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Author: Rebecca Payne

  • Georgia lending firm that positioned itself as part of the ‘patriot economy’ abruptly closes, leaving hundreds worried their money is gone for good — how to protect your investments

    Georgia lending firm that positioned itself as part of the ‘patriot economy’ abruptly closes, leaving hundreds worried their money is gone for good — how to protect your investments

    A lending company in Georgia that marketed itself toward Republicans and faith-based groups has abruptly closed its doors.

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    The state has opened an investigation, the federal government has filed charges, and a recent report says investors are worried they won’t see their money again.

    According to WSB-TV, founders Brant Frost IV and Brant Frost V promoted the company as being part of the “patriot economy” and targeted investors on conservative media. They also shared videos on their YouTube channel.

    First Liberty Building and Loan posted a notice on its website recently that said it has ceased all business operations, and that interest payments on existing promissory notes, bridge loan participation interests, and other investment programs are indefinitely suspended.

    The company said it is “cooperating with federal authorities as part of an effort to accomplish an orderly wind up of the business.”

    Charges filed by the SEC

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges against Edwin Brant Frost IV on July 10, accusing him of running a Ponzi scheme that cost approximately 300 investors at least $140 million.

    The SEC said that First Liberty “offered returns of up to 18%.”

    “The complaint also alleges that, while some investor funds were used to make bridge loans, those loans did not perform as represented, and most loans ultimately defaulted and ceased making interest payments,” says the press release. Frost is also accused of misappropriating investor funds for personal use, including $2.4 million in credit card payments, $335,000 to a rare coin dealer, and $230,000 on family vacations.

    “The promise of a high rate of return on an investment is a red flag that should make all potential investors think twice or maybe even three times before investing their money,” said Justin C. Jeffries, associate director of enforcement for the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before — bad actors luring investors with promises of seemingly over-generous returns — and it does not end well.”

    Banks and credit unions are subject to regulations that protect Americans, but First Liberty was a lending firm, not a bank.

    Bank accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) if a bank fails. If a brokerage firm is a Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) member, customers are protected in the event of a firm’s failure, up to $500,000.

    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

    How to protect yourself

    First Liberty Building and Loan was engaged in some red-flag behaviours that investors should watch out for, such as promising unusually high returns.

    The SEC’s “Red Flags of Investment Fraud Checklist” includes these warning signs: offers that sound “too good to be true,” promises of great wealth and guaranteed returns, “risk-free” investment opportunities, unlicensed investment professionals, aggressive sellers who may provide exaggerated or false credentials, “everyone is buying it” pitches, pressure to invest right now, over-the-top, sensational pitches that may have fake testimonials, unsolicited pitches seeking to obtain your personal information, asking you to pay for investments by credit card, gift card, or wiring money abroad or to a personal account.

    The best way to avoid fraud is to thoroughly research an investment and the investment professional you’re working with. The SEC outlines important questions you should ask before investing.

    First, check if the seller is licensed. If you’re working with a broker, you can check their background and qualifications on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) BrokerCheck website. Check the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website if you are working with an investment adviser firm, and use the SEC Action Lookup website to check for actions against individuals. If you have questions, you can call the SEC’s investor assistance line at (800) 732-0330.

    Second, research the investment and whether it is registered. Offers or sales of securities must either be registered with the SEC or exempt from registration. Check if an investment is registered using the SEC’s EDGAR database, or call the SEC’s investor assistance line.

    Third, the SEC advises that you ask yourself whether you understand the investment. Investors should carefully read an investment’s prospectus or disclosure statement, and be sure they understand how the investment works and how it will make money.

    Will First Liberty investors get their money back?

    It remains unclear what will happen to the hundreds of investors in First Liberty Building and Loan. The court has appointed a receiver, who will conduct an investigation and recovery effort. He has created a website to update investors.

    In a letter to investors, the receiver, S. Gregory Hays, said that it is “much too early for us to make any estimate about the amount that will be distributed.”

    He recently told Fox 5, "The records are pretty much in shambles … Some of the reports show loans being paid off even though the principal wasn’t repaid." Around $1.2 million in cash assets have been frozen.

    At least one investment loss attorney is investigating whether registered sales agents sold investments for First Liberty. A post from Wolper Law Firm states that “registered sales agents worked for FINRA member brokerage firms, which may be held financially responsible for the misconduct of their registered financial professionals.”

    What to read next

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

  • 50 South Carolina mobile park residents suffering through summer without running water after landlord fails to pay $155K outstanding bill — but the city says its hands are tied

    50 South Carolina mobile park residents suffering through summer without running water after landlord fails to pay $155K outstanding bill — but the city says its hands are tied

    In South Carolina, approximately 50 families living in a mobile home park have no water after the landlord failed to pay a six-figure water bill.

    The mayor of the town of Andrews told ABC News 4 that the owner of Black River Mobile Home Park, Tim Woodbridge, has failed to pay $155,268.81 in water bills over the last 19 months.

    Some residents of the mobile home park say they’ve been paying their landlord for water bills, and that those payments have skyrocketed. According to the news report, the landlord had been texting amounts to residents, and did not provide any official water bills. One resident said the most he had paid the landlord for a water bill was $840, and other residents said they had paid similar high prices, with no discernible reason for the increase.

    The mobile home park’s residents, many of whom are low-income individuals and people with disabilities, have been significantly affected by the escalating water bills. These financial burdens have created substantial hardship for this vulnerable community.

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    Town says it has no choice but to cut off water

    The mayor says the town had a meeting with Woodbridge in April, after Black River residents alerted the town that they hadn’t had water for up to eight weeks, after a sewage line broke.

    The town says it cannot pay the outstanding water bill and has no choice but to cut off water for the residents.

    According to another local news report, from Live 5 WCSC, the town is encouraging residents to file a breach of trust report with the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office. Residents may also be able to file claims under the South Carolina Residential Landlord Tenant Act. The Act states that landlords must maintain premises, make running water available and follow building and housing codes that affect health and safety. It also says that if a landlord fails to provide essential services, tenants may be able to recover damages and attorney’s fees.

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

    What can tenants do to fight back?

    If your landlord has failed to maintain your unit or provide essential services, such as sanitary plumbing, electricity, gas, running water and heat, there are actions you can take to protect yourself and your home.

    In most jurisdictions, residential leases include an implied warranty of habitability — meaning landlords must comply with local housing codes.

    Keeping records is the best way to protect yourself if you are dealing with an issue with your landlord. Inform your landlord in writing of any issues as soon as they arise, and keep copies of any notices or letters you send or receive. Document any phone calls or in-person discussions, including dates, times and matters discussed. If you are documenting phone calls, be sure it’s legal to record them in your state.

    If you don’t pay your utilities directly, and your landlord collects payments from you, be sure that you request copies of the utility bills. Also, be sure to ask your landlord to provide receipts upon payment.

    If, like the residents of Black River Mobile Home Park, you have reason to believe your landlord is not paying utility bills that you have submitted payment for, contact local law enforcement, and also seek help from local legal aid clinics or tenants’ rights groups.

    What to read next

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

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

  • 6 Florida deputies fired for alleged ‘double dipping,’ filing false time sheets — robbing taxpayers of an estimated $14,000. Could you be risking your career through ‘overemployment’?

    6 Florida deputies fired for alleged ‘double dipping,’ filing false time sheets — robbing taxpayers of an estimated $14,000. Could you be risking your career through ‘overemployment’?

    Five Florida deputies were arrested this month after an internal tip led the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) to investigate suspected cases of “double dipping.”

    Don’t miss

    The deputies are accused of submitting false time sheets to the NCSO that included time they were working for a private employer, breaking state laws and violating NCSO policy.

    Deputy Henry Holmberg, Sergeant Brian Blackwell, Sergeant Wilfred Quick, Sergeant Joshua Huffmon and Sergeant Kellam Paolillo have been fired and face felony official misconduct and theft charges, according to news reports from First Coast News and News4JAX.

    The investigation also found a sixth employee, Deputy Michael Brandon, guilty of submitting false time sheets including time when he was at home, but he accepted a pre-trial diversion disposition to avoid arrest. He has also been terminated.

    The total amount said to be stolen from NCSO and taxpayers is $14,007.86

    “A dollar is too much,” said News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney. “It’s a slap in the face of men and women in law enforcement who do it the right way, and those who don’t, tarnish the badge.”

    What is ‘double dipping’?

    Time theft — taking long lunches, logging off before the workday is over, or doing household tasks while you’re supposed to be working — became a major concern for employers during the pandemic.

    Another more serious form of time theft is “double dipping,” and it involves being on the clock for one employer but working for another. In 2023, consulting firm McKinsey estimated that for a median-size S&P 500 company, 5% of its workforce is engaged in this practice. That report, which surveyed workers from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Singapore and the U.K., defines double dipping as “full-time salaried workers who hold two or more jobs simultaneously, likely without their employers’ knowledge.”

    The NCSO said the deputies are allowed to “moonlight” or work a second job while off-duty, but it was “impermissible to be paid for an on-duty shift while being paid for an off-duty employment job at the same time.”

    But when could simply having a second job land you in hot water?

    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

    Could you get in trouble for a second job?

    U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show that 8.7 million Americans work more than one job, with as many as 447,000 people working two full-time jobs.

    Having more than one job itself is not illegal. However, depending on state laws around non-compete agreements, workers could run into trouble. If you’re considering a second job, the first thing you should do is review any employment contracts you’ve signed or codes of conduct from your employer and check if there are policies prohibiting secondary employment. This map tracks state non-compete laws.

    While some online communities advocating “overemployment” have sprung up since the pandemic — where proponents detail how they work multiple jobs at once — there are risks to this practice, and not just that you could violate your employment contract. Burnout is a real risk when taking on more than one job, as is the risk of your work suffering as a result of being overextended.

    If you get caught, you may be terminated for cause, which could mean no employee benefits like severance pay or notice.

    Hackney said the Florida deputies’ actions could also cost them their pensions.

    “So, if you’ve worked your entire career and do this towards the end of it, and the city wants to pursue this, you can lose everything you put into that pension over something like this,” he said.

    What to read next

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

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

  • ‘Our families are being poisoned’: US military families launch lawsuit over lead and mold exposure in residences — and say they were lied to over the unsafe conditions of their homes

    ‘Our families are being poisoned’: US military families launch lawsuit over lead and mold exposure in residences — and say they were lied to over the unsafe conditions of their homes

    “Our houses are not our safe place.” That’s the message U.S. military families are hoping Congress will hear, as they sound the alarm on unsafe military housing they say is making their families sick.

    “Right now, our families are being poisoned,” Jackie Talarico, of Key West, Florida, the wife of a U.S. Navy cryptologic technician, told ABC News.

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    Talarico and other military families are reporting shocking conditions in the rental housing provided by the United States Armed Forces. Her family is one of hundreds that are now suing a private company that manages homes for the military.

    A ‘nightmare’ situation

    Another military wife, Antoinette Reeder, from San Diego, California, who spoke to ABC News, has test results that she says show the mold found in her home was also found in her blood. “I’ve had my doctor ask me several times, ‘When are you moving?’” she told ABC.

    According to ABC, a recent poll presented to Congress said that “more than half of the military families who responded had negative experiences, saying that they were living with mold, lead and other issues.”

    It’s a situation Talarico calls “a nightmare.”

    “We were told there was no mold in our house. We were told there was no lead. We were told there was no asbestos — and they lied.”

    Her family and nearly 200 other current and former tenants in the Florida Keys are suing Balfour Beatty Communities, alleging the company "systematically failed to properly repair and remediate significant problems in the homes, including water damage, mold, structural defects, HVAC, plumbing issues, electrical problems and the presence of lead paint and asbestos."

    In a statement obtained by ABC News, Balfour Beatty said, “We are aware of the complaint and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.”

    Balfour Beatty is one of about 14 private companies that manage military housing, under a deal that began in 1996, when the U.S. Congress approved the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI).

    The MHPI gave the companies ownership of more than 200,000 military homes across the country. In exchange for agreeing to take on the military housing stock, which was at the time in need of an estimated $20 billion in repairs, the companies were given 50-year contracts. The deals also had the provision that the military could not overrule the housing companies on how properties are managed and maintained.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    What to do if your housing is unsafe

    Although this situation involves military families, landlord disputes involving unsafe housing can be common for many Americans.

    Here’s what you can do if your landlord is failing to maintain standards and you think your housing has become unsafe.

    Residential leases in most jurisdictions include an implied warranty of habitability. According to the Legal Information Institute, habitability is “defined as property in substantial compliance with the local housing code,” meaning your landlord is required to keep the property in compliance.

    When dealing with an issue with your landlord, remember to always keep extensive documentation. Keep detailed notes about the issues that include dates and times, save copies of any notifications you send or receive in writing, and keep track of any phone calls between you and your landlord. Make sure that if you are documenting phone calls, you check the laws in your state for recording phone conversations.

    Notifying the landlord in writing is often required, and you can contact your city or county code enforcement office to learn more about what standards landlords must meet. You can also seek out help from local tenants’ rights organizations or legal aid clinics. The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a database of state and local tenant protections.

    The military families taking their landlord to court are a reminder of the collective power tenants can have. If your neighbors are also facing similar issues, consider banding together as a tenants’ association or tenants’ union — your collective power may sway your landlord to meet your demands for safe housing.

    “Our service members give so much every day, and put so much on the line for our country,” Talarico said.

    “One thing they should not have to sacrifice is their children’s and their families’ life, health and safety — when they do that every day for the rest of America.”

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

  • Maryland police warn of an ‘unprecedented’ wave of mail theft — with 1 man out $180,000. Here’s how the thieves are pulling it off

    Maryland police warn of an ‘unprecedented’ wave of mail theft — with 1 man out $180,000. Here’s how the thieves are pulling it off

    A Frederick County, MD, man says that nearly $180,000 was stolen after thieves intercepted his estimated tax payments, amid a wave of mail theft the Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating.

    The man says that two checks he mailed to the Maryland Comptroller and the IRS were stolen and altered, including an $84,000 check that was deposited twice. “They took the same check, they changed the payee, and it went through twice," he told WMAR-2 News. A $13,000 check was caught by the bank, he said.

    Ongoing cases of mail theft in Baltimore and the surrounding area have led to calls for a federal investigation. Checks and money orders sent through the United States Postal Service are being intercepted, altered and cashed by thieves who have stolen what may amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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    How are thieves stealing mail?

    Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins told WMAR-2 News the series of incidents is “really unprecedented.”

    “We’re seeing a string of theft of checks, probably upwards of 100 cases right now and probably totaling several hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Jenkins said.

    Investigators believe thieves are utilizing stolen "arrow keys" — universal master keys that can open multiple mailboxes. In February, WBAL-TV News reported that these keys were being used in mail theft operations. A USPS Inspector General audit reviewed by the news outlet revealed that in January, several Maryland post offices had arrow keys that were either missing or improperly secured. The United States Postal Service announced plans in 2023 to upgrade from the outdated arrow locks to electronic locking systems.

    Based on a Thomson Reuters report analyzing data from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, check-fraud Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) reached 682,276 in 2024, slightly increasing from 665,505 in 2023. This represents a dramatic rise of nearly 95% since 2021, when only 350,000 check-fraud SARs were documented.

    In a recent public service announcement, the FBI highlighted the growing concern of check fraud stemming from mail theft. According to the alert, criminals are obtaining checks through various methods, including stealing from residential mailboxes and USPS collection boxes, conducting burglaries and robberies of postal facilities and workers, and through corruption involving postal employees.

    In April, WMAR-2 News reported on several Baltimore residents who say their checks and money orders were stolen and altered, including one man who said he had mailed a check inside a post office.

    The FBI warning says that thieves alter checks by a process called “check washing,” where chemicals are used to physically alter a check, usually changing the payee and amount.

    Fraudsters can also use check “cooking” techniques, where photo-editing software and advanced printers are used to manufacture checks. The FBI says, “often these checks are written for smaller amounts which can go undetected for longer periods of time by escaping the scrutiny or visibility of a larger check amount.”

    Stolen checks are then deposited by others colluding with fraudsters, or sold online to other bad actors. In Michigan, four individuals were recently charged in a case involving a $63-million mail theft conspiracy where it’s alleged two USPS employees stole mail — including a large number of tax refund checks — and two other individuals sold the stolen mail online.

    Although financial institutions can fight fraud by encouraging customers to switch to digital payment methods, the best way to prevent fraud may be to make the public aware of the problem.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Protect yourself

    The FBI says there are several ways to protect your mail and your checks.

    To ensure the security of your mail, avoid keeping it in your mailbox overnight, and arrange for the post office to hold your mail when you’re away. Additionally, reach out to the sender if you’re expecting important mail that hasn’t arrived.

    According to FBI recommendations, protect your checks by using permanent black ink that resists check washing. Always fill in the entire payee and amount lines without leaving gaps, and never include sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number, on checks.

    The Frederick County man whose checks were stolen noted in the WMAR-2 News report that you should be sure to review images of your checks sent by their bank, before they approve any withdrawal alerts.

    Getting credit reports once a year to look out for signs of identity theft is recommended by the Federal Trade Commission. You are entitled by law to receive one free report annually from each of the three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). There is only one website (AnnualCreditReport.com) that can process requests for your free annual reports — the credit bureaus use this website to process requests, and you can’t request your free annual reports from the individual agencies.

    The FTC also says to watch out for scam websites offering free credit reports, noting that these sites may “pretend to be associated with AnnualCreditReport.com or claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring.”

    What to do if you think you’re a victim of mail theft

    As with any type of fraud, immediately alerting your financial institutions, as well as any relevant government agencies, should be your first course of action. The bank should reimburse you for funds taken from your account with an altered check; depending on your state, you generally have to report an issue within 30 or 60 days from the date of your most recent bank statement.

    If you believe your mail has been stolen, file a report with your local law enforcement. You should also contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online or by calling 1-877-876-2455, and the USPS Office of Inspector General online or by calling 1-888-USPS-OIG.

    Report internet-enabled crimes to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

  • I’m 57 years old with $650,000 stashed in my 401(k) — but I absolutely hate my job and I’m ready to throw in the towel ASAP. Can I actually afford to quit and retire early?

    I’m 57 years old with $650,000 stashed in my 401(k) — but I absolutely hate my job and I’m ready to throw in the towel ASAP. Can I actually afford to quit and retire early?

    Patricia can see her retirement on the horizon. It’s tantalizingly close — she’s just turned 57 and stepping away from work has been made more tempting by the fact that she absolutely hates her job.

    She’s ready to get out now, and put her happiness first. The only problem? She’s not sure if her $650,000 retirement savings will last.

    Patricia is facing perhaps the most hotly debated question for Americans approaching retirement age: how much do I need to have saved to retire comfortably? It’s a conundrum facing millions of American baby boomers, all of whom will be over 65 by 2030. Even choosing which method to calculate how much you need can be overwhelming.

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    The answer to when you can safely retire depends on several factors specific to an individual’s unique circumstances.

    Be realistic about what your retirement will look like

    Before retiring early, there are a few things Patricia should consider. If she sets a 25-year timeline for her retirement, her current savings would only allow for a modest $26,000 a year withdrawal. (Americans feel that they’ll need at least $1.46 million to retire on, according to a 2024 study by Northwestern Mutual.)

    That amount does not include Social Security, but Patricia is not eligible to begin collecting until she is 62, and starting before she reaches the full retirement age will reduce her benefit. Since she was born after 1960, she will not qualify for a full benefit until she is 67.

    Patricia can apply for Medicare when she is 65, but she should consider the cost of health insurance in the meantime if she is no longer covered by her employer’s plan.

    Another vital consideration for retirees is whether they will be able to afford long-term care, should they need to move to a nursing home. There is a misconception among many Americans that Medicare covers long-term care; Medicare covers some skilled nursing facility care, while Medicaid covers nursing home-level care — but there are income and asset guidelines.

    Retirees should also take into account any debts they may have accrued, and the possibility that other, unforeseen expenses may arise, such as home repairs and medical bills.

    Patricia also needs to do what many of us avoid: honestly consider how long she’s likely to live, and what her current lifestyle and overall health could mean for her future.

    The current life expectancy for someone Patricia’s age is about 80 years. She also has to plan for the possibility that she could live longer than the average life expectancy.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    How to make an early retirement work for you

    Before opting for early retirement, Patricia should make sure that the money she already has saved is working for her. She should consider her current and future tax brackets, and whether Roth conversions would be beneficial.

    If her plan to draw down her retirement savings is based on the 4% rule, she should remember that it is based on a 30-year retirement, a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, and that the creator of the rule has said recently that given the current economic situation, 4% may be too conservative.

    Retirees should also take into account the cost of living in their area, and whether they would consider retiring somewhere more affordable.

    If early retirement is a nonnegotiable for Patricia, she should consider outside-the-box solutions to stretch her retirement savings. That could include downsizing and living more modestly, setting up a rental unit within her home to establish passive income or even considering a cohousing arrangement with other older adults — which could not only be a wise financial decision but also improve Patricia’s quality of life as she ages.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

  • 6 Florida deputies fired for allegedly ‘double dipping,’ filing false time sheets — robbing taxpayers of an estimated $14,000. Could you be risking your career through ‘overemployment’?

    6 Florida deputies fired for allegedly ‘double dipping,’ filing false time sheets — robbing taxpayers of an estimated $14,000. Could you be risking your career through ‘overemployment’?

    Five Florida deputies were arrested this month after an internal tip led the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) to investigate suspected cases of “double dipping.”

    Don’t miss

    The deputies are accused of submitting false time sheets to the NCSO that included time they were working for a private employer, breaking state laws and violating NCSO policy.

    Deputy Henry Holmberg, Sergeant Brian Blackwell, Sergeant Wilfred Quick, Sergeant Joshua Huffmon and Sergeant Kellam Paolillo have been fired and face felony official misconduct and theft charges, according to news reports from First Coast News and News4JAX.

    The investigation also found a sixth employee, Deputy Michael Brandon, guilty of submitting false time sheets including time when he was at home, but he accepted a pre-trial diversion disposition to avoid arrest. He has also been terminated.

    The total amount said to be stolen from NCSO and taxpayers is $14,007.86

    “A dollar is too much,” said News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney. “It’s a slap in the face of men and women in law enforcement who do it the right way, and those who don’t, tarnish the badge.”

    What is ‘double dipping’?

    Time theft — taking long lunches, logging off before the workday is over, or doing household tasks while you’re supposed to be working — became a major concern for employers during the pandemic.

    Another more serious form of time theft is “double dipping,” and it involves being on the clock for one employer but working for another. In 2023, consulting firm McKinsey estimated that for a median-size S&P 500 company, 5% of its workforce is engaged in this practice. That report, which surveyed workers from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Singapore and the U.K., defines double dipping as “full-time salaried workers who hold two or more jobs simultaneously, likely without their employers’ knowledge.”

    The NCSO said the deputies are allowed to “moonlight” or work a second job while off-duty, but it was “impermissible to be paid for an on-duty shift while being paid for an off-duty employment job at the same time.”

    But when could simply having a second job land you in hot water?

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Could you get in trouble for a second job?

    U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show that 8.7 million Americans work more than one job, with as many as 447,000 people working two full-time jobs.

    Having more than one job itself is not illegal. However, depending on state laws around non-compete agreements, workers could run into trouble. If you’re considering a second job, the first thing you should do is review any employment contracts you’ve signed or codes of conduct from your employer and check if there are policies prohibiting secondary employment. This map tracks state non-compete laws.

    While some online communities advocating “overemployment” have sprung up since the pandemic — where proponents detail how they work multiple jobs at once — there are risks to this practice, and not just that you could violate your employment contract. Burnout is a real risk when taking on more than one job, as is the risk of your work suffering as a result of being overextended.

    If you get caught, you may be terminated for cause, which could mean no employee benefits like severance pay or notice.

    Hackney said the Florida deputies’ actions could also cost them their pensions.

    “So, if you’ve worked your entire career and do this towards the end of it, and the city wants to pursue this, you can lose everything you put into that pension over something like this,” he said.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

  • ‘Our families are being poisoned’: US military families launch lawsuit over lead and mold exposure in residences — and say they were lied to over the unsafe conditions of their homes

    ‘Our families are being poisoned’: US military families launch lawsuit over lead and mold exposure in residences — and say they were lied to over the unsafe conditions of their homes

    “Our houses are not our safe place.” That’s the message U.S. military families are hoping Congress will hear, as they sound the alarm on unsafe military housing they say is making their families sick.

    “Right now, our families are being poisoned,” Jackie Talarico, of Key West, Florida, the wife of a U.S. Navy cryptologic technician, told ABC News.

    Don’t miss

    Talarico and other military families are reporting shocking conditions in the rental housing provided by the United States Armed Forces. Her family is one of hundreds that are now suing a private company that manages homes for the military.

    A ‘nightmare’ situation

    Another military wife, Antoinette Reeder, from San Diego, California, who spoke to ABC News, has test results that she says show the mold found in her home was also found in her blood. “I’ve had my doctor ask me several times, ‘When are you moving?’” she told ABC.

    According to ABC, a recent poll presented to Congress said that “more than half of the military families who responded had negative experiences, saying that they were living with mold, lead and other issues.”

    It’s a situation Talarico calls “a nightmare.”

    “We were told there was no mold in our house. We were told there was no lead. We were told there was no asbestos — and they lied.”

    Her family and nearly 200 other current and former tenants in the Florida Keys are suing Balfour Beatty Communities, alleging the company "systematically failed to properly repair and remediate significant problems in the homes, including water damage, mold, structural defects, HVAC, plumbing issues, electrical problems and the presence of lead paint and asbestos."

    In a statement obtained by ABC News, Balfour Beatty said, “We are aware of the complaint and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.”

    Balfour Beatty is one of about 14 private companies that manage military housing, under a deal that began in 1996, when the U.S. Congress approved the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI).

    The MHPI gave the companies ownership of more than 200,000 military homes across the country. In exchange for agreeing to take on the military housing stock, which was at the time in need of an estimated $20 billion in repairs, the companies were given 50-year contracts. The deals also had the provision that the military could not overrule the housing companies on how properties are managed and maintained.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    What to do if your housing is unsafe

    Although this situation involves military families, landlord disputes involving unsafe housing can be common for many Americans.

    Here’s what you can do if your landlord is failing to maintain standards and you think your housing has become unsafe.

    Residential leases in most jurisdictions include an implied warranty of habitability. According to the Legal Information Institute, habitability is “defined as property in substantial compliance with the local housing code,” meaning your landlord is required to keep the property in compliance.

    When dealing with an issue with your landlord, remember to always keep extensive documentation. Keep detailed notes about the issues that include dates and times, save copies of any notifications you send or receive in writing, and keep track of any phone calls between you and your landlord. Make sure that if you are documenting phone calls, you check the laws in your state for recording phone conversations.

    Notifying the landlord in writing is often required, and you can contact your city or county code enforcement office to learn more about what standards landlords must meet. You can also seek out help from local tenants’ rights organizations or legal aid clinics. The National Low Income Housing Coalition has a database of state and local tenant protections.

    The military families taking their landlord to court are a reminder of the collective power tenants can have. If your neighbors are also facing similar issues, consider banding together as a tenants’ association or tenants’ union — your collective power may sway your landlord to meet your demands for safe housing.

    “Our service members give so much every day, and put so much on the line for our country,” Talarico said.

    “One thing they should not have to sacrifice is their children’s and their families’ life, health and safety — when they do that every day for the rest of America.”

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

  • I’m 57 with $650K in my RRSP and I’m desperate to quit my soul-crushing job — can I afford to retire now?

    I’m 57 with $650K in my RRSP and I’m desperate to quit my soul-crushing job — can I afford to retire now?

    Patricia can see her retirement on the horizon. It’s tantalizingly close — she’s just turned 57 and stepping away from work has been made more tempting by the fact that she absolutely hates her job.

    She’s ready to get out now, and put her happiness first. The only problem? She’s not sure if her $650,000 retirement savings will last.

    Patricia is facing perhaps the most hotly debated question for Canadians approaching retirement age: how much do I need to have saved to retire comfortably? It’s a conundrum facing millions of Canadian baby boomers, all of whom will be over 65 by 2030. Even choosing which method to calculate how much you need can be overwhelming.

    The answer to when you can safely retire depends on several factors specific to an individual’s unique circumstances.

    Be realistic about what your retirement will look like

    Before retiring early, there are a few things Patricia should consider. If she sets a 25-year timeline for her retirement, her current savings would only allow for a modest $26,000 a year withdrawal. (Canadians feel that they’ll need at least $1.54 million to retire on, according to a 2025 study by BMO Retirement.

    That amount does not include the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), but Patricia is not eligible to begin collecting until she is 60, and starting before she reaches 65 will reduce her benefit, however, if she were to wait until 70, she would see that figure grow with each passing year.

    Another vital consideration for retirees is whether they will be able to afford long-term care, should they need to move to a nursing home, which can be costly. For example, if Patricia is looking to seek out private residential care, that would cost somewhere between $1,600 to $6,270, according to Comfort Life.

    Retirees should also take into account any debts they may have accrued, and the possibility that other, unforeseen expenses may arise, such as home repairs and medical bills.

    Patricia also needs to do what many of us avoid: Honestly consider how long she’s likely to live, and what her current lifestyle and overall health could mean for her future.

    The average life expectancy for a Canadian currently sits at 81.7 years. She also has to plan for the possibility that she could live longer than the average life expectancy.

    How to make an early retirement work for you

    Before opting for early retirement, Patricia should make sure that the money she already has saved is working for her.

    If her plan to draw down her retirement savings is based on the 4% rule, she should remember that it is based on a 30-year retirement, a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, and that the creator of the rule has said recently that given the current economic situation, 4% may be too conservative.

    Retirees should also take into account the cost of living in their area, and whether they would consider retiring somewhere more affordable.

    If early retirement is a nonnegotiable for Patricia, she should consider outside-the-box solutions to stretch her retirement savings. That could include downsizing and living more modestly, setting up a rental unit within her home to establish passive income or even considering a cohousing arrangement with other older adults, which could not only be a wise financial decision but also improve Patricia’s quality of life as she ages.

    Sources

    1. Statistics Canada: Canadian labour force: What will happen once baby boomers retire? (Aug 6, 2024)

    2. BMO: BMO Retirement Survey: Over Three Quarters of Canadians Worry They Will Not Have Enough Retirement Savings Amid Inflation (Feb 12, 2025)

    3. Comfort Life: Guide to Retirement Home Costs

    4. Statistics Canada: Key findings from the Health of Canadians report, 2024 (Mar 5, 2025)

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

  • I’m 57 years old with $650,000 stashed in my 401(k) — but I absolutely hate my job and I’m ready to throw in the towel ASAP. Can I actually afford to quit and retire early?

    I’m 57 years old with $650,000 stashed in my 401(k) — but I absolutely hate my job and I’m ready to throw in the towel ASAP. Can I actually afford to quit and retire early?

    Patricia can see her retirement on the horizon. It’s tantalizingly close — she’s just turned 57 and stepping away from work has been made more tempting by the fact that she absolutely hates her job.

    She’s ready to get out now, and put her happiness first. The only problem? She’s not sure if her $650,000 retirement savings will last.

    Patricia is facing perhaps the most hotly debated question for Americans approaching retirement age: how much do I need to have saved to retire comfortably? It’s a conundrum facing millions of American baby boomers, all of whom will be over 65 by 2030. Even choosing which method to calculate how much you need can be overwhelming.

    Don’t miss

    The answer to when you can safely retire depends on several factors specific to an individual’s unique circumstances.

    Be realistic about what your retirement will look like

    Before retiring early, there are a few things Patricia should consider. If she sets a 25-year timeline for her retirement, her current savings would only allow for a modest $26,000 a year withdrawal. (Americans feel that they’ll need at least $1.46 million to retire on, according to a 2024 study by Northwestern Mutual.)

    That amount does not include Social Security, but Patricia is not eligible to begin collecting until she is 62, and starting before she reaches the full retirement age will reduce her benefit. Since she was born after 1960, she will not qualify for a full benefit until she is 67.

    Patricia can apply for Medicare when she is 65, but she should consider the cost of health insurance in the meantime if she is no longer covered by her employer’s plan.

    Another vital consideration for retirees is whether they will be able to afford long-term care, should they need to move to a nursing home. There is a misconception among many Americans that Medicare covers long-term care; Medicare covers some skilled nursing facility care, while Medicaid covers nursing home-level care — but there are income and asset guidelines.

    Retirees should also take into account any debts they may have accrued, and the possibility that other, unforeseen expenses may arise, such as home repairs and medical bills.

    Patricia also needs to do what many of us avoid: honestly consider how long she’s likely to live, and what her current lifestyle and overall health could mean for her future.

    The current life expectancy for someone Patricia’s age is about 80 years. She also has to plan for the possibility that she could live longer than the average life expectancy.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    How to make an early retirement work for you

    Before opting for early retirement, Patricia should make sure that the money she already has saved is working for her. She should consider her current and future tax brackets, and whether Roth conversions would be beneficial.

    If her plan to draw down her retirement savings is based on the 4% rule, she should remember that it is based on a 30-year retirement, a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, and that the creator of the rule has said recently that given the current economic situation, 4% may be too conservative.

    Retirees should also take into account the cost of living in their area, and whether they would consider retiring somewhere more affordable.

    If early retirement is a nonnegotiable for Patricia, she should consider outside-the-box solutions to stretch her retirement savings. That could include downsizing and living more modestly, setting up a rental unit within her home to establish passive income or even considering a cohousing arrangement with other older adults — which could not only be a wise financial decision but also improve Patricia’s quality of life as she ages.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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