Reducing Taxes Step-by-Step: 7 Ways to Save in 2026
Do you feel like the tax man takes too much of your money? You are not alone. Every year, millions of hard-working people pay a significant portion of their income to the government. The good news is that reducing taxes does not mean avoiding what you legally owe. With the right tax-saving strategies, you can […]
The 15-Minute 401(k) Concentration Audit: Find Hidden Risk Before You Reallocate
Knowledge Snapshot A 401(k) can contain several funds and still be heavily exposed to the same companies, sectors, or asset classes. The fastest way to find hidden risk is to review your total portfolio, not just each fund separately. Target-date funds are often designed as complete portfolios. Adding extra funds may create overlap rather than […]
Debt, Emergency Savings, or Retirement? How to Choose Where Your Next Dollar Goes
Knowledge Snapshot A strong default order is: cover essentials, build a starter cash buffer, capture your full employer retirement match, then attack high-interest debt. After expensive debt is under control, expand emergency savings and increase retirement contributions. The right choice depends on five factors: employer match, interest rates, emergency liquidity, tax deadlines, and your age […]
How Much Money Americans Think They Need to Retire Comfortably
Knowledge Snapshot Americans say they will need an average of $1.46 million to retire comfortably by age 65. That estimate is about $200,000 higher than the 2025 figure and well above the $951,000 estimate reported in 2020. Forty-six percent of Americans do not expect to be financially prepared for retirement. Forty-eight percent believe it is […]
Why Half of Americans Doubt They Will Ever Fully Retire (and How to Build Confidence Anyway)
Knowledge Snapshot 47% of non-retirees doubt they will ever be able to fully retire. 58% remain confident they will have enough money to retire from their primary career on schedule. 64% are more focused on their current financial situation than long-term retirement planning. 63% of Gen Z and 59% of Millennials worry that AI reducing […]
How Employer Retirement Plans Work: Fortune 500 to Public Sector
An employer retirement plan is one of the most powerful workplace benefits for building long-term financial security. These plans allow employees to save and invest for retirement, often with tax advantages and employer contributions. In this guide, you’ll learn how employer retirement plans work, the different types available, real-world company examples, and how to make […]
Best Retirement Plans for S-Corp & Small Business Owners
Qualified vs non qualified retirement plans are structured very differently, and choosing the wrong one can limit how much you save, how you’re taxed, and how secure your money really is. While both are designed to help employees prepare for retirement, they serve different income levels and come with very different rules. In this guide, […]
Cryptocurrency Investments As A Future Retirement Plan
Cryptocurrencies have proved to be a game-changer in the investment industry. Millions of people have been investing in cryptocurrencies for the last two years. Today, millennials and Generation Z are heading towards investing in digital currency because of their huge earning potential. Investing in cryptocurrencies is a great way to secure your retirement future. In […]
5 Effective Ways to Lower Your 401(k) Fees
If you’re like most people, you know that saving for retirement is essential. But do you know how much money your 401(k) fees may be eating up? The average American has $93,400 in their 401(k) balance when they reach age 50, but these high fees may substantially diminish the amount of savings. In this blog post, we’ll […]
Covid 19: New 401k Rules Under the CARES Act
If the coronavirus crisis has left you short of cash, you should know about some legislation the Fed’s just passed, to make it easier for you to tap into your 401(k).
The Money Coach’s Strategy to Build Wealth
Spending money wisely, saving cash and investing can all help build wealth – as well as bring you greater personal happiness. As I prepare for continued wealth building in 2020 and into the next decade, I wanted to share a dozen ways that my husband, Earl, and I spent strategically, invested and built wealth in […]
401(k) Contribution Limits Increase for 2013; What You Must Know
If you’ve got a 401(k) or a similar retirement plan, you can start socking away more money for your Golden Years starting in 2013. The IRS says it’s increasing the tax-free contribution limit for retirement plans to $17,500 for 2013; that’s up $500 from a limit of $17,000 in 2012.
Want to Make A Withdrawal From Your 401(k) to Pay Bills? Think Again!
Amid the tough economy, lots of people have tapped into their 401(k) plans or their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) as a way to get money to pay their bills. Although a withdrawal from a 401(k) plan probably offered a short-term cash cushion, but it also has long-term tax consequences, particularly for those who were under […]
Should You Start a 401(k) After Age 60?
A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com wanted to know whether or not it’s a smart decision for them to launch a 401(k) or 403(b) investment plan later in life. The person asked me simply: Q: “Should I start a 401(k) or 403(b) investment plan at 63 years of age?” A: Yes! Actually, I think it can be […]
Should I Use My 401(k) Money To Pay My Child’s College Tuition?
Q: To finish college, our son will need an additional $20,000 for his final two years. We are thinking of using some of our 401(k) money. My husband will be almost 60 by then, so no penalty. With our social security plus my husband’s pension, our income will be close to his present working income. […]