted names like Progressive, GEICO, and Allstate. With rates as low as $29 per month, you can find coverage that suits your needs and potentially saves you hundreds of dollars per year.

    To get started, fill in some basic information and OfficialCarInsurance will provide a list of the top insurers in your area.

    The more you find savings for other car costs, the more money you can put toward your monthly car payments to pay off your loan faster.

    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

    Avoid falling for a car dealer’s strategy

    Fortunately, you can avoid being fooled by the 4-square method — or any other methods dealers use to squeeze every dollar out of you. Here’s what you can do to ensure you pay a fair price.

    Do your research before you go

    An informed customer is less likely to be swindled, so doing your own research can help you stick to a budget that makes sense for you. The Kelley Blue Book and AutoTrader can be a good way to find out the going rate for a car so you’ll know how much you can expect to pay.

    Get preapproved for a car loan independently

    You don’t have to borrow from the dealer when buying a car. While they sometimes offer great incentives, the rates are often comparable to car loans from private lenders.

    If you pass up dealer financing, they have fewer chances to tack on hidden costs or trick you into a low payment over an extended loan term.

    Take the time to shop around, compare rates and find out what you can afford with a reasonable loan term. That way you can leverage your pre-approval at the dealership and see if they can offer a lower rate.

    Look at total costs

    Dealers use the four-square method to present so many numbers that you won’t notice they aren’t disclosing the total costs. The problem is that not understanding the actual price you’re paying can lead to bad choices.

    If you have already been taken in by the four-square method, it’s not too late to lower your costs so you can make your car payments more affordable, allowing you to pay-off high-interest debt faster.

    Credible makes it easy to streamline your debt payments so you aren’t juggling paying off multiple lenders at different rates. Its online marketplace of vetted lenders provides personal loan offers based on your needs, allowing you to pay off your car loan more efficiently at a fixed rate.

    Consolidating your debt with a personal loan from Credible can be the first step towards more financial freedom and getting out from under that damaging debt.

    When buying a car, don’t let the dealer drive your decision making — and don’t let them confuse you. Go in with a clear budget and an understanding of what the car should cost. If the dealer doesn’t align with your financing needs, find a lender that does.

    What to read next

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

  • ‘Checks don’t come in the same’: Cam Newton says it ‘hurts’ not being able to provide for his 8 kids like he once did after losing $6M NFL salary — admits he’s just a man, not ‘Superman’

    ‘Checks don’t come in the same’: Cam Newton says it ‘hurts’ not being able to provide for his 8 kids like he once did after losing $6M NFL salary — admits he’s just a man, not ‘Superman’

    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.

    Cam Newton, once one of the NFL’s most electrifying quarterbacks, is now tackling a challenge far off the field: the struggle of losing income.

    At 35, Newton’s days as a professional athlete are behind him. After his one-year, $6 million contract with the Carolina Panthers expired in 2021, he officially stepped away from the game. Now, the former football star is candid about the financial realities of life after fame.

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    “Being in the NFL, everyone knows there’s a large sum of money that comes to you in a short span of time and being away from the game for three years, those checks don’t come in the same,” he said in a recent episode of Special Forces.

    Newton admitted that the sudden drop in earnings has made it difficult for him to feel like “Superman” to his eight children.

    “It hurts me knowing that I can’t provide like I once did,” the former pivot wrote on Instagram.

    In a dynamic and volatile economy, it’s not just entrepreneurs and professional athletes who face sudden fluctuations in income — ordinary workers are struggling too.

    Unpredictable job market

    Elon Musk, a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and the head of DOGE, pledged to cut $2 trillion in federal spending.

    This has resulted in 275,240 layoffs in both the federal and private sectors in March, with more underway. The United Parcel Service is slated to lay off roughly 20,000 employees. Meanwhile the Veterans Affairs Department may lay off nearly 80,000 people by August in a return to 2019 staffing numbers.

    This marks the second-largest number of layoffs in the U.S., after the pandemic-driven shut downs in March 2020 when over a million people lost their jobs due to the global shutdown.

    In this difficult job market, many laid-off white-collar workers have struggled to replace their salaries and have settled for lower pay, according to Business Insider. Like Newton, many now face hard choices and uncomfortable adjustments to their lifestyle.

    If you’re facing or preparing for a sudden dip in income, here’s how you can bolster your finances.

    Minimize debt

    American households collectively carried an all-time high of $1.21 trillion in credit card debt at the end of 2024, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    This means many households may need to examine their credit card debt if their income drops, as these liabilities could quickly become unsustainable. Credit card debt is notorious for having exorbitantly high interest rates. For example, the average rate on credit cards is 20%, according to the Federal Reserve of New York.

    With home values higher than ever, you can make your home work harder for you by making the most of your equity. The average homeowner sits on roughly $311,000 in equity as of the third quarter of 2024, according to CoreLogic.

    Rates on HELOCs and home equity loans  are typically lower than APRs on credit cards and personal loans, making it an appealing option for homeowners with substantial equity.

    Unlock great low rates in minutes by shopping around. You can compare real loan rates offered by different lenders side-by-side through LendingTree.

    Just answer a few simple questions, and LendingTree will match you with up to 5 lenders with low rates today.

    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

    Maximize emergency savings

    After tackling debt, the next step is to focus on expenses.

    Frequent vacations, eating out and shopping sprees may no longer be affordable. Here, Dave Ramsey’s famous “beans and rice” approach can help to pay off debt rapidly and start accumulating savings. Temporarily scaling back to a bare-bones “beans and rice” budget can give you space to develop the emergency funds you need. .

    As a rule of thumb, you should have at least three to six months worth of expenses in your emergency fund. With the probability of the unemployment rate rising higher over the next year increased to 44% — the highest level since April 2020 — planning ahead can help you avert financial strain.

    If you want to leverage your fund immediately, you can earn 4.00% APY on your emergency savings by opening a Wealthfront Cash account. This rate is 10 times higher than the national average of 0.41%. Plus, you don’t have to pay any account fees and can enjoy unlimited transfers and 24/7 withdrawals.

    You can also get your paycheck two days in advance if you register for direct deposit on your Wealthfront account. That could boost your interest income by up to 14% annually, assuming you receive biweekly paychecks.

    You can open a Wealthfront Cash account within minutes with just $1.

    You can also check out Moneywise’s best high-yield savings accounts list of 2025 to find options that offer up to 4.50% APY.

    Set aside a fixed amount per month to continue investing

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, it pays to set aside a little money each month for investing. Passive income from saving regularly can help you stay afloat if your career takes an unexpected turn.

    You don’t need to invest millions of dollars in order to boost your wealth. Investing a small portion of your paycheck each month can make a huge difference, thanks to compound interest.

    For instance, investing $50 each week for 20 years amounts to $128,276, assuming it compounds at 8% annually. The next step is choosing where to invest. Historically, the S&P 500 has delivered impressive average annual returns of 10.33%.

    You can start your investment journey by investing your spare change from everyday purchases with Acorns.

    Acorns rounds up your everyday spending to the nearest dollar, and invests the rest in low-cost diversified ETFs. So, your $4.25 morning coffee becomes a 75-cent investment in your future.

    If you want to take it one step further, you can invest a larger proportion of your paycheck in a low-cost S&P 500 ETF with Acorns.

    The best part? You can get a $20 bonus investment when you sign up.

    What to read next

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