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Author: Rebecca Holland

  • Would-be homebuyers should take a look at these Top 10 cities where prices are thawing and the supply of new homes is blooming this spring

    Would-be homebuyers should take a look at these Top 10 cities where prices are thawing and the supply of new homes is blooming this spring

    As the spring homebuyer’s market kicks into gear, the average American buyer might not be feeling so optimistic about their prospects.

    Most of the country is in a neutral market according to Zillow, the real-estate marketplace company. While this gives buyers more time to make decisions, the relatively cool market may also make it hard to find a home that checks all the boxes.

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    Zillow forecasts 4.1 million in existing home sales for 2025, just above the 4 million sold in 2024.

    There are some bright spots for buyers in certain cities. Below, we dive into the top 10 markets where you can expect to see lots of choice and hopefully find the home of your dreams with ease.

    Top 10 markets with high housing inventory

    Higher inventory, economic uncertainty and yo-yo-ing interest rates are suppressing price growth. Zillow anticipates a small increase in home value in 2025 — just 0.6%.

    That’s good news for buyers. What else is good? Some of America’s most exciting cities top the list of markets with plentiful housing inventory, and most are in sunny climes.

    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

    10. Atlanta

    This city’s homes were ranked the second-most overpriced in the U.S. in 2024, according to a report by Axios Atlanta. Now, inventory is up 31.40% and home prices are down 10.6%, with a median selling price of $380,000. Homes are sitting longer, too — 84 days versus 55 days on average last year.

    9. San Francisco

    San Francisco real estate is a famously hot commodity, with an average home price of $1,150,195, the second-highest on this top 10 list. If you’re shopping for views of the Golden Gate Bridge or Coit Tower, you’ll be glad to know housing inventory has grown 32.50% since last year. Realtor.com reports that the median number of days on the market is holding at 51, so you’ll have plenty of time for viewings and making an offer.

    8. Riverside, CA

    Prospective homebuyers in Greater LA should check out Riverside, with housing inventory up 33.50% over year. This bustling hub boasts a typical home value of $585,739 (compared to just under a million in LA proper), and homes are sitting longer on the market, clocking in at 49 days this year according to Redfin. The typical seller sees only three offers on their home, so there’s a good chance you can close a deal.

    7. Sacramento

    At $578,290, Sacramento’s home prices are similar to Riverside’s, but availability is even better, with a 34.60% growth in inventory over 2024. But homes only stay on the market 36 days, so buyers may want to move fast to buy a piece of the capital city.

    6. Phoenix

    If you prefer your hot spots in a dry climate, Phoenix is calling. The supply of new homes is up 35.5% this year, and with an average price of $450,492, it’s one of the most affordable locales on this list. The buying is easy, too. Redfin reports that most sellers receive only two offers on their homes, which stay on the market an average of 59 days.

    5. Los Angeles

    Following the wildfires in Los Angeles, housing supply is up 35.5%. Homes receive an average of three offers, and stay on the market for 67 days. If you can afford the average $964,556 price, you may have an easier time buying a home in LA this spring than at any other point in recent years.

    4. San Jose

    The priciest spot on this list, the average home in San Jose sells for $1,648,729. This city is home to Silicon Valley, and demand for homes in the area has inflated prices for years. But in 2025, housing inventory has soared, with 36.2% more homes on the market compared to last year. You still need to move fast as most sellers receive five offers, and sell in just 11 days.

    3. San Diego

    The supply of homes in this California city has shot up 39% over last year. Experts believe the market is due for a correction, as high prices ($946,075 on average) continue to freeze out first-time home buyers. But buying is still competitive. Sellers receive an average of four offers, and homes stay on the market a mere 27 days.

    2. Las Vegas

    With a whopping 40.5% growth in supply and homes sitting on the market 61 days, Las Vegas is the second most affordable market on this list. Homes are valued at an average $430,277. Yet this relatively low number is a record high for Vegas. As of January 2025, prices jumped 9% for single-family homes and sales are trending upwards. Real estate experts note that many buyers in the area are displaced Californians looking for safer real estate options after January’s wildfires, so prices may continue to rise.

    1. Denver

    With a massive 40.9% increase in inventory over last year, buyers have plenty of choice in Denver — but there’s a catch. The average is valued at $581,411, a massive price tag in this region. The Colorado Association of Realtors reports that “economic conditions, affordability challenges, and tumultuous political turmoil” are making the market difficult for homebuyers. In spite of these local challenges, outside buyers will have plenty of opportunity to check out this mountainous city, with a median 59 days on the market for each listing.

    How to buy this spring

    Forbes reports despite the recent uptick in supply of new homes, supply may dwindle and prices rise as builders face tariffs on building materials.

    Buyers still face competition in the market. Here are some tips to be prepared.

    Read up on your target housing market(s), and familiarize yourself with real estate and legal jargon. It’s also an opportunity to get a realistic sense of home prices in a specific area.

    Seek out guides that break down the homebuying process into stages so you know what to expect.

    Ensure your credit score is in the best possible shape. That way your financing will go smoothly and you can get a great mortgage rate.

    Get a mortgage pre-approval from your lender. That will help you set a budget for what kind of home you can afford.

    Talk to a number of real estate agents so you can pick one you trust and will enjoy working with.

    Most of all, try to enjoy the process of finding your dream home, wherever you choose to buy.

    What to read next

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

  • Millions of US retirees face paltry Social Security COLA forecast — ways seniors can protect their savings

    Millions of US retirees face paltry Social Security COLA forecast — ways seniors can protect their savings

    More than 52 million retirees are registered Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S., taking home an average check of $1,980.86 per month as of February after a lifetime of hard work. While the benefit is meant to supplement income rather than replace it once a worker retires, according to Gallup polling, beneficiaries have increasingly become more reliant on Social Security since the millennium.

    In an effort to keep up with inflation, Social Security benefits are subject to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every year. But the next one might come as a disappointment. According to The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), the 2026 COLA forecast as of March 12 stands at only 2.2%, below the average of annual increases seen since 2010.

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    So, what does this mean for American retirees, and what can they do to boost their savings so they can rely less on Social Security to replace their income in retirement?

    A look at COLA

    A 2.2% COLA increase in 2026 would be the smallest percentage increase in the past 5 years. With inflation cooling, but still present, and experts anticipating tariffs will increase costs in the short term, many retirees may desire more from their monthly check.

    So, how does the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculate the COLA? The figure is typically tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) within a specific period of time. The CPI-W measures inflation or deflation on 200 different price indices, allowing the SSA to track how consumer spending and buying power are affecting average Americans.

    However, critics of the formula argue it doesn’t correspond to the spending of beneficiaries. Spending on health care, for example, is generally higher among retirees compared to the average worker, yet this is not reflected in the calculation.

    In addition, COLA may not be keeping up with real inflation figures (keep in mind, they’re announced the year before being implemented). A study published by TSCL in 2024 showed that Social Security benefits had lost 20% of purchasing power since 2010, with inflation outpacing COLA in most years.

    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 protect your retirement savings

    Are there ways retirees and those who are retiring soon can shore up their savings and become less-dependent on Social Security to pay the bills?

    Investments may be key. Conventional wisdom says those already in retirement should opt for a safer mix of investments, relying more on bonds, securities and high-interest savings accounts. If you have the resources, dividend-paying investments can be helpful in retirement.

    Many retirees who are worried about inflation eating away at their hard-earned savings invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). These bonds are issued by the U.S. Treasury and are adjusted along with the rate of inflation, so your buying power is safeguarded as the bond grows. Conversely, however, investors receive lower payouts if deflation occurs.

    Retirees should be careful budgeters, reducing their expenses to a minimum. It’s wise to review your spending regularly to account for every penny collected and spent. If you’re tech-savvy, many banks and tech companies offer spending tracking apps that you can use on your smartphone or online, helping you see your cash at a glance.

    If you have trouble reining in your expenses, or are looking for more room in your budget for investing, consider speaking to a qualified financial adviser who can help you make the most of your retirement, and ensure that — whatever COLA increases are in your future — you can live well beyond your working years.

    What to read next

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

  • Trump’s presidency is slowing US tourism — here’s how much it’s expected to dip and what it could mean for your retirement plans

    Trump’s presidency is slowing US tourism — here’s how much it’s expected to dip and what it could mean for your retirement plans

    Though President Trump has been in office for a little over two months, sweeping changes in his international relations policies have created huge economic impacts, not least of which is the impact on the tourism industry in the United States.

    With both heavy tariffs and the threat of invasion impacting relations with our north-of-the-border neighbors, Canadian travelers are opting to spend their tourism dollars elsewhere.

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    Aviation analytics company OAG reported that travel to the US from Canada is down 70% year over year. Comparing flight bookings from March 2024 to March 2025, the firm noted that the decline is a concern for the airline industry. But it’s also bound to impact the tourism industry as a whole in the US.

    This may be more bleak news for retirement savers. Combined with the shaky stock market, those with significant investments in short-term rental properties and other retirement assets tied to the travel industry may see their nest eggs shrink as tourism numbers continue to fall.

    Tourism under Trump

    Tourism is a major contributor to our GDP, standing at approximately 2.36 trillion as of 2023, according to Statista. It’s also a major job creator, especially in popular destinations like Florida and California.

    Last year, the International Trade Administration expected the US to have 91 million international annual visitors by 2026.

    Now, with Canada and a number of European countries issuing travel warnings for the US, the number of inbound international tourists will decline sharply. One Mile At a Time reports that research firm Tourism Economics has changed its forecast from an expected 8.8% increase for 2025 to a projected 5.1% decline — a 13.9% shift in demand.

    Airlines are already cutting scheduled flights across borders, and travel writer Ben Schlappig projects it may be difficult to bounce back from, saying, “there’s only so much that can be done to stimulate domestic demand beyond what it already is.”

    Tourism is also in question due to safety concerns. Following the reduction of air traffic controllers and a number of reported plane accidents, confidence in domestic travel has taken a tumble.

    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 tourism can shift your retirement savings

    The ripple effect of this drop in travel demand could be massive. Those who own shares of airline stock, for example, are directly affected by the industry’s success.

    And some stock prices are tumbling. American Airlines, the largest player in the US, has seen stock prices fall from a high of nearly $19.00 in January to a current low hovering around $9.00.

    Real estate may also suffer in this new travel climate. Investments in commercial real estate, such as hotels and resorts, and in residential real estate, like vacation homes, can lose favor.

    A report from CNN Business shows that Canadians are the top foreign buyers of US properties, accounting for 13% of all home purchases in 2024 (mostly in Florida and Arizona).

    For those who live in areas that are popular with Canadian snowbirds, the value of their own home may decline as demand lowers, causing property values to fall. If selling your primary residence forms a large part of your retirement plan, you should look to other, more fool-proof safeguards like diversifying your portfolio to ensure you aren’t losing out on earnings.

    In addition to airlines and real estate, the service and hospitality industries may also take a downturn. For many would-be retirees, this could affect their finances post-retirement.

    The Pew Research Center reports that 19% of adults ages 65 and older are employed as of 2023, compared to only 11% in 1987, and that “bridge jobs” often in the service industry continue to be popular for older workers. This growing desire to work past retirement age will probably only increase with rising inflation and a shrinking economy. If fewer jobs are available, retirees might find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

    So what can be done to ensure your retirement savings aren’t impacted? Beyond diversifying your portfolio, it’s a good idea to review your investments and consider the long-term value of any travel-related assets, without defaulting to panic-selling.

    You should also consider your retirement plan as a whole. Are you planning to take a part-time job to help meet expenses? The closer you are to retirement, the more important it is to ensure your skills are up-to-date and relevant to the type of work you’ll want to do.

    If you’re planning to travel in retirement, you might also review those plans and make adjustments. No matter what the future has in store for tourism in the US, a solid financial plan will help you weather the economic storm.

    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 recession fears keeping you up at night? Here are 3 strategic moves to protect your finances as Trump’s trade wars escalate

    Are recession fears keeping you up at night? Here are 3 strategic moves to protect your finances as Trump’s trade wars escalate

    Recession fears have dogged Americans since the Covid years, and they’re showing no signs of stopping.

    In March, J.P. Morgan’s chief economist said there’s a 40% chance the U.S. will face a recession in 2025. Veronica Willis, global investment strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, says that whether a recession is coming or not, the economy is already in a “slow patch.”

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    Now, with a rocky stock market, President Trump’s tariffs and weakened tourism, the U.S. may be on the verge of an economic downturn.

    And while many Americans may find this concerning, there are ways to protect yourself and your investments from volatility. Below are three strategies for keeping your bank balance in the black and ensuring your investments are stable.

    Adjusting your investment strategy

    Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure your portfolio is properly diversified.

    Too much exposure to the stock market could mean significant losses, a thing you especially want to avoid if you’re nearing retirement. Even in times of economic prosperity, retirees should look to trade in the bulk of their stock options for safer investments such as bonds, high-yield savings accounts and inflation-protected securities.

    Seth Mullikin, a certified financial planner in Charlotte, North Carolina, told USA Today that retirees “do not want to be withdrawing from an aggressive portfolio during a recession.”

    Meanwhile, if you have decades before you retire, you may want to ride out the storm.

    “The fact that the stock market is down 7% or 10% now isn’t so concerning,” Sean Higgins, an associate professor of finance at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, told USA Today.

    In fact, this might be an opportunity to buy up stocks that are selling low but have growth potential for the future. It’s “a great time to buy stocks because you’re getting them at a discount,” says Willis.

    As for your current stocks, it’s better to hold than to sell them at a loss. “It’s too late to start thinking of pulling out of equities because you’ve already seen that downturn,” Willis said. Instead, look forward to better times when the market recovers.

    In the meantime, make sure you have exposure to assets like stocks and bonds, and commodities like gold, which has been a strong player in these last few years of economic volatility.

    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

    Reducing debt and expenses

    According to LendingTree, the average interest rate for a credit card in the U.S. is 24.2%. If you are carrying a balance on any of your credit cards, now is the time to put a plan in place for paying off those debts.

    During a recession, paying down debt and reducing expenses is essential. If you don’t already have a budget and a spending tracker, now is an excellent time to put these measures in place.

    Track your spending for a month and get a realistic portrait of how you use your money. From there, you can decide on the best ways to trim, as well as how much you can afford to put towards debt repayment each month.

    While you’re in the process of budgeting, don’t forget to review your fixed expenses like monthly bills, insurance and car loans. Set aside the time to call providers, like your cell phone and internet companies, and ask for ways to reduce your monthly bill. You might also shop around for better insurance coverage for your home and auto.

    Finally, it’s a good time to question whether you can opt for a cheaper car. The average loan for a new car is $735 per month, according to data from Experian. If you can opt for a second-hand car or lease a less-expensive model, you could trim thousands of dollars from your budget.

    Building an emergency fund

    Lastly, whether you have a large portfolio of investments or you’re living modestly, it’s important to set aside funds for a rainy day.

    An emergency fund is crucial for financial health, as it prevents you from going into debt when unexpected expenses arise. The popular wisdom is that you should have six months’ of expenses saved, but even a couple thousand dollars is a good start and can prevent headaches down the line.

    If you don’t have an emergency fund, one of the best ways to begin saving is to set a monthly goal and put the funds in a high-yield savings account, where the money can grow and keep up with the rate of inflation. Even a modest amount can add up over time and help you in emergency situations like a car accident or losing your job.

    According to a report from Bankrate, 27% of Americans don’t have an emergency fund. Today is a great time to begin to get your financial health back on track.

    What to read next

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

  • Trump’s Canada-Mexico 25% tariffs are now raising prices for car parts. Will your auto insurance increase, too?

    Trump’s Canada-Mexico 25% tariffs are now raising prices for car parts. Will your auto insurance increase, too?

    You may be aware that President Donald Trump’s tariff war with Canada and Mexico will see Americans paying more for consumer goods, but have you considered the cost of services will also rise?

    According to a February report from Insurify, the cost of full-coverage car insurance in the U.S. could increase by 8% on average this year if Trump persists on 25% import tariffs on car parts made in Mexico and Canada.

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    Plus, with Canadian steel and aluminum facing the same tariff, the price of manufacturing auto parts in America could also skyrocket.

    The cost of auto parts is a major factor in the final price of your auto insurance. The car industry in the U.S. is highly reliant on our neighbors to the north and south, as the U.S. imports roughly 32% of its total auto parts from Canada and Mexico, according to data cited in the Insurify report. Imports of finished cars and trucks from Canada and Mexico also account for a fifth of all vehicles sold.

    Tariffs on your transportation

    Increasing insurance costs may not be the only headache, as demand for cars produced domestically will see automakers expand their workforces, and add to the final cost of the vehicles they make.

    They’ll also have to absorb the higher cost of steel and aluminum imports, which will likely be reflected in car prices, too.

    Whether you’re buying a new car or repairing a used one, the cost of parts will make transportation more expensive for Americans. Demand for cars made domestically may also increase if imports become prohibitively expensive.

    USA today reports that according to Wolfe Research, tariffs could make the average cost of a new car rise by about $3,000.

    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

    Rising costs for insurance

    In February, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association reported that approximately six in 10 auto replacement parts used in U.S. repair shops are imports from Canada, Mexico or China. With higher costs for these auto parts leading to increased costs for insurers, premiums will rise accordingly.

    According to a recent report from the Kelley Blue Book, the national average cost for car repairs is $838. With tariffs, this could put the cost for repairs well over $1,000.

    In spite of these rising insurance costs, remember that repairing your vehicle is often cheaper than leasing a new one. You can also save money in the long run through proactive maintenance, and the upfront cost of a comprehensive plan can be worth it if you’re involved in a serious accident.

    Speaking to USA Today, Insurify data journalist Matt Brannon projects that New York state will see the biggest increases in insurance rates this year, totalling $489 by the end of the year. Nearly a fifth, or $110 of that cost is directly attributed to tariffs, he reported.

    The good news? Brannon said that car owners probably won’t see increases in their insurance bill until the end of the year. Most insurers, he noted, have to be approved by state regulators to increase the cost of premiums. This process can take months.

    “We expect those price increases would show up when drivers renew their policies or switch to a new insurer, rather than in the middle of a six-month coverage period,” he said.

    You can get ahead of these anticipated costs by setting aside more funds in your savings, and starting to do some research to find a more competitively-priced policy for your auto insurance, so that when you renew you won’t feel it in your wallet.

    What to read next

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

  • Dave Ramsey told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    Dave Ramsey told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    The 4% rule in retirement has been a widely accepted retirement standard for over 30 years.

    Briefly, the rule states that you should draw 4% of your assets from your investments each year in retirement. This should, in theory, allow you to maintain a comfortable standard of living while continuing to let your investments appreciate in value.

    However, it seems this longstanding rule could be poised to fall.

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    • These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America’s net worth ladder in 2024 — and you can complete each step within minutes. Here’s how

    A recently retired caller to The Ramsey Show asked host and finance personality Dave Ramsey if it would be safe to go up to a 5% withdrawal rate in order to pay for trips he and his wife wanted to take in early retirement. The financial influencer counseled the caller to draw 5% or 6%, even adding, “If you want to draw out 10%, you’re not going to destroy the portfolio.”

    Ramsey has said he believes that retirees can earn up to a 12% annual return from mutual funds, and will therefore be safe to withdraw more than the standard 4% per year without jeopardizing their nest egg. He calls the standard rule “absolutely wrong” and “ridiculous.”

    But another finance celeb has a very different opinion.

    Suze Orman, on the other hand, has called the classic 4% rule “very dangerous.”

    Orman, a fellow best-selling author and expert, also called for a tweak to the 4% rule in an interview with Moneywise — saying that retirees should only withdraw a maximum of 3% yearly if they are retiring in their 60s.

    Who’s right? Here’s what to consider.

    The importance of retirement accounts

    Ramsey’s advice is based on a number of suppositions that may not reflect the real financial status of the average retiree.

    Inflation will eat away at the value of your retirement savings, and it’s very possible that your retirement years could coincide with a period of higher inflation — like what the U.S. has seen in the last few years. With inflation like the eye-watering 8% we saw in 2022, an 8% withdrawal from your retirement account would not stretch as far as you anticipated.

    That’s not to mention the stock market’s volatility. Many experts believe a consistent 12% return, like Ramsey has optimistically said mutual funds can deliver, may not be likely.

    Moreover, his advice is best for those with large portfolios. Many Americans don’t have deep pockets, as according to Vanguard, the average retirement savings for those over 65 is just $232,710. Withdrawing at 8% could mean that retirees risk outliving their savings.

    Suze Orman’s advice, on the other hand, is more conservative. She advises retirees to withdraw as little as possible from their savings, which is a safer (if not always practical) approach.

    Either expert would argue that the best way to make your money last in retirement is to start saving as early and as aggressively as you can.

    One of the best ways to save for retirement is with an IRA. But with the fluctuations of the market, you may be wondering if there are safer investment options available. Opening a gold IRA with help from American Hartford Gold combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the inflation-resistant properties of gold.

    Gold has historically acted as a hedge against inflation, and many find it to be a more secure place to invest their retirement fund.

    As one of the nation’s most reputable and trusted precious metal companies, American Hartford Gold is a source for IRAs and direct purchases of precious metals and coins that many retirees trust.

    Before you begin investing however, you need a plan. And while Ramsey and Orman make good points on withdrawal strategy, you may need help that’s more tailored to your personal situation. If you’re unsure of how to navigate planning for retirement on your own, calling a professional give you some peace of mind.

    Advisor.com can help you find the right financial professional for you. Their online platform connects you with vetted financial advisors, simplifying the process by having your start by answering a few quick questions about yourself and your money goals.

    You can view the advisors’ profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule a free consultation with no obligation to hire.

    Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

    Boost your existing savings

    If you’re already in retirement, you may want to follow Ramsey’s advice on growing your existing savings with safe vehicles like mutual funds. However, many retirees have not considered the benefits of certificates of deposit, whose returns can now exceed 5%.

    Between 2008 and 2022, when certificate of deposit rates were practically zero, and their appeal to investors about the same, they fell out of favour. But since the Fed has aggressively raised interest rates to combat inflation, CDs have become a hot topic once more.

    Parking your savings in these short-term growth funds will allow you to plan year-to-year and continue to grow your savings when you’re on a fixed income.

    With CD Valet – an online CD marketplace – users can shop and compare top certificate of deposit rates from various banks and credit unions nationwide.

    Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates without bias, with daily rate updates and earnings calculators which give consumers an array of free tools to help them find the right CD to meet their retirement and savings goals.

    You can also check out Moneywise’s Best High Yield Savings Accounts of 2024 to find some savvy savings options that earn you more than the national average of 0.4% APY.

    Invest for passive income in retirement

    Dave Ramsey is a huge advocate for finding new passive income streams to pay down debt and build savings. While much of his advice is focused on finding a lucrative side hustle, for those in their golden years, a more relaxed approach may be easier to incorporate.

    One of the easiest ways to grow your savings and portfolio is through Acorns, an automated investing and saving platform that simplifies the process of setting aside extra funds.

    When you spend on anything — groceries, gas, or bills — Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference into a smart investment portfolio for you, allowing you to grow your wealth without even thinking about it.

    Sign up now and for a limited time you’ll get a $20 bonus investment.

    Retirement and real estate

    While many retirees are relying on their home sale or other real estate investments to fund their retirement, Suze Orman cautions that it may not be the right choice for some investors as owning a rental property isn’t quite the passive income source some may think it is.

    “I would be careful with considering real estate to be a passive investment,” she said. “If you look at what’s happening to home insurance and the premiums, it’s [no longer a matter of] can you just afford to buy a home. Now it’s [about] can you afford to buy it, and keep it. There are many people who are able to afford a home, but can’t afford to keep the home, because their home insurance premiums went from $2,000 a year to $10,000 a year.”

    When you consider escalating costs for materials and services for repairs, coupled with increasing rates of natural disasters, buying homes to rent or for investment may not be a realistic part of your retirement plan. However, you can still reap the benefits of the hot real estate market, thanks to platforms like Arrived.

    Backed by world-class investors like Jezz Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes and vacation rentals without taking on the responsibilities of property management or home ownership.

    Simply browse their curated selection of homes, each vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, you can choose the number of shares you want to buy and start investing in real estate with just $100, thereby skipping out on the risks Orman warns buyers about.

    What to read next

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

  • Dave Ramsey told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    Dave Ramsey told a Ramsey Show caller it’s possible to withdraw at 8% in retirement — but Suze Orman has called even 4% ‘very dangerous’. Who’s right?

    The 4% rule in retirement has been a widely accepted retirement standard for over 30 years.

    Briefly, the rule states that you should draw 4% of your assets from your investments each year in retirement. This should, in theory, allow you to maintain a comfortable standard of living while continuing to let your investments appreciate in value.

    However, it seems this longstanding rule could be poised to fall.

    Don’t miss

    • Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof — and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month
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    A recently retired caller to The Ramsey Show asked host and finance personality Dave Ramsey if it would be safe to go up to a 5% withdrawal rate in order to pay for trips he and his wife wanted to take in early retirement. The financial influencer counseled the caller to draw 5% or 6%, even adding, “If you want to draw out 10%, you’re not going to destroy the portfolio.”

    Ramsey has said he believes that retirees can earn up to a 12% annual return from mutual funds, and will therefore be safe to withdraw more than the standard 4% per year without jeopardizing their nest egg. He calls the standard rule “absolutely wrong” and “ridiculous.”

    But another finance celeb has a very different opinion.

    Suze Orman, on the other hand, has called the classic 4% rule “very dangerous.”

    Orman, a fellow best-selling author and expert, also called for a tweak to the 4% rule in an interview with Moneywise — saying that retirees should only withdraw a maximum of 3% yearly if they are retiring in their 60s.

    Who’s right? Here’s what to consider.

    The importance of retirement accounts

    Ramsey’s advice is based on a number of suppositions that may not reflect the real financial status of the average retiree.

    Inflation will eat away at the value of your retirement savings, and it’s very possible that your retirement years could coincide with a period of higher inflation — like what the U.S. has seen in the last few years. With inflation like the eye-watering 8% we saw in 2022, an 8% withdrawal from your retirement account would not stretch as far as you anticipated.

    That’s not to mention the stock market’s volatility. Many experts believe a consistent 12% return, like Ramsey has optimistically said mutual funds can deliver, may not be likely.

    Moreover, his advice is best for those with large portfolios. Many Americans don’t have deep pockets, as according to Vanguard, the average retirement savings for those over 65 is just $232,710. Withdrawing at 8% could mean that retirees risk outliving their savings.

    Suze Orman’s advice, on the other hand, is more conservative. She advises retirees to withdraw as little as possible from their savings, which is a safer (if not always practical) approach.

    Either expert would argue that the best way to make your money last in retirement is to start saving as early and as aggressively as you can.

    One of the best ways to save for retirement is with an IRA. But with the fluctuations of the market, you may be wondering if there are safer investment options available. Opening a gold IRA with help from American Hartford Gold combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the inflation-resistant properties of gold.

    Gold has historically acted as a hedge against inflation, and many find it to be a more secure place to invest their retirement fund.

    As one of the nation’s most reputable and trusted precious metal companies, American Hartford Gold is a source for IRAs and direct purchases of precious metals and coins that many retirees trust.

    Before you begin investing however, you need a plan. And while Ramsey and Orman make good points on withdrawal strategy, you may need help that’s more tailored to your personal situation. If you’re unsure of how to navigate planning for retirement on your own, calling a professional give you some peace of mind.

    Advisor.com can help you find the right financial professional for you. Their online platform connects you with vetted financial advisors, simplifying the process by having your start by answering a few quick questions about yourself and your money goals.

    You can view the advisors’ profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule a free consultation with no obligation to hire.

    Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

    Boost your existing savings

    If you’re already in retirement, you may want to follow Ramsey’s advice on growing your existing savings with safe vehicles like mutual funds. However, many retirees have not considered the benefits of certificates of deposit, whose returns can now exceed 5%.

    Between 2008 and 2022, when certificate of deposit rates were practically zero, and their appeal to investors about the same, they fell out of favour. But since the Fed has aggressively raised interest rates to combat inflation, CDs have become a hot topic once more.

    Parking your savings in these short-term growth funds will allow you to plan year-to-year and continue to grow your savings when you’re on a fixed income.

    With CD Valet – an online CD marketplace – users can shop and compare top certificate of deposit rates from various banks and credit unions nationwide.

    Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates without bias, with daily rate updates and earnings calculators which give consumers an array of free tools to help them find the right CD to meet their retirement and savings goals.

    You can also check out Moneywise’s Best High Yield Savings Accounts of 2024 to find some savvy savings options that earn you more than the national average of 0.4% APY.

    Invest for passive income in retirement

    Dave Ramsey is a huge advocate for finding new passive income streams to pay down debt and build savings. While much of his advice is focused on finding a lucrative side hustle, for those in their golden years, a more relaxed approach may be easier to incorporate.

    One of the easiest ways to grow your savings and portfolio is through Acorns, an automated investing and saving platform that simplifies the process of setting aside extra funds.

    When you spend on anything — groceries, gas, or bills — Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference into a smart investment portfolio for you, allowing you to grow your wealth without even thinking about it.

    Sign up now and for a limited time you’ll get a $20 bonus investment.

    Retirement and real estate

    While many retirees are relying on their home sale or other real estate investments to fund their retirement, Suze Orman cautions that it may not be the right choice for some investors as owning a rental property isn’t quite the passive income source some may think it is.

    “I would be careful with considering real estate to be a passive investment,” she said. “If you look at what’s happening to home insurance and the premiums, it’s [no longer a matter of] can you just afford to buy a home. Now it’s [about] can you afford to buy it, and keep it. There are many people who are able to afford a home, but can’t afford to keep the home, because their home insurance premiums went from $2,000 a year to $10,000 a year.”

    When you consider escalating costs for materials and services for repairs, coupled with increasing rates of natural disasters, buying homes to rent or for investment may not be a realistic part of your retirement plan. However, you can still reap the benefits of the hot real estate market, thanks to platforms like Arrived.

    Backed by world-class investors like Jezz Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes and vacation rentals without taking on the responsibilities of property management or home ownership.

    Simply browse their curated selection of homes, each vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, you can choose the number of shares you want to buy and start investing in real estate with just $100, thereby skipping out on the risks Orman warns buyers about.

    What to read next

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