Since 2011, the number of Americans owning smartphones has increased from 35 percent to 81 percent, although there remains a significant digital divide, demographically. A Pew Research survey found the vast majority of younger...
Read MoreNot everyone is financially prepared for retirement. Earlier this year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated almost 41 percent of American households will run short of money in retirement. That’s an improvement over 2014...
Read MoreIf you’re not fond of New Year’s resolutions, then start or adopt new traditions that help get the year off to a positive start. Your new tradition should be something you can repeat each year with family and friends. Here are a few...
Read MoreNo matter what holiday you celebrate, we hope it’s filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt happiness. That said, we know holiday cheer can be overwhelmed by the pursuit of perfection and opinions of relatives. Just in case your...
Read MoreYou’ve probably never asked your adult children and younger relatives whether they have security software on their computers and devices. Why would you? They’re digital natives, born with keyboards under their fingertips.It may be time...
Read MoreThanksgiving is all about gratitude. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists shared an autumn feast with the Wampanoag Indians. They were celebrating survival and friendship. It’s also a poignant story.1About one-half of the passengers who...
Read MoreAfter World War I, many nations celebrated the end of “The Great War” by establishing Armistice Day. Eventually, the holiday was broadened to celebrate those who served in all wars. In the United States after World War II and the...
Read MoreOne of the most discussed topics in the United States is retirement security. Few Americans have set aside enough savings to live comfortably throughout retirement. In fact, the most recent National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI)*...
Read MoreThe simple answer is probably.Historically, the American economy has grown in fits and starts, otherwise known as recessions and expansions. As a result, it is likely there will be another recession in the United States.What are...
Read MoreWould you give up a share of $62 billion?Would you give up a share of $62 billion?If your answer is no, then you may be a member of the relatively small group of Americans (36 percent) that takes all of the vacation days available to...
Read MoreThe world is becoming smarter and more connected all the time – and that has serious implications for people who want to protect their personal data and their privacy. If you’ve been enjoying the convenience of smart utilities and...
Read MoreA Prescription for Dementia Prevention If you’ve ever played a party game that asks you to make difficult decisions, you may have run into a question like this one: Would you rather enjoy good physical health all of your life or good...
Read MoreLife, Liberty, and Tax-Advantaged InvestingAmericans are passionate about taxes. We have reason to be. In recent years, Americans have spent more on taxes than on food, clothing, and housing combined.1 The Tax Foundation estimates...
Read MoreMost dads have at least one recipe they like to cook for family and friends. Some have dozens. This year, celebrate Father’s Day by collecting the recipes from the men in your family. Bring a notebook to your next family celebration...
Read MoreThroughout history people have made inheritance choices that are inexplicable to others. In 1926, Harry Houdini left his magical equipment to his brother, his pulled-from-the-hat rabbits to the children of friends, and a series of...
Read MoreMemorial Day is a day of remembrance. It’s the time when we pay our respects to the men and women who died fighting for our country. See what you know about this important holiday by taking our Memorial Day quiz.1. What did the...
Read MoreMoms are like snowflakes. No two are exactly alike. So, when you’re thinking about what to give your mom for Mother’s Day, consider a gift that is as unique as she is -- share your memories with her. Here are some prompts to get you...
Read MoreWhere do you set aside the money you’re saving for retirement? If you’re like many Americans, you save for retirement primarily through an employer’s retirement plan, according to Pew Research.1Unfortunately, less than one-half of...
Read MoreIf someone tells you older people need less sleep than younger people do, don’t believe it. Older Americans need about eight hours of sleep, just like everybody else. What’s different is quality sleep is harder to come by as you age....
Read MoreIt’s no secret healthcare costs are going up. Medical expenses have been steadily increasing for years. In 2007, costs were up almost 12 percent. However, the rate of increase slowed to 6 percent during the past five years and that...
Read MoreOn St. Patrick’s Day, it’s okay to celebrate even if you’re not Irish. St. Patrick himself wasn’t Irish. As we celebrate, we would like to share some of our favorite facts and tidbits about St. Patrick’s Day:1 • St. Patrick’s Day is an...
Read MoreHow many password-protected accounts do you have?If you keep mental inventory, use a password manager, or have a written record of your passwords (which is not recommended by anyone), take a quick count. You’re likely to find you may...
Read MoreValentine’s Day means different things to different people. Some welcome Valentine’s Day as a time for romance, while others see it as an opportunity to cherish friends and family. No matter how it’s celebrated, Valentine’s Day...
Read MoreWhether you own a house or rent an apartment, building a smart home is easier than it has ever been. Homeowners and renters can purchase kits that integrate specific smart items or they can select smart home products, such as light...
Read MoreIn 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the third Monday of January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.1 Dr. King, who is remembered for his powerful oratory and transformative ideas, once said, “Life’s most...
Read MoreBella. Coco. Charlie. Lucy. Max. No matter the name, many pets are considered to be members of the family, providing companionship, protection, and unconditional love. The pet-owner relationship has some powerful benefits, which may...
Read MoreIt’s only January, but you may want to jumpstart your 2018 taxes since there are a slew of new regulations that may affect you. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 goes into effect this year so make sure you understand how tax...
Read MoreEat healthier. Get more exercise. Save more money. Those were the top New Year's resolutions for 2018, according to Statista.1 Few people achieved them. One of the reasons so few resolutions become reality is because people tend to...
Read MoreHolidays can be joyful and a little stressful. Here are a few ways to bring a moment of happiness into your life and the lives of those around you:1 • Take time to call an old friend.• Buy coffee for a stranger.• Briefly chat with your...
Read MoreWhen the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember:1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended...
Read MoreWhen the ups and downs of stock markets leave you stressed and wondering whether stocks really will help you pursue your long-term financial goals, there are two things to remember:1. Historically, over long periods, stocks have tended...
Read MoreThanksgiving is a true American holiday. It celebrates generosity and gratitude, and it recognizes the relationships that helped colonists who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 survive beyond their first winter. History.com explained:1...
Read MoreThere are more than 20 million veterans living across the United States. These men and women fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, which continues today, and many...
Read MoreIt’s a pricey question.It’s a pricey question.College Board estimated the average cost for full-time, in-state students who live on campus at four-year public colleges or universities during the 2017-18 school year is $25,290...
Read MoreIf trick-or-treating in your neighborhood requires a trick to get a treat, your little ghosts and goblins will need some short and easy-to-remember options. Here are a few that were recommended by Reader’s Digest:1• What has hundreds...
Read MoreRemember the television classic, Green Acres? Eddie Albert, who portrayed a New York City lawyer, and Eva Gabor, who portrayed his sophisticated spouse, move from the big city to the country – and it’s not quite what they expected...
Read MoreHere’s a number that will knock your socks off: $400 trillion.1By 2050, the retirement savings shortfall in eight of the world’s largest economies is expected to reach $400 trillion, according to estimates from the World Economic Forum...
Read MoreLabor Day is set aside to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. It was proposed as a holiday by Matthew Maguire in 1882 while he served as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, NY. The labor...
Read MoreHow long will you live? How long will you live? It’s not a question anyone can answer with any certainty, and that creates a significant risk when planning for retirement. Your retirement may last for a long time, and you will need to...
Read MoreIn recent years, investors have largely ignored geopolitical risks. Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula, the Brits’ vote to leave the European Union (EU), unrest in the Middle East, and other global events have not affected...
Read MoreIn the olden days, the word ‘subscription’ typically was applied to just magazines and newspapers. Today, that’s not the case. Americans are buying everything from meal kits to baby products to vitamins by subscription. A McKinsey &...
Read MoreOn July 4, 1776, the American colonies banded together and declared independence from Great Britain. The countries had been at war for more than a year due to a number of issues, particularly in regards to harsh taxation and a lack of...
Read MoreTo the relief of many South Africans, Day Zero has been pushed back to 2019. Day Zero is the date on which Cape Town will run out of water, and its four million residents will begin to collect daily water rations of about seven gallons...
Read MoreThere are many perceived requirements of being a dad. “One of the jobs of a good dad is to help kids become a little tougher, a little more resilient, a little more separate…dads push kids to leave the nest; they brush off the dirt...
Read MoreThe words ‘bear market’ have been bandied about a lot lately. When you read or hear them, remember to respond the same way you would if you saw an actual bear in the woods – by staying calm and keeping your wits about you. A changing...
Read MoreIf you’ve ever composed a grocery list in your head while driving carpool and listening to your children discuss who got in trouble at school and why, then you know what it’s like to have your attention divided. If you’ve ever worked...
Read MoreMother’s Day is almost here! We all have moms and, whether they gave birth to us or not, they have helped us become the people we are today. Here are 10 reasons moms are so important, adapted from Psychology Today:11. She gave birth to...
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